Constructed during the 1930's, the old Beacon Cinema has stood at the heart of the North Smethwick community for the majority of the last century, however in recent years the building has become neglected and currently stands unused. In 2008 North Smethwick Development Trust approached the practice to undertake the design for the buildings conversion into a new community centre and place it at the centre of community life.

The design aims to conserve as much of the existing buildings fabric as possible, however through the insertion of carefully designed contemporary interventions, reconfigure the spaces within for their new uses. A new secondary entrance and full height glazing has been introduced to the southern elevation with an internal double height void providing vertical connection between the two floors and allowing natural daylight to illuminate the multi-use hall on the ground floor and managed work spaces at first floor.