The Hub shortlisted for award
News release issued:
An historic Kidderminster building transformed and brought back to life by Wyre Forest District Council has been shortlisted for a prestigious design award.
The council’s Hub building in Green Street, designed by Sjolander da Cruz Architects, has been named a finalist for the Architects Journal Retrofit Award in the ‘workplace under 2,000m²’ category.
In 2019, the council completed the Depot 2020 scheme which involved replacing inefficient and poor quality offices and transforming two historic Listed Buildings.
The Hub is a modern workspace where the council’s customer advice, revenues and benefits and housing advice teams offer a full service under one roof. Next door, The Depot is home to the council’s operational services including its fleet of refuse and other vehicles.
While The Hub has been closed to the public and many of the staff that usually work there have been working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, it has been open to those facing emergency homeless situations. The council’s homeless team has continued to provide face-to-face support to those who require it.
There are currently no rough sleepers in the district which is monitored weekly, after the team helped 44 people in the first lockdown into temporary accommodation with 22 people moving into settled accommodation. A further 6 people who were either rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping have been accessed accommodation over the subsequent 2 lockdowns.
Councillor John Thomas, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services said: “The Depot 2020 project has given these important and historic buildings a new lease of life, creating modern work spaces fit for the demands of the 21st century while at the same time helping to preserve the town’s past.
“It’s great to see The Hub is a finalist with only six other projects in the ‘workplace under 2,000m²’ category and hope we can bring the prize home to Wyre Forest.
“You can watch the virtual awards ceremony live on Wednesday 24 February from 4.30pm to 6pm. The event is free to attend, simply register at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aj-retrofit-awards-2021-registration-133232950341.”