Open Youth Venue, Norwich
Lind Trust
Project data sheet
Introduction
Young people between 13 years and 25 years of age have been strategically involved in the development of the concept, culture and content of The Norwich Youth Venue. A youth forum of 42 remarkable and committed young people represent young people, from all parts of Norfolk, meet regularly to advise the Lind Trust, the Operational Team and the Advisory Group and in particular to express the specific views of the youth culture.
This impressive masonry building, dressed with Portland stone, was created as a ‘monument to commerce appropriate to the Barclay group’s importance’. Designed to reflect the historic Wren buildings of central London, the actual structure dates from 1927 and is supported on a well concealed steel frame.
Millard Consulting provided all structural and civil engineering, from concept stage, for the conversion of the, grade II listed, former Barclays Bank building into the premier regional youth venue.
Planning and conservation constraints required a sympathetic approach, with the retention of the plasterwork and other features. Lack of as-built information required a flexible, hands-on, approach with fast turn around of solutions to site queries or discoveries. The constrained nature of the site required pragmatic design solutions with construction elements that had to be appropriate, buildable, as well as easy to handle and position.