The Mechanic's Institute

History of Swindon

Swindon is historically a railway town. The Great Western Railway reached the town in 1840, at a time when Swindon was mostly a green field site. With no previous heavy industry in the area, workers were moved in from other parts of the country and a small village was purpose built for them around a mile north of ‘Old Swindon’. By the early 20th Century there were around 14,000 men working in the Swindon railway works, which is vastly different to the original 180 employees at the works inception. The railway works closed in 1986, but by this time the town was no longer fully dependent on the railway as it had begun to diversify its industry.

Today, the population of the Swindon Borough is around 220,000 and with multiple plans for additional housing developments, Swindon is one of the fastest growing towns in Europe. A 2017 study found that the average house price in Swindon is around £60,000 less than the uk avearage, couple this with high weekly wages and a resident employment rate of nearly 80%, it is noted that the town is a great place to both live and work. Regeneration is at the heart of Swindon today. Earlier this year, the Swindon Borough Council came together with Heritage England and the Mechanic’s Institution Trust to launch the ‘Heritage Action Zone’, with the aim to see the neglected buildings so critical to Swindon’s industrial history restored.

Building History

The former Swindon Mechanic's Institute is one of the most prominent buildings in Swindon's history, situated right at the heart of the railway village. The Grade II* listed building which was designed by Edward Roberts opened it’s doors to the public in 1855 and quickly grew in popularity.

The building is considered to be important because of the GWR Medical Fund Society, which was established in 1844 and ran from the Mechanic‘s Institute initially before moving to it’s own purpose built site. The Medical Fund Society aimed to provide medicine to the GWR employees and their families. 100 years on from its inception this society would form the blueprint for the National Health Service.

The Mechanic's Institution was originally established among the GWR empolyees around 1844 with the objective of 'disseminating useful knowledge and encouraging rational amusement’ and the idea was that the building would bring both of these together under one roof.

Overtime, the building evolved to reflect the changes happening within the town as it continued to grow, but always remained at the centre of the social hub of Swindon. With the nationalisation of the railway and less dependence on one industry, the Mechanics Institute closed in February of 1986. It has been vacant ever since, despite numerous new owners and planning applications.

Project Brief

With the rise of small businesses working within co-working spaces and the lines between the work/life balance blurring. People are looking to engage with spaces that offer more than just a working environment. They require places to socialise, network, relax, work and socialise.

The Mechanic's Institute was established with the objective of 'disseminating useful knowledge and encouraging rational amusement'. These themes will run through every aspect of the new proposal.

The reinvented mechanic's institute will be a space that allows a variety of people to come together across a multitude of uses in both working and social environments to create a thriving community and make Swindon a destination.

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User Profile

Swindon is the United Kingdom's 3rd most productive town in the technology sector. There are over 2,800 defined 'Tech and Digital' businesses and a large number of headquarters within Swindon. The town is continually trying to encourage this industry by supporting SME's via a scheme called 'The Growth Hub' and initiating 'Tech Swindon', a 2-day summit for start-ups, SME's and larger business, with high profile speakers in venues across the town with around 2,000 visitors.

The Swindon Mechanic's Institute will target tech and digital start-up companies for the proposed working areas, as well as students looking for a space to study and socialise. The social areas will be open to everyone, while the hospitality facilities, such as the restaurant, food market and bar, will be ran by local, independent companies.

Key Moves

Replicate the past uses within the new design proposal, which were key to the original concept of areas to work/learn and spaces for entertainment

Create a central atrium to connect all of the spaces and people together within the old fly tower at the heart of the site via a series of connected mezzanines.

Concept Images

MARKET CONCEPT

RECEPTION CONCEPT

LIBRARY ROOM CONCEPT

MARKET CONCEPT

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Project Mood Images

Ground Floor Proposed Plan

The ground floor is accessed via 3 main street entrances: North Market Entrance, Central Main New Entrance and the South Office Entrance. There will also be both a Supplier and Staff Entrance.

The north of the site features the street food market stalls, coffee bar, as well as a drinks bar and
refurbished skittle alley complete with tables on hoists to create a flexbile event space.

A new ramp connects the market area to the atrium and reception area, which houses a variety of soft seating areas, a new lift and access to the ground floor toilets. The original Reading Room, is proposed as a co-working space for 40-50 people. From here there is access to the garden area.

At the south of the ground floor are the meeting suites, featuring the restored original baths, as unique, sunken-seating meeting areas combined with formal meeting tables and soft seating.

First Floor Proposed Plan

The first floor of the building continues the theme of separate entertainment and working areas connected via the atrium.

At the north of the building is the old Playhouse Theatre, proposed as a restaurant area complete with a large, focal bar where the original stage used to sit, connected to a Chef’s Table. The
original turrets are proposed to be used as a fire escape in one and access to the second floor
balcony in the other.

The restaurant is accessed via the new atrium staircase and mezzanines, which connects the new kitchen and private dining area, to the restaurant.

The south of the building features 3 varying sized office spaces, a small teapoint, as well as the new lift.

Second Floor Proposed Plan

The second floor of the Mechanic’s Insitute features an outdoor cocktail terrace and a private
dining area for up to 3 groups at the north of the site.

A library room and billiard room connected by the new second floor atrium mezzanines provide smaller social spaces while aiming to restore some of the original uses.

At the south of the second floor is a large attic space office, complete with its own teapoint and toilets as well as, a meeting table and collaboration spaces. The office can be easily accessed via the new lift or original staircase.

The second floor office also features a new picture window into the atrium to maintain connecting views across the site.

The Mechanic's Institute Atrium

The Fly Tower Atrium is at the heart of the site restoration and has been designed to connect both the building and its users together. The series of staircases and mezzanines sit within the framework of the 1930’s impressive, single-volume structure, which was once considered cutting-edge. These transitions and moments entice users to explore all that the architecture has to offer.

The Atrium invites people to move throughout the space as the theatre scenery once would have moved, to honour the history of one of Swindon’s most prominent buildings, whilst layering in a new design for future generations.

The Atrium will be the central hub of the building, providing a space to work, relax, socialise and reflect.

The Mechanic's Institute Market

Dine. Drink. Dance.

The Mechanic’s Market provides a unique dining destination, which has been designed to bring people together continually throughout the day. A coffee bar for your morning
caffeine hit or to catch up with friends and family. Four food stalls ran by local, independent companies to promote what the town has to offer whilst also providing something for everyone. A bar perfect for both networking and socialising and an events space in the refurbished skittle alley. The Mechanic’s Market is the perfect social space from dawn till dusk.