RELATED PROJECTS
Sectors: Education
FAIRWATER COMMUNITY CAMPUS, CARDIFF
A key brief objective was that the design of the new school should provide flexible and adaptable spaces to teach and learn the New Progressive Curriculum
Fairwater Community Campus, Cardiff
Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed on the Fairwater Community Campus, from RIBA stages 2-6 in collaboration with HLM Architects. The project transforms the Cantonian High School bringing together three schools into ‘one campus’.
The campus has been designed to accommodate 1,450 pupils and 200 staff, delivering a modern, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment. Facilities include a dedicated Additional Learning Needs (ALN) department, specialist teaching spaces, performance and arts facilities, sixth form areas, and high-quality shared and community-use spaces. The campus is Net Zero Carbon in operation with on site energy generation.
The project has an ambitious vision stating that; “the education experience is world class, providing exceptional facilities for children of all abilities and ages.” The campus building consists of three wings for each school linked by a central entrance heart space called ‘The Commons’, and offering controlled flexible shared use and interaction.
Austin-Smith:Lord led the design for the standalone Health and Wellbeing Building which provides separate community sports-use for ease of access out of hours. This includes a climbing wall, sports hall, gym and activity studio, plus associated teaching space for health and wellbeing. The building’s are designed optimise daylight and ensure views to the outdoors are balanced with the fabric and energy demand to achieve net zero carbon.
The interior design has a key focus on a natural biophilic material palette, with large expanses of timber cladding, and strategic internal glazed screens to maximise natural light and passive supervision as much as possible whilst minimising carbon used in construction. Robust materials were required, especially in the ALN and health and wellbeing spaces with whole life analysis used. Wayfinding through signage and wall murals provides identity and legibility for each school. .
Kate Thomas, Head of Interiors, Austin-Smith:Lord
LOCATION: CARDIFF
CLIENT: CARDIFF CITY COUNCIL
VALUE: £120M
COMPLETION: 2026
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: BESL
ARCHITECTS: HLM & AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
PROJECT MANAGER: MACE
COST CONSULTANT: MACE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID BARBOUR / HLM
AWARDS:
CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE WALES AWARD, INNOVATION CATEGORY
FITZALAN HIGH SCHOOL, CARDIFF
A key brief objective was that the design of the new school should provide flexible and adaptable spaces to teach and learn the New Progressive Curriculum
Fitzalan High School, Cardiff
Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed as part of Kier’s winning team to lead the design for the new Fitzalan High School after a mini competition based on a detailed brief, which called for the provision of a replacement new 11-18 high school at 10FE including 350 post 16 places. The Design Team worked closely with Cardiff Council and their advisors, as well as the School, to realise the vision for a sustainable learning community aligned to the new flexible curriculum.
Located on a site close to the existing school, and sharing facilities with the adjacent Cardiff International Sports Campus, the completed project represents a significant new facility for the pupils, staff and local community.
We feel that A-S:L totally understood our vision and passion for our school and what we wanted the new school to enable us to be. They have captured our demands for an inspirational environment that also allows us to deliver the curriculum in the bespoke responsive way that ensures our pupils will be successful. We cannot be constrained by typical classrooms and traditional methods and the A-S:L team have grasped that as a concept and designed an amazing facility that will allow for the flexibility and innovation that we are so keen to continue.
Jo Kemp, Assistant Headteacher, Fitzalan School
LOCATION: CARDIFF
CLIENT: CARDIFF CITY COUNCIL
VALUE: £45M
COMPLETION: 2023
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: KIER
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: JUBB
SERVICES: AECOM
COST CONSULTANT: MACE
AWARDS:
CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE WALES AWARD, DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION CATEGORY
EDUCATION BUILDINGS WALES AWARD, PROJECT OF THE YEAR – SCHOOLS
RICS WALES AWARD, PUBLIC SECTOR BUILDING OF THE YEAR
COLEG Y CYMOEDD SPORTS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
A landmark sports and teaching development at the entrance to the Parc Nantgarw estate
Coleg y Cymoedd Sports Centre of Excellence
The new Sports Centre of Excellence will bring high-quality sports and teaching accommodation to Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, and create a striking entrance to the Parc Nantgarw estate. The facility is split into two distinct forms, which reflect the internal functions – the sporting side, which accommodates a sports hall, gym, and associated changing spaces, and the teaching side, which houses 8 classrooms, and an IT Study space.
Given the prominent site location, there was a desire to make this a landmark development, and was seen as an opportunity to express the function in its character. This was manifested into the semi-transparent polycarbonate cladding strip, which creates a visually arresting feature at night, and is enhanced by the sporting silhouettes applied externally.
A-S:L were involved in this project from its inception. The design of the Sports Centre was developed into a number of initial options, of which one was chosen to take forward. This design was further developed to meet the needs of the College, with further requirements communicated to A-S:L due to changes within the College funding. This allowed for the design to be further refined by A-S:L to produce a building that meets the needs of the College for many years to come. The building has a look that encompasses the College’s vision for Sport, with a design that meets the “Safe Space” vision for learner safety.
Glenn Black, Director of Infrastructure, Coleg y Cymoedd
LOCATION: NANTGARW
CLIENT: COLEG Y CYMOEDD
VALUE: £4.8M
COMPLETION: 2023
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: KIER
STRUCTURES: HYDROCK
SERVICES: HYDROCK
COST CONSULTANT: MOTT MACDONALD
AWARDS:
EDUCATION BUILDINGS WALES AWARD, PROJECT OF THE YEAR – COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
BUSINESS SCHOOL AND GROWTH HUB, GLOUCESTER
Flagship building for the University of Gloucester
Business School & Growth Hub, Gloucester
The new £17m flagship Business School and Growth Hub building for the University of Gloucestershire is a central part of the wider development of the University’s Oxstalls Campus. It provides 5,500m2 of purpose-built learning spaces to accommodate the expanding student population and academic offering, whilst consolidating the University’s presence within Gloucester.
As the most significant element of the campus masterplan, the Business School forges links to the remodelled sports facility and new student accommodation, as well as including significant areas of meadowland, hard landscaping, car parking and making provision for a future phase of development of approximately 5,000m2.
The new building has been in use since last September and has been extremely well received by staff, students and visitors alike. Unusually for a building of this size and use, we have received no negative comments, only praise for the layout, design, airiness and general transparency from the atrium to the exterior. We are immensely proud of the building and also the positive relationship forged between us, the design team and main contractor.
Duncan White – Executive Director of Estates Strategy at the University of Gloucestershire
LOCATION: GLOUCESTER
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
VALUE: £17m
COMPLETION: 2018
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
CARDIFF SCHOOL OF ART + DESIGN
Our second RIBA Award winning project for Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff School of Art + Design
Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed as Lead Designer for the £10m new build, RIBA Award winning Cardiff School of Art & Design, which is the second major phase of development at the campus following the RIBA Award winning Cardiff School of Management.
The internationally recognised School is now able deliver all its courses and develop its research in a modern facility that brings together all of its interests in fine art, ceramics, product design, illustration, making, graphic communication, textiles and architectural design and technology.
We assisted the client in developing the design brief and we produced a number of design options to suit the constrained site. An options appraisal was carried out, with the preferred option developed through to a successful planning submission.
The client’s aspiration was for an inherently simple to use and low energy building, delivering a high quality piece of design befitting of the School of Art & Design and raising the profile of the Llandaff campus.
Austin-Smith:Lord are our Architects for our completed Management School and our new Art Facility currently being constructed at our Llandaff campus. On both projects they have been pro-active and a pleasure to work with from inception to completion of the project(s).
Ian Jones – Head of Property Services, Cardiff Metropolitan University
LOCATION: CARDIFF
CLIENT: CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
VALUE: £10m
COMPLETION: 2013
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIOR DESIGN
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: WILMOTT DIXON
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: SILCOCK DAWSON
COST CONSULTANT: DAVIS LANGDON
AWARDS:
2015 RIBA REGIONAL AWARD
UWE BOWER ASHTON MASTERPLAN
Campus masterplan, and design/delivery of two new buildings
University of the West of England, Ashton Bower Campus
Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed by the University of the West of England to deliver the Bower Ashton Masterplan and undertake the architectural design and delivery.
Home to the Faculty of Creative Arts, the masterplan significantly improves the outdated existing campus, adding two new buildings, demolition of existing poor quality accommodation, refurbishment of existing facilities, as well as comprehensive landscaping of the campus including a new central courtyard space and rationalisation of car parking and site access.
Building 1 – the new-build Digital Media building (completed in 2017) provides a modern, fit-for purpose, digitally-connected environment that will attract and retain students and retain the University’s reputation as a sector leader. It provides space for growth in high performing subject areas.
Building 2 – The Physical Making building, currently ongoing, comprises of the demolition of an existing building, construction of the new Physical Making building, and rationalisation of carparking and site access. A new central landscape courtyard is planned as part of future phases along with refurbishment of existing buildings and an extension to the Physical Making building.
We are delighted and proud of our new digital media building designed by Austin-Smith:Lord. The building provides a demanding technical function within a striking and elegant design.
A-S:L have been creative and supportive throughout the design and build and have set a benchmark for our campus redevelopment.
Roger Conlon – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries & Education, University of the West of England
LOCATION: BRISTOL
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND
VALUE: £13.5m COMBINED
COMPLETION: BUILDING 1: 2017. BUILDING 2: ONGOING
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
COST CONSULTANT: FAITHFUL & GOULD
AWARDS:
2018 LABC BRISTOL EXCELLENCE AWARDS: BEST PUBLIC SERVICE BUILDING & BEST EDUCATIONAL BUILDING (BOTH FOR DIGITAL MEDIA BUILDING)
LABC WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL AWARD: BEST EDUCATIONAL BUILDING (DIGITAL MEDIA BUILDING)
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CREATIVE QUADRANT SPACE
The design of this new makerspace for The University of Exeter’s Business School takes the form of an open plan teaching space for 40-50 students.
University of Exeter Creative Quadrant Space
The design of this new makerspace for The University of Exeter’s Business School takes the form of an open plan teaching space for 40-50 students. The building occupies a central courtyard location in the heart of the business school.
In accordance with the client’s brief, the design is simple and robust, with minimal interior finishes. The building is future-proof with respect to campus development and can be dismantled and moved if required.
The outside appearance of the building is a nod to the cutting-edge design teaching offered by the faculty.
In response to the local authority’s planning policy and the University’s environmental agenda, the project is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
LOCATION: EXETER
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
VALUE: £434K
COMPLETION: 2020
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
STRUCTURES: JOHN GRIMES
SERVICES: DRAC
COST CONSULTANT: WELLING PARTNERSHIP
LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION CENTRE, INVERNESS
£9 million Life Sciences Innovation Centre in Inverness for partnering Client consortium of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
Life Sciences Innovation Centre
Austin-Smith:Lord were commissioned to design a £9 million Life Sciences Innovation Centre in Inverness for partnering Client consortium of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
The 2,700m2 building features office & agile working space, laboratories, sports health suite, knowledge exchange and innovation space.
The Inverness Campus is a new development zone located on the fringes
of Inverness city and is intended as an incubator for emerging life sciences technologies.
It features a mix of academic, business, research, community and sports facilities. The building is designed to be sustainable with a focus on creating a low energy healthy environment for research and innovation within a building envelope that achieves a high standard of insulation and thermal performance.
The new Life Sciences Innovation Centre was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in April 2023.
You can view a tour around the building at this link:
https://www.invernesscampus.co.uk/business-premises-and-land/lsic
LOCATION: INVERNESS
CLIENT: HIE and UHI
VALUE: £9M
COMPLETION: 2023
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, MASTERPLANNING, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: ROBERTSON NORTHERN
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: FAIRHURST
SERVICES: PICK EVERARD
YSGOL GYNRADD GYMRAEG ABERDÂR
Expansion of existing Welsh medium primary school
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr is a Welsh medium primary school located on the outskirts of Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. The existing school has been expanded as part of the Local Authority’s drive to increase the provision of Welsh medium education. The building was extended with a new two storey building and a single storey hall extension.
The two storey extension accommodates four new classrooms with associated cloak and WC facilities, a hall/studio and a new childcare facility. The hall extension creates a larger dining area to support the enlarged school.
The scheme also involved extensive external works and the creation of a new hard surface play area, nursery play area, staff parking area, and a new path linking the Welsh medium childcare facility to the existing pupil drop off.
LOCATION: ABERDARE
CLIENT: ANDREW SCOTT
VALUE: £4M
COMPLETION: 2022
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: ANDREW SCOTT
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: BINGHAM HALL
SERVICES: SABA CONSULT