John Morden Centre

The Stirling Prize winning John Morden Centre is a new day care facility in Blackheath built for Morden College, a charity founded in 1695, to support the elderly by providing a home for life for those in need. The original Almshouses, now Grade I listed, were built by Edward Strong, Sir Christopher Wren’s master builder.

Following a collaborative design process; the landscape and architectural interventions combine to sensitively engage with the built and living heritage of the college; notably the character of the Almshouse courtyards and the setting provided by the magnificent mature trees. The designs maximised the potential of the long narrow site, seamlessly integrating new buildings and ‘garden rooms’ alongside listed structures, existing trees, an existing memorial orchard and meadow and essential functional requirements of the college such as emergency access for ambulances. The new facility provides a space for residents to access health care and socialise indoors and outdoors, helping to tackle the issue of loneliness and isolation in the elderly.

PROJECT INFO

Client Morden College
Project John Morden Centre
Location Blackheath, London
Date 2019 - 2021
Tree planted 10

CREDITS

Landscape Architect J&L Gibbons
Architect Mæ
Interior Design Scott-Masson Interior Design
Structural Engineer Michael Hadi Associate
Environmental / M&E Engineers BOOM
Project Management Calford Seaden
Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant Calford Seaden
Planning Consultant Stanway Little
Photography © Sarah Blee, Image 1&6 © Jim Stephenson