Highfield Square Heartspace
Focus
Local Community
Location
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Year
October 2022
Designer(s)
Chun Chun Chang
Portfolio Showcase
University Projects
The community house is designed with a curved structure toward the northwest, providing privacy and protection for neighboring residences while highlighting the main permaculture garden to the north.
Situated in an underutilized park that previously served only as a passthrough for residents, the site now serves a renewed purpose. The western hub functions as a communal gathering space with a direct view of the garden, while the central hub offers storage for gardening tools. The eastern hub features a workshop for the gardener and a multi-functional lecture room, accessible to visitors, fostering a sense of community engagement and interaction.
The exposed timber columns not only enhance the aesthetic appeal and guide visitors through the space but also provide ample veranda space for shading and accommodating Yorkshire's high precipitation. Timber is the primary material for both the structure and exterior cladding, while the rubble foundation offers a sustainable approach, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and future modifications with minimal environmental impact.
