The project for the Hollybush Community Centre was part funded by The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Comic Relief. Base 87 is a training and resource base run by and for young people aged 13 to 25 years.

Community space in use

The main aim of the project was to convert a redundant shop unit in poor condition into a place enabling younger members of the local community to get together and organise activities and events, providing opportunities for entrepreneurialism while also offering support, training and advice to combat poor health, unemployment and poverty.

Community space after conversion

I worked closely with the local youth group throughout the design process, from the conception of ideas through to completed construction of the space close to the centre of the community in Blurton.

Due to restrictions in the plan, storage space was created beneath the windows enabling natural light to penetrate deep into the plan and the main space to be naturally cross ventilated.

Community space during conversion

A simple palette of economical, sustainable and renewable materials were chosen to aid visually impaired building users, the space was also designed to provide wheel chair access to all areas. A hearing induction loop was also provided.

Community space before conversion

The project was constructed on an extremely tight budget. The ceiling system was constructed using renewably sourced birch faced plywood panels concealing the existing ceiling downstand. Inset downlighters and fluorescent uplighters were fitted to the panels enabling a variety of different lighting conditions to be created, without causing glare via an integrated lighting panel.

Birch faced plywood lighting detail

The exterior facade was cleaned and repointed and adapted to enable wheel chair access to the building.

Exterior entrance - shutter open

An automated flush shutter was also fitted to enable the space to be secured when not in use.

Exterior entrance - shutter closed

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