TOKKO Youth Space | Astudio

TOKKO Youth Space is a MyPlace funded community building for 14-19 year olds designed to engender a sense of belonging to the youth of Luton.

The bold twisted form expresses the dynamic uses within the building. A welcoming open set of spaces invite you in at street level, the higher you progress through the building the more enclosed the spaces become arriving at the Parkour Studio at the top which overlooks the centre of Luton connecting the fluid movement of free-running with the vibrant town centre.

Massing and streetscape
Although the site is close to the main square is not visible from ground level, therefore Astudio knew that they needed to enhance the presence of the building to attract as many users as possible. They achieved this by creating a five storey building that dramatically rises above its context, topped with a full-height glazed facade that overlooks the square and portrays the active nature of the building.

The massing was carefully modelled to respond to the varying scales of the site’s two neighbouring buildings; 2 story residential/shops and the six storey Council Building. The two interlocked boxes articulate the two scales, different materials were used for each box: concrete to the lower and more abstract materials to create a double skin façade on the upper.

The external envelope sympathetically contrasts with the surrounding brick buildings. The expressive language of some of the facades in the area have been reinterpreted in a contemporary way by introducing vertical fins on the upper box which create rhythm and a synergism to the streetscape. The use of colour veiled behind perforated panels and metal fins bring a distinctive appearance that can be seen differently as you move around the building.

Internal Arrangement
The main challenge of the project was the limited size of the site, both in terms of design and construction logistics. A simple layout based around the core maximizes the net area and reduces circulation. The selection of materials were developed with the client who wanted to create a “bare” feeling with exposed finishes, although some small rooms were tailored to create a different atmosphere to the rest of the building.

Sustainable Design
The project has embedded environmental strategies from the use of materials up to the selection of the services. For example concrete was used to create essential thermal mass even though it was a difficult solution in terms of construction logistic. The air and noise quality of the site prescribed a mechanically ventilated solution that uses an air source heat pump system to lower energy consumption, running costs and efficiency. Other measures such as efficient water fittings, highly insulated envelope and green materials contribute to achieve BREEAM very good on this challenging site.

Community Involvement
A unique aspect of the creation of TOKKO was the use of a youth steering group. This group of young individuals were organised and coordinated by Voluntary Action Luton and were involved with every aspect of the process from the funding bid, the selection of consultants, the design and even the marketing of their new facility. Astudio also invited members of the steering group to work in our studio, they took part in design team meetings, learned model making as well as basic CAD skills.

TOKKO was funded by the Department of Education’s myplace programme that provides world class facilities that fulfil the needs identified by the youth in the community. The facility was proposed after a survey of Luton’s young people took place where it was said that they needed a space “to talk, be listened to, relax and gain confidence by trying new things.” TOKKO provides a variety of spaces and facilities that enable and empower young people to fulfil this declaration. Along with the engagement with the youth, there was also a pre-application consultation, a website that allowed the community to view the design and leave feedback, as well as a facebook page, live twitter feed, radio interviews, a public exhibition and a launch party.

Best practice was constantly adhered to during both the design and construction periods and the process was recognised by CABE as an exemplar experience in stakeholder engagement. http://www.cabe.org.uk/buildings/myplace.html

Community Initiatives and Users
TOKKO is home to Youth Advice Luton (Connexions) which offers advice, counselling and training to unemployed youth in Luton, providing valuable life skills that will help them make the most of their future.

TOKKO regularly rents meeting rooms to a number of companies such as Luton Airport and EasyJet which helps to support the day to day running of the facility. Other sponsors of money and equipment include Vauxhall, Wates and Tesco. There are a variety of spaces which can be used for classes, training and play, activities include:
- SNAP art workshop
- SWAY girls group
- Healthy cooking course
- Disability project
- Dance, capoeira and other fitness classes
- Music and media workshops
- Table tennis and pool tournaments
- Climbing wall games
- Guest speaks and debates
- Workshops covering peer pressure, stay safe, sexual health and relationships
- Movie nights
The users love the range and quality of the spaces and say that they are user friendly, inspiring and that they encourage people to return to expand their skills.

The users are encouraged to be part of the Youth Board which meet regularly and help to decide on what goes on with in the centre. This helps to create a sense of ownership of the building and promotes good behaviour and proper uses of the facilities. All staff and volunteers are trained to the level that is required to help with the day to day running or specific activities such as the climbing wall and kitchen area.

"The young people have worked alongside the local authority to have a say in all aspects of the build and the interior design. This has been a real partnership piece of work of which all who have been involved should be very proud."
Andy Calvert, Executive Manager