Celia Hammond Animal Trust

JTA was appointed by the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) to transform a derelict Victorian cottage and a dilapidated warehouse at the rear of their Lewisham clinic into a purpose-built cat rehoming facility. The scheme provides an independent reception area and office, along with a new DEFRA-compliant cattery capable of housing up to 50 stray cats during their rehoming process.

The project involves a comprehensive refurbishment and retrofit of the existing Victorian cottage, alongside the deconstruction of the warehouse to make way for a new-build cattery extension.

Sustainable, Low-Carbon Design

Sustainability is central to the project. Low-carbon design strategies include passive cooling through the use of natural structural stone and night-time ventilation, vapour-permeable insulation, and the reuse of materials salvaged from the warehouse deconstruction.

Complex Urban Site

Located on a tight inner-London plot, the L-shaped building sits directly on boundary lines along four of its six elevations. This has required detailed party wall negotiations and careful coordination with adjacent property owners. Extensive consultations have also been held with local amenity groups, the local authority, neighbouring residents, and Thames Water, whose compound adjoins the site.

Phased Delivery

Due to funding constraints, the works have been phased.

• Phase 1 comprises the shell and core refurbishment of the Victorian cottage and the construction of a new circulation link connecting the cattery to the reception and office areas.

• Phase 2—the completion of the cattery fit-out—will commence once CHAT secures the remaining funding, which is currently being raised.