As part of a borough wide commitment to keep children and young people safe and remove barriers to their success, Rivington Street Studio was appointed to design a new youth centre in a disadvantaged part of Newham.
The new Shipman Youth Zone is a car free, zero carbon, high-quality, co-produced youth offer that provides a varied and inclusive range of activities for young people aged between 9 and 19. The cross laminated timber building features music production, cooking, fitness, film and art specialisms; all centred around a double-height multi-functional hub.
A separate multi-purpose sports hall creates an intimate south-facing courtyard for spill out and chill out.
Crinkly brickwork and standing seam cladding provides a colourful and robust presence onto Prince Regent Lane. Large windows at first floor in canted reveals flood the building with natural light. An LED panel will broadcast digital updates about upcoming events.
Sustainability is at the heart of this project in recognition of Newham’s climate emergency strategy. It is designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding. To achieve zero carbon in use, the building will have an extensive photo-voltaic array on the roof and a battery bank together with a highly performing airtight envelope.
“When I became mayor, I made sure I sustained my promise to the young people that we would work together to make Shipman Youth Zone the most exemplary young zone in the country and the building here now is testament to that promise. We’ve done it with the involvement of young people and the design has been shaped by our commitment to co-production and co-design. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in this space when the energy, enthusiasm and promise of our young people manifests in all its full glory.”
Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham
