Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau

Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was working with architects to create a new bureau to replace their currently problematic premises. As active clients they hoped to inform the design process throughout. To ensure the group continued delivering existing and improved services, they stressed the importance of inclusive, spacious, safe and welcoming spaces that would complement their work.

Gateshead CAB purchased a former pub, The Barley Mow, in the centre of Gateshead. They are now in the process of refurbishing and building a small extension to the newly acquired premises, as their existing premises are inadequate. An ‘access audit’ drew attention to the inadequacies of their current building which did not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and which could not be adapted because of its Listed Building status.

The main priority for the new bureau is to provide inclusive (accessible) spacious, safe, and welcoming premises. This will enable them to deliver existing and improved services. In addition, new services will be developed and further income generated through additional service contacts. They also plan to utilise the new facilities for additional income generation.

The building development has reached the end of its first phase i.e. stripping out, structural and quantity surveys and is now at the stage of finalising the design models. The group is keen to achieve an optimum layout and design to provide the best access to both the building and services for all staff, volunteers, clients and the general public.

After attending Buildings by Design at Trafford Hall, the group was interested in exploring real life examples of design projects that would both inspire and inform their project. They were successful in applying for a two-day Study Tour to examine pertinent building issues and inspiring design in South East London, looking at examples of front-of-house services, layouts, building management, flow of people, reception desks, diagnostic interviewing, client self-services, information resources. In addition to these practical aspects, the tour most importantly raised the design ambition of the project’s key clients.

The group visited two Citizens Advice Bureaux, both tackling similar issues to what they were facing in their project. To add to this, The Glass-House also injected a little design inspiration into the tour, visiting the Laban Dance Centre, BedZed and Peckham Library. The tour was successful in striking a balance between the practical and technical issues surrounding community buildings and inspirational design quality. With the added benefit of having an architect present to guide the tour and respond to technical questions, the group accumulated valuable knowledge that will ultimately inform their final design.

The Gateshead CAB exists to provide an inclusive and effective delivery of quality information, advice and casework service, appropriate to the needs of the people of Gateshead. The new building will allow the CAB to improve accessibility, increasing the range of local people and organisations that are able to access the building and services, particularly those with disabilities and from minority ethnic groups. Service delivery will be highly improved due to increased efficiency and better conditions and improved public areas. With additional space they will be able to empower some clients to help themselves by offering the resources they will need for self help e.g. computers, internet, use of telephone and publications.

The group learned how other bureaux are developing, managing, operating and adapting their buildings to meet service requirements. They left the tour with ideas and resources to achieve an optimum layout and design to provide the best access to both the building and services for all staff, volunteers, clients and general public. They developed an understanding of design quality, alternative construction materials and environmental building solutions.

Watch a video tour of the completed building at ShowMyHome.

Buildings

• Refurbishment and extension
• South East London Architecture
• Community Services

Study Tour

• Learnt how other bureaux are operating.
• Left the tour with ideas and resources to achieve an optimum layout and design.
• Developed an understanding of design quality, alternative construction materials and environmental building solutions.

Buildings by Design

Graeme Sutherland