Foyer represents an early example of an innovative French concept to support young people by providing low-rent short-term accommodation in return for a commitment to undertake training. Won in competition in 1993, the original design ambition was maintained in the face of changes to client, location and budget. The site is characterised by its proximity to St Chad's Circus, a major ring-road intersection, and the building reconciles the need for attractive humane spaces in a contextual vehicular traffic.
By establishing boundaries that were fragmented by the remodelling of the highway, the building redefines and reinforces the urban grid. In particular, it addresses the continuity of public space, the enclosure of private space and the relationship with the existing built form, including the RC Cathedral. The building embraces a peaceful open courtyard around which the bedrooms are arranged. The internal circulation overlooks the highway and acts as a buffer between this harsher environment and the private spaces.
The facades adopt a limited palette of materials in a simple composition of solid and transparent which derives from the internal organisation and expresses the structural frame. Crisply defined panels of stack-bonded brick echo the colour and warmth of local buildings without suggesting that they are of load-bearing construction. A restaurant and meeting rooms provide active frontages at ground floor while visual permeability at high level is maintained by a glazed 'prow'.