Initially, maber assisted in a study of the Salvation Army’s operations and requirements at their West London training headquarters in Sunbury on Thames. 

 
Location:
Sunbury on Thames
Services:

Architecture

Interiors

Landscape

Budget:
£3.6m
Client:
The Salvation Army
Size:
9,893 m2 GIA
Sector:
Hospitality & Conference
Residential - Private
 

Having identified the full extent and use of the existing properties, maber recommended an appropriate rationalisation and site development strategy. This included a new accommodation block to house delegates from around the world for the meeting of the High Council (where elections are held for a new Salvation Army General). 

Formed from two separate units linked by a double height / mezzanine meeting area, the high quality 80 bedroom accommodation consists of single, double and disabled occupancy rooms, which have been designed for collaborative working between guests. The scheme is sympathetic to the existing Grade II* Listed manor house and new landscaping seamlessly integrates with existing grounds which adjoin an area of Protected Urban Open Space.

 

To meet the tight deadline of a 9 month programme we suggested a factory produced, pre-insulated, structural frame system, formed from light gauge steel sections, used in conjunction with factory assembled bathroom ‘pods’. This system achieved a 30% improvement in construction time over conventional methods. The superstructure was erected and made watertight in 9 weeks – allowing internal services and finishes to be installed earlier in the program.

By its nature, the system had very low embodied energy and was extremely airtight, helping to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC rating of A.

Interior design and selection of fixtures and fittings was integral to the success of the design, and we worked closely with the client to provide a ‘turnkey’ service allowing them to walk into the building and find it ready for use.