MOHAMED SHINAN ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO COMMUNITY CENTRE TRIPLE POD Community-Centric Space: In addition to addressing housing needs, our proposal emphasizes the importance of communal spaces in enhancing community cohesion and quality of life. The triple pod configuration serves as a dedicated community center, offering a multifunctional space for recreation, socialization, and skill-building activities. Combining elements such as a library, cafeteria, DIY workshop, and open event space, this communal hub serves as the heart of the neighborhood, fostering connections and empowering residents to engage in mean- ingful activities. IDEA & CONCEPT The current Kingsland Shop- ping Centre site poorly inte- grates with its surroundings, limiting movement across the Town Centre. Redevelopment offers the opportunity to create new routes and public spaces, enhancing connec- tions between Dalston’s character areas while improv- ing pedestrian experiences and east-west links between Dalston Lane and Kingsland High Street. The project can deliver new housing, including afford- able units, while preserving Dalston’s architectural charac- ter. Active ground-floor uses are encouraged to enliven streets, and mixed-use spaces should prioritize retail and commercial activities. Addi- tionally, the redevelopment can expand Dalston’s creative and cultural hub around Ash- win Street. 11 / 16
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