BREEAM Excellent new college building on a town centre site
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- COLEG Y CYMOEDD ABERDARE CAMPUS
Coleg Y Cymoedd Aberdare Campus
Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed by Coleg y Cymoedd to develop proposals and brief for a new campus at Aberdare in 2013, achieving Outline Planning for the scheme. The college secured match funding from the Welsh Assembly Government in 2015 after which the construction contract was awarded to Kier Construction. Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed to deliver the detailed and technical design through to completion and handover.
With a total project value of approximately £22m, the masterplan design replaces the existing campus on the town outskirts with a new landmark 5750sqm College building on a town centre site. A highly sustainable location, the brownfield site benefits from excellent transport links from the adjacent railway and bus station, as well as the local amenities of the town centre. A multidisciplinary approach was followed to reach a solution to the flood risk posed by this challenging site.
The College are delighted with our new Aberdare campus building. Austin-Smith:Lord worked with us from the earliest stages to understand our needs and turn that into an inspiring design.
Judith Evans – College Principal
Click here and listen to feedback from a variety of people using the new building
COMPLETION: 2017
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: KIER CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ARUP
SERVICES: ARUP/LORNE STEWART
COST CONSULTANT: MOTT MACDONALD
AWARDS: 2018 INSIDER WALES PROPERTY AWARDS, DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
The Austin-Smith:Lord / MVRDV proposal was to redefine Perth City Hall as Perth’s Living Room; a place for everybody to enjoy
Perth City Hall Design Competition
A team led by Austin-Smith:Lord, working in in collaboration with MVRDV, were shortlisted in a design competition to revitalise the vacant, B-Listed Perth City Hall to bring the building back into public use and create an international cultural destination for permanent and temporary exhibits.
The neo-Classical hall has been closed since 2006. The revitalised building will deliver 3,000 sqm of cultural, creative and community spaces in the heart of the city centre.
Our proposal was to redefine Perth City Hall as Perth’s Living Room; a place for everybody to enjoy. We proposed a fresh, dynamic cultural collector and connector reflecting Perth’s place in the modern world; a new type of exhibition space, unique in its flexibility and adaptability revealed by peeling back the stone facade.
The Austin-Smith:Lord / MVRDV proposal received the most votes in a public and online exhibition.
Our team are thrilled to be shortlisted for this exciting project. Once again extending our longstanding collaboration with internationally renowned architects, MVRDV of Rotterdam, with whom we are preparing the (Y)our City Centre masterplans for Glasgow City Council will bring an added dimension to the project. Redefining Perth City Hall as an innovative and contemporary cultural space presents a significant opportunity for the City to create a world-renowned destination that will benefit the local community and raise Perth’s international profile.
Graham Ross – Partner, Austin-Smith:Lord
CLIENT: PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2017
SERVICE: LEAD CONSULTANT, ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, CONSERVATION
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONCEPT ARCHITECTS: MVRDV
LOCAL ADVISOR: FERGUS PURDIE ARCHITECTS
LIGHTING: DPA
ACOUSTICS: NEW ACOUSTICS
Energy from Waste facility in Severnside, Bristol
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- ENERGY RECOVERY CENTRE, SEVERNSIDE
Energy Recovery Centre, Severnside
The main challenge of the “Energy from Waste” building design was to efficiently, but elegantly, enclose the process equipment, boldly expressing the functions within the building envelope. The resultant form comprises 5 concentric volumes shaped, in cross section, to reach up to the power station to the south and diving down into the Rhine to the north.
Staff and Visitor accommodation is located within the Western gable at the principal point of arrival to the site and where it has the most visual impact giving an appropriate focus of public and pedestrian activity.
To the north of the Rhine there is a separate, yet integral, Incinerator Bottom Ash Recovery Plant to process the material discharged from the main energy recovery plant. The IBA recycles the EfW bottom ash on site to ensure that it will not be sent to landfill minimising transportation and helping to provide an even more sustainable solution.
Aerial photos courtesy of Suez. Night shot courtesy of Paulbox.
CLIENT: WEST LONDON ENERGY RECOVERY LTD
COMPLETION: 2016
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: INDUSTRY & INFRASTRUCTURE
RICS NW Building of the Year: Restoration and extension of the near derelict Grade II* Listed Church and Friary
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- MONASTERY OF ST FRANCIS & GORTON
Monastery of St Francis & Gorton
The Grade II* Listed Church and Friary of St Francis, designed by the acclaimed Victorian architect, Edward Pugin, for the Franciscan Order, was listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the ‘Hundred Most Endangered Monuments’ in the world. Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed as architects, conservation architects and landscape designers for the project which restored and extended the near derelict building.
The restored Monastery building now houses a commercially run visitor, conference and events centre incorporating an education and training suite. It was completed in 2007 and has been the recipient of many awards including a Civic Trust Commendation.
The dedication of Austin-Smith:Lord has been one of the main factors that has enabled our project to survive.
Elaine Griffiths – Project Director, Monastery of St Francis & Gorton Trust
CLIENT: THE MONASTERY OF ST FRANCIS & GORTON TRUST
COMPLETION: 2007
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, CONSERVATION, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WILLIAM ANELAY LTD
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ATKINS
SERVICES: RW GREGORY & PARTNERS
COST CONSULTANT: DAVIS LANGDON
AWARDS:
2009 RICS NW BUILDING OF THE YEAR
2009 RICS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AWARD COMMENDATION
2008 CIVIC TRUST COMMENDATION
RIBA Award-winning building, forming first phase of a redevelopment masterplan for Cardiff Metroplitan University’s Llandaff Campus
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- CARDIFF SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Cardiff School of Management
The £13 million Cardiff School of Management building is the first phase of a redevelopment master-plan for Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Llandaff Campus. It provides purpose designed accommodation for a total of 160 staff and approximately 2000 students totaling approximately 7800 square metres of floor space.
The Client required a ‘signature’ building of high architectural quality and that the design addressed sustainability issues and achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Since completion, student applications have risen 25% against a national average of 4% for similar courses and the University tops the UK league tables for student satisfaction.
The building has also become an extremely popular events and conference venue with year one revenue rising to £20m against an investment value of just £21m. The award winning building was delivered ahead of programme and under budget at just £1600/sqm. The design comprises accommodation set either side of an atrium space which runs the length of the building. A three storey wing houses the main entrance, administration area, the hospitality suite and has staff workspaces at upper floors. On the opposite side of the atrium, a four storey wing houses the majority of the teaching spaces. The atrium will provide the social heart of the building. A feature staircase rises in a continuous line from ground to third floor and bridges at each level connect the two sides of the building. A 200 seat lecture theatre cantilevers over the main entrance below, positioned on the main axis of approach through the campus and provides a dramatic visual stop-end to this key vista.
This (Cardiff School of Management) is an incredibly important project for everyone involved, with a high profile and intended to set a new bench mark in standards of design, quality and delivery. I was also extremely keen to introduce a Partnering and collaborative ethos into all project procurement having seen the benefits that this brings.
I am pleased that ASL have not only come up with some very exciting design proposals but have also fully embraced the collaborative approach that was so important to us. They have been very proactive in helping to bring together the sometimes disparate requirements of the various end user groups and demonstrate a good balance between pragmatic flexibility and safeguarding important design concepts, which should lead to a highly successful outcome.
David Benson – Head of Estates, UWIC
CLIENT: CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
COMPLETION: 2010
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: BRADLEY ASSOCIATES
SERVICES: HOWARD DOOLAN ASSOCIATES
COST CONSULTANT: BOWEN & PARTNERS
AWARDS:
2011 RIBA AWARD
2011 BEST OF WELSH DESIGN AWARDS
A new indoor ‘Flowrider’ Surf Facility in Cardiff Bay
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- CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL WHITE WATER SURF FACILITY
Cardiff International White Water Surf Facility
Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned by Cardiff Council to design a new indoor ‘Flowrider’ Surf Facility at the existing Cardiff International White Water Rafting Centre in Cardiff Bay.
The building is designed to compliment and extend the existing facility and responds to the curve of the white-water rafting course that flows in front of it, with a full width spectator balcony under the roof canopy to provide expansive views over the course. Almost the entire interior of the new building is occupied by the Flowrider and large spectator lounge.
The surf facility enhances the existing Centre and increases its appeal. The extension adds another dimension to the Cardiff International White Water Centre, turning it into a leading South Wales water sports resort, raising its profile locally, nationally and beyond.
COMPLETION: 2013
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: COMMERCIAL / LEISURE
CONTRACTOR: WRW CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: BINGHAM HALL PARTNERSHIP LTD
SERVICES: TROUP BYWATERS & ANDERS
COST CONSULTANT: CARDIFF COUNCIL
£4.2m new build Advanced Engineering Centre
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- BRIDGWATER COLLEGE ADVANCED ENGINEERING CENTRE
Bridgwater College Advanced Engineering Centre
The new Advanced Engineering Centre at the Bridgwater campus expands and enhances existing training facilities to offer a level of specialised engineering training for Bridgwater & Taunton College.
The 2536m2 centre complements the existing Energy Skills Centre and accommodates the growing number of engineering students attending the College, plus growth in numbers linked to the Hinkley Point C development, specifically apprenticeships.
The building contains three workshops and 14 classrooms for general teaching and Computer Aided Design focussed training, along with associated changing spaces for students and staff accommodation.
CLIENT: BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE
COMPLETION: 2017
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: KIER CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: ATKINS
SERVICES: ATKINS
COST CONSULTANT: HILLS
A striking new rooftop extension to Birmingham Hippodrome’s campus, the home of Birmingham Royal Ballet
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- DANCE HUB, BIRMINGHAM
Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned to design a new extension to the existing estate of facilities operated by Birmingham Hippodrome in the centre of the city.
The development provides a new dance studio and changing facilities for professional and community use, office space for One Dance UK; the national body for dance, meeting spaces, a reception and a kitchenette.
The extension, on the roof of the existing Birmingham Royal Ballet Headquarters building, together with the Hippodrome, DanceXchange and Birmingham Royal Ballet forms a coherent suite of facilities for the Dance Community in Birmingham and the greater West Midlands area.
The architectural plans for the Dance Hub in Birmingham look very exciting. This collaborative space certainly promises to provide something special. It is great to see that the city has taken this opportunity to further accelerate the West Midlands’ reputation as an international leader in the most inclusive of art forms. This looks to be a great addition to the region’s thriving cultural offer.
Peter Knott – Area Director, Arts Council England
CLIENT: BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
COMPLETION: 2019
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: FABRITE CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURES: MANN WILLIAMS
SERVICES: MAX FORDHAM
COST CONSULTANT: RPS
Amalgamation of two local primary schools onto a shared campus with nursery and shared community
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- PATNA & ST XAVIER’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Patna & St Xavier's Primary Schools
Patna and St Xavier primary schools, which were developed in conjunction with East Ayrshire Council, amalgamates two local primary schools onto a shared campus with nursery and shared community. The design also links the new facilities to an existing library and community centre, which have been refurbished to create an integrated campus.
The design provides a main admin entrance for the school and separate entrances for library and for the community centre but there are also separate canopy covered pupil entrances. The shared facilities of science, arts, gym and dining areas are designed to be used by the community outwith school hours.
Patna and St Xavier are two stream schools that have been developed to allow both schools to continue to operate independently whilst maximising opportunities for integration through shared facilities and carefully designed external spaces.
The Education department, teachers and most importantly the children of both schools have been involved with all aspects of the design development as well as monitoring progress on site where they attended the topping out ceremony at the beginning of March. Feedback from everyone involved in the project been extremely positive, and exemplifies how such a project can galvanise and reinvigorate the community.
The children were all delighted with their new school, especially how everywhere had lots of natural light
Head Teacher – St Xavier’s Primary School
CLIENT: EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2012
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: HERON BROS
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: URS SCOTT WILSON
SERVICES: DAVID MCCULLOCH
COST CONSULTANT: ARMOUR CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS
Collaboration with American architectural firm Interior Architects (IA) on a major office conversion and fit-out at HPE’s Erskine Campus
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- HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE OFFICES
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Offices
Austin-Smith:Lord have collaborated with American architectural firm Interior Architects (IA) on a major office conversion and fit-out of assembly and storage space at HPE’s Erskine Campus. The new office space provides a high density, high quality working environment for one of HPE new business groups which requires the full integration of ‘official sensitive’ their designated IT infrastructure.
The new office accommodates 450 desk spaces within a former warehouse shell and is subdivided in a number of work zones with a variety of centralised meeting spaces organised around a central island mezzanine. The project also includes dedicated ancillary spaces such as tea points, pantries, toilets and admin support zones.
A new ‘grab and go’ café with additional welfare spaces built within the Campus’s main Atrium thoroughfare was also included within the overall commission.
As IA concentrate exclusively on interior architecture, ASL supported them with statutory approvals, modifications to the building fabric and the design of the external 217 car park and landscape.
Image credit: SG Photography / Overbury
CLIENT: INTERIOR ARCHITECTS
COMPLETION: 2017
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: COMMERCIAL
CONTRACTOR: OVERBURY
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: AECOM
SERVICES: AECOM
COST CONSULTANT: BRUCE SHAW
