Stirchley Community Hub, Birmingham

Stirchley Baths, a grade II listed building located at the junction of Bournville Lane & Hazelwell Street in Birmingham had been closed since 1987 when Coles Grant & Jones were engaged to provide development of the initial design concept & the provision of the Mechanical / Electrical Building Services installations as part of the overall refurbishment works.

The refurbishment of the building involved the transformation of the bathing area into a multi-purpose hall for sport & recreational activities. Other areas have been opened up by the removal of internal walls providing a gallery area, meeting rooms,cinema, classrooms & a cafe whilst preserving key historical features such as the chimney stack & cupola which are now accented with bespoke feature lighting. The original ticket booth is a striking feature located at the front entrance which is now illuminated with a bright modern lighting scheme.

Windows into the past history of the building can be glimpsed via the two illuminated viewing portals into the original bathing area & a well which was excavated (but not completed) to provide a water source for the baths.

The local community were eager to see what was happening to the former baths & visits were organised during construction for the public to have a look around. The derelict building is now once again a centre for the local residents to enjoy.

The building services have been sympathetically installed with an eye on the listed status of the building & its new usage.