Fusebox | John Puttick Associates

Situated at the heart of town, Fusebox symbolises a distinct and vibrant beacon for the town’s next generation. It houses purpose built facilities where local youth can gather, grow and thrive. The project integrates a wider landscape and masterplan, forming a key part of Blackburn’s broader community regeneration and social development efforts.

Fusebox stems from John Puttick Associate’s longstanding involvement with Blackburn with Darwen Council, where the architects assisted Blackburn Youth Zone in applying for funding from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport’s Youth Investment Fund programme. Subsequently, the architects developed the design and implementation of Fusebox. This revival responds to an urgent local need for high quality youth provision, addressing both social impact and conservation of built heritage within the Blackburn town centre context.

Commissioned under the Blackburn Electric Lighting Order in 1895, the existing buildings formed one of the earliest electricity generating power stations in the United Kingdom. The project scheme involved retrofitting of two main parts of the heritage building complex: an L-shaped former power station known as the ‘Fusebox’, and parts of the newer, existing youth zone built fifteen years ago. Rich in character, the disused building has been imaginatively adapted to cater for groups of older youths aged between 16 and 25.

To expand on existing services of the Youth Zone, The L-shaped building is repurposed to focus on employment skills, training and opportunities. John Puttick Associates repositioned a new glazed central entrance on Pilkington Street, acting as both a practical improvement and a symbolic gesture of accessibility and inclusion. It opens into a double-height events space below an original steel crane. A warren of existing rooms, which were not part of the original building, were removed, resulting in a visually open and coherent arrangement. A new-build mezzanine provides social spaces and leads to a co-working hub, while the ground floor opens onto a creative maker space. Additionally, new amphitheatre style seating is integrated with a ramp that overcomes level changes, further enhancing barrier-free access throughout the building.

The refurbishment references the building’s industrial heritage using exposed steel structural elements, industrial-type glazing and doors, bespoke contemporary lighting, and several site specific artworks by Jamie Holman. Level access issues are addressed throughout to achieve full accessibility. Externally, new lighting and signage enlivens the Pilkington Street facade and improves the feeling of safety in the evening.

The project also includes upgrades to the adjacent Youth Zone. An improved front entrance with a new skate-friendly landscape and origami-shaped canopies signals the way in and provides places for people to gather and park their bikes. A new green wall, to be planted and maintained by the young people, brings nature to the town centre site whilst increasing biodiversity and opportunities for team building activities. Inside, carefully considered alterations enhance flow and functionality, whilst preserving the warmth and identity of the original structure. The reception is reconfigured and part of the building now houses new office spaces for the staff of the entire youth zone. Additionally, the architects have integrated a new arts studio, wellbeing room, gaming area, music room and gym to expand the existing activities on offer.

John Puttick Associates repurposed the existing structure to conserve embodied energy of the original building materials. Fusebox has boosted energy efficiency through an improved mechanical and electrical (M&E) scheme, resulting in more efficient heating and cooling. The architect’s design approach focused on cleaning up and keeping the existing brickwork and windows, minimising any waste generated from demolition.

John Puttick Associates approach emphasised community co-creation throughout Fusebox, working closely with the Youth Zone staff and local stakeholders to shape a building that reflects the aspirations of its young users. In doing so, the architects have delivered a more comprehensive, accessible and engaging facility through the adaptive reuse of a heritage building, benefiting the broader Blackburn community. 

Architect: John Puttick Associates                                                  

Project team: Rebecca Brock, Charlotte Ireson, John Puttick              

Form of contract/ procurement route: Design & Build (JPA novated)

Structural engineer: Booth King Partnership                       

M&E consultant: NOVO Integration                                        

QS: Walker Sime                                                      

Landscape consultant: N/A                       

Project manager: GWB Consultants                                

Principal designer: Aegis                                          

Approved building inspector: Clarke Banks                        

Main contractor: Rosslee Construction                                           

CAD software used: MicroStation    

Photography: Gareth Gardner (https://garethgardner.com/)