Design Report June 2005

The conversion and adaptation of St Paul’s Church, Scouthead, Oldham.
Prepared by Halsall Lloyd Partnership.

The Proposal

As a result of continuing controlled expansion Focus Education have outgrown their existing accommodation in nearby Uppermill, Saddleworth and have been searching the immediate locality for new facilities which will not only provide for their office space requirements, but will also allow them to incorporate enhanced on site training and conferencing facilities.

Halsall Lloyd Partnership worked with Focus Education to develop an initial accommodation brief and to clarify the requirements and approximate spatial requirements. As a result of this an initial sketch design proposal has been developed to demonstrate the possible way in which the building is likely to be adapted to its proposed new use.

The sketch design plans indicate that the building can be successfully adapted to suit the needs of Focus Education, whilst retaining the essential character of the original church structure with a contemporary interior arrangement. Generally, existing features will be retained to enhance the alternative use in a sympathetic manner.

The overall concept is to insert a new steel frame structure within the existing building to exploit the overall volume of the original church itself, removing the previous re-ordering carried out in the recent past. In principle, it is intended to create a new entrance foyer/reception area which will benefit from the full height of the existing west window (currently not seen above the suspended ceiling), from ground floor to underside of the existing roof. The main worship area will be adapted with the insertion of a mezzanine level into a ‘two storey’ volume accommodating the ancillary office and production facilities. Above this a new conference and training area will be added to utilise the existing roof volume, being entered from the new ‘three storey’ circulation core incorporating differing foyer/balcony levels dividing the reception and office volumes.

The design feasibility report and sketch drawings were produced in June 2005. The construction work would begin in December 2006 and during this 18month interlude a number of design elements would be finalised.

The various planning officers at Oldham MBC appeared from initial discussions to be enthusiastic regarding the prospect of retaining the Church for employment/training use.

Over the next 18 months Focus Education and appointed architects Halsall Lloyd Partnership worked in close consultation with the redundant church committee and Oldham MBC to secure permission for all work that would be required to convert the premises.

By December 2006, Focus Education was the new proprietor of Talking Point Conference and Exhibition Centre, formally St Paul’s Church, Scouthead, Oldham. Architectural designs by Halsall Lloyd Partnership had been finalised and Armitage Construction were awarded the contract for this development.
.
The new facilities would compromise

A 3 story atrium and a dedicated conference reception area will greet all visitors to the centre. The ground floor will also accommodate the offices of Focus Education and the Focus’ book shop.

On the first floor a spacious area overlooking the atrium will become home to a café bar where delegates can meet, eat and drink during there event. The first floor is home to 3 meeting rooms including a room located in the church chancel that will be named The Boardroom, this room will be dominated by stained glass windows.
The second floor at Talking Point will house the largest conference room, The Forum plus 2 additional smaller rooms ideal for syndicate rooms. The second floor is home to an impressive mezzanine that overlooks the atrium. A glass walkway towering over the atrium extends out from the mezzanine and towards the Tower room. This unique room, based in the church tower will hold up to 4 people.