Manchester City Council’s new Chief Executive Tom Stannard starts in the role today, Monday 3 February 2025. Tom becomes only the third Chief Executive in more than 25 years in a city which prides itself on stability and long-term strategic planning. He brings with him considerable experience, having served as
A new development of key worker accommodation has been officially opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH) in Oxford, which forms part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). Colleagues from housing association A2Dominion, housebuilder The Hill Group, OUH, and Oxford Hospitals Charity came together for an official opening
Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam,
Kevin McFarlane has been appointed as a member of Clowes Developments’ Board of Directors with effect from the 1st February 2025. Kevin started his career at Clowes as a trainee in 2007. After initially leaving to widen his experience elsewhere, Kevin re-joined the Group in 2017. Since 2020, he has
International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis Group, has appointed a new associate to oversee the building surveying team within its London office, adding extensive new capabilities to its offering in the capital city. Stephen Hart joins the Thomas & Adamson team from John Rowan and
LaSalle Investment Management’s ambitious plans to transform Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre into a vibrant mixed-use development have been given the go-ahead by city councillors. The redevelopment—proposed in partnership with Deeley Freed on behalf of Centrica Pension Fund—will replace the 1990s shopping centre with a dynamic blend of residential, student accommodation,
A two-tower residential development, designed by London and Manchester-based AEW Architects, has been submitted to Stockport Council as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration plans. The £70m project features two connected blocks of eight and 20 stories, designed to meet The Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building Standard. The focus is
Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, through its brands British Gypsum and Isover, has released a new episode of its Building Better series, focusing on the critical retrofit agenda for social housing. The UK’s social housing sector faces mounting challenges as poor insulation and inadequate ventilation exacerbate issues of damp, cold and poor
Tilia Homes, part of untypical, has been granted planning permission for its first dual-branded development with sister company, Hopkins Homes. The new site at Wixams, Bedfordshire will deliver 168 homes, marking a significant milestone for untypical, uniting its two trusted housebuilding brands, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, in a single
ACCELERATING educational development, construction is underway to deliver a new design, technology, and science block at a 400 year-old+ school in Northamptonshire, transforming the campus for its students. Leading multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is working on the project at Wellingborough School on London Road, delivering architectural and civil engineering services
Manchester City Council’s new Chief Executive Tom Stannard starts in the role today, Monday 3 February 2025. Tom becomes only the third Chief Executive in more than 25 years in a city which prides itself on stability and long-term strategic planning. He brings with him considerable experience, having served as Chief Executive in neighbouring Salford City Council for the past four years – overseeing achievements including the transformative regeneration of Salford, an ambitious council housebuilding programme and high-performing children’s services – and held a number of senior posts in a long local government career. Tom is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, public service reform and delivering inclusive growth and currently holds the lead chef executive brief for Greater Manchester in the economy, business and international portfolio. He joins the Council at a pivotal moment as it gears up to bring forward the 2025-2030 Our Manchester Strategy which will guide the city in the decade ahead. The new vision will aim to build on the achievements of the 2015-2025 plan, delivering economic growth that benefits everyone – including by addressing inequalities through the Making Manchester Fairer action plan and pursuing ambitious housebuilding and zero carbon programmes. As well as driving forward this long-term strategy, Tom will ensure the Council stays focused on providing high quality day-to-day services and supporting clean, green and vibrant neighbourhoods across the city. Tom will also be the place-based lead for Manchester and its locality health arrangements within the Greater Manchester Integrated Care system. Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Tom brings experience, energy and ideas to this important role for the city and will oversee the delivery of our vision for Manchester’s next decade. “The city is on a positive trajectory, making an impact on the world stage while continuing to improve its neighbourhoods and create opportunities for its residents, and I’m looking forward to working with Tom in the years ahead to take these achievements to the next level.” Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “I’m highly ambitious for Manchester and the people who call it home. “I’ve lived and worked in Greater Manchester for much of my career so I know the area well and have a deep personal commitment to it. But at the same time, there’s always more insight to gain and I’m looking forward to getting to know more of those who make up Team Manchester – from the elected members and council staff to partner organisations, businesses and residents who all have a part to play in the city’s success. “This is an incredible job in a remarkable city and I’m delighted to be here to get working on behalf of Manchester and its people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new development of key worker accommodation has been officially opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH) in Oxford, which forms part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). Colleagues from housing association A2Dominion, housebuilder The Hill Group, OUH, and Oxford Hospitals Charity came together for an official opening on Wednesday 29 January. A2Dominion appointed The Hill Group in 2022 to deliver the scheme. OUH is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in England constituting four major hospitals in Oxford and the project at the JRH is one of many supported by the Oxford Hospitals Charity. Customers recently moved into the new modern apartments in Ivy Lane from the previous flats following the completion of the first phase of the project. The ribbon cutting marked the completion of phase one, which will ultimately replace the previous accommodation with seven modern apartment buildings. The ribbon was cut by Dorcas, an NHS nurse and Ivy Lane resident, along with senior representatives from all four organisations. Dorcas, 42, said: “I was previously in the old Ivy Lane flats and recently moved in here along with rest of the tenants. The new flats are definitely an upgrade – I really love it. “These new flats are well designed, spacious, and well-ventilated with bigger windows for more natural light. The facilities are excellent. “I was surprised to see how this has made a significant improvement in the comfort and wellbeing of my family and I. When I’m back at home, I’m comfortable, what I need is available for me. So, when I go back to work it has enabled me to work effectively.” The completion of phase one includes 90 new homes in total, comprising 12 self-contained one-bed apartments, 11 studios, 23 two-bed self-contained family apartments, 16 four-bed and 25 five-bedroom shared apartments, and three homes specially configured for disabled tenants. The second and final phase is due to complete in 2026. Once phase two is completed, the seven new apartment buildings will house at least 340 key workers across 125 high quality residential properties. Chris Ives, Managing Director of Development and Regeneration at A2Dominion, said: “We are delighted that phase one of our transformative project at Ivy Lane, aimed at building modern homes for key workers, is now complete. This achievement was made possible through our collaboration with OUH, Oxford Hospitals Charity, the Hill Group and our employers agent John Rowan and Partners. “A2Dominion has a strong track record of providing homes for our remarkable key workers, and we are pleased to have recently moved the last tenants from the previous flats to the new accommodation. “We are now focusing on phase two, which will deliver more high-quality homes for OUH staff at Ivy Lane, with completion expected next year.” Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chair of OUH, said: “We know that many staff face challenges in finding high-quality, affordable accommodation near the hospital. This is particularly true for new staff arriving in Oxford for the first time, as arranging suitable housing can be both daunting and time-consuming. “We are therefore delighted to be able to provide affordable homes for our new staff. Helping them settle into the area is crucial. Being within walking distance of work, public transport routes, shops, and parks is very important and being able to quickly establish friendship groups within the buildings also makes settling into Oxford much easier too. “Homes play a vital role in supporting both mental and physical health. On behalf of the Trust, I extend my gratitude to A2Dominion, The Hill Group, and Oxford Hospitals Charity for their essential support in making this project a reality. “We are now looking forward to more staff moving in once the second and final phase is completed.” Douglas Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly proud to have worked with A2Dominion to deliver the new flats in Ivy Lane for OUH. This is a development that will provide much-needed, good-quality accommodation for our dedicated hospital staff for many years to come. “The high cost of housing in Oxfordshire presents a real challenge, so having an affordable place to live that is close to work will be a great boost for many hard-working staff. Supporting those who care for us is at the heart of our charity, and it is wonderful to see it come to life. “It’s been fantastic to see this development come together over the last couple of years and seeing the excitement of those who have recently moved in reminds us just how important and impactful projects like this are.” Ryan Harris, Regional Director (Western) at The Hill Group, said: “The completion of this first phase at Ivy Lane is another significant milestone for the project. We are proud to be delivering excellent energy-efficient accommodation for key workers at the John Radcliffe Hospital. “We have utilised modern methods of construction on this scheme, mixing off-site light weight steel frame with pre-assembled bathroom pods, to enhance quality and reduce our carbon footprint. “The use of Modern methods of construction (MMC) has helped reduce the quantum of labour required to deliver this project, easing pressure on constrained hospital footprint and parking, which benefits the wider community and stakeholders. “We look forward to completing a development that all stakeholders can take huge pride in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam, 45, from Burnham-on-Crouch, was recognised for his exceptional work in the Large Builder category at the national ceremony, which took place at the London Hilton at Park Lane. He said: “It was an amazing experience. To be there among all those incredible site managers at the top of our field and all chosen by the NHBC to share that moment was brilliant. “To have my name read out as a runner-up and everyone cheering me like a winner, it was a great experience, and it was a privilege and an honour to be there and represent Bellway.” Managing Director of Bellway Essex Phil Standen said: “We are all so proud of Adam’s achievements. He is genuinely a real team player, who is quick to praise his assistant site managers, Billy Granshaw and James Ward, both of whom have been instrumental in Adam’s success. “Adam, Billy and James also truly epitomise what real team working means. They all play their part, each acting intuitively in dealing with daily site challenges. They are all adaptable, trustworthy and always put customers at the heart of everything they do. “As Adam says – Nil satis nisi optimum – nothing but the best is good enough. This is what he brings each and every day, and he truly deserves every award he has won.” The Supreme Awards are the pinnacle of the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition, which it runs every year. During the competition it considers and inspects all the sites registered with the organisation – around 8,000. To reach this stage, Adam won awards in a series of ever more prestigious rounds in the competition. It was the first year he had won a Pride in the Job award in his own right, though he has been part of the team on sites where an award has been won previously. He received a Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence, before going on to be named as the Regional Winner for the South East Region in the Large Builder category. Adam paid tribute to his assistant site managers Billy and James. He said: “This award is as much for them as it is for me, thank you both for the incredible support. I’d also like to mention my Contracts Manager Sam Prideaux for his guidance and knowledge.” Bellway gained 10 per cent of all the Quality Awards given by the NHBC for 2024 – 45 in all. The company also won three Regional Awards which went to Adam, as well as Cymon Robinson for the Central region and James Kilby for the East region. Bellway Group Construction Director, James Griffin, said: “Adam’s well-deserved success comes as the crowning moment of Bellway’s achievements within the NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards this year. “Hard work, experience and skill are essential to reaching this level, but it is also about having an exceptional attitude to standards, detail and quality. Our people most certainly have this, and it shows not only in the quantity and prestige of the awards we have won, but most importantly in the homes we are building.” Adam has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, and for the last 10 years he has been with Bellway. Previous roles included working on the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He took over running Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange construction site in March 2023. To find out more about Bellway’s approach to building quality new homes, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kevin McFarlane has been appointed as a member of Clowes Developments’ Board of Directors with effect from the 1st February 2025. Kevin started his career at Clowes as a trainee in 2007. After initially leaving to widen his experience elsewhere, Kevin re-joined the Group in 2017. Since 2020, he has led the company’s Asset Management department based at Ednaston Park, overseeing the day to day and strategic management of the Group’s diverse land and property portfolio, with responsibility for identifying and maximising opportunities, whilst minimising exposure to risk. Commenting on his promotion, Kevin McFarlane commented, “I feel honoured to join the Board of Directors. Having worked for the company for nearly a decade, I realise that opportunities such as this don’t come around too often, and I am extremely grateful for the trust that David, Tom and the other Board Directors have placed in me. I am excited about what the future holds, and I will endeavour to make a positive contribution as the business continues to evolve and move forward” Managing Director of Clowes Developments, Thomas Clowes added, “This is my first appointment to the Board in my role as Managing Director and I couldn’t think of anyone better. Brass tacks, Kevin has been responsible for effectively half the groups value and without him and his team the business simply couldn’t function the way it does. I’m looking forward to seeing Kevin push on in his new role and enhancing this critical element of the business.” Clowes Developments is one of the UK’s largest privately owned property groups. Clowes holds over 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, including more than 50 office and business parks. In a return to ‘business as usual’ after a record-breaking couple of years, the group has presented their recent financial statement with turnover of £154.7m and operating profit of £23m for the financial year 2023-24. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis Group, has appointed a new associate to oversee the building surveying team within its London office, adding extensive new capabilities to its offering in the capital city. Stephen Hart joins the Thomas & Adamson team from John Rowan and Partners, where he spent the last decade working across a range of commercial and residential projects and services, including large scale cladding remediation projects, external façade risk assessments, building pathology investigations and overseeing all specialist party wall matters. As an experienced chartered surveyor and member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, Stephen brings a wealth of specialist knowledge under the Party Wall etc Act 1996, including providing advice on legal regulatory matters. He has been involved in a number of complex cases to date and will bring his expertise to his new role with Thomas & Adamson, adding an additional service to the company’s offering. Future projects already in the pipeline include the management of cladding remediation work on behalf of a national UK housebuilder, as well as the pre-acquisition survey and reinstatement cost assessment of a Victorian Stucco rendered grade II listed hotel, comprising of five merged grand house terraces located within the Bayswater Conservation Area. Founded in 1935, Edinburgh-headquartered Thomas & Adamson has a team of over 100 staff across the UK delivering building surveying, project management, cost management and construction safety services. The firm was acquired by global architectural, advisory, construction engineering and mobility services firm Egis last year, bringing a wider range of services to clients. Adding to the team in London, Jack Chamberlain was also recently hired as a senior project manager, bringing diverse experience from development schemes in the hotels and hospitality, commercial, education, residential and retail sectors. He joins the consultancy from Corrigan Gore and previously held roles with Cushman & Wakefield and Gardiner & Theobald. Hamish Paterson, director and head of building surveying at Thomas & Adamson, said: “The introduction of Stephen, leading our London office to provide extensive building surveying capabilities, is an exciting step for the firm and increases the services we are currently offering for clients in the capital. Stephen has wide-ranging experience in a variety of sectors, and his specialism in party wall matters will be an especially valuable addition. We are pleased to welcome him on board and look forward to expanding the team further in due course.” Stephen added: “Joining Thomas & Adamson to head up London building surveying team, and continuing to support the growth of its business in the south was an opportunity that came at an ideal time. The firm has a strong reputation in the market and ambitious plans for 2025 that I am excited to be part of this process.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LaSalle Investment Management’s ambitious plans to transform Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre into a vibrant mixed-use development have been given the go-ahead by city councillors. The redevelopment—proposed in partnership with Deeley Freed on behalf of Centrica Pension Fund—will replace the 1990s shopping centre with a dynamic blend of residential, student accommodation, office space, retail, hospitality, leisure, and cultural facilities. The plans include the potential for a nightclub, cinema, and live music venue, adding to the city’s entertainment landscape. The project is set to deliver up to 450 new homes alongside 750 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds. In line with sustainability goals, the scheme will be car-free, marking the removal of over 1,000 parking spaces to encourage greener modes of transport. The proposals also include public realm enhancements, a community hub, and an energy centre to support the development’s environmental commitments. The Galleries Shopping Centre, once a key retail hub, has seen significant shifts in its valuation, having been acquired by LaSalle Investment Management after previous ownership changes. The redevelopment is viewed as a major regeneration opportunity, with Bristol City Council recognising the need to replace the outdated centre with a forward-thinking urban space that better serves the city’s evolving needs. With approval now granted, the transformation of this central site is set to redefine Bristol’s city centre, creating a modern, multi-purpose destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A two-tower residential development, designed by London and Manchester-based AEW Architects, has been submitted to Stockport Council as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration plans. The £70m project features two connected blocks of eight and 20 stories, designed to meet The Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building Standard. The focus is on creating sustainable homes that enhance the local neighbourhood and create a vibrant new community for the people of Stockport. Located in a busy area in Stockport town centre, the development will transform a derelict office building and car park into much-needed new homes in one of the North West’s most up-and-coming areas. The design puts people first, with features that make everyday living better. These include clever positioning to make the most of natural sunlight, bright and airy staircases, shared laundry areas, and a rooftop garden with community allotments and solar panels. At the heart of the development sits a 100m² flexible space which can be used for various events and workshops for residents and non-residents. The project will create 245 new homes, including 12 townhouses and 233 apartments, offering a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom properties—a great mix of options for the area which has grown substantially in popularity of late. Phil Hepworth, director at AEW Architects, said: “This is a prominent site surrounded by major infrastructure, so we’ve created a simple, elegant building that rises confidently into the sky. “The curved brick façade offers a timeless aesthetic that fits with the local area and we’ve adapted the distinctive oval shape to work with the challenging ground levels, which change by up to six metres in places.” The scheme recently secured Brownfield funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), highlighting its importance to the region’s housing plans. “We wanted to create a development that’s a good neighbour and sets high standards for future projects,” Phil added. “The building changes as you walk around it, creating interesting views from different angles. “We’re focused on creating homes that work for people of all ages and fit naturally into the area. We’ve followed guidance from both the ‘Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide’ and ‘Creating Age-Friendly Developments’ by the Greater Manchester Housing, Planning, and Ageing Group to achieve this.” As well as the project’s striking visual look, the homes and apartments will meet National Subscribed Space Standards (NDSS) and approximately 10% of the apartments are designed to meet M4(3) standards for wheel chair users and the positioning of these apartments has been carefully considered to make them attractive to potential residents. On behalf of developer, Progressive Living, the building will be professionally managed by Picture This. The project is supported by a highly experienced delivery team, including Euan Kellie Property Solutions, Re-Form, renaissance, Zerum, OFR, GIA, Novo, Our Studio, Jameson Acoustics, SK Transport, Turley and Oxford Archaeology. Subject to approval, work should start in Summer 2025, with completion expected by June 2027. David Fairclough, director at Progressive Living, commented: “We committed to Stockport six years ago, purchasing Victoria House with a clear vision of the town’s potential as a vibrant place to live and invest. After collaborating with the Council to integrate the two sites, we are excited to play a key role in Stockport’s growth story and its continued economic success.” Shannon Conway, co-founder of Picture This, added: “We gave AEW a difficult brief in that we wanted a green building that was designed to be practical and appeal to all ages, with a choice of homes for wheelchair users. We also wanted to ensure non-residents could access the roof gardens without compromising the safety and security of the residents. At various points, design was put on hold as we tested AEW’s design with user groups. The final design is a testament to true collaboration between designer and user.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, through its brands British Gypsum and Isover, has released a new episode of its Building Better series, focusing on the critical retrofit agenda for social housing. The UK’s social housing sector faces mounting challenges as poor insulation and inadequate ventilation exacerbate issues of damp, cold and poor living conditions for occupants. In response, Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions is supporting vital conversations around transforming these homes into warm, healthy spaces that are fit for the future. In its latest episode, Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions collaborates with Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra – North Wales’ largest housing association – to explore innovative retrofit solutions designed to address the UK’s pressing need for sustainable healthy housing. “Our homes should be safe and secure places to live, not ones that compromise health or quality of life,” said James Maclean, Head of Training Academies at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions. “Through collaboration with Adra, we’re demonstrating how retrofitting can drive tangible, positive changes that contribute to building better communities across the UK.” The episode also touches on the Social Housing Regulation Act, which prioritises safeguarding tenant welfare, as well as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, a government-funded program that works with social housing providers to improve the energy efficiency of homes. These solutions include: enhanced insulation and effective ventilation systems to improve occupants health and well-being; the adoption of solar panels and air-source heat pumps to create low-carbon, energy-efficient homes and insulation to support energy performance and protect building materials in the long run. Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra said, “Our priority is to provide homes that meet the highest standards for our residents, where they not only feel safe but comfortable.” “Our partnership with Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions demonstrates how innovative retrofitting can enhance residents’ quality of life while advancing our vision of sustainable, future-ready communities.” The video spotlights case studies showcasing how retrofitting has successfully transformed existing properties and by sharing these examples, Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions aims to showcase the work of housing providers such as Adra, and how they are making residents health and wellbeing a central part of their refurbishment strategy. Hosted by renowned architectural designer and television personality Charlie Luxton, Building Better delivers inspirational and thought-provoking content on weekly episodes via YouTube and the Building Better Hub. To watch the full episode and discover similar content, visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk/building-better-hub, or to explore the episode in chapters, visit the Building Better YouTube channel and click subscribe to keep up to date with the latest video. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tilia Homes, part of untypical, has been granted planning permission for its first dual-branded development with sister company, Hopkins Homes. The new site at Wixams, Bedfordshire will deliver 168 homes, marking a significant milestone for untypical, uniting its two trusted housebuilding brands, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, in a single development. Working closely with Central Bedfordshire Council under a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA), Tilia Homes secured planning permission for the site in less than 16 weeks from submission. This development is the third parcel of land acquired by Tilia Homes at Wixams, with the wider site expected to become the third-largest settlement in the Borough of Bedford. The development will feature a range of properties from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, including 25% affordable housing. In line with untypical’s sustainability goals, the homes will be equipped with air-source heat pumps and electric car charging points to most properties. Gareth Jacob, Regional Managing Director of untypical’s Eastern region, said: “We are thrilled to have received planning consent for our first dual-branded development. Wixams will showcase the strengths of both Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, allowing us to offer a diverse array of homes catering to various needs and lifestyles. It’s a testament to our vision of creating sustainable, inclusive communities that people are proud to call home.” The development will feature a community garden, providing residents with access to shared green space, further enhancing Wixams’ social fabric. Construction is set to begin in April 2025, with the first homes expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2025. The success of this planning application highlights untypical’s ability to navigate complex development processes efficiently and collaboratively, setting a positive precedent for future projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ACCELERATING educational development, construction is underway to deliver a new design, technology, and science block at a 400 year-old+ school in Northamptonshire, transforming the campus for its students. Leading multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is working on the project at Wellingborough School on London Road, delivering architectural and civil engineering services alongside principal contractor Bowmer + Kirkland. Though the project handover is set for the end of 2025, this is the first scheme in a much larger overarching transformation of the campus across the next 30 years. The two and three storey building will feature new design and technology workshops, the largest lecture theatre on campus seating 220 students, as well as seminar rooms, office spaces, and computer lab connected by a large glass fronted modern reception. The design and materials of the building have been closely collaborated on by Pick Everard and school stakeholders, helping mix the school’s heritage and history with modernity and innovation. Dora Vestito, associate at Pick Everard, said: “This project is a brilliant example of how a modern building can pay service to and respect its history and heritage, which this school is steeped in. “The space itself balances those modern and traditional touches, with a large glass front flooding the space with natural light, while the surrounding materials deliberately call back to a Victorian era, such as red brick and stone finishes. “Once the 30-year masterplan for the campus, which we developed in partnership with the school, is complete, it will be a very impressive overarching vision, with new sports, science and teaching facilities, as well as a new art and theatre venue, within a greatly improved, wider landscape and open space design. “Everyone at Pick Everard is proud to be playing a role in transforming this English institution.” Though the current campus on the edge of Wellingborough was first developed almost 150 years ago in 1881, the school itself was founded as a Tudor-era grammar school in 1595 making it one of the oldest in the country. Today, its 180,000 square metre site is home to mixed pupils from reception all the way to sixth form. Gary Bradley, regional director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We have worked alongside Pick Everard for more than 20 years – much of that time on educational projects – and are delighted to continue that relationship on this most prestigious of schools. We are proud to be building this excellent new design and technology centre.” The project is targeting BREAAM Very Good for energy efficiency. Design has taken a fabric first approach with several sustainability aspects included such as PV roof panels, natural ventilation and thermal modelling performance measuring concurrent with construction to ensure optimum comfort levels for the occupiers and end users. For more information on Pick Everard’s services, head to https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
