Sands End Arts and Community Centre
The centre provides spaces for art exhibitions and community events with an ancillary café and children’s day nursery.
A member of the residents delivery group for the centre describes it as: “A meeting place, a hub of activity across languages, cultures and economic background, a venue for creative expression, a flexible space which encourages the community to be flexible in its use. Perhaps most importantly, it will be what the broader Sands End community want it to be; today and for decades to come.”
The form of the building takes inspiration from the 19th century glasshouses – built by the preeminent horticulturalist James Veitch– that previously occupied the site at South Park. It frames new landscaped spaces and is designed to be sustainable not only because it has the potential for ongoing revenue generation, but also in terms of construction approach where we have used CLT and an innovative new brick made from waste products. This is the first time this product has been used in the UK.
The centre is fully accessible and caters for all user groups and ages with consideration of youth and older people.