The Place

2022 - University Final Project

Location: Derby, United Kingdom

Software: SketchBook Pro, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Brief: Find a building in or around Derby which is currently underutilised. Due to your site’s significance, you are required to retain its historical characteristics as far as possible, but may choose to exploit and express it, or hide these. As a part of the City’s regenerative scheme you will design within this chosen site for the entire year. Your new space will become a new commercialised environment to boost the economy of its immediate surroundings.

Site: The site chosen for this project was Green Lane House in Derby, formerly known as Central Primitive Methodist Chapel. The space's most recent use consisted of an amusement/ bingo hall on the lower floors with a bar on the upper floors. However, the building has been vacant for a while. The exterior of the building was recently renovated as a part of the Derby City Council's Townscape Heritage Initiative. Restoration of the building brought back the original facade of the building which was previously rendered with timber box fascia. The restoration was completed in 2019.

Design Statement: The proposed new use for the building is a sexual health and wellbeing hub, consisting of a sexual health clinic and an education centre. The aim is to create a mixed-use facility to treat and creatively educate people about sexual health and wellbeing, responding to the everlasting problem of stigma surrounding the problem and creating an enriched experience that would be welcoming to all. The design of the hub will be playful and friendly, which will be achieved by use of colour and organic shapes.

2022 - University Final Project

Location: Derby, United Kingdom

Existing Site

Click on image to enlarge.

Defining the problem & finding a solution

Health

Problem: Regardless of age, people find the topic of sexual health embarrassing, there are worried about confidentiality and privacy of sexual health services. Young people often find opening hours and inconvenient location as barrier preventing them from accessing sexual health services. Additionally, the average age of sexual debut in the UK is 16-17, however, 30-50% of teenagers have their first intercourse before they turn 16 (NHS Borders, no date). Young people are in a high-risk group for contracting STIs. There are no dedicated sexual health clinic for under 25 years old in Derby. Lastly, there is an increase in STI infection rates in older adults.

Solution: This project proposes a venue that deals with physical, mental, emotional and social health. One of the prime functions of the building is a sexual health clinic for under 25 years old in the city centre of Derby. The clinic can provide services to five patients at a time, with facilities to accommodate up to 19 people who are waiting for their appointment. The playful and friendly arrangement of decor, colours and atmosphere are used to ease and promote the experience of going to a sexual health clinic. Additionally, the consultation and examination rooms are separated into two areas, to allow greater comfort to patients. The waiting areas are broken up to provide a sense of privacy to visitors.

Education

Problem: There is a lack of physical spaces where people of all ages could be educated about sexual health and wellbeing. Further, there is an evident knowledge gap in older adults and even doctors are reluctant to talk to them about this topic. This is a problem as comprehensive sexual education contributes to improved sexual behaviour and health.

Solution: The project proposes an educational venue for people of all ages. It is a multi-purpose hall, which provides a stage with an auditorium and a café with additional seating. The proposed uses include interactive talks, peer-led education, theatrical edutainment and external classes for schools or companies.

Community

Problem: Derby lacks community spaces in the city centres, especially gathering and event spaces. 15.8% of the Derby population was income deprived in 2019. Income deprivation is associated with bad physical health, mental health and higher NHS cost. A space that encourages community involvement and discussion would be beneficial for this part of the city

Solution: The proposed intervention creates a new gathering space for the community members. The aim is to encourage discussion and interaction between visitors and even staff. To entice more members of the community to visit the hub, it will work with other community-based organisations, as well as local schools and universities. To allow for constant use of the space, it can be let out for private events.

Brand Identity

The name, “The Place” was chosen for the hub. It is a pun on how people sometimes call their sexual organs, therefore it reflects the playful nature of the hub. Following, the full corporate identity could be developed. To further reinforce the friendly and playful character of the brand, complementary colours were chosen, including coral and fern green. The logo has a shape of two stacked pills, as a reference to the health-related issues that the brand deals with, as well as the arched shapes used in the design.