With aspirations of creating a world-class centre of excellence as a dance rehearsal facility and also to support the wide range of additional activities expected of a modern arts organisation, Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed by Birmingham Royal Ballet as architect, interior designer and design team leader for the refurbishment of the Birmingham Royal Ballet building.
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- BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET
With aspirations of creating a world-class centre of excellence as a dance rehearsal facility and also to support the wide range of additional activities expected of a modern arts organisation; Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed by Birmingham Royal Ballet as Architect, Interior Designer and Design Team Leader for the refurbishment of the Birmingham Royal Ballet building.
The refurbishment included the upgrade of two existing ballet rehearsal studios, the creation of an informal performance venue for audiences of up to 100 people within the existing footprint of the two other rehearsal rooms, the replacement of current facilities for dancers’ changing, welfare and rest areas and existing administration offices. The existing reception and main access into the building were also addressed and improved.
The major priorities that have been achieved include the improvement of the working environment for dancers and admin staff, eradication of existing accessibility difficulties inherent in the existing building, significant upgrade and replacement of existing heating, ventilation and lighting systems to meet 21st Century performance and energy use standards and enhancement of corporate branding and signage on the exterior of the building.
A-S:L produced a fine design for the studio and administration home of Birmingham Royal Ballet. The building required a major overhaul after 25 years of busy use and needed to be brought into the 21st Century. For the sum of £2.7M A-S:L created state of the art dance facilities within the existing building resolving historic ‘navigation’ issues and making the building accessible and open to external users. Significantly, the design was created with sustainability high on the agenda, both in terms of environment and future business needs. The design involved a major technical upgrade to provide the most efficient use of digital equipment to aid teaching and archiving. The net result is a beautiful and inspiring studio building that will set the standard for decades to come.
Christopher Barron – Chief Executive, Birmingham Royal Ballet
CLIENT: BIRMINGHAM BALLET
COMPLETION: 2015
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
COST CONSULTANT: GLEEDS
Restoration of the Town Hall to its early 20th Century grandeur
Austin-Smith:Lord has assisted North Lanarkshire Venues team in refurbishment and essential conservation and improvements to the category ‘B’ Listed Town Hall and theatre within Airdrie.
The aims of the project were to restore the town hall to its early 20th Century grandeur and to turn it into a more active and usable venue for various artists and community groups. It is the main theatre venue within the environs of Airdrie and aims to promote an increasing range of events in tandem with a regular series of events at Motherwell Civic Theatre.
The work involves completed replacement of the natural slate roof and extensive repairs and re-dressing of external stonework. A new DDA compliant entrance was created into new exhibition area with cafe and bar facilities situated in a contemporary side extension.
The raked stage and original hemp ropes and pulleys together with old technical equipment were fully replaced with new flying grid, lighting and sound systems controlled from new bespoke control rooms in the main Theatre Hall and upper Lesser Hall. A cinema system with retractable screen has also been installed.
With the knowledge evident within the team, Austin-Smith:Lord have managed the project very well, taking into account many challenges which have materialised during the project. The professional advice and assistance given to officers has been of great benefit and the team have developed an excellent professional relationship with the contractor.
Jillian Ferrie – North Lanarkshire Council
CLIENT: NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2012
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS + CULTURE, CIVIC
CONTRACTOR: GRAHAM CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURES: NLC DESIGN SERVICES
SERVICES: DAVIE + MCCULLOCH
COST CONSULTANT: RC BROWN
LISTING: CATEGORY B
Full restoration of this Grade II Listed 19th Century House and Parkland
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- BEDWELLTY HOUSE + PARK
Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed to provide Architecture, Conservation and Landscape Design services for a project to restore this Grade II Listed 19th Century House and Parkland and incorporate new elements to complement and enhance the existing building.
Our work included the preparation of a detailed Conservation Management Plan and archaeological investigations, leading to the full restoration of this rare Regency period estate.
The buildings and park in Tredegar were transformed into a hub for the local community, and the project has become a major tourist destination in the Heads of the Valleys.
Bedwellty House was the site of key events in the life of leading politician Aneurin Bevan, and interactive displays and memorabilia throughout the house commemorate the father of the modern National Health Service.
The house is owned by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and under our proposals was transformed into a heritage asset, a Registry office and an elegant visitor attraction. The house has also become home to the local archives, and a new tea room was created in the old Orchid House.
Austin-Smith:Lord were an asset to the Bedwellty House and Park Restoration Project. The level of support and professionalism shown by all the staff involved with the project was excellent. This was a complex project delivered on time and within budget and ASL contributed greatly to that outcome.
Frank Olding – Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
CLIENT: BLAENAU GWENT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2011
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, CONSERVATION, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS + CULTURE, CIVIC
CONTRACTOR: JOHN WEAVER CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: KPA ASSOCIATES
SERVICES: SILCOCK DAWSON
COST CONSULTANT: DAVIS LANGDON
LISTING: GRADE II
Conservation and refurbishment of the category A Listed Town Hall
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- PAISLEY TOWN HALL REFURBISHMENT
Paisley Town Hall Refurbishment
Austin-Smith:Lord’s conservation accredited architects were appointed by Renfrewshire Council in late 2011 to undertake essential repairs and improvements to the category A Listed Town Hall, ahead of the 2013 Gaelic MOD.
The brief was to create a high class reception foyer and arrival space and to include a new front entrance ramp and stair arrangement that would respect DDA legislation and create a
true sense of arrival at the entrance to this landmark building in Paisley.
The project also addressed the urgent need to undertake the repair and re-instatement of missing masonry balusters at the wallhead, together with essential external fabric repairs to slate and lead areas of the roof under the assistance of building grant support from Historic Scotland.
ASL Performed well in their capacity and were able to bring real and valuable expertise to bear in the identification and packaging of works. Throughout, their officers have embraced the complexity of the refurbishment approach and have been diligent and professional In the hands of a less experienced consultant, the development would have been at considerable risk but ASL’s helpful and collaborative approach has ensured the project will be successfully delivered at the end of this summer. ASL have shown an aptitude for working on this major project, under considerable public scrutiny, and we would welcome working with them in the future.
Neil Watson – Projects Manager, Renfrewshire Council
CLIENT: RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2013
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE, CIVIC
CONTRACTOR: CBC
STRUCTURES: URS
SERVICES: URS
COST CONSULTANT: ALLAN + HANEL
LISTING: CATEGORY A
Sensitive restoration and conversion of the Grade II* listed Vaughan’s Mansion and Grade II* Music Hall
Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned to sensitively restore and convert the Grade II* listed Music Hall, in the centre of Shrewsbury, into a Museum for Shropshire County Council.
The Museum has been created within a unique collection of buildings including the 13th Century Vaughan’s Mansion, the 19th Century Music Hall and Assembly Rooms, a medieval shut, the town’s 18th century prison cells and 20th century nuclear bunker. Vaughan’s Mansion sits on Anglo Saxon foundations and is one of only a handful of medieval defensive
houses remaining in the UK.
We have stitched all of the buildings together into a coherent whole and enabled the museum to increase its use by a wide variety of community and special interest groups. More space has been provided to liberate more usable areas for temporary exhibitions, events, meetings and education within the dramatic existing buildings and to resolve the myriad different floor levels across the site.
CLIENT: SHROPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2014
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, CONSERVATION, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: ISG
STRUCTURES: CURTINS CONSULTING
SERVICES: SILCOCK DAWSON
COST CONSULTANT: JOHN PIDGEON
LISTING: GRADE II*
AWARDS:
2015 AABC CIVIC TRUST AWARD COMMENDATION
