T h e

brief
The aim is to provide Spitalfields and Banglatown with a youth community centre. The centre will be used exclusively by 16 to 20 year olds. The centre will provide recreational facilities but the principle aim is to prepare youths for stepping into the world and providing support and skills that will allow them to tackle life. The centre will be an interface. Youths will occupy pods/ spaces for up to 4 years. The spaces will be linked to offices, factories, construction sites by technology. From the centre the youths will be mentored and educated in careers of their choosing. The outlook for many of the nations youths is bleak, however given the scenes of the London riots its feels as if many believe that the word owes them something. The centre will provide them with a safe environment, that will keep them out of trouble by educating them. The proposal is to take on the ideals of the restaurant

o b j e c t i v e
apprenticeship scheme, Fifteen, whilst adhering to some of the principles of Cedric Prices Fun Palace.

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Proposal
form & function

he building proposal is shown above. It comprises the forms coloured red, blue, green and yellow. The colourings denote the different uses of each of the building parts. The red component will house communal learning and team building activities. The yellow part of the building will essentially provide access from ground floor level up to the bridge, the green area. This core will provide structural support to the left (from front view) of the bridge. The green area, termed the bridge, is to provide space for toilet facilities, recreation room, communal kitchen and larger conference space.

The blue form will provide counsellors and support staff with the space they require to provide the youths with advice relating to any matters ranging from emotional to financial. This mass will also provide a secondary core and structural support to the bridge. Initially the individual pods will be fixed to the blue element of the proposal. As the number of occupants grows the pods will progressively close the space under the bridge.

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O V E R V I E W

site coverage

he overview of the site on the left demonstrates the site coverage of the main communal elements of the proposal. The areas of the site showing no coverage at ground level (shaded turquoise) have been kept clear so as to facilitate the individual pods that will be occupied by each youth wishing to possess one. The hope is that the proposal appears interesting for youths, thus encouraging occupation, use and interaction. I felt that it was important for the red component of the proposal to retain the form of the original Stonemasons so as to reduce the impact of the proposal at street level. The desire to reduce this impact led to the idea of raising the communal lounge/kitchen area (the green component) above ground level. I wanted the building to be something of a departure from the traditional forms seen in Brick Lane. I felt that the cultural diversity of the area should be represented using a form other than the traditionl forms already seen along the road.

fig1. proposed side elevation (looking north towards Brick Lane)

fig2. proposed side elevation (looking south towards Whitechapel High St) 32

addition of the pods

he image on the right demonstrates the beginning of the first pods being added to the side of the counselling and administration wing of the proposal. The formations as shown both to the right and below suggest a regimented order to the pod locations. However it is propsoed that as more pods are added the less regimented the order becomes. This is hoped to develop more intrigue for the users and also to provide paradox to the main communal components which are ordered. Youths need structure in order to flourish, but the more that they are aware of structure and the idea of establishment I believe they are less willing to engage. Allowing for randomisation of the pod confirgurations will develop the idea that individuality can exist within organisation and flourish without rebelling.

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breakdown of spaces

he red component of the proposal, as shown above, is proposed to primarily accommodate communal learning activites. The space will predominantly be utilised for team building programmes. It is suggested that the youths will engage in team building skills during part of the working week. This will occur when they are not engaged in the more tailor made elements of their eductaion and mentoring. As seen with the restaurant 15, as well as in other professional environments it is important for anyone to be able to work as part of a team, contributing towards mutual objectives. The provision of an area dedicated to development of this skill will benefit the users and increase productivity. Other activities proposed for this space include seminars for large groups. It is suggested that people come to the centre to give talks or seminars about their profession. These may be creative careers such as writing and dance or perhaps more in line with white collar careers such as finance or admin. In conjunction with these career based lectures, it is proposed that seminars regarding life skills are conducted in this space. To assist with funding of the building, social events will take place. It is intended for gigs, exhibitions and other activities

to happen in either the space shown red, or indeed in the other communal space, shown green. These events will be run for profit with proceeds going towards the maitenance and upkeep of the facility.

he green component of the proposal, the bridge, will form the second communal element of the building providing space for a communal lounge area, as well as dining and kitchen facilities. It is intended that there will also be washrooms (for youths wishing to clean themselves before attending mosque) and toilet facilities. The reason for elevating this part of the proposal above ground level was to optimise the natural daylighting that the site enjoys. Given that it is intended for the youths to relax and eat in this space it seemed best to not only provide views of the area (including the city), but also to provide a sense of security for the users. It is also considered thatimpact of the building at street level will be reduced and there will also be increased space for soft landscaping in the areas of the site unoccupied by bulit forms.

C o m m u n a l

s p a c e

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