As a hyperlocal piece of youth infrastructure within an existing community asset, collaboration and engagement was key to the design process, building on an existing sense of ownership and community identity. Early engagement with young people unearthed a deeply held passion for sustainability. To the young people we spoke to, their relationship with the climate crisis is an intensely personal one. The ambitious sustainability targets are a direct result of this dialogue.
A key objective was to use the engagement as an educational tool to build confidence, up-skill, and inform local young people about careers in the built environment and sustainable construction.
When complete, the building will provide an exceptional range of inclusive spaces, including three sensory spaces throughout the youth centre that seek to offer choice to building users with neurodiverse needs.