The main challenge in community centres is that these spaces are often not used because they are impersonal.  In order to create a useable space, I focused the design on boundaries to make people feel comfortable and secluded by deconstructing basic forms. Boxes of various sizes create private and social hubs used for different activities. These allow people to come to a common place but break off into more private spaces as needed.

Section A

Section B

The first floor is made up of stacks of boxes inspired by shipping containers.  They provide private, sound-proof space for meetings, private movie viewing and listening to music.  Around the boxes are bookshelves and a librarian’s desk.

The second floor follows the concept of deconstruction through three cubes that are taken apart to create hubs.  Smaller tables with desktop computers and individual ‘pod’ chairs hanging from the ceiling create spaces to use individually.

Double heigh areas throughout create a link between floors while contributing to various levels of privacy.

Plans

Ground floor – cafe and social areas

First Floor – working areas

Second Floor – Library and private rooms

Materials

Ash wood gives a neutral base to the Building Block and is used in furniture throughout. Aluminium slats are used to create shipping container-inspired hubs, which is treated from the interior to become soundproof.  Soundproof glass and curtains can be found throughout the building.  Swings hang from the second flood ceiling, creating pods to be used individually.  Desktop computers are provided on the second floor.