Community Hub @ Badulla

Project idea

Regenerating public spaces through Adaptive architecture

The Community Hub @ Badulla project aimed to transform an old prison, with a history of locking down individuals, into a public space that unlocks the potential of the surrounding community. By incorporating the principles of adaptive architecture, the project breathed new life into an existing structure, demonstrating the value of repurposing existing buildings. The design intent was to create a new public square that would provide a space for all social groups to come together and connect, creating a sense of community in a city that lacked proper public spaces.

To achieve this goal, the project drew inspiration from the unique features of the prison, such as the horizontal, vertical, and angular steel bars that formed the doors and windows of the prison cells. By incorporating this "caged" effect into the new intervention, created a visually striking design that stands out in the city while also preserving the rough surfaces of the old prison.

The result is a stunning new public space that contrasts with the surrounding environment while still respecting its historical context. It provides a space for the community to come together and connect, demonstrating the potential for urban regeneration through adaptive architecture principles. This project is a testament to the power of creativity in transforming existing structures into vibrant new public spaces that serve the needs of the community.

Project description

The proposed project aims to address this deficiency by repurposing the colonial prison as a new public space that will serve as a hub for the city's diverse social groups, linking existing public spaces such as religious sites, playgrounds, libraries, schools and places of interest for visitors.

Regenerating public spaces through adaptive architecture

Adaptive architecture is a framework that changes its structure, behavior, or resources according to request. The design position explores how to adapt a built environment that served a specific purpose for another purpose without harming the existing glory. This will explore what a proper public space is and how the public space becomes multifunctional and adaptive space for different scenarios. Most old buildings have been demolished for new constructions without adapting them for new uses.

In order to preserve the main historical buildings, it is necessary to focus on three key structures: the main ward, the Gate, and the existing female ward that is attached to the Gate. These buildings are surrounded by an old rubble wall that serves as a vital part of the complex. As part of the preservation project, the wall and important buildings will be conserved and repurposed. In addition, the new community hub will include new additions made of steel that contrast with the old structures.

The main components of the complex are The Tower, The Bridge, co-working space, exhibition space, prison gallery, tea shop, and the Gate. The Tower includes a restaurant, snack and juice bar, gymnasium, and backpacker hostel. The Bridge will accommodate service shops as well as the co-working space and administrative area. The new interventions are designed to visualize the complex in a significant way without harming the existing historical glory.

The landscape design includes pocket parks that have different qualities to create a diverse atmosphere. Small pathways have been created to link the various areas of the complex and create new alleyways to the city, which will activate public activities throughout the day.

The service lines have been color-coded and arranged in a manner that exposes them to the exterior. This design feature has been implemented in such a way as to face the school and create a welcoming atmosphere for the students.

A customized outer skin has been designed using steel with the main purpose of reducing the heat generated from direct radiation. The outer skin serves a multi-purpose function, providing storage, seating spaces, working spaces, and a means of transferring service lines.

Technical information

The construction primarily utilizes steel, with Steel I sections serving as the main structural components. All staircases in the area have also been constructed with steel. Furthermore, there are several abandoned tea factories in the vicinity, and steel from these factories has been repurposed for non-structural purposes such as the outer skin, railings, and windows.

For the older buildings, rubble and timber have been used as the primary construction materials. The main roofing method for the new buildings is concrete, with solar panels covering the roof area to generate electricity and reduce heat.