Cerebral Palsy Cymru

Cerebral Palsy Cymru (formerly Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales) have had a positive relationship with LOYN+CO Architects for many years. Chris Loyn was a founding parent of Bobath Wales; proudly supporting the charity and participating personally with his son Jack, who has cerebral palsy. LOYN+CO have provided architectural services to the charity over a number of years, including the delivery of its first premises in Whitchurch in 1992

We were once again approached by Cerebral Palsy Cymru in 2019 to be involved in the creation of a new therapy centre to replace the existing centre in Whitchurch. The project required preparation of design proposals to convert an existing two storey steel framed office building into a new therapy centre including therapy spaces, fundraising / administration and therapist offices.

Initial feasibility proposals were carried out both to test the client’s requirements against the capacity of the building and to seek funding. CPC used these studies and were successful in obtaining funding.

The design developed with an emphasis on creating a welcoming environment for children, young people and their families, creating a homely feel but also making spaces generous for informal interactions and spaces to practice mobility. In addition flexibility was fundamental to the charity, creating spaces that could offer individual and group therapy as well as large gatherings. Light, connection to the outdoor and legibility were all important. At the centre of the scheme is the ‘street’ where large ‘door numbers’ indicate the numerous therapy rooms leading off the space.