Case Study: Designing Accessibility into Christchurch’s Youth Hub
Case Study: Designing Accessibility into Christchurch’s Youth Hub
Client: Field Studio
Project: Youth Hub and other projects – audits and ongoing advice
Date: 2024 and ongoing
Location: Christchurch
Overview
The Christchurch Youth Hub is a landmark initiative – the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Aotearoa, offering supported housing alongside health, wellbeing, and recreational services for young people. Designed to foster mental health and community connection, the Hub is being developed in stages, with future plans including an events centre, workshops, gardens, café, and additional housing.
To ensure the highest level of accessibility and inclusivity, Field Studio engaged BarrierFree early in the design process. The goal: to embed best practice accessibility into every aspect of the Youth Hub’s development.
Scope of Work
BarrierFree was welcomed into the design team and provided:
- Technical advice on achieving exceptional accessibility standards
- Formal accessibility audits at key stages of the project
- Ongoing consultation as the Hub evolves
The collaboration began with the youth services building, outdoor spaces, and supported housing, and continues as new elements are added.
Key Outcomes
BarrierFree’s involvement has helped:
- Ensure accessibility is integrated from the ground up
- Support Field Studio’s vision for inclusive design
- Establish a strong foundation for future development phases
The relationship with Field Studio has been so positive that BarrierFree continues to work with them on other projects, reinforcing the value of long-term collaboration.
Impact
This project highlights how early and ongoing engagement with accessibility experts can transform inclusive design from a requirement into a core value. The Youth Hub sets a new standard for how built environments can support wellbeing, independence, and community for young people.
Conclusion
The Youth Hub project demonstrates how accessibility can be seamlessly integrated into community infrastructure when experts are involved from the outset. BarrierFree’s ongoing collaboration with Field Studio reflects the value of long-term partnerships in achieving inclusive design outcomes. By prioritising accessibility at every stage, the Youth Hub is setting a new benchmark for youth-focused facilities in Aotearoa. BarrierFree is proud to be part of that journey.
