APEC returned to the SS John and Monica and Anawim site to upgrade the former school assembly hall into a more environmentally friendly space for the wider community.

In 2012, APEC carried out engagement with SS John and Martin parishioners and the wider community and discovered that there was a strong need for a community facility in Balsall Heath. The church embarked on fundraising and by 2019 were ready to make changes to their hall for use by the wider community.

The hall was not accessible to people using pushchairs or wheelchairs. To improve this, we introduced a new level entrance and a platform lift to the stage. We brought the hall up to standard for the community with a commercial catering kitchen, integrated AV equipment, and new toilet facilities. We refurbished the existing parquet floor, and introduced hardwood stairs and doors to improve the quality of the space.

We wanted to improve the thermal performance of the building where we could, so we introduced new double glazing, and roof insulation. The church wanted to increase the building’s presence and create a sense of arrival so we proposed to introduce cladding to the entrance with a canopy, which enabled us to also introduce insulation to this area.