The NewBridge Project

a charity based in Newcastle-upon Tyne supporting artists, curators and communities through an extensive programme of free public events, workshops, a dedicated youth project and community-led initiatives. Rapid development of the city has resulted in few opportunities for affordable spaces with secure tenure, the client therefore identified a vacant building, however due to spalling concrete caused by degrading reinforcement bars, a limited 5-year lease was agreed – proportional to the state of disrepair, but also limiting capital funding opportunities. The project explored how, with a limited budget a sustainable approach to re-use can deliver significant value to communities. The brief involved creating studios for over 120 artists, ceramics, print and wood workshops, a bookshop, an events space, gallery, flexible co-workspaces for communities to gather and associated offices. Budget was largely deployed in public spaces while other areas were repurposed with a lighter touch approach. The gallery, bookshop and co-workspaces were delivered for £107 per sqm (including labour costs), demonstrating how a platform for cultural and community benefit can be created with minimal means; in the past year these spaces have hosted 170 community and youth programme events with 3488 participants. Internally, the concrete structure was uncovered, celebrating its ruinous qualities, forming a datum to ceilings and using key elements as spatial devices. Existing services are left exposed, communicating the economy of the project, and overlaid with new lighting alongside upgrades to fire safety. In the gallery a timber floor was revealed and restored, and recycled netting is stretched over the ceiling obscuring existing finishes. Readily available materials were used for floor finishes, joinery and re-configuring walls; these were elevated with stained and painted finishes to bring richness to every-day construction.