![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/82c6/e8e4/4eff/0200/085e/medium_jpg/TNG_-_Cafe_2_(Ioana_Marinescu).jpg?1381466807)
-
Architects: RCKa
- Year: 2013
-
Photographs:Ioana Marinescu, Jakob Spriestersbach
-
Manufacturers: Altro Supergrif, Armourcoat, B&K Structures, DR International Climbing Walls, Eskape, Jakob USA, Novum Structures, Parthos, Polyflor, Rockwell Group, Smart Systems, Taskmaster
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/833b/e8e4/4eff/0200/0862/medium_jpg/TNG_-_Wintergarden_(Jakob_Spriestersbach).jpg?1381466925)
Text description provided by the architects. Working closely with Lewisham Council, its partners and young people, RCKa developed proposals to satisfy a funding brief for a "world-class" building; from the use of innovative sustainable construction and high-quality design to extensive participation of young people, whose involvement continued through the detailed design, construction, management and governance of the building and services.
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Facade, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/82d6/e8e4/4ecb/1700/0802/medium_jpg/TNG_-_Climbing_Wall_(Ioana_Marinescu).jpg?1381466828)
Central to this vision was the creation of a democratic and flexible building that responds to the changing demands of its occupants. A dramatic central space resolves complex site levels and forms a vibrant heart, providing an event landscape that engages and welcomes visitors, and is alive with activity and opportunity.
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/82f1/e8e4/4e67/bf00/07f2/newsletter/TNG_-_West_Elevation_from_Wells_Park_(Ioana_Marinescu).jpg?1381466858)
Exposed structural timber forms and elegant coffered ceiling and wall finish, selected for its natural warmth and ability to resist post-tender D&B value-engineering. Clean lines and dramatic open spaces aid security through natural surveillance, and result in a bright and vibrant inclusive internal atmosphere.
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Image 9 of 18](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/8315/e8e4/4ecb/1700/0804/newsletter/TNG_-_Entrance_Level_(Jakob_Spriestersbach).jpg?1381466894)
External cladding is unified by a gently undulating profile that casts vertical shadows across curtain-like elevations. Reflective foil-faced insulation beneath polycarbonate creates a sunlight-responsive shimmering skin, beneath which is hung delicately faceted porcelain-like ultra-high performance concrete panels: an attractive, tactile and robust base to the building.
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Image 11 of 18](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/8321/e8e4/4eff/0200/0861/medium_jpg/TNG_-_Cafe_(Jakob_Spriestersbach).jpg?1381466898)
RCKa identified the potential of the site for a significant facility being aware of Lewisham's emerging youth policy and were instrumental in securing project funding.
![The New Generation Youth and Community Centre / RCKa - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/82df/e8e4/4eff/0200/085f/newsletter/TNG_-_MUGA_(Ioana_Marinescu).jpg?1381466834)
The practice's aim was to create a positive place in which young people find inspiration, where they feel safe and secure, and in which they want to spend time.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5257/837f/e8e4/4e67/bf00/07f6/newsletter/RCKa_TNG_Youth_Venue_Section_AA_labelled.jpg?1381466998)