the joff

LRAR were commissioned to provide ideas and develop design proposals for a 1960s built Youth Centre for East Sussex County Council, with the aim of creating a fully accessible, energy-efficient, and spacious facility to support and inspire young people and the wider community. 

With minimal disruption to the existing structure, the building was reconfigured and extended to include a central hub with a coffee bar, a large kitchen, dedicated art and music rooms, a quiet space, and a lift providing full access to the first floor. 

Adjacent to the existing sports hall, a new fitness suite and changing facilities with a separate entrance allow third-party users to access the space without passing through the main youth hub—enhancing flexibility and safeguarding the core youth activities. 

To reduce reliance on artificial systems and limit associated noise, the design prioritises natural ventilation and daylighting throughout. Calm colours and natural materials have been selected to help bring the tranquillity of the outdoors into the building. 

Sustainability has been embedded into the design, including solar panels, a fully electric infrastructure, low-energy LED lighting, and secure bicycle storage. 

The final scheme reflects extensive consultation with young people and staff, ensuring the building is not only easier to monitor and manage but is also a space shaped by and for its users.