The Youth Centre Proposal and Project Aims

Any alteration to the CYMS Hall should consider at its forefront the needs of the community it serves. The hall has a long history of use in the town. The Karate Club is a vibrant group that supports well being in the town. The group are central to the success of the project.

The Youth Centre project aims to support the well being of the youth and wider community of the town of Passage West by providing facilities for recreation, education and care in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

Durable finishes, furnishings and fixtures to meet the easy-clean requirements for a public facility are preferable whilst being comfortable and of appropriate quality. The design is to consider acoustic performance and separation between spaces. and provide universal access to all facilities on both ground and first floors. Design with safety and security in mind considering internal shutters on windows to ground floor. Sustainable Building Requirements with integrated modern environmental techniques.

Entrance Space Welcoming dynamic space with reception and passive surveillance functions. Main Hall. The Karate Club. Retain the main hall to the ground floor. Design the Hall for sporting use with primary requirements of the Karate Club. Provide storage room, trophy space and viewing area for the Karate Club. Provide access to the hall when the first floor facilities are closed.

Youth Café Adaptable youth space in an informal setting with simple café facility. Learning Space A group meeting space, with band practice possibility and adjacent art storage.

Support Room A quiet, private support room for talking.

Administration A compact office to facilitate the presence of facility management.

Outdoor Space A community get together space and connection to Chapel Square. Facilities WC facilities at both ground and first floor levels.

A Work Space A wifi / work area for “out of house” use.

Storage Maximise storage throughout including for cleaning equipment.

FIGURE 26 Internal view of proposed Learning Space Fourem. 2020 FIGURE 27 Internal view of proposed Entrance Hall Fourem. 2020

Proposed Use

The building renovation is proposed to facilitate its original function as a Youth and Community Centre. The Karate Club has use of the hall and an established presence in the community. The club is provided with their own separate entrance to allow it to function whilst the rest of the building is closed. It is proposed that their influence and their membership could support the Youth Centre as a primary function when renovated. The original CYMS Hall function as a youth centre provided many functions for the wider community and it is hoped the project will form a centre of community activity and welfare. The functions of the Karate Club and Youth Centre can remain separate from each other, however moments are created within the design, such as at the viewing gallery at mezzanine level where the two functions connect.

The current layout of the building is specific and it is proposed that the stage area would create additional circulation space and services that are required for modern function of the building. Staircases are crucial to allowing reasonable access to the first floor. This access is supported by a lift. The design proposes an open staircase to the first floor and open hallway to provide a focused centre of circulation and a welcome entrance to the building.

FIGURE 28 External view of proposal for the Passage West CYMS Hall. Fourem. 2020.

FIGURE 29 Proposed South Elevation to Chapel Square Scale 1:100. 2020

Indicates proposed site boundary.

Street lighting

New planted trees

Existing trees

Proposed parking spaces

FIGURE 30 Proposed Contextual Ground Plan Scale 1:250 2020

Developing a Design Concept

Economy of outcome can be achieved by full and complete consideration of all aspects that may inform a design. Pursuing a balanced consideration of all design considerations leads to the most considerate design solution, which by nature will be the economical proposal and the best outcome.

The design concept is primarily based on the project requirements for the building and a design approach that allows flexibility into the future in terms of use. Times change and communities change their requirements for buildings and spaces. A community building requires the flexibility to adapt to change.

The structure of the building, with large spanning beams supporting the first floor and large trusses spanning the roof space already supports a flexible plan that may be altered relatively easily. Internal dividing walls above the main hall can move depending on the requirements of the time.

An approach to design that is economical defines the design approach. The retention of important historic design detail, structure and finishes from the original building is important while primary reference is given to the Karate Club function and reconnecting the Youth Centre skilfully.

Structural Elements and Renewal

All major structural supports of the building are proposed to remain. The cast columns and steel beams which are tied to the concrete walls, topped with the queen post trusses of the roof are all proposed to remain in situ and in use in the proposed design. The new design supports the retention of the majority of the character of the building by retaining roof form, and external window openings and design and plaster detail of the main facade. Internally the building retains the Main Hall in its current location. Designing to maintain so much of the building form allows the structural layout to continue in use. Using the existing structural layout is the economical approach and facilitates the best protection of the heritage of the building.

The building is placed against a change in level to the west against the embankment of St Mary’s Church. The change in level posed challenges for the original builders and still poses certain structural design issues that must be considered carefully.

The staircase in the current building may have some structural purpose and there are thicker walls at low level against the retained ground that may need damp proofing or structural alterations to achieve the proposed design. In the proposed design, the new staircase is solid up to the first landing and can achieve a structural role against the earth if required.

FIGURE 31 External photograph of South Elevation. 2019

FIGURE 32

Internal view of existing structure at ground floor level. Existing columns and beams supporting first floor above proposed to remain. 2019