A timber-clad clinic for the entire community
The not-for-profit Family Treatment Service (FTS) in Wimbledon Village, London, has been providing adults, adolescents and children with a broad range of mental health support since 2021. They aim to give clients easy and flexible access to expert advice, a service that’s in high demand.
When they outgrew their existing space, FTS decided to create a purpose-built clinic nearby. Ridgway Mews has been clad in our Thermopine®, and its finish and arrangement extend the calm welcome envisioned for the building by FTS and their architect, Host Architecture.
Designing a unified working environment
James Gunn founded Host Architecture in southwest London in 2021. The practice advocates for material reuse and making the most of what’s already there, putting environmental impact and quality front and centre. Given their expertise, they were a natural fit for a conservation area project involving the reuse of two ageing brick-clad structures. FTS tasked Host Architecture with transforming the existing buildings into a single, cohesive space.
The final design preserves the blocky form of the existing structures, balancing private client areas with an inviting atmosphere inside. The result is a modern, functional and nurturing space that supports the clinic’s practical needs, reflects its caring ethos and prioritises employee wellbeing.
The right cladding for the job
Early on, Host elected to retrofit the existing walls with insulation, opening up a world of cladding choices. Once they settled on using a light-toned, regularly spaced vertical cladding, selecting Thermopine was an easy decision.
“We chose Thermopine for its durability, sustainability, and ability to achieve the desired aesthetic while requiring minimal maintenance,” says James Gunn.
The cladding was specified in an open rainscreen batten profile (2RA), and factory-coated with SiOO:X Light Grey to help achieve an even, controlled patina over time. The coating lets the timber’s warmth shine through while eliminating differential weathering. The thickness of the 44x44mm profile adds depth and texture.
Despite the plans resulting in the net loss of three residential units, planning approval was granted thanks to the benefits of the proposed use and the architectural enhancements. The planners welcomed the pared-back, contemporary approach to the cladding, remarking on how it was a sensitive choice in the conservation area.
Our experience with Russwood was excellent from start to finish. The contractor, a specialist joiner, was particularly impressed with the consistency and straightness of the timber delivered to site – ensuring a smooth installation process and a high-quality final finish. Russwood’s expertise and reliability played a key role in achieving the level of precision we aimed for in the project.
James Gunn, founder of Host Architecture
A long-term, sustainable choice
Thermopine is made from thermally modified Scots pine. Thermally treated timber is ideal for narrow batten-style cladding, as the modification process increases the stability of the product – meaning Ridgway Mews’s sharp lines will remain throughout the building’s lifetime. To help the SiOO:X coating bond more effectively to the cladding, the architect opted for a fibrous Microtex® finish.
“The Microtex® finish provides both visual and technical advantages,” says James. “Visually, it enhances the natural texture of the timber, adding depth and refinement when viewed up close. Technically, it has performed well, providing an additional ‘key’ for the SiOO:X coating.”
Fitted with care
Getting the cladding to site was a particular challenge at Ridgway Mews. The only way in for materials is down a narrow lane, which is off a busy main road. To add to the logistical complexity, around two metres up, a metal naming plate spans the lane. Thanks to our loading crane operator’s experience and our Hiab lorry, we were able to deposit the cladding packs far enough down the lane that a forklift could collect them.
Once safely onsite, the cladding was installed using our battening system (RWBS), which played a crucial role in getting those sharp lines and the batten spacing just right. Host’s vision was to create a surface that looks unified from a distance, but which reveals the timber’s richness and texture the closer one gets. Fixings were intentionally left visible and meticulously positioned to reinforce the project’s crafted, high-quality aesthetic.
“Rather than over-designing the layout, we focused on achieving precision in the setting-out of the timber, fixings and junctions,” explains James, talking about the cladding installation process. “On-site mock-ups were used to test the batten spacing, ensuring the rhythm felt refined and consistent.”
Specifier Tip: This look can be achieved using our innovative Russwood FinFix® system, a stainless steel bracket solution designed for the secret-fixing of timber fins, ensuring a clean and seamless finish.
Futureproofing mental health services
With Ridgway Mews, the Family Treatment Service endeavoured to create a warm, cosy space that would feel like the opposite of a traditional medical setting. The outcome is hugely successful, and this new clinic sets them up to support even more members of the surrounding community in the years to come.
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Timber fins are a striking design element in modern architecture, offering both visual appeal and practical benefits like solar shading and filtered natural light. For projects that demand a flawless finish, secret-fixing systems are essential.
