Block Model

Following a critical analysis with Bob I have revisited the scheme; from its positioning and relationship with the site to the arrangement of rooms.

A series of 'activity boxes' (Bob, not me) relate to each other and to the site either expressing the activity within or secluding it dependent the amount of privacy required.

Trying to see how the form sits in its context. The above image doesn't show it particularly well but there needs to be a stronger relationship between the landscape and the building due to the weak context surrounding the site.

A Blank Canvas

Only the facade of Reginald Parade remains. The shops have been replaced with contemporary
iron railings to open up the site and allow views through to the park.

All I have to do now is design a building.

Spatial Hierarchy

The above diagrams are an analysis of the spatial relationships between the different uses throughout the building. The theory here is to help with the hierarchical arrangement of the building.

Certain rooms / uses interrelate and overlap with each other - if these interactions were to take on a physical manifestation it can be seen which use would be dominant and which subordinate, helping to develop an architectural language throughout the building.

Schedule of Accommodation

A combination of the activities undertaken by the scout movement and local youth organisations would require the following accommodation. This also takes into consideration a use of the facilities by the wider community; to increase community involvement and to increase the revenue potential of the building.

· Communal gathering space (internal / external)
· Management offices
· Meeting rooms
· IT
· Café
· Kitchen
· Life skills training - kitchen teaching rooms
· Overnight stay - dormitory
· Counselling rooms
· Leisure / sport facilities
· Gymnasium
· Changing facilities
· Plant

Working ideas

A continuous swathe of green flows into the streetscape to connect the urban context to the park.

Potential Design Solutions

In addition to the facilities required for a scout group the brief calls for an inclusive facility to provide amenities for the community and to enhance to local area. Even with this additional accommodation the result could still be a relatively simple building.

Due to the strong community aspect to the brief the importance of the landscaping throughput the scheme is elevated.

The size and the deep rectangular shape of the site offer a number of potential options for the placement of the built form. The positioning of any buildings and their relationship with the landscape and context is vital to the success of the scheme.

The example above shows the primary structure set back form the main road. The existing façade of Reginald Terrace is made more permeable so as to invite the user both visually and physically through to the communal gardens to the rear of the site.

Site Opportunities

The large size of the site allows for the inclusion of varied activities that could be extended to the wider community. A strong local desire for quality public space could comfortably be incorporated into the scheme.

Reginald Parade, the single storey shopping parade on the east boundary of the site, offers the opportunity for conversion into a main entrance gate.
The architectural language of the surrounding buildings, with the exception of the recently renovated shops across Chapeltown Road, is relatively bland. The challenge therefore is to create a building with a strong relationship to its context as the context is weak. Initial thoughts are that the design will be more influenced by the requirements of the brief. The trap to be avoided is designing an incongruous stand alone building with no real relationship to its surrounds.

Site Constraints

The site has a slope of approximately 1 in 27 dropping 7.8m from west to east and 1 in 35 dropping 1.9m north to south.

The residential properties along Reginald Street and Reginald Terrace currently have an uninterrupted view onto the park. Any development must ideally take this into consideration and not adversely effect the existing aspect.

Reginald Parade sits rundown and largely vacant to the front of the site. This solid barrier currently obstructs views onto the site from Chapeltown Road.

Chapeltown Road is a main route from North Leeds and the A61 into Leeds city centre. The noise and pollution from the road particularly at peak times could be a factor that needs to be considered.

Physical Site Analysis

The site is partially hidden from the main road to the east by Reginald Parade, a row of single storey retail units which are either vacant or in the process of relocating. To the north, south and west the site is surrounded by residential properties of little architectural merit.

A low wooden fence currently bisects the site to the east of the sports court demarking the extent of the proposed Joint Services Centre.

The gently sloping site is predominately covered with utility grass. A 3m high wire fence surrounds a tarmac surfaced sports court at the centre of the site.

The children’s playground consists of a slide set into a low manmade hill and a single arched ladder climbing frame.

A number of mature trees pepper the site including sycamore, Norway maple, ash, holly and rowan.