PHOENIX YOUTH CENTRE
Phoenix Youth Centre was part of the wider regeneration of the Preston Estate in Tadworth, an area facing challenges including lower incomes, poorer health and an ageing physical environment. The ambition went beyond replacing an old youth centre. Surrey County Council wanted to create a positive, supportive environment that could engage young people and help reduce the number at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
For over 12 years, I’ve worked with youth services across the UK to transform everyday spaces into places young people actually want to use. From full youth centre refurbishments to graphics, identities and individual spaces each project starts with the same thing:
Understanding the young people who use them.
COM.UNITY YOUTH SPACE
An old pub in Sheffield was being transformed into a new youth space. But the challenge wasn't simply to refurbish a building it was to create somewhere young people would genuinely want to spend time.
So we started by asking them.
Young people helped shape the brief, asking for a gym, café, computer area, performance space, chill-out zones and immersive themed rooms. Their ideas became the starting point for an environment that felt less like a council facility
and more like somewhere that belonged to them. Working alongside Sheffield City Council and Kier Group, we turned those ideas into a complete youth environment combining interiors, environmental graphics, furniture, colour and unexpected installations.
From an underwater room and commercial-style gym to spaces exploring racism, sexism, aspiration and local identity, every area had its own personality and purpose.
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For over 12 years, I’ve worked with youth services across the UK to transform everyday spaces into places young people actually want to use. From full youth centre refurbishments to graphics, identities and individual spaces each project starts with the same thing:
Understanding the young people who use them.
PHOENIX YOUTH CENTRE
Phoenix Youth Centre was part of the wider regeneration of the Preston Estate in Tadworth, an area facing challenges including lower incomes, poorer health
and an ageing physical environment.
The ambition went beyond replacing an
old youth centre. Surrey County Council wanted to create a positive, supportive environment that could engage young people and help reduce the number at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
COM.UNITY YOUTH SPACE
An old Sheffield pub was being transformed into a new youth space. But the challenge wasn’t simply to refurbish a building it was to create somewhere young people genuinely wanted to be.
So we started by asking them.
Young people helped shape the brief, from a gym and café to performance spaces, chill-out zones and immersive themed rooms. Working with Sheffield City Council and Kier Group, we turned their ideas into a complete youth environment combining interiors, graphics, furniture, colour
and unexpected installations.
From an underwater room to spaces exploring racism, sexism, aspiration and local identity,
every area had its own personality and purpose.
