How a Sheffield building firm transformed a youth charity centre with sustainability at its core

Creating a welcoming and sustainable space for young people to thrive isn’t just about construction—it’s about community. And that's exactly what Fourth Wall Building Consultancy, a Sheffield-based building firm, set out to achieve with their latest project for the local charity Chilypep.

Building something that truly matters

The project, which wrapped up in March 2025, was all about giving Chilypep’s existing building a fresh lease of life. Located in Parson Cross, Sheffield, the centre was previously an old GP surgery. Rather than tearing it down and starting over, Fourth Wall chose the more environmentally friendly option: refurbishing and extending the building. This decision alone saved an impressive 60% in carbon emissions.

Instead of the usual demolition approach, they gave the space a complete makeover to better serve the young people of the area. And it wasn't just about saving energy—it was about creating a place where young people felt seen, supported, and valued.

Smart, eco-friendly design

Sustainability was at the heart of this £1 million project. To make the building as energy-efficient as possible, the team installed:

• An air-source heat pump for heating, which is far more eco-friendly than traditional gas boilers.
• Solar panels to generate clean energy and lower the building’s overall environmental impact.

This wasn’t just about making the building look nice. It was about making it truly work for the community while being kinder to the planet. And people are starting to notice—Fourth Wall even got a Highly Commended Sustainable Development recognition at the Inside Media Yorkshire Property Industry Awards.

Designed with the community in mind

From the get-go, Fourth Wall made sure to involve Chilypep’s service users—young people from the area. Their ideas and feedback were baked into every part of the design. So, what did the finished centre end up looking like?

• A purpose-built IT suite for learning and career support.
• A sports hall for recreation and physical well-being.
• Accessible spaces designed with young people with special educational needs in mind.
• A food bank and areas dedicated to counselling and career services—much-needed resources for the local community.

For Joshua Weston, Co-Founder and Lead Director of Fourth Wall, this project hit especially close to home. Having grown up in Greenhill, Sheffield, and attending Meadowhead School and King Ecgbert Sixth Form, his passion for making a difference in his hometown was clear.

“This project was one I was particularly passionate about,” Joshua said. “The transformation of the Chilypep centre has been really rewarding to be part of, and the immediate, positive impact it’s had has filled the whole team with great pride.”

Collaboration that made it all possible

The project wasn’t just a solo effort by Fourth Wall. Funding came from the Youth Investment Fund, and Fourth Wall even helped Chilypep successfully bid for it.

From the first planning session to the final landscaping touches, the young people themselves were consulted, making sure the centre genuinely reflects their needs and dreams. This kind of partnership is rare but clearly powerful.

As Lesley Pollard, CEO of Chilypep, put it:

“The new youth and community centre has been a long-held goal, and we’d like to express deep thanks to Fourth Wall for their dedication and collaboration. We are also really proud to have had the young people and the wider community we serve at the heart of this.”

Why this matters

At a time when sustainable building practices are more important than ever, this project stands out for its creative approach to reducing carbon footprints and maximising resources. But more importantly, it’s proof that when companies listen to and work with their communities, the results can be life-changing.

To find out more about the project, head over to Fourth Wall’s website.