Following the first workshops held with the young people and staff at The Island, a series of early vision sketches captured the essence of some of the key spaces and activities within the proposed new building and site.

The proposed site presents a number of constraints and opportunities that the design proposals for the building and landscape are working with. As a green belt site, the continuity and feeling of open space through the site is very important. The massing and positioning of the building has therefore been a key consideration from the outset of the project.

The illustration below shows the building and site layout concept, with the various spaces of the building organised around a central recreation area, with adjacent activities positioned to create two sheltered courtyards, one forming the main entrance area off the existing access from New Lane, the other facing into the site, with long views out toward the landscape. The proposed activities immediately around the building compliment, and in some cases are an extension of, the spaces inside the building.

An additional, new pedestrian access is proposed from the north-western corner of the site, allowing for improved connections to the bus stops adjacent, and those travelling by foot from the north. The perimeter of the site and those areas accessible to the young people will be secured through landscape features.