Design of a supportive palliative care environment for those in Ayrshire with life-limiting illness
Having been involved in early feasibility work to ascertain whether The Ayrshire Hospice could be redeveloped at its existing site close to Ayr Town Centre, Austin-Smith:Lord subsequently won a competitive tender and interview procurement process with Turner & Townsend as Lead Advisor under the Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) Framework to develop the new facility at 35-37 Racecourse Rd and the Hospices’ adjacent site at 15 Ronaldshaw Park.
The existing 20 bedded Inpatient Unit to the rear of the existing listed property at No.35 Racecourse Road will be replaced with a modern compliant inpatient unit comprising 12 single en-suite patient rooms and family areas.
COMPLETION: SCHEDULED 2024
SERVICE: CONSERVATION, ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: HEALTHCARE
CONTRACTOR: MCLAUGHLIN + HARVEY
STRUCTURES: STRUER
SERVICES: ATELIER TEN
COST CONSULTANT: TURNER & TOWNSEND
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 design the School to RIBA Stage 4 after a mini competition based on Stage 1 information issued by Cardiff Council. The Design Team have worked closely with Cardiff City Council and their advisors, as well as the School, throughout the initial phases of the project.
The brief calls for the provision of a replacement new 11-18 high school at 10FE including 350 post 16 places to address “D” condition categorisation and “D” categorised sufficiency issues in the local area. This project represents a significant new facility for the pupils, staff and local community.
It is proposed that the new Fitzalan High School is built in the same area facing the catchment area that it serves. The site selected is close to the existing Fitzalan High School site, located on the other side of Lawrenny Avenue, 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. Our design proposals are supportive in delivering these principles and supporting the changing role of the teacher as a facilitator of learning.
We feel that ASL 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 ASL 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
RIBA Award-winning arts centre
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- THE BLUECOAT, LIVERPOOL (LANDSCAPE)
The Bluecoat is the earliest surviving building in Liverpool city centre and the oldest arts space of its kind in the United Kingdom. Built in 1717 as a school for poor children, it became an arts centre in 1911, and hosted the first ever UK exhibition outside of London featuring works by Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne and Van Gogh.
Austin-Smith:Lord’s brief was to reposition the arts centre as the city’s new creative hub, restoring the historic fabric of the Grade I listed building, improving access and adding a new wing for an art gallery and multi-purpose performance space in time for the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.
The new garden at the Bluecoat has opened the area up and is now used by all who visit. It is a social space, full of life.
Alastair Upton – Chief Executive, The Bluecoat
My god, but this is good
Opening words of the first review of the redevelopment of The Bluecoat, RIBA Journal, Editor
COMPLETION: 2008
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS, MASTERPLANNING, URBAN DESIGN, LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: ARTS & CULTURE
CONTRACTOR: KIER NORTH WEST
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: TECHNIKER
SERVICES: ERNEST GRIFFITHS
COST CONSULTANT: GLEEDS
AWARDS:
2008 RIBA AWARD
2008 LIVERPOOL ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY AWARDS: SPORT, LEISURE, CULTURAL AND BEST LIVERPOOL BUILDING
Landscape Design for Phase 2 of the iconic Park Hill development
Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed by Urban Splash in 2016 to design and deliver the Landscape Design for Phase 2 of the Park Hill project, working closely with London based architects Mikhail Riches.
Built between 1957 and 1961 by Sheffield City Council to replace slum terraces, Park Hill is one of the most ambitious and iconic developments of its type, famous for its ‘streets in the sky’. The building covers an area of 17 acres and contained around 1,000 flats. In total the whole estate covers 32 acres.
Phase 2 is the continuation of Urban Splash’s redevelopment of the estate which began in 2007, following decades of decline. It will provide 200 new homes and around 2,000m2 of mixed use commercial space, including offices, retail and cafes.
Much of the original iconic landscape infrastructure is still present and in redeveloping the landscape a light touch will be employed, respecting and working with existing terrace levels and retaining as much of the original retaining wall infrastructure as possible, stripping away the tired 1980s and 90s interventions.
The scheme includes comprehensive Public Realm improvements, creation of shared surface access routes, reorganising car parking, and the creation of a resident’s courtyard garden.
CGI Image Credit: Urban Splash / Uniform
COMPLETION: ONGOING
SERVICE: LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: RESIDENTIAL
CONTRACTOR: URBAN SPLASH
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: CIVIC ENGINEERS
SERVICES: BEECHFIELD CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD
COST CONSULTANT: BROADFIELD PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Integrating Wellness into the design of this sustainable, mixed-use development
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- SUNNYSIDE WELLNESS VILLAGE
Sunnyside Wellness Village
Austin-Smith:Lord is delighted at having been appointed by Linc Cymru Housing Association to work with them and their project partners Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, ARCH and Bridgend Council, on the exciting proposals for the Bridgend Wellness Village project.
The brief is innovative and forward looking in its aim of providing a vibrant, multi-generational community focussed on integrating Wellness into the design of the sustainable mixed use development.
The project includes a new Health Centre, general needs housing and potential future phase will include a new Register Office in addition to further homes. The positive impact of good design on health and wellbeing is actively integrated into the masterplan with the project forming part of a wider network of innovative Wellness facilities in South Wales. The scheme is designed using fabric first principles with MVHR to all housing units and connection to the Bridgend Local District Heating Network to achieve high levels of energy efficiency.
COMPLETION: 2020-2021
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, MASTERPLANNING
SECTOR: RESIDENTIAL, HEALTHCARE
CONTRACTOR: TBC
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH:LORD
STRUCTURES: JUBB
SERVICES: HYDROCK
COST CONSULTANT: EXPEDITE PROJECT SERVICES
Landscape architects for public realm and secure external spaces for new units at Stobhill Hospital
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- STOBHILL HOSPITAL MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES
Stobhill Hospital Mental Health Facilities
Austin-Smith:Lord LLP Glasgow were appointed by NHS GG&C/Hub West Scotland in November 2016 as landscape architects to deliver public realm and secure external spaces (courtyards & gardens) for the new Acute Admission Unit (AAU) and Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care Unit (CCC) at Stobhill Hospital.
The ambition for the New Mental Health Estate at Stobhill Hospital is to create a welcoming, caring and non-clinical environment.
The New Stobhill Hospital Mental Health Estate landscape will consist of:
PUBLIC REALM
The public spaces surrounding the new AAU & CCC buildings should enhance the new buildings’ setting whilst providing quality pedestrian connections to the main building entrances,
cycle parking and car parking (disabled and emergency) along the main building elevation.
SECURE EXTERNAL SPACES FOR PATIENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS (GARDENS & COURTYARDS):
It is widely acknowledged that contact with Nature helps with mental health issues and facilitates the healing process. The Gardens and Courtyards should therefore be designed to suit various patient needs and provide a practical and pleasant environment for patients and staff alike as well as a wide range of experiences and activities.
Although the AAU and CCC buildings are separate units, each accomodating patients with different needs, the brief requires that all external spaces should be futureproofed i.e. designed to suitable elderly/dementia-friendly standards in case the AAU unit needs to be converted into a CCC ward in the future.
CLIENT: NHS GG&C / HUB WEST SCOTLAND
COMPLETION: ONGOING
SERVICE: LANDSCAPE
SECTOR: HEALTHCARE
CONTRACTOR: BAM
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: MORGAN SINDALL
SERVICES: RSP
COST CONSULTANT: ARMOUR
Award-winning revitalisation of the area, with a new public square and integrated artwork
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- MERTHYR TYDFIL LOWER HIGH STREET
Merthyr Tydfil Lower High Street
The entrance to Merthyr Tydfil High Street was, by common consent, ill-defined, uninviting, traffic-choked and intimidating. Our challenge was to transform it into a café quarter; an open, welcoming community space that could serve as a focal point and allow people to come together, complementing our work in Merthyr to improve the River Taff Corridor.
We created a new square, making the public fundamental to the consultation process, so that not only would the result relate to, but be ‘owned by’ its users: vital for success. The walls blocking St Tydfil Church were replaced with a broad and visually arresting set of gently sloping steps – ideal for sitting. Vehicular access to the High Street was restricted.
Frontages were refurbished. Stunning paving brought a contemporary edge. The town’s history was referenced in bespoke bronze art: from street lamps and pavement panels to bollards and benches. Restaurants and cafes were designed and opened. The Lucy Thomas fountain, revealed and refurbished, turns a focus of vandalism into a focus of hope.
The new square has successfully hosted a continental market and an ‘Icetravaganza’ at Christmas, exactly the focus the Council were aiming for. The space thrives, people congregate, and the vandalism and graffiti, prevalent before, have all but ceased.
We are seeing an increased footfall, and this has done an awful lot to help us weather the recession and protect the town from its worst effects.
Rhian Prosser – Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre Manager
CLIENT: MERTHYR TYDFIL CBC
COMPLETION: 2010
SERVICE: LANDSCAPE, URBAN DESIGN, MASTERPLANNING
SECTOR: URBAN REGENERATION
CONTRACTOR: DYER & BUTLER
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: AECOM
SERVICES: AECOM
COST CONSULTANT: GLEEDS
AWARDS:
2009 BCSC TOWN CENTRE ENVIRONMENT GOLD AWARD
2009 LGN STREET DESIGN AWARD, RUNNER UP
2009 RTPI REGENERATION NETWORK AWARD
The new extension is a highly sustainable, BREEAM Excellent building.
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- LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
University of Liverpool School of Management
The Management School at the University of Liverpool is successful and highly regarded. Student numbers are increasing rapidly. To meet this demand, Austin-Smith:Lord were commissioned in October 2013 to develop the management school to accommodate 450 additional students by re-organising and extending the existing facilities.
The project vision was to embrace modern methods of teaching in a state-of-the-art new facility that encourages collaborative and social learning. The accommodation also includes a case pit for debate and discussion and a trading floor.
The new extension is a highly sustainable, BREEAM Excellent building.
The University of Liverpool has a distinguished architectural history. The best buildings on the campus are confident expressions of their age. The pieces form a coherent whole by respecting the context. The vision for the new extension as the third component in the evolution of the Management School is to modernise, raise the profile and rebrand to meet market expectations.
Adam Sunderland, Lead Architect, Austin-Smith:Lord
CLIENT: UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
COMPLETION: 2016
SERVICE: ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE, INTERIORS
SECTOR: EDUCATION
CONTRACTOR: ULCCO SP
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
STRUCTURES: SUTCLIFFES
SERVICES: STEVEN A HUNT + ASSOCIATES
COST CONSULTANT: YOUDAN BRIGGS LTD
“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
Redesign of Colquhoun Square in the heart of the town centre, rejuvenation of all the principal surrounding streets and redevelopment of the West Bay Esplanade
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- HELENSBURGH TOWN CENTRE + ESPLANADE
Helensburgh Town Centre + Esplanade
The ambitious regeneration plans for Helensburgh were part of the Argyll and Bute Council CHORD initiative to improve economic activity in the town and enhance the visitor experience. Key aspects included the redesign of Colquhoun Square in the heart of the town centre, and redevelopment of all the principal surrounding streets and the West Bay Esplanade.
The design ethos was to create a town centre with attractive, usable and flexible public space thereby supporting community events, festivals and markets.
The town has held several successful events within their new square. These have attracted more people into the town centre and boosted trade for the local businesses, helping to support a sustainable economy.
The development of the ‘Outdoor Museum’ in Colquhoun Square has also provided a location and focus to display the rich and varied history of Helensburgh for local residents and visitors, both now and in the future.
I’m delighted with the quality of the work – the town centre looks fantastic….The project has seen a significant investment which will, I am sure, provide real, long lasting and tangible benefits to local people and businesses. We are already seeing significant private sector investment in the town and are hoping to use this project as a springboard to further growth.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney – chair of the Local Area Committee
The Austin Smith Lord design team which delivered the Helensburgh CHORD town centre and west bay esplanade public realm project for Argyll + Bute Council, acted professionally throughout the delivery of the project. Their senior management team was hands on and if there were any client concerns they quickly addressd them. The team are very client focussed, they respond quickly to requests for information and are willing to go the extra mile.
Helen Ford, Project Manager, Argyll & Bute Council
CLIENT: ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL
COMPLETION: 2015
SERVICE: LANDSCAPE, URBAN DESIGN, MASTERPLANNING
SECTOR: URBAN REGENERATION
CONTRACTOR: MACLAY CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE: AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD
ENGINEERS: O’CONNOR SUTTON CRONIN
COST CONSULTANT: ROBINSON LOW FRANCIS
TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT: TRANSPORT PLANNING LTD
CONSULTATION & PLANNING: TURLEY ASSOCIATES
CONSULTATION & PUBLIC ART: WAVE
AWARDS:
2016 SCOTTISH DESIGN AWARD
2016 RIAS AWARD
2016 SALTIRE SOCIETY ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES AWARD
AYRSHIRE HOSPICEDesign of a supportive palliative care environment for those in Ayrshire with life-limiting illness
