Where There's a Wheel There's a Way: The Wheelways Hub for Sustainable Travel & Mobility
My final year project is situated in Northenden, Manchester, and comprises two primary components: a community cycling centre and an elderly mobility centre. The community cycling centre features a bike shop, a bike workshop, and a café. The bike workshop is designed to serve local residents by offering free bike maintenance classes, encouraging community engagement and promoting sustainable transportation. The café provides a welcoming space for cyclists and non-cyclists alike to gather, fostering a sense of community.
The second component of the scheme is the elderly mobility centre. It aims to enhance the physical and mental well-being of the relatively large elderly population in Northenden. It offers both group and private mobility and physiotherapy classes, providing opportunities for social interaction and improvement in physical mobility. By focusing on the specific needs of the elderly, the centre aims to reduce social isolation and promote gentle exercise.
A key aspect of my project is my interest in the use of recycled materials in architecture. Through extensive prototyping, I developed an innovative method of utilising waste inner tubes to create a rainscreen system. This approach not only gives a second life to discarded materials but also significantly lowers the overall embodied carbon of the structure. The recycled inner tube rainscreen serves as a climate-conscious alternative to conventional building materials, aligning with sustainable architectural practices.
Overall, the project aims to address both community and environmental needs. The cycling centre encourages sustainable transportation and a reduction in car use, while the elderly mobility centre enhances the well-being of elderly residents. Together, these facilities allow for cross-generational community engagement. By incorporating recycled materials, the project also demonstrates a commitment to reducing environmental impact, showcasing the potential of sustainable design solutions in urban architecture.
