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The Salmon Youth Centre, on Old Jamaica Road in London, is a vital community hub offering recreational, educational, and support services to young people. Adjacent to the Centre is Davoll Court, a residential apartment block. Both buildings are integral to the social and residential fabric of the London Borough of Southwark. This project, commissioned by the Salmon Youth Centre, aimed to address critical fire safety concerns associated with the existing external wall systems.

For this project, Cowan Architects collaborated closely with Guildmore, the main contractor, to deliver architectural design for RIBA Stages 4-6.

A Fire Risk Assessment of External Wall Report, carried out in line with PAS 9980 FRAEW (Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls), highlighted significant issues, including the use of combustible cladding materials that violated fire safety regulations and deficiencies in cavity barriers, which increased the risk of fire spread. Deterioration of façade components, such as cracks and gaps, further weakened fire resistance. These findings necessitated the immediate replacement of non-compliant materials and upgrades to meet updated safety standards.

The project involved removing and replacing the façade systems of both buildings. The RIBA Stage 4 design package addressed fire safety concerns for various façade types, including brick-facing, block-facing, EPS ETICS, HPL cladding, spandrel panels, and timber decking.

For brick-facing and block-facing hybrid cavity walls with external PIR insulation, the remediation process included:

• Safe removal of existing brick or block courses, PIR insulation, and rails.
• Installation of A1 fire-rated Knauf Omnifit Slab 35 insulation within the existing SFS, meeting European Standard EN13501-1.
• Installation of A1-rated Y Wall calcium silicate fibre cement sheathing boards.
• Installation of Siderise cavity barriers and Cortex 0100FR DPC separation layers as per specifications.
• Re-installation of brick or block courses, matching existing finishes where applicable (e.g., Staffordshire Red brick).

Care was taken to maintain the visual integrity of the buildings by matching the aesthetic of new materials with the original design.

Challenges included constrained site access, limited storage, and the need to ensure the safety of occupants throughout construction. Strict health and safety protocols were enforced, including scaffolding with integrated alarms, debris containment, and temporary waterproofing.

The collaboration between Guildmore and Cowan Architects resulted in significant enhancements to fire safety, ensuring the buildings meet current regulations. The improved thermal performance not only makes the spaces more comfortable but also helps reduce energy costs, benefiting both residents and the youth centre.

At Cowan Architects, we’re deeply committed to making buildings safer while enriching the lives of the people who use them and strengthening the communities we serve. We’re proud to work alongside Guildmore to create secure and welcoming environments, such as this one, that will continue to serve as vital resources for years to come.