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Iconic Longbridge factory site in Birmingham to become youth space
Published: 12-Mar-2010
Steve Chilton at London-based practice Marks Barfield Architects has developed a concept for the transformation of the defunct Longbridge site in Birmingham, England into a space dedicated to youth, as part of the MyPlace initiative.
Longbridge was once the site of the largest manufacturing plant in the world. The site is proposed to be transformed into a youth space as part of government’s multi-million pound initiative MyPlace.
The aim of MyPlace is to design, in partnership with the young people, world class facilities to help them make the most of their free time and to deliver them throughout the UK. The Longbridge design concept was developed by Marks Barfield Architects (MBA), creators of the London Eye.
Supported by The Sorrell Foundation, MBA worked on the MyPlace bid alongside Pete Dewar and Jonathan Hubbard of international branding consultancy Interbrand. Together, they engaged with a dynamic group of nine local young people aged 13-17 in the Birmingham area, who were given the role of the client on the project. In the course of a series of workshops, inspirational visits and meetings, the client identified and agreed the priorities for the architecture and branding of their center before presenting the final concepts to their bid teams and stakeholders.
The history of Longbridge is dominated by its industrial past. It is most notable for the production of cars; perhaps the most celebrated being the iconic Austin Mini. The similarities between manufacturing plants and the client’s aspirations for the building became apparent early in the development process. As a result, there was a consensus to develop a concept for the 2000 meter square space based around the factory’s historical associations. The many design references to the heritage of the site include the window pattern on the main facades which was inspired by an aerial photo of hundreds of newly manufactured Mini cars.
The materials proposed - including concrete floors, color coded for each level, plywood clad internal walls, exposed services - are hard wearing, utilitarian and have an industrial aesthetic. They are also well suited to the facility’s planned uses such as performance/sports space, dance, multimedia, café and welfare facilities, recording and TV production studios.
The engineers Adams Kara Taylor has developed an innovative structural solution for the perforated main façade wherein acrylic blocks are cast directly into the fiber reinforced concrete wall.
The MyPlace bid team at Birmingham City Council is understood to be going through the tendering process currently.
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