Our proposals for Powys Community Centre focus on creating a welcoming extension that strengthens local life and provides a healthy, uplifting place for people to gather, learn, and connect. The new spaces are built around a CLT structure, chosen for its warm tactile character and its ability to support low-carbon, long-life construction. The exposed timber gives the interior a calm and grounded atmosphere, offering a sense of natural comfort to visitors of all ages.
Lime-mortar and clay-based finishes bring breathable, softly textured surfaces that help regulate internal conditions and reduce environmental impact. A simple lino floor and low-VOC materials further contribute to a clean, healthy environment, ensuring the centre feels comfortable, durable, and accessible for everyday use.
The extension accommodates a flexible mix of teaching space, workshops, and informal community areas. These are designed to encourage collaboration, conversation, and shared activity, with a layout that can adapt to changing needs over time. Carefully placed windows draw in natural daylight and offer glimpses of the wider Powys landscape, maintaining a strong connection to place.
Together, these elements form a characterful and resilient addition to the community centre — one that supports social engagement and enriches the daily life of the surrounding area.