SAMARITANS

Community Hub Refurbishment & Extension
Location: Truro, Cornwall

A More Accessible & Sustainable Community Facility
The project involved the refurbishment and extension of the Samaritans Cornwall premises on Treyew Road, Truro. Occupied by the charity since 1972, the existing late 19th-century building was adapted to provide a more accessible and fit-for-purpose environment for volunteers, alongside new facilities for training and community use.

Our involvement extended across Stages 1–5, from initial brief and feasibility through concept development, planning, technical design and construction. Working closely with the charity and wider project team, we developed a scheme responding to its operational needs while making better use of the existing site.

Improving Accessibility & Function
The existing building's narrow staircases and constrained layout limited accessibility for some volunteers. The ground floor has been reorganised to provide an operations room, office, rest area and improved WC facilities, including an accessible WC and shower room.

A new single-storey extension provides improved circulation and level access, with external ground levels carefully adjusted to maintain both pedestrian and vehicle access across the site.

Flexible Training & Community Space
A new single-storey training building occupies the rear of the site, providing a flexible conference and training room, breakout space and accessible WC facilities. The space can also be hired by external organisations when not required by the charity, allowing the building to serve a wider community purpose and generate additional income.

Its low-profile form and flat roof minimise its visual impact on neighbouring properties, while making efficient use of the constrained rear garden.

Materiality & Character
The new buildings use a restrained palette of brickwork, horizontal composite cladding and aluminium glazed. The contemporary materials complement the existing rendered building while clearly defining the new interventions.

The palette was selected for durability, low maintenance and cost effectiveness, with carefully positioned glazing providing natural light while maintaining privacy to neighbouring properties.

Supporting the Charity's Future
The first and second floors of the existing building have been converted into a self-contained two-bedroom dwelling, providing an additional source of regular rental income for the charity.

Together with the new training and community facility, the scheme makes more effective use of the existing property while supporting the charity's operational and financial resilience.

From Brief to Delivery
The result is a more inclusive and adaptable community facility, providing improved working and training environments while creating additional opportunities for income generation and wider community use.