Arts Community & Leisure, Education

Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust’s Children’s Home

Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust’s first children’s home, in Sutton, is home to up to six children from 12-17 years old, including two care leavers of 16+ in more independent flats on the second floor. The building was reimagined and fully renovated transforming a derelict old people’s home. With a strategy of using solid, quality materials giving sturdy, as well as beautiful finishes throughout the home an exceptional nurturing, calming and therapeutic atmosphere was created. Features include doors and their frames are solid oak, limestone kitchen worktops, with visible fossils, a landing niche with a circular cushion makes a natural and comfortable space to be. The house has been thermally upgraded, with primarily plant-based materials and without the help of gas. Smooth lime plaster sits over wood fibre insulation in the relined envelope. An air source heat pump and an exhaust air heat pump fed by the naturally warm kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and plant rooms do much of the heating, while invisible infrared panels operated by the building management system provide warmth quickly when needed, plus lighting and CO2 sensors. When the roof was repaired (along with the front of the house), 20 photovoltaic panels were also installed.

RIBA Regional Award 2023 Winner

Architect: Conrad Koslowsky Architects

Client: Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust

Structural engineer: PHI Design

Services engineer: Atamate