First Floor Entrance: Pop-Up Sports Centre and Bar
youth centre Concept at merchant house, poole (2020)
This project in 2020 was created to address the youth‐based Anti‐Social Behaviour in the area holistically through place making and youth provision. As only 1 girl commits ASB for every 3 boys, this project was
geared toward appealing to a male teenage demographic: It observed preferred aesthetics, hobbies, brands and trends in these age groups.
geared toward appealing to a male teenage demographic: It observed preferred aesthetics, hobbies, brands and trends in these age groups.
Merchant House: Solar Study for Site and Context Overview (Revit, 2021)
The site analysis included local area research, both aesthetically, demographically and for criminal behaviour committed to provide a well rounded view of the site:
Mapping of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting before and after the Kingsland area renovation highlighted in yellow in 2020.
This design was inspired by a mixture of youth culture-orientated designers including; Renegade Design & XYZ's exhibition for Nike (2016) along with Smart & Green's "Game On" exhibition in Madrid (2020). This was due to their dynamic usage of lighting, and its transformative effect on spaces.
Second and Third Floors: Independant and Group Gaming Areas
The psychological effects of coloured lighting have been a key element in this design. Entrance, exit and 'communication' spaces, such as the bar, have been dominated by pink lighting - to imbue calm and passive behaviour in the users.
On the other hand, areas which need to instil energetic, agressive energy - such as the central sports ring, have used red-coloured lasers and lighting. Lastly, workspaces have access to warm-neutral light which mimics sunlight, in order to boost mood and improve emploee perfromance.
Design features including the reflective ceilings and central void encourage a visual communication in the area, which empowers the user with a sense of greater control over their environment. It also discourages poor behaviour, due to the associations of area observation.
Other design features to mitigate damage inflicted by users along with questionable or illegal behaviours, is the use of paper cups, durable materials, bolted fixtures and CCTV presence.
Essentially, it is a place that feels quite dangerous, but is in-fact very secure.
Fourth Floor: Employee Workspace and Recreational Area
