The myplace initiative is ‘a multi-million pound government programme designed to make great places for young people to go’ - the ‘£270 million programme aims to create world-class facilities across England, including some of the most disadvantaged communities’. Hackney is building four myplace youth centres - one in each neighbourhood.
The Concorde Centre for Young People is on Kingsmead Way in Homerton and was completed in June 2012. We have worked closely with the Learning Trust Hackney, Hackney Marsh Partnership and managers and users to improve and extend these existing facilities which are close to the Olympics site.
The two original mid-20C industrial buildings have been retained and refurbished. Previously, there was little connection between the interior spaces and the outdoors in either building - it was possible to be indoors on a fine summers evening and have no idea of the weather outside. New openings have been created in both buildings so that there is transparency between inside and outside. Daylight is enhanced by new rooflights. The interior of the western building has been stripped out and rearranged to provide, office, interview, chill-out, music and IT spaces and improved toilet facilities.
The hall on the eastern side has had a mirror wall installed at one end. A new 'link' building has been built between the two sheds providing welcoming but secure entrance, and views through to the outside. Storage facilities have been added and the landscape improved. All services and windows have been replaced, and the general fabric repaired.
The project has transformed a local community facility using only limited funds, based on effective consultation with the user group.
