Buxton starts work at St Mary’s Convent & Nursing Home, Chiswick
We’re pleased to have started work at St Mary’s Convent & Nursing Home in Chiswick, delivering the Phase 1A Communal Areas project within the existing operational convent and nursing home.
The works will transform areas adjoining the St Joseph’s Wing to create a new and improved Communal/Café/Dining space. An existing landscaped area will be enclosed to form this space, while an internal courtyard will be roofed over to provide additional space and to improve connections between the surrounding buildings.
A defining feature of the new communal space will be its cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof. The timber will be expressed internally, creating a striking ceiling over the main communal area and bringing warmth and character
to the new space.
Designed by Paul Vick Architects, the new accommodation brings together the expressed timber roof, retained brickwork, rooflights and large areas of glazing to create a light, contemporary space. Rather than attempting to imitate the existing architecture, the new work is designed to sit comfortably alongside the established brick buildings while allowing the distinction between old and new to remain visible.
St Mary’s will remain operational throughout the works, meaning careful planning and coordination will be an important part of the project. Construction activities will be segregated from occupied areas, with access maintained for residents, staff and visitors and deliveries, noise, dust and vibration carefully managed throughout the works.
Working with the existing buildings also brings a number of structural and construction challenges. Early works include surveys and investigation of the existing fabric, drainage and below-ground works, underpinning and the careful management of existing underground services. These works will create the foundations for the new accommodation and allow the new structure to connect successfully with the existing buildings.
We look forward to working with the client and wider project team as the works progress.
CGI images courtesy of Paul Vick Architects.
