We are delighted to announce the most recent winner of our social enterprise initiative; Carney’s Community centre. Every year, through an open competition, we offer pro-bono work to a chosen submission that is deserving of improvement, with the aim of kick-starting funding to become a reality.

Located on the western edge of Battersea Park, London, Carney’s Community is a youth-focussed charity space providing support for around 700 young people each year: particularly those affected by social exclusion and unstable home environments. An existing gym is organised into areas for hanging bags, a boxing ring, circuit training and standing weights. Boxing sessions are an essential activity to instil routine, discipline and focus, and are so popular, that they regularly reach full capacity, often having to expand outdoors in summer months. In order to meet growing demand, the charity is exploring ways to increase capacity.

A short-term vision consists of minor improvements without altering anything structural. This includes a roof terrace granting outdoor exercise space, a new gym mezzanine, and the reintroduction of skylights for cross-ventilation.

Our long-term feasibility proposal investigates the potential to expand the existing structure by inserting an additional floor, creating stepped terraces. This extension would provide essential additional floor area to support the charity’s future growth. A new pergola would highlight the building’s primary entrances and provide the community with a sheltered outdoor gathering space.

Carney’s Community is a cornerstone in the local neighbourhood, with the area characterised by Victorian blocks, the wonderfully active Battersea Park, and the distinctive Albert Studios, a listed building with rich creative provenance as artist workshops. We hope for our early concepts to instigate funding for this essential organisation!