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2014 Civic Trust Award for Ironmonger Row Baths

2014 Civic Trust Award for Ironmonger Row Baths

Ironmonger Row Baths in Islington was one of 79 national and international projects to receive a Community Recognition Civic Trust Award at the 55th Annual Civic Trust Awards Ceremony held in Blackpool on Friday 7th March 2014.

The team involved in this exceptional project are listed below:

  • Owner & Client– London Borough of Islington
  • Architect/Designer – Tim Ronalds Architects
  • Project Manager – Synergy Construction & Property Consultants
  • Quantity Surveyor – Northcroft (now Capita Northcroft)
  • Structural Engineer – Alan Baxter &Associates
  • Services Engineer – Max Fordham
  • Universal Design Consultant – David Bonnett Associates
  • Main Contractor – Wates Construction

This project comprised the re-development of an important, living piece of local history with the complete refurbishment of the Grade II well-used 1930’s public baths, to create a modern leisure centre.

Synergy were appointed by Islington Council to project manage this development and critically, this involved taking the client brief and establishing key design objectives. The design by Tim Ronalds Architects re-configured the 1931 and 1938 buildings by simplifying the maze of corridors and rooms, to create integrated space, fit for a 21st century service. The project was complex posing many structural and logistical challenges.

The design brief prepared by Synergy incorporated the Council’s key objectives for the project as agreed with the Head of Leisure Services, these being:

  • To re-provide a centre designed to engage local people so as to improve their health and well-being;
  • To minimise operating costs over the next 30 years, through the renewal of all mechanical and electrical services and the design of a sustainable building;
  • To restore and preserve the Grade II listed building and retain original features of architectural and historic interest;
  • To facilitate ease of operation and maintenance and ensure that the annual ‘down-time’ is minimised and revenue optimised;
  • To improve accessibility throughout the building, bringing additional areas into public use

With the re-configuration now complete the Ironmonger Row Baths now offers a unique mix of restored and upgraded facilities including:

  • Retention of 100 foot long pool but conversion to deck level;
  • Provision of new teaching pool increased in size by 28% with movable floor;
  • Refurbishment of the historic viewing gallery;
  • Innovative provision of small submersible lifts in each pool to allow quick and easy access to the water for disabled people or people who are less mobile;
  • Increased accessibility with lift access to all floors and improved disabled changing. IRB will meet the ‘Inclusive Fitness Initiative’ (IFI) gold standard
  • Improved changing facilities, including new dry changing rooms;
  • 100% increase in the size of the historic Turkish Baths, which will offer the traditional hot rooms, steam rooms, saunas, relaxation areas and treatment rooms;
  • Creation of two new fitness studios and a gym;
  • Re-installation of a public laundry, offering modern equipment;
  • A permanent historical exhibition of the original slipper baths, to celebrate the original function of IRB as a “baths and washhouses establishment
  • Moving the main entrance from Ironmonger Row to opposite St.Luke’s Gardens

This is the second NATIONAL award for Ironmonger Row Baths, the first being a national RIBA award last year.

Posted on 11/3/2014

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