University Creative Hub to Bring Community Together

An innovative community hub will provide a unique meeting and teaching space as part of the regeneration of the Sincil Bank area of Lincoln.

The hub, which will be located in a converted shipping container on the corner of Portland Street and Hermit Street, is expected to be in place for up to five years and will provide an accessible studio space which will be used for a range of collaborative projects between the University and the community.

The container hub is part of the place shaping framework commissioned by the City Council for the regeneration of the Sincil Bank area. The hub will be placed on land currently used as a car park in an area that has been identified as a key gateway to Sincil Bank. The regeneration plans also involve the creation of social ‘parklets’ and a green route for pedestrians and cyclists to reduce traffic flow through the area.

Bringing together the University of Lincoln, the City of Lincoln Council, and the Sincil Bank community, the Creative Hub will double as an exhibition space to showcase student work as well as collaborative community projects. A drop-in design forum will be available for residents to share and exchange their ideas for the Sincil Bank area, as well as test and develop new design projects as the revitalisation of the area begins.

Led by the University of Lincoln, the studio space will be used by academics and students from across different disciplines who will work on a range of community engagement projects during the regeneration. Design Studio sessions and presentations hosted by the University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment, will also take place to give residents the opportunity to take part in community design meetings.

The community hub will allow residents to benefit from the academic expertise of the University as well as providing students with an immersive learning experience as they get involved with live projects, real clients and deadlines.

The first of these collaborative projects will take place from September and will see students and community members working with Lincoln based contractor Hubren Building Services to design and create street furniture and art installations.

Trevor Elvin, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture and the Built Environment and project director for the Hub, said: “The hub will offer a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community while offering unique learning experiences for our students.

“Our students will be able to get involved with projects right from the planning stages and see the real world impact that their work can have on a community.”

Paul Carrick, Neighbourhood Manager at City of Lincoln Council said: “This is an exciting time for the area.

“This project is one of many that will assist in enhancing the physical appearance and connecting members of the local community.”

Work to instate the hub will begin in the summer and it is hoped that it will be open to the public in time for the start of the new academic year in September.