Culture & Community
Tarling Road Community Centre
When the Old Barn Community Centre no longer met the needs of its users, the opportunity arose to deliver something entirely new. Lawray was appointed to lead the technical and production information from RIBA Stages 4 to 7 for the replacement centre. The first project to be completed under Barnet Council’s Strategic Construction Partnership with Graham Construction.
A fresh approach
Seizing the opportunity to create a modern, inclusive facility, the Council set out to provide a state-of-the-art community centre to support local groups and families, including the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association (SBWA).
The completed building delivers 980 square metres of flexible, functional space, including a learning area, large meeting hall and café with internal seating. External amenities further enhance community use, with table tennis facilities, growing beds, a herb garden, landscaped seating areas and a covered soft-play space supporting a new self-contained nursery. Electric vehicle charging points have also been integrated within the car park.
Engaging with the local community
Developed in close consultation with residents, the proposals were shared through public exhibitions to inform and shape the evolving design. Sustainability was embedded throughout the project, with a range of initiatives incorporated to reduce the building’s environmental impact. The centre has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.