The derelict mill, in Thornton Road, Bradford, will be converted into a £7.7m community centre for young people as part of the Culture Fusion project.

The designs, drawn up by Bowman Riley Architects together with Bradford YMCA, are being considered by Bradford Council.

Culture Fusion will involve the refurbishment of an existing six-storey stone building and a five-storey extension to create approximately 32,000 sq ft of space.

Bradford Council's Integrated Youth Support, Aspire-i and lead partner Bradford YMCA are behind the project, alongside Bradford University, Bradford College, the NHS, Metro and various voluntary organisations.

The Government has pledged £6.4m of funding to set up the centre and Bradford YMCA has also put some money towards the project but there is currently a shortfall of £500,000, which it is trying to resolve.

A steering group of young people has been involved in the project from the initial concept to signing off the final design. They were consulted on the location and name of the centre as well as on what services it should provide.

Plans include a six-storey climbing wall, an urban meadow, music studio, internet café, rooftop garden, media tower, exhibition space, multi-faith prayer room, gym and dance studio, teaching, information and workshop space.

The centre would also be used as a live music venue and would provide accommodation for disabled young people and international youth groups to visit for short breaks.

A spokeswoman for Bowman Riley Architects said: "This is an exciting project for the practice, not only as it calls for an innovative design in order to respond to the diverse range of features required by the brief, but also for the fresh, pioneering way that the young people of Bradford have been involved in the project from the outset."

The events space will be built as an extension adjacent to the original building. It will incorporate a 'weave' patterned exterior which draws inspiration from Bradford's rich textile heritage.

Laurence Teeney, director at Bowman Riley Architects, said: "Culture Fusion has really given us an opportunity to think outside the box – to get the maximum impact from a challenging brief, budget and timescale.

"As this is a building for young people, we are showcasing
our own young talent on this project; it's given them something they can really sink their teeth into."

Bernie Gahan, Bradford YMCA, project co-ordinator, added: "We are really pleased that Bowman Riley Architects have taken seriously our desire for involvement of young people in the design of Culture Fusion.

"They have incorporated into their design team some of their fresh, young faces who bring fresh ideas to the table. This really corresponds with what we are trying to achieve.

"Providing that we comply with the planning regulations, hopefully it should go through next month."

Construction is expected to start in summer 2010 with completion expected in September 2011.


Culture Fusion

Culture Fusion is a £7.7m youth centre which is being built on the site of a derelict mill in Thornton Road, Bradford.

Plans include a six-storey climbing wall, an urban meadow, music studio, internet cafe, rooftop garden, media tower with an LCD screen to promote events and activities, exhibition space, multi-faith prayer room, gym and dance studio, teaching, information and workshop space.

The centre will also be used as a live music venue and provide accommodation for disabled young people and international youth groups to visit for short breaks.

Bernie Gahan, Bradford YMCA, project co-ordinator, said: "By day, the centre will be open access with a range of advice and information
services for children and young people.

"In the evenings and at weekends it becomes a much more social place where young people can try out different activities."