Welcome to the James Cond Rehabilitation centre, located in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. The facility will be opened in the Spring of 2023, and will be funded by the Birmingham City council for the local citizens of the area.
The design proposal focuses on giving opportunities to ex-convicts and those who have been previously accused of a crime. Birmingham's current crime rate is at an all time high, with more than 2/3 of ex convicts recommitting a crime within the first year of leaving prison. And those who have been accused of a crime to which they never committed are more than likely to be left homeless, jobless but also suffering with mental illness.
The sole purpose is to allow equal opportunities, to allow these citizens to feel accepted and place themselves back into society comfortably, but also allowing them to feel physically and mentally secure.
The current building is only in use as a car park, this design proposal will allow a deep layer of connection towards the citizens and the site. Within the rehabilitation centre will be a community area, which consist of a communal garden, Gym, Library, computer space, and a café along with private and public meeting spaces and residential areas.
The final outcome for the function of the design proposal is to reduce crime in Birmingham, reducing crime being repeated and to monitor citizens mental health, fundamentally it’s about creating equal opportunities and allowing everyone to feel secure.
The food market is a key feature to the community centre. It’s an opportunity for local business’s to come and sell their products, or possibly others to donate items they no longer need and give to the more vulnerable visitors.
It’s also an opportunity for those to gain jobs on the market, selling what they produce and
encouraging them to become self employed.
Potentially every Sunday between 8am - 2pm, fresh produce will be made available for the
users to buy items at a cheaper cost and also to meet others in their vulnerable position.
The botanical garden is a key part to my proposal, with plants and nature having positive mental and physical benefits, the visitors are able to visit and be submerged into the green space. There are also Seats available at the back, along with storage for coats and bags and a large shared sink.
The purpose is to encourage users to learn to grow and take care of plants. Giving them the opportunity to potentially start a career in landscaping, it’s part of the schemes available to give them employment.
On the first floor, the residents area is essential to the users who are homeless and needing short term accommodation. The bedrooms are located on Holland side, over looking the main road. The living area is on the outside of the bedroom to encourage the users to be social with one another.
In order to reduce sound from travelling and disturbing the residents, cotton acoustic sound panels have been introduced on the ceiling to capture the sound travelling from the living quarters. Each room has an individual number for the specific user staying, with their own post box, chalk board and storage rack for any fresh towels etc.
Multiple break out areas have been designed for the residents on the first floor, encouraging social interaction. The modular furniture has been a consistent theme within the residents area, allowing them to change the layout to however fits their needs.
Bespoke lighting has been continued within the area, emphasising the idea of playfulness and a fun environment. The orange branding has also been continued, with it flowing from the lift to down the corridor, also acting a circulation route.
The residents is 14.8sqm2, with the user having their own wardrobe, storage, lounge chair, table, TV, bed and en-suite.
Invading the room is the bold orange stripe, which is linked to my concept but also has the constant branding running throughout. Oak herringbone flooring has been specified as it’s easy to maintain and clean and is more hygienic than using carpet.
The residents room is their private time to relax and take time for themselves, however when leaving they are immediately submerged into the living area, which pushes them to be interactive with the other users.
A bespoke headboard has been designed by using 50mm pieces of MDF, which has been stained and painted to create this conflict with the white walls and exposed brickwork. It continues up on the ceiling with LED lighting fitted within it.
The mezzanine floor looks out onto atrium space, however I wanted to design a more private area for those who wanted to have a potentially job interview or talk to a member of staff more professionally about future options.
At the back of the design a cork board has been specified to act as a noticeboard, with updates for any potential jobs or information.
Open plan seating has also been designed, to emphasis a relaxed and softer approach. With also the areas own kitchen, so staff and visitors don’t have to travel back downstairs to get any refreshments.
Please see advert for further detail on design proposal:
Click link to see 360 VR tour:
Technical pack link:
Design statement link: