James Latham donates sheet materials for SPUD’s’ ‘The Living Room’
‘The Living Room’ is a transformative community hub in Sway, Hampshire. Opening on the 12th of October 2023, it was originally planned as a safe space where people with dementia could relax and socialise.
However, the project, a collaborative effort initiated by arts and education charity SPUD, has evolved beyond its initial purpose to encompass a broader demographic, including young vulnerable people and those living with mental health issues in the community.
Created for Longevity
With a very small budget, SPUD knew it needed to rely on the goodwill of its project partners and long-time supporters. One of these is James Latham, a leading independent distributor of architectural materials, which had previously worked with the organisation on its Handlebar Café project.
When the senior team was approached and heard about the social impact The Living Room would have, they immediately offered to be involved.
To fulfill the building’s exacting specifications and ensure uncompromising performance standards in the finished article, the selection of high-quality materials was critical.
A Well-rounded Approach
Crucially, SPUD needed components that would enable a swift and hassle-free assembly and installation, yet result in a durable, visually-appealing building. Situated on the circular footprint of a historic water tower, on SPUD’s campus, spudWORKS, was keen to maintain the same shape for The Living Room. This meant that any cladding material specified had to be able to achieve the required curvature for a rotund finish.
Working closely with James Latham, and after considering a variety of products, it was decided that a combination of plywood and Sterling OSB (Oriented Strand Board) would be the most suitable materials, especially when considered in relation to The Living Room’s design. Plywood’s inherent flexibility and tensile strength meant that it could be formed to achieve the desired curvature without compromising on its structural integrity.
Meeting with the seal of approval from the project architects, the distributor donated 120m2 of sheet materials towards its construction.
Fusing Form and Function
Work on The Living Room commenced in June 2023, according to a strict schedule with the sheets used as a cladding material across the building’s roof, and external and interior walls.
The natural timber facing gives the space a pleasant, welcoming, and natural feel, evoking the majesty of The New Forest National Park in which The Living Room is located. This is further enhanced by the use of overlapping marine plywood titles on the external walls which achieve an attractive, rustic quality.
Importantly, there is a distinct synergy between material and design, embodying The Living Room’s intended sense of unity, equality, and community. Ultimately it achieves these attributes, and more, creating a new destination that simultaneously achieves sustainability, comfort, and artistic expression.
A Blend of Characteristics
Mark Drury from SPUD expressed his gratitude for the support, saying, “James Latham’s generous donation has breathed life into The Living Room Project. Each plywood panel underscores their generosity, amplifying the project’s mission. Its continued support has been vital to the project.”
“The way the products have been used in The Living Room Dementia Project is incredibly creative and showcases the material’s versatility. Seeing the project at completion and its potential to support and inspire individuals facing challenges is deeply gratifying and reflects our own ambition to be the most conscientious and socially responsible distributor on the market.”
Stuart Devoil from James Latham
James Latham stocks some of the best quality sheet materials in the world, all carefully vetted and assessed to ensure environmental compliance and adherence to global certification schemes. Available in the UK and Ireland-wide from all its 14 depots in a wide array of thicknesses, grades, and sizes, James Latham’s sheet portfolio offers a near-unrivalled level of choice.
For more information about The Living Room Dementia Project: www.spud.org.uk/
For more information about James Latham and its Plywood products:
www.lathamtimber.co.uk/
Photography Credit: ©Paul Close Photography.
