The Bridge, the hub of Sessay Village     

 

• • Location: Sessay, Yorkshire, UK
  • Design Stage: RIBA Competition Entry

Demand and Restraints:

• multiple purposes Brief with tight area schedules
• key areas(hall/kitchen/change) to be adaptive and interchangeable
• Views to the Hambleton Hills and the White Horse Kilbune needed by the existing dwellings but also by the new Hub. The location could be politically sensitive.
• The existing bowling green seems to be obstructive to any attempt to access the deeper part of site
• the existing hall, cricket pitch and bowls green are to remain operation during the construction of the new Hub

Design Strategy:

• Locate the Hub in the heart of the site enable one building to take up two pitches, acting as backdrops, spectating space and acoustic barrier
• Children’s playground is given priority of being close to the Hub, and the teenagers playground is located next to the MUPG
• New bowling green is right next its club room, where in other time could be used as snack bar or coffee lounge
• Internal One-way road and perimeter parking (including 108 car parking and 3 coach parking /drop-off) catered for high-volume site access
• Address the Phasing issues: stand-aside building enables proper use of the existing facilities during the construction of new Hall
• Optimised orientation for cricket matches and indoor view towards the White Horse
• Bridge-type structure offers column free interior, which allows maximum flexibility and future change
• Curve profile echoes the Hambleton Hills in distance and enable most important space in the highest area and ancillary rooms in the lowest area.
• the Hall in the central area enjoys views to both sides, can be ‘transparent’ and can also be blacked-out in needed
• Design to share facilities such as main kitchen, stage and changing facilities
• Four duplicated/separated change suites provide flexibility to same-time multi-event use
• Galleries outside the hall work as circulation, temporary exhibition space and climate buffer
• Planted roof with viewing platform and footpath, offers privilege spectating area for the matches and a network of pedestrian routes
• Two-sided access to the Hub may be used to differentiate night-time and day-time uses and for multi-event access.
• Flexible stage sitting in between the main hall and the Bar adds value to the pub, while also may increase the capacity of large performance where group changes may need in back stage. Changes for small performances and lectures can be resolved within the side-stage/wcs

Environmental strategy

• A low profile curve ensures a relatively small building envelope
• Green roof not only increases the vegetation coverage on site but also improves the roof insulation and reduce the rain water runoff
• Proposed fair-faced concrete soffit works as exposed thermal mass, in conjunction with night-time ventilation may achieve passive cooling. The opening above the stage may enhance the stack-effect ventilation,
• Roof overhangs work as solar shading and veranda for spectating
• Benefit from naturally lighting from the roof lights in the lobby etc
• Underfloor service mains, including mechanical vent, underfloor heating and cable