Greenhill YMCA Community Hub

The Team

Client YMCA

Architects

Bradley McClure

Quantity Surveyor

Moore McDade Dowse

Structural Engineer Design ID

M&E Consultants SCC

Principal Designer HASCO Europe

Interior Design Lisa Cosgrove

Main Contractor Ganson

Photography Donal McCann

On rare occasions the opportunity presents itself to work on a site with an incredible context. On others, the privilege is found in getting to design for a client which exists to support young people and provide space for community development. Once in a very blue moon, both are found in one project.

Greenhill YMCA is an outdoor and residential centre that sits at the foot of the Mournes and on the outskirts of Newcastle. This elevated site provides the setting for sleeping accommodation for up to 200 people and acts as a base for a wide range of outdoor activities, some of which are on-site. Its facilities are used by all types of youth groups and schools, church and community groups, workplace and management teams etc. and hosted by a team of experienced facilitators and instructors. The centre has grown dramatically over the last 20 years and the lack of indoor gathering space to accommodate meetings, workshops and discussions had become an issue – this formed the basis of the project requirement. The brief involved creating a simple but flexible conference-type space, relaxed breakout and associated facilities. In addition, the YMCA had identified a need for an indoor heated pool specifically for water safety training and providing facilities for small swimming classes, particularly for those with disabilities.

The location chosen for the building was an area previously used for archery, so didn’t require destruction of trees of disturbance of important landscape. It allowed a certain level of prominence and ease of connection with other facilities which was important for wayfinding, while still being

Site Concept Key

1. Conference Rooms

2. Entrance and Breakout

3. Water Safety Training Pool

4. Services, Plant, WCs, Changing

Site Concept

Floor Plan subservient in relation to the heights of existing buildings. Whilst overshadowed by the mountain behind, this particular area of the site provided incredible views over Newcastle and the bay.

The building layout is relatively simple in concept – three glazed elevational elements face north towards the views, representing the three main parts of the building. The welcome and breakout space has a glazed corner which also emphasises this side as the main approach and entrance. The central element is the conference space – this can be used as one large space or divided into two as separate smaller rooms. The third glazed space is the water safety training pool which has its own entrance to the east side while also being connected to the conference space. The conference space is slightly twisted towards Newcastle town while the others address the bay. To the rear of the building is a linear strip of utility facilities, plant, changing etc. The opportunity for a lower roof here allows for roof-based plant that is unseen from the ground, hidden by the taller elements to the front.

The formal expression of internal function of the spaces is reinforced by the materiality of the exterior. The entrance and breakout are largely glazed, interrupted by external structural timber columns. The central conference area is clad in a black corrugated fibre cement panel more commonly found on agricultural sheds. Dark grey brickwork covers the pool area and wraps around the rear of the building, with all three materials offering a longevity of finish and lack of necessary maintenance. The materials are deliberately dark to avoid contrast with the deep colours of its rugged background when viewed at a distance and this, along with the rear being cut slightly into the hill, allows the finished structure to settle into its context. The interior finishes are simple and hard-wearing, with painted fairfaced blockwork walls throughout and services and structure generally exposed. Dark muted colours were chosen partly in respect to the external context, as well as adding additional contrast to the views and light.

Despite being built during the pandemic, along with all the associated additional restrictions and problematic delivery issues that were commonplace at the time in the construction sector, the project was handed over successfully. As Greenhill has gone on to reopen properly it has become a key part of accommodation and facilities on offer, with the emphasis focused on supporting community in all its different forms. 

Keith McClure Bradley McClure Architects