Final Meeting Minutes:21 Nov 07

Meeting at No 92, Wednesday 21st November 2007, 4pm

Present: Matthew Sampson, Mark Barratt, Lisa Procter, Helen Cook, Chris Gray, Sarah Green, Paul McKay

We began by talking Mark and Matthew through the ‘Book of No 92’ – identifying consultation documentation, our reception proposals and flexible furniture concepts, the atmosphere section of the document and the manuals.

The Client was made aware of the fact that had we known of the imminent ‘shake up’ in restructuring the departments of No 92, then our conclusions would have been different. We elaborated on the fact that moving departments around would raise issues of security and circulation in the context of our reception proposals. The Client informed us that Connexions were not being moved out of the building, just to a different area within the building, and Business Support would then occupy their space. The Client understood, however,that the flow of visitors passing through Business Support (if situated in the former Connexions space) would not be appropriate (as in the Council’s proposal). On the realisation of this, the Client then turned their attention to our proposal set on the left hand side of the building as a potential option, citing this for consideration as an alternative reception. We pointed out that the fact that this proposal provided viewing windows into the space could help to avert potentially problematic situations between young people, as any visitors would be able to ascertain who was in the drop-in space and then decide whether they wanted to remain in or leave the building.

The Client asked us whether any of the young people had mentioned what kind of activities they would like at No 92. We informed them that the evening drop-in sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays had been popular with the young people, as they had been able to learn new skills and build relationships. The Client told us that this feedback was very useful to them and that it would help them to move forward in terms of providing more of the services at No 92 that the young people wanted most.

The Client was particularly pleased with our Manuals, as they provided potential for future participatory activities that could be undertaken by a selected group of young people with the guidance of necessary consultants. Constructing the designs would also promote a sense of ownership amongst the young people which has always been a favourable outcome. The Client felt that the Library Pod could be useful as a multipurpose installation, and suggested that it could even be used as a concealed space by the ante natal group, for example. The screens and flexible furniture were also seen to have similar benefits.

In the same way, guidance from the atmosphere manual could be followed in order to redecorate the space or add murals, graphics and so on.

To sum up, the Client felt that some of our proposals had a lot of potential as benefiting No 92, that they were ‘thought provoking’ and that they ‘could see them happening’ at some point. These comments were positive and as a group gave us hope that our work could be put to good use in the not-too-distant future.

Sarah

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Snapshot: final project review

Photo courtesy Peter Lathey.

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Peer Support Meeting 31st October

Olly and I were invited by Fiona Addison to attend the peer support meeting that is held once a month for all the YPAs.

We presented the document which was shown to Mark on Monday and explained what we have been doing at No.92 for the last five weeks. They were all aware of our exhibition boards and we filled them in on what we found out from Niki yesterday. They were all very excited about this chance we have to improve the current reception ideas and we suggested that the reception team some initial ideas on the blog by the end of today for their feedback.

We also told them about the “Box Set” that we will produce for No.92 by the end of next week, which will contain:

The Book of 92 – indepth study: findings, responses, conclusions, future
 involvement, appendix.

Reception designs 
- the current design with our analysis and also our proposal.

Manuals: workshops/events for young people

Pod library 
Furniture 
Display/Storage

Atmosphere document: Looking at lighting, ventilation, acoustics, colours and other factors at No.92.

The Book of 92 has all the information we collated during our time that can be used in applications for funding and to be read out of interest.
We suggested that the manuals could be used for future workshops, something that the YPAs and ourselves can be involved with.

Our sketch proposal for the reception will be on the blog today, we would love to receive your comments for our final design.

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29th October 3pm client meeting at Number 92

Present – Niki and Dave, Melanie, Emma, Olivia, Paul, Helen, Imran, Sarah and JamesApologies – Chris and Steve

Agenda – Interim review and discussing the final outcome We discussed the major findings of this mornings meeting with Mark.

Reception design – We discussed the options we had to approach Kier. As the reception is due to be built before Christmas this gives us little chance to dramatically change the design but we may be able to have an input the surface finishes and lighting. This also may give us the opportunity to challenge the necessity of the glazed screen and add in some other factors which may improve the atmosphere of the main entrance. We will price up the additional factors to the reception to ensure it is realistic.

The final documents we produce will hopefully enable Number 92 to continue the project when we have left and the funding comes through. This can even be explored further in a future live project. It can be used as a main reference point and explored further through events with the young people to give them a sense of ownership over the building.

Niki and Dave were very appreciative of the work we have produced so far and the way we have listened and readjusted the scheme when meeting with the different users.

Next meeting: Final meeting with MB, NL, DC, LP, RL and student team -Wednesday 7th November, 10.30 – 11.30am (No.92)

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Talking to the Neighbours: 26.10.07

Having arranged a meeting as part of our formal, recorded interviews, James and I met with Derek Woolley of the P&A Partnership.

In the early briefing stage, the group had been told anecdotally that the “solicitors” (they are in fact accountants) across the street had been filming incidents outside Number 92 and had been vocal in their complaints to Sheffield City Council. It had also been suggested that funding may be available from the neighbours if their input was incorporated in any design proposal.

Derek gave us an extensive catalogue of complaints about the goings-on outside Number 92, the main problem with which seems to be excessive and offensive noise. The offices of P&A face onto Queen Street and, particularly in summer, when windows are open, are within easy earshot of any arguments that take place outside. Derek was able to tell us, from simple observation through his office window, many of the shortcomings of the internal space that have been highlighted in the last few weeks (eg the lack of internal private space leading to discussions happening on the street).

We were provided with the full correspondence between P&A and SCC with regard to Number 92, which is extensive. Derek was reluctant to pledge his support with the City Council for our proposal; which suggests that the prospect of funding may be remote.

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