In 2008 BHT (formerly Brighton Housing Trust) obtained funding for the £600,000 refurbishment of First Base, a day centre for the homeless, located at St Stephen’s Church, Montpelier Place, Brighton – a Grade 2* listed building.
Camillin Denny Architects Ltd. took on the job as a humanitarian project and carried out Stages A-B for free and the remaining stages at a reduced rate. Camillin Denny Architect’s wanted to put their time and expertise into a local community project and highly admired the work that BHT carry out and their commitment to the homeless. Planning Approval and Listed Building Consent were successfully obtained in 2009 and works are due to start on site at the end of May 2010 ready to be re-opened in time for Christmas. Facilities include a new training kitchen, offices, consultation rooms and a new reception. This accommodation will be located in two new pods to be housed in the main hall. New toilets, showers, laundry facilities and staff room will be integrated in to the existing side wing extension. The centre will also be open to the public and used for education purposes to learn about the social history of homelessness and the welfare state and promote understanding.
The building has a varied history; originally designed by John Crunden in 1766 as the ballroom to the Castle Tavern located at the Old Steine, it became the Private Chapel of the Royal Pavilion for King George IV in 1822, demolished and re-erected in Montpelier Place in 1851 and re-named St Stephens, in 1939 it was converted into the Diocese of Chichester’s Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. In 1988 Brighton Housing Trust acquired the building and was converted into the First Base Day Centre for homeless.
The original interiors designed in the Adams-style remain to this day with the walls articulated with decorated pilasters; the central portion of each wall is recessed with an arrangement of pilasters and columns. A frieze of urns enclosed in ovals and a vaulted ceiling with 3 large roses will be restored and decorated as part of the project.
