Our recent site visit to Bath-based community building for Freedom Centre UK
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A recent site visit to view our design of a Bath-based community project for Freedom Centre UK proved very popular with the SRA team, reflecting the level of passion there is to deliver Freedom’s vision - in place now for ten years! 30 members of staff split into three groups to view the standalone church auditorium, which is currently under construction at the rear of Freedom House on Lower Bristol Road.
Bristol-based construction firm Beard were appointed to build the new auditorium, which will soon be a home for the Freedom Centre UK Church’s services, activities and wide range of community-based projects. This includes the Trauma Recovery Centre, which is based on site and provides a holistic support service to help children recover from trauma. The new two-storey building will feature an 800sqm auditorium with a stage, plus adjoined multi functional break out spaces on the ground floor and mezzanine: this includes a café with seating and a servery for refreshments.
Designed to be simple, honest, flexible and adaptable, the building will enable the church to cater for future change. The interior is industrial in style with exposed services. Externally the design is contemporary in its form and uses materials intended to be a positive expression of the church’s identity and ethos. A pre-oxidised copper cladding wraps around the building, which allows this contemporary riverside intervention to complement the historic surroundings it sits within. Although tucked behind the existing listed building, due to its riverside location, the building is very visible to commuters and locals alike using the cycle path.
We are excited about the grand opening of the building on 23 June, where the vision will be a reality: a dynamic, modern space to reflect Freedom’s aspirations to create a visually engaging, warm and welcoming environment.
Read more about the journey behind the building on Freedom Centre UK’s website.