We were commissioned to revise an already designed scheme for this faith based community centre and eight apartments in the London Borough of Newham.  We were challenged with re-designing the scheme to better respond to its urban context whilst providing high quality spaces in the building.

The Minah-ul-Quran is an Islamic organisation that promotes education as a means of increasing the integration of the Islamic community.  The centre currently occupies the old Odeon cinema building on Romford Road.  Whilst the original frontage is largley intact, the rest of the building is dilapidated and does not suit the centre's needs. 

The refurbished and extended centre will provide a multi-use hall - open to the whole community - prayer halls and class rooms.  Eight apartments will occupy the upper floors.

Our scheme will retain and refurbish the 1930s art deco frontage, whilst replacing the rear.  The building's section is designed to maximise the amount of natural daylight on this constricted site.  With dual aspect apartments arranged either side of a roof terrace and central rooflight. 

The centre is designed to be as energy efficient as practicable.  As well as maximising the amount of daylight in the building there are large green roof terraces, rain water collection, photovoltaic panels to the south facing roof and a highly insulated building envelope. 

An application for full planning permission was submitted to The London Borough of Newham in November 2011.