An Environmental Beacon in Barnsley
In the heart of Barnsley’s bustling city centre stands a new vision for inclusive community engagement and climate-conscious design. The South Yorkshire Climate Assembly, conceived by third-year University of Sheffield student Zac Hayes, marries environmental stewardship with an urban spirit of innovation. Set against a rich backdrop of industrial heritage, the project’s primary goal is to spark dialogue and action on pressing ecological issues. By creatively repurposing existing structures and incorporating functional, people-focused spaces, Hayes’s design emerges as an inspiring prototype for how future civic architecture can address contemporary challenges.
Bridging Academic Rigor with Real-World Experience
Zac Hayes brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on practice to this endeavour. On track to graduate in summer 2025, he has sharpened his architectural acumen at multiple established firms in Manchester. Such exposure to real-world client briefs, construction processes, and collaborative design put him in a unique position to create an ambitious and immersive community project. The University of Sheffield’s curriculum—grounded in socially engaged design—fostered Zac’s focus on civic well-being and sustainable thinking, reinforcing the urgency of climate-responsive architecture.
Beyond his academic achievements, Zac has shown dedication to leadership and teamwork through various extracurricular commitments. He was honoured with the Black and Gold Award for outstanding contributions to sport, having served as Club Captain and Secretary at university. In these positions, he honed crucial organisational and communication skills—assets that seamlessly complement his design practice. It is this blend of creativity, leadership, and community-driven mindset that underpins the ambitious, real-world aspirations for the South Yorkshire Climate Assembly.
An Assembly for Change
The South Yorkshire Climate Assembly is more than just a building; it is a movement. Conceived as a civic infrastructure project, the Assembly aims to bring together citizens, stakeholders, and experts to tackle the complex challenge of climate change. At the core is a central winter garden—a breathing, living space brimming with greenery. Designed to foster a direct connection between people and nature, the winter garden provides a year-round oasis, highlighting the vibrant interplay between vegetation and built form.
Wrapping around this greenhouse area are a number of “permeable zones,” each emphasising a particular dimension of the Assembly’s environmental mission. There is a Bike MOT workshop offering visitors a place to maintain and repair their bicycles, helping to promote greener modes of personal transport. A separate reuse centre provides opportunities for repurposing building materials and everyday household items, reinforcing the message that sustainability begins with minimising waste. Meanwhile, gardening workshops further encourage visitors to cultivate their own green spaces, inspiring broader conversations about local food production and biodiversity.
With such an eclectic blend of functions, the South Yorkshire Climate Assembly aspires to be a genuine hub of collaboration. Activists, educators, and the general public can find common ground within these spaces, all while engaging with universal concerns such as energy conservation, pollution reduction, and a greener social infrastructure.
Sustainability at the Core
From conception, the Climate Assembly was guided by sustainable strategies. Although forward-thinking in its design, the building conserves up to 70% of the existing on-site structure, reducing the carbon impact inherent in total demolition. This adaptive reuse highlights an ethic of creativity and resourcefulness, showing how older buildings can form the foundation of modern ecological solutions.
Among the assembly’s most distinctive sustainable features is its commitment to rainwater harvesting. Cisterns store water to nourish the winter garden and surrounding planting initiatives, demonstrating the practicality of integrating closed-loop water systems into future urban developments. Mechanical solar shading further regulates interior lighting and temperature, shielding spaces during peak sun hours and optimising energy usage. Each of these elements underscores both the project’s serious commitment to climate resilience and its appreciation for well-executed architectural detailing.
A Landmark That Educates
Topping off the Assembly’s bold statement is a viewpoint tower. Rising above the Barnsley skyline, this carefully placed edifice invites visitors to ascend multiple levels—each dedicated to explaining a different aspect of the climate crisis. Through interactive exhibitions, data-driven infographics, and hands-on demonstrations, the tower immerses audiences in how global environmental changes affect everyday life. By offering panoramic views of the city, it also underscores the shared responsibility each citizen has to protect their urban and natural surroundings.
The tower aims to become a new icon for the region, signifying that sustainability lies at the very heart of Barnsley’s modern identity. It illustrates how architecture can act as a catalyst for discussion, progress, and collective mobilisation. At night, it even transforms into a beacon of light, guiding visitors towards an enlivened public space that is always open for exploration and engagement.
Connecting With the Designer
Zac Hayes’s journey, both in Sheffield’s academic halls and Manchester’s professional circles, has reached a pivotal moment with the South Yorkshire Climate Assembly. Stepping away from the traditional boundaries of an undergraduate project, Hayes’s design demonstrates a visionary fusion of current architectural discourse and pressing societal needs. The build is not only an architectural pursuit but also a lived social experiment in community building.
As he now seeks a Part 1 Architectural Assistant position, there is no doubt that Hayes will channel the same creativity, diligence, and collaboration that shaped his final-year project. Those who wish to learn more about the South Yorkshire Climate Assembly, or discover Zac’s broader portfolio, can connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him on Instagram (@zachayesarch), or email him directly at zachayesarch@gmail.com. Embodying the spirit of tomorrow’s architecture, Zac Hayes stands ready to infuse future projects with a passion for sustainable design, community engagement, and responsible innovation.
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