New Parish Centre at St Saviours, Oxton, Cheshire
The parish of St Saviour Oxton with St Andrew, Noctorum, were developing the role of the church building within the wider community, and the accessible centre has been the catalyst for that change. It is open to a wide range of groups and activities daily.
The architectural project had the backing of the Community Fund and benefited from substantial private donations.
The project involved Inkpen Downie in consulting with the Diosecan Advisory Committee, English Heritage and the Victorian Society as well as the local planning department.
The centre is free standing on its own foundations without need for structural support from the existing church, which is separated by a glazed atrium.
The parish wanted sustainable architecture and the design is environmentally conscious incorporating passive solar design, natural stack ventilation and day lighting, high levels of insulation and the use of sustainable materials.
The PCC has launched its own website with photographs of the completed work and details of how parishioners may use the facility.