Pioneering new Collection and Research Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Austin-Smith:Lord
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- V&A EAST COLLECTION & RESEARCH CENTRE
V&A East Collection & Research Centre
The new V&A Collection and Research Centre seeks to reinvent the idea of a museum store. With a design led by New York-based practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro (and supported by Austin-Smith:Lord), the Collection and Research Centre will bring treasures out of storage and into public view for the first time in generations.
The Collections and Research Centre will be located within the Here East building in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London’s East End and will open in 2023. It will be a purpose-built home for 250,000 objects and an additional 917 archives from the V&A’s collection of fashion, textiles, furniture, theatre and performance, metalwork, ceramics, glass, sculpture, architecture, paintings and product design.
A central public collection hall will turn the storage inside out. A rich array of objects will be on display for visitors to explore – from some of the smallest curiosities in the collection to the largest and most significant rooms and building fragments.
Further spaces within the Centre will host pop-up displays, workshops, performances and screenings alongside live encounters with the museum’s work – from conservation and research to exhibition preparation.
Images © Diller Scofidio + Renfro
V&A East is timely and ambitious, allowing everyone to discover the national collections we look after in entirely new ways. With a 360-degree view of the V&A’s work – from collecting and conservation to experimental research and development – this future-facing project will bring art, design and performance into dialogue with current affairs, and will inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and the makers of the future.
Whether in Stratford, South Kensington, Scotland or Shenzhen, we are continuing to open up the vast collection that the V&A holds on the nation’s behalf, and we hope the V&A East becomes a place that sparks the imagination for generations to come.
Tristram Hunt – V&A Director
COMPLETION: 2023
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
LEAD ARCHITECT: DILLER SCOFIDIO + RENFRO
EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
COST CONSULTANT: GARDINER & THEOBALD
PROJECT MANAGER: ARTELIA
PRINCIPAL DESIGN ADVISERS: ORSA
Restoration of the iconic, Grade I Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, London
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- THE GREAT PAGODA, KEW GARDENS
The Great Pagoda, Kew Gardens
Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed to undertake the design and sensitive execution of fabric repairs to the iconic, Grade I Listed Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, London.
The conservation team worked closely with the Historic Royal Palaces team to prepare proposals that are in keeping with this significant listed structure dating from 1761.
The Great Pagoda was designed by Sir William Chambers for Princess Augusta. Chambers was her architect and tutor to her young son George who would later become King George III.
Chambers created a series of architectural structures from around the world to create one of the most fashionable estates in England if not Europe at the time.
Only the Pagoda and Orangery survive to this day but other structures namely the Mosque, Alahambra and House of Confucius which were made of more ephemeral materials have been lost.
It has been fascinating to piece together the story of the elusive dragons, missing from this remarkable building for over two centuries. Using tantalising contemporary accounts and drawings, and taking inspiration from surviving eighteenth century dragons in houses and museums across Europe, we’ll be pulling together a team of specialist craftsmen to ensure the new dragons are as faithful to the original design as possible.
Craig Hatto – Project Manager, Historic Royal Palaces
CLIENT: HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES
COMPLETION: 2018
SERVICE: CONSERVATION, ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: BLUE SKY BUILDING
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: HOCKLEY & DAWSON
SERVICES: CHAPMAN & BDSP
COST CONSULTANT: MORHAM & BROTCHIE LTD
AWARDS:
2019 GEORGIAN GROUP AWARD
2019 CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE SECBE AWARD
2019 VE:FORUM VISITOR EXPERIENCE AWARD
2018 RICHMOND SOCIETY AWARD
The 350 seat theatre forms the centrepiece of a contemporary new landmark building
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- SHAKESPEARE NORTH PLAYHOUSE, PRESCOT
Shakespeare North Playhouse
Shakespeare North is a project of international significance that is firmly embedded in the local community. Performance, storytelling, learning, having a go and hanging out is stimulated and inspired by a recreated historic theatre which can transform to a contemporary space. The main auditorium is supported by a studio theatre, dramatic performance garden, public piazza, learning space and foyers with café and bar.
The theatre takes its place on the international stage alongside other replica Shakespearian theatres including The Globe and Sam Wanamaker in London, and the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre.
Located within the Conservation Area, at the heart of the town centre in Prescot, it celebrates a unique late sixteenth century theatre that once stood in the town, and theatre patronage by the Earls of Derby of Knowsley Hall during Shakespeare’s lifetime, in particular by Lord Strange.
The new theatre recreates over 100 years of very early theatre building history, beginning with Henry VIII’s Cockpit in London of 1529-32 and culminating in the conversion to the Cockpit in Court theatre designed by Inigo Jones for Whitehall Palace, completed in 1629.
…the playhouse takes your breath away as you enter… Richard Morrison – The Times
…there’s something powerful about the wooden O at the centre, with the intimacy and intensity of the galleries looking down on the stage… Rowan Moore – The Observer
I am proud to lead this Council in bringing such rich cultural and educational experiences to our residents and the wider community. It is a really exciting time for Prescot, Knowsley and the Liverpool City Region. Cllr Andy Moorhead – Leader of Knowsley Council
COMPLETION: 2022
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE, EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: KIER
ARCHITECTS: HELM ARCHITECTURE AND AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: MOTT MACDONALD
SERVICES: DODD GROUP & FOREMAN ROBERTS
COST CONSULTANT: AECOM
AWARDS:
NW REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION AWARD, SUB REGIONAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
NW STRUCTURAL AWARD, LARGE PROJECT CATEGORY
JOHN CONNELL AWARD, INNOVATION CATEGORY
LABC NW BUILDING EXCELLENCE AWARD, BEST PUBLIC OR COMMUNITY BUILDING
THE STAGE AWARD, THEATRE BUILDING OF THE YEAR
RTPI AWRD, BEST PROJECT & PLANNING FOR HERITAGE & CULTURE
CN AWARDS, PROJECT OF THE YEAR
RIBA NORTH WEST AWARD, BUILDING OF THE YEAR
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
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- FITZALAN HIGH SCHOOL, CARDIFF
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
CLIENT: CARDIFF CITY COUNCIL
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
A landmark sports and teaching development at the entrance to the Parc Nantgarw estate
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- COLEG Y CYMOEDD SPORTS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
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
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
Flagship building for the University of Gloucester
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- BUSINESS SCHOOL AND GROWTH HUB, 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
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
COMPLETION: 2018
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP
Our second RIBA Award winning project for Cardiff Metropolitan University
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- CARDIFF SCHOOL OF ART + DESIGN
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
CLIENT: CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
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
“It’s like going to meet your gran and finding she’s turned into Beyoncé’
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- LIVERPOOL CENTRAL LIBRARY
Liverpool Central Library
The Liverpool Central Library and Archive Project is a unique and prestigious scheme within the heart of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site. The project provided a 8000m2 library and specialist archive and restored 4000m2 of Grade II* Listed historic buildings on William Brown Street.
A new 6-floor library, with an exciting atrium, gives the City of Liverpool a library for the 21st Century. The library connects to the historic Picton Library, the Hornby Library and Oak Room giving these areas a new lease of life and bringing them into public use.
It’s like going to meet your gran and finding she’s turned into Beyoncé
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Central Library is without doubt one of the most significant and celebrated buildings in Liverpool and its restoration is more than just bringing a venue back into use – its investing in the heritage of the city.
Breathtaking development.
Joe Anderson – mayor of Liverpool
CLIENT: LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL/INSPIRE PARTNERSHIP
COMPLETION: PHASE 1 2013. PHASE 2 2015
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: SHEPHERD CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ROC CONSULTING
SERVICES: BURO HAPPOLD
COST CONSULTANT: SHEPHERD CONSTRUCTION
AWARDS:
2014 RIBA NW REGIONAL AWARD
2014 RIBA NW CONSERVATION AWARD
2014 RICS AWARD: NW PROJECT OF THE YEAR
2014 RICS AWARDS: NW COMMUNITY BENEFIT AWARD
2014 RICS AWARD: NW TRAVEL & TOURISM
2014 LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE AWARDS: HIGHLY COMMENDED
2013 BUILDING AWARD: BEST TECHNICAL INNOVATION
2013 NW REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION AWARDS: REGIONAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
2013 LABC NW BUILDING EXCELLENCE AWARDS: REGIONAL WINNER
Brick Development Award winner: Purpose-built new monastery for the Carmelite Sisters in Liverpool
Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned to design a new monastery for the Carmelite Sisters in Liverpool. The layout embodies the daily cycle of prayer, manual labour, communal mealtimes and private reflection.
The design is a modern interpretation of the monastic tradition. Silence and light articulates the architecture which is calm, ordered and uplifting.
The community includes a chapel, cloister, refectory, community room, library, workspaces, guest house, 24 cells, 2 hermitage cells and 6 fully accessible infirmary cells. As a home it is comfortable and modest, befitting the Carmelite philosophy.
Image copyright retained by SG Photography Ltd
Many architects were considered for this project and following an extensive selection process, Austin-Smith:Lord were chosen as a firm who embodied the vision, skill and standards of service that were a key requirement of the project. We have worked very closely with Austin-Smith:Lord over three years and have found their innovation in design refreshing, the attention to detail meticulous and the support and ability to work with other design team members refreshing.
Peter Brack- Hardie Brack Chartered Surveyors
CLIENT: MARTIN GRANGE DEVELOPMENTS LTD (CARMELITE SISTERS) / HARDIE BLACK
COMPLETION: 2014
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIOR DESIGN
SECTOR: CIVIC
CONTRACTOR: NOBLES CONSTRUCTION LTD
LANDSCAPE: THE APPLETON GROUP
STRUCTURES: MERCURY CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD
SERVICES: MERCURY CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD
COST CONSULTANT: HARDIE BRACK
AWARDS:
2013 BRICK DEVELOPMENT AWARDS: ARCHITECTS CHOICE INTERNATIONAL AWARD
