architects Henley Halebrown

Detail of the graphic caryatid ST JOHN'S on the main street façade of this public building

The building is synonymous with the neighbourhood, St. John's Hill in South London

First floor plan - the Centre is planned around two courtyard gardens and overlooking two side streets. The design creates a private aspect for clinical rooms. Internal circulation is organised around these courtyards

Entrance hall with open stair leading directly to the first floor reception

Detail of west courtyard garden and entrance hall beyond. These gardens daylight the interior and aid orientation

The concrete frame is exposed throughout to enable natural ventilation. Here, the exposed concrete soffit of the first floor waiting area is painted a warm bright yellow

The building is planned so that the larger mechanically ventilated spaces - gymnasium, waiting areas and meeting rooms - act as an environmental buffer controlling solar gain, road noise and pollution

Long section through first floor physiotherapy gym and waiting space. Rooms are generally 10% larger than NHS standards aiding day-to-day functionality and interchangeability of use making the building more flexible and adaptable

The rear facade, by contrast, reveals the regular pattern of fenestration associated with a cellular building of this kind. The building is planned on a 1.2m module – rooms, windows and cladding are set out to the same module

We sought to offset the ‘civic’ scale of the new building with the warmth and richness of timber. Louvres on the east and west elevations provide solar shading and acoustic baffles

Detail of the rear (north) façade

Offices and staff facilities are located on the upper floors. View from rooftop staff room