RSBC Life Without Limits Centre

EPR is proud to support the Royal Society for Blind Children with its mission to empower the young blind and partially sighted community to live a life without limits. There are 39,000 blind and vision-impaired children in England and Wales, with four more diagnosed each day. Over 90% of those who lose their sight in youth will never go on to have a long-term job. 65% of blind people live on or below the poverty line and are 2-3 times more likely to have depression, with most struggling to form meaningful relationships. Completed in January 2022, the UK’s first Life Without Limits Centre will ensure blind children can gain independence and live a fulfilling life. Embodying the RSBC’s positive approach, the centre is an engaging hub of activity — providing flexible spaces for blind and partially sighted children to socialise and learn essential skills, whilst also providing a contemporary workspace for the charity’s staff. At the core of the project is the sustainable re-use of an existing space, preventing the carbon impact of demolition and the emissions of an entirely new-build scheme. Transforming part of an existing basement car park in the City of London’s Northern and Shell Building, the centre is a new enriching place - where staff and visitor wellbeing is at the heart of the design. In keeping with RSBC’s approach to blindness, we have embraced the challenges of the existing space - utilising the layout to create an optimal and flexible floor plan. Structural columns were retained and incorporated into the internal walls and space partitions, minimising obstacles and introducing a fluid circulation space with pocket snugs and private family support rooms, flexible workspace, meeting rooms, a training kitchen, a media suite, creative suite and high-quality end of journey facilities. Creative architectural interventions have created a new exclusive entrance on the Thames Path, providing vulnerable visitors with a safe, tranquil entry to the centre. With iconic views of London landmarks, proximity to water and better air quality, this uplifting arrival experience greatly enhances guest wellbeing. A major success is that the space doesn’t feel underground. Our innovative architectural solution utilises the existing double-height area to create an open entrance and reception lounge – allowing natural light to flood into the building. Working closely with the blind community, our investigative approach ensured the space was simultaneously inclusive and aesthetically pleasing. Carefully considered high contrast and tactile materials with varying surface finishes, acoustic levels, smells and colours help blind and vision-impaired guests navigate and distinguish the various zones within the building. EPR’s design creates a home away from home, reminding the world that blind people deserve the same quality of space as sighted people. Weekly events at the centre are for the wellbeing and enjoyment of the children and their families. Cooking classes, sensory workshops, indoor forest school, assistive technology sessions and events in the local area such as touch tours and theatre trips provide them with invaluable opportunities to build confidence, friendships and learn essential life skills.