Benwell Community Art Centre
Student Name: Jacaranda
Zeng
Project Location: Benwell, Newcastle
Brief:
Benwell Community Art Centre is a multifunctional building that provides accommodation and workspace for artists, supports both visual and performing arts, and strengthens community ties through public events, workshops, and a café connected to a community garden that encourages local food growing and social interaction.
Project Description:
My site is situated on an expansive area of grassland with a two-metre level change. It lies two blocks north of the main street, West Road, adjacent to a primary school to the south-west and the area’s largest public playground to the south. The site is surrounded by a large residential neighbourhood.
Ground Floor integrates café, community garden,art classrooms, art workshop and event space, offering artists and visitors an inclusive, flexible environment for making, learning and gathering.
First floor houses six artists in two single and two double rooms with laundry and communal kitchen, while a sunny, private art studio fosters peaceful collaboration for residents of both the first and second floors.
Second floor offers same types of accommodation and living spaces, plus an open-air balcony for enjoying sunshine and fresh air.
Skylights over the café and double-height event space complement extensive greenery that enhances heat dissipation and daylight.
