StokeSound : Amplifying Live Community Music

Shelton was a thriving village in the industrial city of Stoke-on Trent. Famous for steel and coal, it was primarily populated with workers within the mid-1900s. The pub provided social and cultural conviviality and the locals worked hard and played hard during these prosperous times.

Due to offshoring and the closure of factories, jobs were lost, community spirit was gone, and the pubs were affected. Pubs had no option but to close, leaving buildings that are rich in architecture derelict or demolished. Many were repurposed to homes losing their heritage and social capacity.

This project aimed to bring new life to a disused pub within Shelton, driving back the community and regenerating the area. The Snyed Arms located on the corner of Shelton New Road was derelict. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, society looked to new opportunities for leisure time. Music had an increased surge of popularity, from learning to play instruments, viewing music and streaming live gigs. Due to this I created a live music hall for the community to enjoy, bring people together and drive the social scene now and for the future.

The Snyed building I repurposed features music classrooms working for people to gain skills as well as a live venue. The key criteria was that artists using the venue would be encouraged to showcase a masterclass lesson for the people in the community of Shelton and Stoke-on-Trent.

I reconfigured the interior to open the space up and bring people together. The frontage is left untouched for heritage, but a new curved steel facade has been added succinctly behind the building creating a moment of surprise for visitors. This extension features an elaborate shape with a focus on spatial testing and form finding and a key focus on sustainable passive systems.