Once known as the Boots manufacturing base, the Island Quarter site is surrounded by communities that date back to the early 19th century, and is intended to be a catalyst for revitalization. Having gone through several industrial stages and development proposals over the years, my proposal is not only a building intervention, but also an ecological intervention which will ensure that the needs and desires of the local community are at the forefront. This could bring the local community into dialogue with the larger communities throughout the UK. The physical condition of the site and its natural processes provide opportunities to create new as well as old ecologies while promoting ways to cope with the emerging climate emergency and indulge in the requirements of the evolving natural systems and its cohabiting urban systems.

My adaptive re-use proposal will be open to the public and will also include the planting of trees around the site, gardens, wetlands, a community park and, farm. The existing buildings on site were re-purposed and retrofitted with timber interiors to include temporary accommodations, a senate library, lobby and indoor garden, offices and site management. The new-built additions to the site will be the debating chamber pavilion and the greenhouse. The public areas are created by soft landscaping and lined with trees. Materials were chosen to harmonize with the scenery, particularly stone which is used for the floor and timber which was used throughout the chamber and the existing building interventions for the structure, walls and furniture. The use of locally sourced materials, including the brick that will be used for repairs of the existing buildings, ensure a reduction of carbon footprint during the construction phase.