Following the successful completion of the first phases at Coram Headquarters in Brunswick Square, WC1N, leading contractor Thomas Sinden has been awarded the contract for the design and build of a further phase of work on the East Wing extension. This further phase forms part of the charity’s major campus redevelopment to create a National Centre of Excellence for children.
Thomas Sinden has already completed a new education centre at the front of the historic site offering learning experiences for thousands of local children and The Pears Pavilion, a purpose built centre, which features creative therapy rooms and adoption support.
In the next month, Thomas Sinden will also finish work on the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, a three storey, 20,000 sq. ft. new build office block which will be home to conference and learning spaces and will be opened to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the birth of the charity’s founder, Thomas Coram.
Graeme Sinden, Director of Thomas Sinden comments, “The redevelopment of Coram’s historic campus is a significant project for Thomas Sinden and we are delighted to have worked so closely with Coram over the years.
“From the outset Coram needed to continue to occupy and use the site whilst construction took place so we have had to overcome a number of sensitive challenges during our work, including ensuring no loss of functionality occurred whilst construction took place and factoring in a quiet hour to allow the children within the centre to have some rest.
“Due to the historic nature of the site, we have also had to ensure the preservation of a Grade I listed wall which runs through the site. Our team are extremely committed to the work we have carried out for Coram, so much so that our contracts manager, Terry Woodham, deferred his full time retirement to work on the new phase on the campus.”
Dr Carol Homden, CBE, Group Chief Executive of Coram commented “The Queen Elizabeth II Centre is more than just bricks and mortar to us – it is the realisation of a vision for a centre for excellence for children. The building is a catalyst to create better chances for children by enabling our own and other organisations to share best practice to improve services for those who need them the most. We have been proud to work with Thomas Sinden over the last six years; they have shown consideration and sensitivity to the specific needs of the site and the children we work with and been creative, reliable partners in the shared goal to make a positive difference in the world.”
CGI courtesy of Philip Meadowcroft Architects