The Crescent now offers twice the available space that was originally in place, significantly increasing access and providing greater flexibility and more personalised support to residents and their families.

Designed to Stage 2+ by CF Møller, Rock Townsend Architects (RT) were appointed by Farrans Construction to develop the design on behalf of Lambeth Council. Staying true to the concept design, RT took the original design and reworked the space provision, their adjacencies and the overall size of the building to meet an evolving brief, changing regulations and budget.

Set on a steeply sloping site, the building, over 3 floors, takes advantage of the level changes with entrances at lower ground and upper ground level (or first floor). The U-shaped building is set around a central courtyard framing 3 sides of the space with the fourth side open with terraces and gardens rising with the slope of the hill.

The courtyard and terraced gardens are fully accessible and serve both the day-centre visitors as well as those living there more permanently. The gardens and terraces are all linked via ramps and steps and each directly serve the different rooms and spaces within the building such as the day room, therapy rooms and lounges. Those living there also have private outdoor balconies associated with each of the apartments.

Our extensive work within the education sector designing and delivering facilities for children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been hugely beneficial experience for this project. During design stages 3 and 4 RT worked closely with immediate stakeholders and the community through a series of one-to-one sessions, group workshops and public consultation events to ensure an inclusive and user-friendly process reflecting the clients ambitions for the centre becoming a truly integrated and valued resource for the community.