Make’s new design for Wings South West takes off

Make‘s design for the charity Wings South West has recently received planning permission. The new youth and community facility will help increase the opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Bideford, Devon. Make undertook the project pro-bono and was facilitated by LandAid.

Official announcement from Make:

Make has received planning permission for The Bridge Centre, a new youth and community facility in Bideford, Devon, for the charity Wings South West. Wings was established in 2000 to give local young people a future and hope, by encouraging positive relationships and offering creative learning opportunities that help develop skills, self-esteem and confidence.

Image Courtesy of Make Architects

The Bridge Centre will establish an invigorating and exciting home for Wings to continue its charity youth work and will greatly increase the opportunities for disadvantaged young people and the wider communities to enjoy, experience and learn from the vast array of activities that will take place at the centre.

The 2-storey building will incorporate a range of facilities, including an assortment of indoor sports amenities, a bistro/café, a community hall, meeting rooms, educational classrooms/workshops, and a youth hall. Located on an area of 13,435m2, in a region of outstanding natural beauty, The Bridge Centre aims to contribute to its setting by drawing upon the agricultural heritage of the area.

The design concept is derived from a tithe barn – a barn seen in northern Europe in the Middle Ages. The barns traditionally collected a tithe, typically a portion of a farm’s produce which was offered to the Church for the benefit of the parish. The centre represents a modern tithe barn enabling the local community to volunteer their time and expertise to Wings, in order to benefit the economic & social regeneration of the area.

Image Courtesy of Make Architects

We are elated that The Bridge Centre has received planning. It is a fantastic project that is really close to our hearts and it’s been a pleasure to work with the team throughout. We look forward to seeing all the benefits it brings to the local community of Bideford and the surrounding areas.

– Jason Parker – lead architect on the project

Make’s involvement in the project is pro bono and was facilitated by LandAid, the property industry’s charity which matches donated expertise with charities seeking advice. Chief Executive of LandAid, Paul Morrish, is thrilled that LandAid has brought together these two organisations to create a life-changing resource for the young people of Devon: “We’re so grateful to Make for their generosity and commitment in helping to bring this valuable project to life. At LandAid we recognise the impact buildings can have on communities and young people and in giving both the hope of a more positive future.”

Dr Paul Bowser, Founder & CEO Wings said that from the very first discussions in 2011, LandAid and Make immediately understood the importance of the project in being capable of catalysing regeneration in one of the most deprived areas in the UK: “Make has the experience, imagination and expertise to translate the dreams of clients into reality, and in the case of The Bridge Centre, through integrating considerations of place, simplicity and inter-connectivity”.