Saxongate Community Centre

Inclusivity and accessibility were top priority when creating an inspiring environment for Saxongate Community Centre.

Supporting disabled individuals, their families and carers through high quality services, Papworth Trust provides learning centres and facilities that help thousands of people each year. For their new Saxongate Head Office and Learning Centre they had specific needs and requirements to allow accessibility and inclusion for employees and everyone in the local community - able bodied and disabled alike.

Squaredot were tasked with creating a practical and welcoming environment which incorporated accessible functionality without losing the fun look, style and ethos of Papworth Trust. After some in depth analysis and research which involved assessing the people who would be working in and using the space, the activities which would be taking place in the Centre, and considering the unique requirements of the current/ proposed environment, Squaredot presented a design to meet the varied needs of Saxongate Learning Centre.

Bright, optimistic spaces guide visitors and staff around the building through strategic placement of braille and electronic signage, as well as a clever use of colour. Electronically powered, height adjustable workstations and presentation white boards allow anyone to learn in a way that suits them. SquareDot included nine inclusive meeting and training rooms including an IT suite, a training kitchen and an arts room. The atrium also provides a comfortable, welcoming place for people to relax and take a break in the overhead café with an open aspect view across Huntingdon where Saxongate is based.

Saxongate and SquareDot have helped prove that services can be designed to be accessible and inclusive to everyone in a community - including those that have a disability - through thoughtful, innovative design choices.