Creating both a Post Office and a Centre of Community for Hay-on-Wye that Reflects Its History

I am addressing the need for a true public space that is free to meet and gather in Hay. This must be of an appropriate scale for the town while reflecting the grand history of the post office rather than relegating it to the corner of a local shop. By leaning into the principles of the past, the post office will add to the historic fabric of the town.

The Hay Town Plan sets out the need for a ‘Centre of Community’ where people won’t feel pressured to spend money to hang out there. Returning the Post Office to the public institution it once was, rather than relegating it as an add on to corner stores, would provide this.
Reincorporating the old post office guidelines, seen in Julian Osley's Built For Service, would fulfil the grand impression of the building. This would help the interior and exterior reflect the historic fabric of the town, echoing the existing decay of the castle and blending into the town.

Lighting played an important role in creating bright spaces. I chose to encourage glare in the community areas as, with no intended activity taking place there, the experience of the space and building was paramount. Lots of arched windows surrounding the building helped create this effect.
Incorporating these arches with the limestone of Hay in a crumbling facade reflects the decay buildings such as Hay castle have experienced, adding to the historic fabric of the town, creating new layers. While the arches and stonework are part of the old regulations for post offices set out in Julian Osley's Built For Service, these mainly come through in the bright, high ceilinged spaces and attention to simple details on the interior such as the tiling and desks.
The grand, bright, open-plan feel of the building makes it feel like a public building for all the community to use. The addition of accessible public toilets and kitchen only adds to this.

I am happy with the way the building is experienced both internally as a user and externally as a passer-by. Both the lighting and textural qualities have made it and enjoyable space as a centre of community.
Upon reflection, I would've liked to incorporate the external layer into the fabric of the building structurally, rather than it acting as a shell around the functional envelope. With more time, I would also have liked to explore the element of detail and care shown in the post office such as incorporating the tiling and furniture as part of the design work.