Design: Architectural Narratives - Design Brief

 

Ecology Centre Framework Brief: Environmental Awareness Centre

A project designed to bring awareness on flooding and Climate change within the area and the many ways this affects the landscape through the City of Portsmouth. This centre will be a place that brings together the community to learn about things we can be doing to help save the city from the destruction of flooding but also, a hub, where children and youth can learn in an interactive way by having hands-on help to create a better future for themselves and future generations.

I feel it is important to not only act, but to have the Children of future generations help to create the impact needed in the City. For the City of Portsmouth, the centre would be a hub to understand how change is important so that the sea defences don’t let the sea in.

Environmental Awareness is key within the centre and harmony between the landscape setting and building is important. By doing so creating a building that is designed to be floodproof enhancing the flow of water.

 

The Centre will hold activities such as:

·        Climate talks on defending the City from Flooding

·        Volunteering groups working on projects to make change

·        Charity events to help raise environmental awareness

·        Educational events for primary schools

·        Community educational events

·        Games and activities to help Children understand their environment better

·        Refuge and Foodbank for Flood Relief in the city

 

Spaces within the building design:

 

Space	Function	Size
Reception/ community	A multifunctional space that includes:   A display area/ gallery: which must be capable of displaying the work from the collaborators.   Café/ Bar - It must connect to an outside space. Part of this space will be double height with an exhibition wall, well-lit by natural light.	100 – 150m2   To seat 30-40 people inside and more outside.
Support/ general spaces	Welfare spaces/ general classroom   A meeting room or classroom: A place to host discussions that must have a connection with ecology.   A point of sale/ sharing (food bank/ or planting exchange)	2 x 40 m2   2 x30 m2      Design dependent/ determined in studios
Ecologies/ specialist spaces	Specialist studio (for activity 1): ie. Cooking   Specialist studio (for activity 2) ie. Cultivation   Open plan learning spaces/ library   Shared services for these studios - lavatories with a small kitchen and associated eating/relaxing area.   External lecture & demonstration spaces	40m2   40m2 40m2   20m2 Design dependant/ determined in studios
Services Spaces	Reception - An open plan office that will be running the enterprise and providing reception.   Kitchen - preparation area must be associated with the café/ bar.   WC’s 2 unisex toilets including 2 for disabled users	for 4 people      20m2     16m2
Landscape/ External space	Growing spaces/ garden / external exhibition	Design dependant/ determined in studios

 Total Space: 406 plus external area.