Experience

'Team 6, or BAACH Architects, focused on the concept of organic encounters, a term that we defined as moments where different users can overlap and interact without it having to be a strictly organised incident. The intended users of the scheme can ebb and flow amongst one another’s company and presence, and perhaps encounter someone that they might not have done ordinarily. We were inspired by what the stakeholders told us about what this building had once been and meant for the Resolven community, and what it could mean to have it acting as a central hub for the town once more. The ultimate project vision is to connect the community through social interactions in shared space, creating an environment that passively encourages network formation - linking together community groups with the aim of creating a self-sustaining ‘ecosystem’ that can support ongoing benefits for all.

Setting out a methodology to achieve and work towards our vision led to the ‘three principles of organic encounters’, the idea that an encounter can be:

• Physical: Physical encounters are nurtured through close proximity to another user. This normally would open opportunity for conversation and social interaction.
• Visual: Visual encounters are nurtured through sight lines. Whether it is making eye contact or simply observing another, however fleeting, it allows the user to encounter another without too much social pressure.
• Object-focused: Object encounters are nurtured through the building itself. It could be a painting on the wall that causes one user to stop and share a moment with. It could be a material element that resonates with one user that they can later share excitement for with another.

Before making any design moves, we spent time understanding the local area and the opportunities for the site so we could understand who would best benefit from what sort of spaces. This research was also important so we could understand what functions there already are in the town, so the scheme did not take away vital business from its neighbours. The amalgamation of this gained knowledge is seen in the Spatial User Concept Diagram, where the needs of the different people of Resolven are first considered in terms of what designable qualities and spaces they would best align with.

The design itself features a significant puncturing to the existing façade, as well as a re-orientation of the extension to make better use of the light on site. The masonry piers already featured in the build are retained and celebrated as the key structural elements of Resolven Miner’s Welfare. They are restored to their former character by means of removing the render and applying a protectant to the brickwork to keep it sound for the years to come. Each pier is shadowed by a dark zinc frame that acts subservient to the original character of the building, whilst also acting as a transitionary piece to the new timber that is added to frame the windows and brace the structure.