Neighbourhoods need good facilities, but it as important to think about how people use places as much as how they look. Capital projects are often very significant undertakings but they are also important opportunities to re-think how services can be provided. Dealing with capital can be easier than re-designing or –refreshing approaches so often people tend to forget about this aspect when creating or renovating new buildings. Two ways to put more focus on this include: additional preparation before a building specification is produced and the creation of project management structure that is charged with designing services alongside the oversight of the actual building process.
In EC1, Ironmonger Row Baths are a 1930s swimming pool, Turkish baths and laundry. They had become very run-down, expensive to run and maintain and the internal layout was confusing. The service had also become somewhat tired. The Council and EC1 NDC worked on a major £16m refurbishment to bring the facilities up to date. Whilst a project of this scale is a huge undertaking we were keen not to lose sight of the service options. Separate studies and meetings were held as to how the community could be encouraged to used the centre more, including the appointment of a community co-ordinator that would see the centre as the hub for all health-related services in the area, not just a centre for people to visit.
