The National Youth Agency: My place

The Salmon Youth Centre, Bermondsey, London

Key principle: Sustainable development - fostering a commitment tooutstanding quality design and sustainable development.

The seven-storey Salmon Youth Centre incorporates a range of sports,arts, IT and training facilities, plus accommodation for residentialvolunteers. The building design was intended to provide distinct butflexible spaces, and to be low maintenance to run. Particular attentionhas been paid to the quality of fittings, equipment and furnishings. Theglazing for the sports hall windows and training room are Kalwall, whichallows light in without glare, is shatterproof, highly insulating andself-cleaning. The shower rooms have touch-sensitive tiles for turningthe showers on and off, and energy-saving Dyson air-blade hand dryers,while Italian tiles have been used for the walls. Providing high qualityis seen as important - it will attract young people and sends a clearmessage they are valued. And, it is hoped, it will encourage carefuluse. Furnishings have also been selected to minimise accidental damageor vandalism.