My youth zone project is focused on the benefits of the relationship between the Toxteth youth and equine such as horses and ponies. Through research I gathered the knowledge of how incredible charities such as the Clwyd Special Riding Centre and Park Palace Ponies, in different ways, help with the physical and mental wellbeing of youth. Whilst conducting this project, both charities have suffered major economic difficulties.
My project promises to design a new location, attraction, and community partnership in which equine are welcomed to visit and the youth can interact with them in various ways. The architectural features help to accommodate for all interactions and are there to strengthen a relationship between the youth and equine that teaches skills of responsibility and confidence.
The main courtyard is the entrance and central focus of the meeting between person and equine. There, they can feed them, groom them and saddle for a steady ride around the area. The building’s structure and façade are designed to direct the horses subconsciously towards the courtyard. The hi-tech feature in the glulam structure is to hold open the ventilation that covers the large open interior. The building has two main volumes and a bridged volume between them that is the main horizontal circulation and overlooks the 7-metre-high climbing wall. The building accommodates for sports, arts, music and food as well, with high atriums and interior balcony spaces.
The core aim was to create a centre in which the Toxteth youth could be exposed to something new, but something that helps them develop throughout the ages of 8-18, having grown love and care for equine, and setting them up to use this care in the adult world.
Gallery
Click to enlarge
