urban reuse 
 

While building this temporary project between 15th and 27th of April we have developed a proposal for the permanent use of the Parkway Pavillion and its surrounding area. This proposal is based on the idea to develop a 'multi-functional' hall to serve the needs of varius groups of the local community. It incorporates the adjacent areas as open, recreational spaces and children's playground.
We have identified the following aspects regarding the present structure and its environment:

- The present pavillion is a sound and solid building structure with approx. 
105 sqm (1,200 sqft) floor area.

- The surrounding space has great potential for the use as a public area as it is already frequented a lot for creational purposes, such as walking, cycling, football, etc. However the ground area is largely covered by hard surfaces, very little green areas are present. The carpark is not used to its full potential due to inconvenient divisions.

-The proximity of the pavillion to the Comber Learning centre, which present  ts an uninspiring and uninviting standard building structure.

-The lack of public art and playgrounds in this area of Comber. The presence of various small buisnesses in Parkway whose potential could be enhanced by a cearful development.

-The proximity of the historic Comber Distillery, which has great potential for careful restoration and reuse in the long term.

-The necessity of a low cost approach to an urban reuse based on multiple financing.

The consequent proposal reflects all these issues and we have developed an inexpensive, alternative approach for the development of the Parkway area. We have included the following aspects in our proposal:

1. The development of the surrounding area as well as the pavillion itself.

2. The need to incorporate local crafts, material and regional architectural language and their combination in different context within the proposal. These will include cobbled pavement, willow screens, local stone, dry stone walls and hedges, wood and grass.

3. Involvement of the local community in collaboration with Conservation Volunteers and similar organisations to train and execute some of these traditonal crafts on the building, such as the willow weaving or paving.

4. Re-introduction of as many natural metaerial to the area as possible to re-convert the present 'conrete desert'.

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