The Grange Centre provides accommodation and training for adults of all ages with physical and learning disabilities. The aim is to encourage people to take control of their own lives and integrate into the community as much as possible.

This project involved the conversion of an existing teaching building to provide self-contained accommodation for adults ready to practise and improve their independent living skills. The first floor was converted into two studio flats, each self contained with its own kitchen and bathroom. On the ground floor level, three one bedroomed flats were provided and a glazed covered access was created to link the flats to the communal areas. A laundry, staff sleepover accommodation and a communal sitting area were also provided, the latter giving rise to a community atmosphere within which independence could be developed.

In terms of construction, the principal challenge was the economic conversion of the existing building and the planning of the spaces. The structure was previously a single storey load-bearing one with a trussed rafter roof. Careful design was required to configure the spaces to render them suitable to accommodate new flats on both ground and first floor. This incorporated the special requirements to mitigate the risk of sound and fire spread.

Archadia Chartered Architects architectural practice is located in Hampton, Middlesex 
in south-west London and also in Surbiton, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.