Our mission was to consolidate the Museum onto one site and give it a striking new presence in the city
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- PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM
Manchester’s People’s History Museum’s unique collections track the development of democracy through the lives of the working people of Britain.
Although boasting a world class collection the Museum’s split between two sites had neither helped its public profile or its operation and management. Our job was to help the museum consolidate onto one site and to give the museum a striking new presence in the city.
A piece of Manchester City Council owned land next to the museum’s occupation of an Edwardian hydraulic pumping station unlocked the potential for a landmark extension providing new galleries and front-of-house facilities and allowing a sensitive restoration of the historic buildings.
A new entrance next to a busy city centre artery leads into a generous new concourse area linking the old and new areas of the museum. A new riverside restaurant and terrace helps raise the public’s awareness of the museum.
The upper level of the new extension house environmentally conditioned galleries for the permanent collection and a state-of-the-art conservation studio. At its lowest level it provides a new BS5454 archive with a reading room overlooking the River Irwell.
Clad in COR-ten steel, the new extension has been described as “a little miracle of urban design”
A little miracle of Urban Design
Manchester Confidential
A rough diamond that doesn’t have to compete with its bigger neighbour…This building really cheers me up by its don’t give a damn individuality as I come to work. Brilliant piece of work love it
Craig Jill on Manchester Confidential
CLIENT: MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL / PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM
COMPLETION: 2010
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WATES GROUP
STRUCTURES: CURTINS
SERVICES: BURO HAPPOLD
COST CONSULTANT: SIMON FENTON PARTNERSHIP
AWARDS:
2011 CIVIC TRUST AWARD WINNER
2011 MSA DESIGN AWARDS COMMENDATION
2010 GREATER MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARD, BUILDING OF THE YEAR
2007 MANCHESTER SOCIETY ARCHITECTS DESIGN AWARDS – UN-BUILD COMMUNITY AWARD
RIBA Award winning G-Live Concert Hall and entertainment venue
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- G-LIVE CONCERT HALL, GUILDFORD
G-Live Concert Hall, Guildford
Austin-Smith:Lord’s masterplan for a new Cultural Quarter in Guildford town centre includes the design of the RIBA Award winning G-Live Concert Hall and entertainment venue. In addition, part of the development is a new 4*, 185-bedroom Guildford Radisson Edwardian Hotel for which Austin-Smith:Lord was the concept design architect.
The G-Live venue opened to the public in 2012. It comprises a flexible multi-purpose auditorium, flexible studio rehearsal space, conference and seminar rooms, a café, bars and foyer space. The venue provides a focus for cultural events in the evening and is an important social hub and meeting place during the day.
We’ve had lots of compliments about the building and how well people think it will work operationally, so many thanks for your achievement! Everyone who has had any dealings with the venue thus far has commented how attractive and user friendly the design is.
Jim Miles, Director, Guildford Borough Council
CLIENT: GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2012
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: WILLMOTT DIXON
STRUCTURES: URS/SCOTT WILSON
SERVICES: ROGER PRESTON & PARTNERS
COST CONSULTANT: MDA CONSULTING
AWARDS:
RIBA AWARD
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
