Tithebarn Green Local Centre

Project Description

The site is also in close proximity to Exeter Science Park and Exeter Gateway Office Park employment sites and is accessible via a newly opened strategic Highways scheme, Tithebarn Link Road, and is also close to a strategic local cycle route linking Exeter with the new community of Cranbrook via Redhayes bridge. The site layout of these land uses has derived from a considered appraisal of the local and wider context. LHC Design have been involved in the wider, strategic masterplanning of this area over a number of years and the Local Centre along with its associated public realm enhancements (including new NEAP and MUGA) forms a key part of the successful delivery of this new, self-sustaining living quarter on the edge of the city. The internal uses forming part of the Local Centre facility are accommodated within a singular standalone building located on the north western corner of the site. A convenience store and cafe occupy the ground floor, with a healthcare facility or similar community facility accommodated within the first floor.

Project Vision

The Local Centre building is an important landmark and central hub for the surrounding Tithebarn development and its newly created community. It was therefore key that the development had its own distinctive architectural identity and character whilst also complementing the neighbouring context. The scheme not only provides an important focal point for the new residents of Tithebarn and Mosshayne but also delivers vital and eagerly awaited amenities and facilities for this new urban population. Externally, LHC have designed the extensive landscaping scheme which includes a new MUGA, NEAP, playing fields and various other public realm proposals (including a new landscaped square featuring a sculpture by a local artist, a pocket garden and numerous new pedestrian and cycle routes leading through newly landscaped shared amenity space).

Design Approach

The Local Centre site is strategically located at the centre of Tithebarn development along a green corridor which connects new residential areas to new local amenities and recreational open space.

The building is located on the junction of Tithebarn Link Road and South Mosshayne Link Road. Its L-shaped form addresses this key nodal point in the development and forms a strong corner presence opposite some of the 3 storey residential developments. The levels across the site have been used to incorporate green infrastructure and support the identity and function of the upper and lower levels within the public square.

The new building is a contemporary design featuring crisp detailing and high-quality materials, with a simple pitched roof form to relate to the existing context. The building includes a brick plinth as featured heavily locally and which is considered a unifying feature of the area. A standing seam metal roof and upper walls contrasts with the surrounding residential development, helping to give the building an appropriate civic presence and fit in with nearby building typologies in the Science Park.

The proposed fenestration provides vertical emphasis and a strong rhythm to the façade. The use of feature box window surrounds around first-floor windows and the material change between ground floor and first floor provide relief and interest across the length of the building, whilst large areas of gable glazing emphasise its public significance. A contrasting 2 storey timber clad entrance core (providing access to the first floor) is proposed on the north elevation , addressing the key corner of the site.