NovaCentre by Rabia Duran proposes a new public square for Welwyn Garden City, creating a fresh civic focus for the less attractive side of the city.
The strength of the project is the idea of a second centre. Rather than adding another isolated building, NovaCentre tries to connect corners of the city through a multifunctional public place.
As a public square urban design project, its value sits in how the square organises movement, civic use and a clearer destination for the city.
Project views
The project images show the relationship between the public square, interior civic space and the wider urban setting.
Portfolio viewer
Rabia’s submitted portfolio viewer is included below for deeper project context where the embedded viewer loads on your device.
What the project is solving
Welwyn Garden City already has a strong historic town-centre identity. The NovaCentre proposal is not trying to replace that. It creates a new civic layer that can act as an intermediary between quieter edges and the established centre.
- A new public square gives people a reason to gather.
- The second-centre idea helps rebalance the city.
- Multifunctional space makes the project useful beyond one event or one time of day.
- The modern character contrasts with the historic centre while still connecting to it.
Why awards help, but the project still has to lead
Rabia graduated with a First Class degree from the University of Hertfordshire and the project received recognition through the HAA Architecture Award, RIBA and university project-of-the-year selection.
That recognition is useful, but the project should still be judged on the clarity of its urban idea. NovaCentre works best when read as a proposal for connection: between public space, movement, civic identity and everyday use.
Connect with Rabia
Use these routes to follow Rabia’s work or get in touch about the project.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is that civic projects need people in the story. A square is not only a shape in plan. It is arrival, edge, shelter, ownership, programme and the confidence that people will actually use it.
Showcase a public-space project
If your project is about civic life, show how the place works for people, not just how it looks from above.
- Explain the city problem clearly.
- Show how people enter, pause and move through the space.
- Use drawings and images that prove scale and use.
- Keep awards and recognition visible, but let the project idea lead.
Next step
Browse more project showcases, read the portfolio guide, or submit your own student project.
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