The centre was designed in close collaboration with young people and the local community and was conceived as an open and unpretentious piece of architecture for these groups to inhabit and make their own.
A consistent structural grid runs throughout the building, defining rooms and wall openings, whilst measuring and ordering large open plan areas.
Undefined and flexible spaces are provided to encourage young people to appropriate them in creative and innovative ways, such as the entrance area which can be read as an expansive mid-landing positively connecting all building levels. A triple-height wintergarden on the east side of the building is crossed with highlevel balconies that provide important break-out space for all key uses. It acts as a thermal and physical buffer to the external multi-use games area, with surfaces left unfinished to encourage a wider range of uses than possible within the main building, whilst providing as much space as possible within the tight budget.
The main interior presents a warm palette of welcoming materials, with complimentary painted joinery and signage designs that eschew bright day-glo in lieu of a more sophisticated background colour scheme – befitting of today’s styleconscious and discerning young people.
The building’s interior is expansive and yet feels comfortable regardless of the number of inhabitants, making it suitable for use by small groups, many multiple users or huge community gatherings.
Dramatic open spaces, top-lit by large ETFE rooflights, visually connect all levels of the building with viewing points and stage-like staircases that provide a literal and metaphorical theatre for life to unfold.