This project seeks to turn a series of unused, derelict barns into a fully functioning Wellbeing Centre for a local charity. The charity wants to expand the work they do with children and young people in the community, and the Wellbeing Centre will create a welcoming environment for the services they offer. The building will also house the administrative offices for the charity.
The challenge has been to come up with a concept that maximises the available spaces within the barns and then link the spaces together so there is a coherence and flow to the design. The design is based on the sequence of interacting with the charity. People are taken into the vaulted lobby and entrance space which gives a glimpse to the courtyard beyond. A café, library, lounge and quiet space all feature alongside private counselling rooms, a large training room, a seminar room and smaller breakout spaces.
One of the key concepts has been to ensure that all spaces have access and views to the natural environment around the Wellbeing Centre. There are lots of outdoor seating spaces as well as richly planted borders, feature trees in the landscape, a sculpture garden, private garden spaces and an on-site allotment. The Centre will become a community hub and will hopefully serve children and young people for decades to come.
