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Y2 P2 - Social Infrastructure
STAGE 1: Social Infrastructure
STAGE 1: Social Infrastructure
Tasked with designing a civic building to support social infrastructure in Chesterfield, I began by asking: What is missing? Through site and community analysis, I identified a lack of spaces designed for young people. This led to the idea of a youth centre, but not just any youth space. In a time of constant online connectivity, what if we offered the opposite? A space that invites pause, presence, and real-world interaction. This project explores how architecture can support a generation in search of belonging, balance, and real connectivity in an increasingly screen-saturated world.
STAGE 1: Fun Palace inspired principles
STAGE 1: Fun Palace inspired principles
During the design process, I wanted to challenge myself to think beyond conventional ideas of social infrastructure. What do people truly value in shared spaces? This question led me to the Fun Palace, an unbuilt but radical proposal by Joan Littlewood and Cedric Price, conceived as a ‘laboratory of fun’, for learning, play, and creativity. Inspired by its spirit, I explored how these principles, especially fun and experimentation, could be brought into a contemporary youth centre. This pushed me to move beyond traditional forms, embracing a playful, dynamic visual language designed to genuinely engage and excite young people.
FINAL DESIGN: Digital Detox
Through my final design, I wanted to ask: What does social infrastructure look like in the 21st century? In an age of constant digital connection, real-life interaction is increasingly rare, especially for young people. My proposal, a 'Digital Detox' youth centre, reimagines social space as a place to reconnect offline. It aims to rebuild the tangible foundations of community through shared experience, creativity, and presence, offering a space where meaningful connection can thrive once again.
Plans 1:100@A1
Plans 1:100@A1
Sections 1:100@A1
Sections 1:100@A1
Exhibition/rest treehouses: 'Digital Wellbeing' exhibition encouraging teens to build physical networks outside of social media
Exhibition street: Moveable exhibition stands/blocks being used for a 'Book Review' fair created by teens in the book house
Multi-use atrium: 'Digital Detox Day' annual event to exhibit work produced in the art/music/reading houses and make new friends
South and West facades: Main entrance for people approaching from town centre, showing 'Digital Detox' signage
North and East Facades: Transparent design emphasises the unique forms of the treehouses, evoking curiosity and drawing people in
Main entrance on a sunny day: for comparison of atmosphere and materiality in different weather conditions
Exploded axonometric showing material choices based on a sustainable and low-carbon approach
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