Aoibhneas Womens Refuge

The project involved an extension to the existing building to provide a refurbished reception area, new playroom and kitchen and a new pod linked to the building with a pergola to create a space for teenagers. To achieve this, we assembled a pro-bono design team including Cumming Group as QS, Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers for C&S, Black & White Engineers for M&E, Maze for Fire and DAC, and RMDA for Landscape.

The project began with a unified understanding of the purpose: creating a safe, engaging, and stimulating environment for our client’s service users.

The main challenge was the budget. The client had a limited amount of funding, but we wanted to give them the best possible outcome. We were very lucky that Walls Construction agreed to complete the work to the client’s budget with the remainder covered by them and their procurement partners and sub-contractors. The works were carried out in a live environment with the staff and clients using the building daily.

Collaboration was always at the heart of this project and creativity was incredibly important to the team.

The playroom was designed to be inclusive, age-appropriate, and flexible. Natural light, sustainable materials, and vibrant colours enhanced the space. The playroom supports a variety of activities and adapts to changing needs. Input from Aoibhneas ensured the space supported learning and play and met their needs.