Work has started on the new £4.2 million ($6.5 million) youth and community centre, which is being delivered by a partnership between the London Borough of Harrow and Watford Football Club.
The building replaces a small 1960s youth centre on the edge of Cedars Park in Harrow, and will provide a brand-new multi-use sports hall, gymnasium, IT suite, art room, recording studio together with a cafe, play equipment for younger children and multi-use outdoor pitch. A mobile sports resource unit will also be based at the centre and tour schools and communities throughout the borough.
The design has been developed in close consultation with local residents and youth groups to address the sensitive nature of the site’s parkland setting and deliver a state-of-the-art facility built around the local community’s needs. The design draws inspiration from the surrounding context, incorporating a palette of natural materials including green roofs, a slatted timber facade and gabion walls. The aim is to provide a rich yet robust and low maintenance building.
The building’s sustainable design, developed by LOM and environmental consultants Battle McCarthy, makes use of a range of passive systems to produce a zero-carbon development. Measures include grey water recycling, natural heating via a south facing Solarwall, and photovoltaic panels on the main roof.
Structural engineer of the project is Conisbee and Jackson Coles serves as QS & CDM coordinator. Transport Initiative works as the specialist and Farnrise Construction Limited is the contractor. The building has been funded by the MyPlace scheme.
