Bouygues UK and Carmarthenshire County Council have revealed the first steel structure for the landmark Pentre Awel project. This is the first of five buildings and will house education and business development. Leaders from Carmarthenshire County Council joined representatives from Bouygues UK and local contractors Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels to
Stanhope has announced the launch of construction work on the transformation and extension of 76 Southbank, adjacent to the National Theatre, to create a premier, sustainable office space. Multiplex has been appointed as main contractor for the 18 month construction contract. The historic Grade II listed building is being sensitively
An urban renewal project in the Parisian suburb of Clichy-La-Garenne will become the largest low-carbon building in France. The bustling 47,000m2 urban campus, known as BLACK, is set to provide users with a true ‘workplace of tomorrow’ by creating a sustainable and inspiring modern workspace within commutable distance from La
Seoul, South Korea: almost 10 million inhabitants and an extraordinary economic-financial structure that places it among the world’s strongest economies. This is home to the headquarters of some of the most famous multinationals, embedded in an incredibly high housing and demographic background. Offices, industries, trade centres, banks and financial institutions
The Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (‘SCREF’) has secured planning permission to redevelop Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange, contiguous, part Grade II listed landmark office buildings on Chenies Street in Bloomsbury into a 106,736 sq ft high-quality workspace, a 37% increase on the current floor area, following
Boultbee Brooks Real Estate has announced the completion of Pressworks located on Ambrose Street, Cheltenham. Pressworks is a newly refurbished and extended office building in Cheltenham’s historic and picturesque Central Conservation Area, close to the town centre and just a short 18-minute walk from Cheltenham Spa train station. Offering three
Paramount has won a prestigious £11-million contract to transform a Bristol city centre office complex for global investment bank, Credit Suisse. The design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist has been tasked with providing a high-spec refurbishment of the building on Temple Quay, with the view of creating one of Bristol’s greenest
Orega, the flexible workspace provider is expanding its high spec flexible workspace at The Capitol Building, 431 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11. Orega originally signed a Management Agreement with landlords M&G Real Estate for 10,000 sq feet but given its success in filling this space, it has now embarked on a
Design changes have been submitted for Botanic Place, a new office scheme with planning permission being developed by Railpen and Socius, which will see the delivery of the most sustainable and intelligent workspace in the UK, outside of London. The amendments, which are currently under review by Cambridge City Council,
PLANNING permission has been granted for an innovative new bioscience facility in Nottingham, creating more than 245,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and meeting space designed by CPMG Architects. Forming the latest phase of work to the northern edge of The Island Quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre
Bouygues UK and Carmarthenshire County Council have revealed the first steel structure for the landmark Pentre Awel project. This is the first of five buildings and will house education and business development. Leaders from Carmarthenshire County Council joined representatives from Bouygues UK and local contractors Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels to view the steel structure, which marks a significant milestone in the project. The multi-million pound development is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales. It will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline. It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million) and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales. Lead contractor Bouygues UK is committed to using local subcontractors as part of its commitment to provide employment, training and skills opportunities to local people and underrepresented groups. Dyfed Steels is providing the reinforcement bar for the project’s foundations which has 98% recycled content, and Shufflebottom is providing the structural steel for the building, which has 80% recycled content. With a commitment to the heritage of the area, the steel frame also provides the historical link to the previous industrial buildings that were located on the site. These including South Wales Tinplate Works and the Richard Thomas (Tinplate) Mills. Peter Sharpe, Bouygues UK’s Pentre Awel Project Director, said the steel structure marks a significant part of the project. He said: “This is a major construction milestone at Pentre Awel and an exciting one as we can really start to see the structure taking shape providing the scale of the project. Steel framing has a proven track record of providing sustainable benefits and it also offers significant cost benefits compared to alternative materials. For us it’s very important that we have as many local sub-contractors as possible working with us on this project and it’s great to welcome our guests from local companies Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels to see the progress that is being made here.” Cllr. Darren Price, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council: “Whilst works have been progressing at pace for many months, this milestone represents the start of aboveground works. We are delighted that Carmarthenshire businesses, Shufflebottom of Cross Hands and Dyfed Steels of Dafen, are playing such a significant part in the construction of Zone 1. Their skill and expertise as two local businesses helping us deliver what will be a fantastic facility at Pentre Awel is a significant boost to the local economy. This alongside the project’s complementary programme of apprenticeships, recruitment and training, reflects the County Council’s and Bouygues UKs joint ambition to maximise opportunities for local people and businesses.” As well as Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels, other companies contracted to work on Pentre Awel include: Green4Wales, Redsix Partnership, Gavin Griffiths Group, Davies Crane hire, Dyfed Recycling Services and Owen Haulage. Bouygues UK has opportunities for numerous trades over the next few years of the project, from those in external works to companies who specialise in internal fixings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stanhope has announced the launch of construction work on the transformation and extension of 76 Southbank, adjacent to the National Theatre, to create a premier, sustainable office space. Multiplex has been appointed as main contractor for the 18 month construction contract. The historic Grade II listed building is being sensitively remodelled and refurbished, with 80% of the iconic building’s existing structure preserved. Designed by AHMM, 76 Southbank will become a noteworthy example of low carbon office design, with a commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon in both construction and operation. The project’s sustainability credentials are made possible through energy innovation and a focus on retaining the building’s historical significance. The development is targeting BREEAM Outstanding certification and has a NABERS Design Reviewed Target Rating of 5 Stars. It encompasses a circular economy approach, including efforts to maximise off-site fabrication of key building elements such as façade and MEP systems to minimise waste on site, and the procurement of re-used steel. Recognising the importance of wellbeing, the refurbished 76 Southbank will offer flexible office spaces that promote productivity and comfort and help foster collaboration. The development will feature an impressive 50,000 sq. ft of outdoor terraces, providing occupants with panoramic river views, and will incorporate biophilic landscaping, enhancing the connection to nature. It has been designed with a double-height entrance lobby and a striking centrepiece staircase that will serve as a visual focal point. Embracing future-thinking concepts, the project incorporates touchless entry design, prioritising the health and safety of occupants. In addition to its sustainability and wellbeing credentials, 76 Southbank will also contribute significantly to the local economy. The development will provide 300,000 sq ft of much-needed office space, creating 1,200 additional jobs for the community and wider London. The well-connected building is just a short walk away from Waterloo station, while nearby Blackfriars and Charing Cross stations provide excellent transport links to Greater London and the Home Counties. Global alternative asset manager Cheyne Capital Real Estate provided the financing for the project. Leading real estate agencies CBRE and JLL have been appointed as the agents for 76 Southbank. The project is set to complete in Q4 2024. Nick Jarman, Project Director at Stanhope said: “This project represents a significant milestone in our commitment to transforming historic buildings into vibrant, sustainable spaces that promote innovation and wellbeing. With the expertise of Multiplex and our shared vision, we are confident that 76 Southbank will become a premier office destination, showcasing the perfect blend of heritage and contemporary design.” Matt Price, Project Director at Multiplex said: “We are extremely proud to be partnering with Stanhope to deliver the extension and refurbishment of this iconic project on London’s Southbank. Having worked closely with the development team throughout the pre-construction and demolition stages of the project, we’ve now taken over management of the site, marking a significant milestone in the construction journey, ahead of the existing structure going back up and superstructure works commencing.” Filippo Alessandria at Cheyne Capital Real Estate concluded: “This is a landmark project and a rare opportunity to redevelop such a historic building in Central London. We were impressed by the project team’s emphasis on sustainability and are proud to help deliver this high quality, BREEAM Outstanding office in the heart of Southbank.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An urban renewal project in the Parisian suburb of Clichy-La-Garenne will become the largest low-carbon building in France. The bustling 47,000m2 urban campus, known as BLACK, is set to provide users with a true ‘workplace of tomorrow’ by creating a sustainable and inspiring modern workspace within commutable distance from La Défense, Paris- the busiest business district in Europe. BLACK is a unique project which has been designed with sustainability at its core. Situated right beside Parc des Impressionnistes, the project’s ethical design blends nature’s elements with unique architecture to create a space that sits in harmony with its surroundings. The distinctive timber cladding has undergone the Japanese charring technique of Shou Sugi Ban. This ancient art involves burning the wood to create a decorative and protective layer of charcoal on its surface. By opting for a façade using Accoya timber that has been treated using this process, the architect saved 1,000 tonnes of CO2 without compromising on performance. The carbon savings resulted from the fact that the initial design had recommended the use of aluminium. The decision to replace this with charred Accoya wood was one of a number of material decisions made to enhance the building’s environmental performance and credentials. Overall, the use of low-carbon materials resulted in a saving of 3,000 tonnes of carbon[1]. The charred wood façade is installed on the GRAD railing system to combine modernity with the traditional. The GRAD system holds the wood in place whilst remaining completely hidden to preserve the building’s unique biophilic design. Emmanuel Combarel, director at Emmanuel Combarel Dominique Marrec Architectes (ECDM), said: “At the genesis of the project, there was the belief that a workspace should be conceived as a response to the aspirations of our time. The aim was to create a less secluded place, and therefore more open to our environment. […] The park was the starting point for us to develop offices within a garden. “The project takes place in a location where the city is transforming. […] The building is black and understated; it speaks of material and work on the material, of wood and protective carbon. It is black, without color, it addresses the daylight or nighttime to reveal multiple reflections, a shell that already carries a lot of history. […] Many elements of the facade […] allow for modulation of its relationship with its environment and natural control of its climatology.[2]” Laurens Notenboom, head of sales for France at Accsys, added: “Using Accoya aligns with the sustainability criteria of the project. BLACK embodies a vision for urban developments of the future. Its low carbon credentials place it amongst the most ambitious projects in France. “We worked closely with Henry Timber, who supplied the Accoya, profiled to the specific size for this unique project. “The project is another result of the great partnership between Accoya, Henry Timber and Les Bruleurs de Bois within the established value chain in the French market– and the first one involving a low carbon cladding application. The GRAD clipping system has been used with the ultra-high performing wood; with Accoya being chosen for its durability, stability in Shou Sugi Ban form and its high sustainability credentials.” Henry Timber worked with Les Bruleurs de Bois, who completed all the charring on Accoya for the BLACK’s exterior. Les Bruleurs de Bois are one of few manufacturers in France mastering the art of charring wood using the ancestral Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique. Project information: [1] https://alts.axa-im.com/responsible-investing/esg-strategy/black [2] https://www.realestate.bnpparibas.fr/fr/actualites-enquetes/black-un-campus-urbain-ecologique-engage-dans-la-reduction-de-lempreinte Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Seoul, South Korea: almost 10 million inhabitants and an extraordinary economic-financial structure that places it among the world’s strongest economies. This is home to the headquarters of some of the most famous multinationals, embedded in an incredibly high housing and demographic background. Offices, industries, trade centres, banks and financial institutions make it the New York of East Asia. Yeouido – the district where most of the banks and the Seoul Stock Exchange are located – is referred to as “Korea’s Wall Street”. A melting pot of cultures and influences, where the Made in Italy flag is also held high by Caesar, which has furnished the floors and walls of the Hall of an imposing Office Building with the quality of its marble-effect porcelain stoneware. The Anima Futura collection, laid in two different colours – Amazing Silver and Majestic White – dictates the majestic and solemn mood of the premises, with its timeless marble look. Astonishing and enlightening are the musts of slabs that change the connotations of the environment, making it shine and extending it. A scenic presence that also imposes itself on the eye thanks to the different features characterising all surfaces: sharp or hinted veins, striking colour transitions, delicate or complex visual textures. If the delicate veins of Majestic White run across the ceramic tile and characterise spaces with their fascination, Amazing Silver stands out for its noble elegance, thanks to its intricate pattern of veins ranging from anthracite to bronze. An impactful combination in the name of refinement and taste, for a memorable and unique environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (‘SCREF’) has secured planning permission to redevelop Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange, contiguous, part Grade II listed landmark office buildings on Chenies Street in Bloomsbury into a 106,736 sq ft high-quality workspace, a 37% increase on the current floor area, following the addition of two further floors and a roof terrace. Located just off London’s Tottenham Court Road, the asset is well placed to benefit from the newly re-opened Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street underground stations, providing connections to the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines. SCREF will work closely with development partner Stanhope to sensitively reposition the heritage office buildings – which sit in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area – into a sustainability and wellbeing-led office scheme, designed by architects Morris+Company. During the redevelopment, 87% of the existing building structure along with 84% of the existing primary facades will be retained utilising a re-use first approach reducing embodied carbon during the construction process. Reflecting the growing demand for sustainable and energy efficient office assets, Schroders Capital’s expert offices team alongside Stanhope will ensure the upgraded Chenies Street asset achieves best-in-class sustainability and wellbeing credentials, targeting EPC B, WELL Gold, BREEAM Excellent and an NABERS UK certifications. The enhanced building will also use electrical heating only, deliver improved natural ventilation to enhance occupier wellbeing, and include rainwater harvesting systems. The redesigned Chenies Street asset also places a strong focus on occupier wellbeing and will feature amenities such as a large communal reception space, bike storage, fitness and wellness studios, a café, and a new roof terrace to enable future tenants to attract and retain the best talent. Chenies Street will also feature fit-for-purpose floorplates which are capable of being let as whole or subdivided, offering maximum flexibility to attract a wide variety of tenants ranging from international companies to local SMEs and start-ups. The proposed scheme is aligned with Camden Council’s 2025 objectives which sets out a vision for the future of the borough as it aims to create a safe, fair, creative, and active community. During the construction process a percentage of construction jobs and apprenticeships at the project will be offered to local people, and biodiversity will be enhanced through the creation of local ‘pocket parks’ as well as a new green wall on the exterior of the building. The building is located close to Goodge Street and the new Tottenham Court Road underground stations, and further Green transportation is encouraged through increased e-bike and scooter provision, as well as improved pedestrianisation around the asset. Rob Cosslett, Fund Manager for Schroders Capital, said: “The redevelopment of Minerva House, Fitzroy House, and Telephone Exchange in Chenies Street outlines SCREF’s commitment to investing in sustainability-led, high-quality office assets in well-connected locations. Located within London’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’, the asset is well situated to benefit from the continued demand for best-in-class office space from occupiers in the life sciences, technology, and higher education sectors. “The approved plans demonstrate the development and asset management capabilities of the experienced Schroders Capital offices team to identify opportunities to add value and increase returns for our investors. Our focus remains on maximising the value potential and sustainability credentials of assets across our portfolio, which will attract the best talent and strongest occupiers, whilst enhancing surrounding areas to benefit local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Boultbee Brooks Real Estate has announced the completion of Pressworks located on Ambrose Street, Cheltenham. Pressworks is a newly refurbished and extended office building in Cheltenham’s historic and picturesque Central Conservation Area, close to the town centre and just a short 18-minute walk from Cheltenham Spa train station. Offering three fully self-contained units, set over three floors, available offices include: 2,637 sq ft, 5,737 sq ft and 6,232 sq ft spaces. The building’s new design boasts a contemporary style with premium finishes and state-of-the-art technology. Over the years the building has been home to various ‘works’, housing coach painters, mechanics and numerous printers. It is now extensively renovated into state-of-the-art offices with an ultramodern workplace design. Amenities include, shower/changing facilities, on site parking, secure cycle storage, IT enabled access control, HVAC and external roof terrace. Complete with a new roof extension and a new façade which gives a nod to its industrial heritage, the modern but sympathetic frontage with glazed tiles and smart new windows all bring it back to the property’s heyday. James Whitcher, Managing Director at Boultbee Brooks, said: “We are delighted to bring Pressworks to the market, it is a fantastic office building with a significant amount of heritage. “It is brilliant to see it newly refurbished and extended at such a high-quality standard. We look forward to welcoming any interested businesses to the building in the coming months.” Building works on the project were completed by Construction Company, Lancer Scott. Find out more information about Pressworks here: https://www.studio.space/cheltenham-pressworks. For agent enquiries, please contact oliver@thponline.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Paramount has won a prestigious £11-million contract to transform a Bristol city centre office complex for global investment bank, Credit Suisse. The design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist has been tasked with providing a high-spec refurbishment of the building on Temple Quay, with the view of creating one of Bristol’s greenest commercial buildings. Paramount will undertake the refurbishment alongside architect and design firm AWW and property consultants CBRE as project manager for clients Credit Suisse in a major boost for the South West economy. Together, the project team will target the highest construction industry standards for sustainability and wellness, working towards securing the coveted BREEAM Excellent, Wiredscore Platinum and 3-star Fitwel 3 certification. Kevin Mashford, the Paramount Sales Director who heads up the company’s Bristol team, said: “We are all delighted to have been handed responsibility for transforming 3 Rivergate and creating a truly inspiring workplace. “We have developed a strong reputation for using our expertise to create spaces that are truly special, and we will ensure 3 Rivergate has a striking transformation and is an outstanding place to work. “We look forward to working in close collaboration with CBRE and AWW on behalf of Credit Suisse to ensure 3 Rivergate is also one of Bristol’s greenest commercial buildings with sustainability and wellness at its heart.” The year-long refurbishment project, which is now under way, will see the seven-storey, fully serviced Grade A office complex undergo a comprehensive refurbishment which will pave the way for 75,000 sq ft of available, flexible workspace via agents Lambert Smith Hampton and CBRE. A range of new features will include a new striking façade, generous landscaping, amongst best-in-class end of journey facilities. Paramount will introduce the latest energy-efficient systems, new building management system, solar energy panels, upgraded fire alarm, new security system, CCTV, access control, access barriers and a cycle-store. Jack Sawbridge, Credit Suisse Asset Manager, said: “3 Rivergate is an exemplary project demonstrating our ability to adapt and recycle existing real estate for the modern occupier. “We are delivering a modern workspace with a commitment to both occupier well-being and environmental sensitivity. “Sustainable and renewable elements have been meticulously integrated, and the newly enhanced building will offer adaptable floor plates, best-in-class facilities and considerable new public and dedicated landscaping. “Our chosen contractor, Paramount, has demonstrated a deep understanding of our vision and we look forward to delivering this ambitious project together.” Paramount, whose turnover currently stands at £38.5 million, is well known across Wales and England where it has created high-quality space for a number of leading companies. These include football legend Gareth Bale’s Par 59 bars, multi-million-pound redevelopment of Hodge House in Cardiff, Development Bank of Wales HQ refurbishment, transformation of the landmark 360 Bristol office complex and office revamps in Bath for American software SmartBear and financial services consultancy Altus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orega, the flexible workspace provider is expanding its high spec flexible workspace at The Capitol Building, 431 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11. Orega originally signed a Management Agreement with landlords M&G Real Estate for 10,000 sq feet but given its success in filling this space, it has now embarked on a second phase, taking a further 5,000 sq ft which has now been launched. The flexible workspace has been newly refurbished to provide a total of 276 workstations on the first and fourth floors of the building for companies between 1 and 100+ employees. The Capitol Building is home to high end office space located in a city centre location with an attractive Art Deco grand entrance and reception area. There are breathtaking citywide views. It is near to the shops, hotels, and restaurants of Central Aberdeen and only a 10-minute walk from Aberdeen Railway station and 20 minutes from Aberdeen Airport. Funded by M&G Real Estate, the former theatre hall was comprehensively refurbished and extended in 2016 by Knight Real Estate and was subsequently recognised as City Regeneration Project of the Year in 2018 by the Scottish Property Awards, celebrating the positive impact on the city. It also won the British Council of Offices best commercial workspace in Scotland award in 2017. The listed façade and 1920s entrance halls were retained and incorporated into the new building, which has been awarded a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating for its exceptional green credentials. These include an automatic building management system for energy efficiency control and the provision of internal bike racks and changing facilities to encourage green commuting. Orega’s new workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base catering for Aberdeen’s oil, professional and financial businesses, offering: • Design-led space focusing on hospitality. • A wide choice of different working zones • A large meeting room suite • More space per person than the industry norm • On-site shower and changing facilities. • Unlimited barista-quality coffee • Secure bike parking • Carparking It is the third flexible workspace for Orega in Scotland, where the company also offers space in George Street and Vincent Street in Glasgow. The company now offers flex space from 23 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Lynsey O’Keefe Chief Operating Officer at Orega, commented: “Orega already had a strong presence in Aberdeen; we opened Phase 1 of The Capitol Building 100% occupied and this has led to us taking additional space. We are attracting much interest from a wide range of businesses who are increasingly looking for a flexible way to occupy very high-quality space that is also value for money, in support of the return to the office to work. This is a trend which shows no sign of abating in Scotland, as in the rest of the UK. John Duxbury, Head of UK Portfolio Asset Management at M&G Real Estate, added: “Through our refurbishment of The Capitol Building we have created much-needed Grade A, sustainability-led office space in Aberdeen that has led to new leases with Orega and Ryden in recent months. Our work at The Capitol Building continues our strategy of developing assets of scale in prime locations where we are able to enhance the built environment by delivering buildings with best-in-class ESG credentials that attract leading occupiers, enabling us the potential to deliver compelling returns for our investors.” M&G Real Estate is part of M&G plc’s £76.6 billion private assets and alternatives division*. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Design changes have been submitted for Botanic Place, a new office scheme with planning permission being developed by Railpen and Socius, which will see the delivery of the most sustainable and intelligent workspace in the UK, outside of London. The amendments, which are currently under review by Cambridge City Council, will significantly reduce the carbon impact of construction, improve energy efficiency, promote active travel with greater accessibility and priority for cyclists over cars, and enhance the volume of accessible shared outdoor green space. The minor material amendments were submitted to the local planning authority by means of a Section 73 planning application on Friday 26 May. Botanic Place, located next to Cambridge University Botanic Garden on Hills Road, has an existing planning consent for a new £500m, 500,000 sq. ft workspace scheme, designed by award-winning architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM). The workspace prioritises energy efficiency to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer whilst using 70% less energy than traditional office buildings and will be powered using renewable energy sources. Doug Higgins, Development Director, Socius said: “Through our conversations with the council and community over the past few years, it is clear that sustainability, green space and limiting vehicle congestion are of high importance in Cambridge. We are pleased to have submitted this Section 73 Application which we hope will position Botanic Place as the most sustainable and intelligent workplace in the city. “We thank people who have taken the time to engage with us on these amendments and we look forward to the council determining our application in the next few months.” The amendments to the plans will reduce construction time and disruption, lower vehicle traffic, and provide more public green spaces. The proposed changes include reducing the depth of the basement and delivering both buildings in one phase to shorten construction time by 21 months, increasing the amount of publicly accessible green space to over 2000sqm and an enhanced cyclist experience with two dedicated entrances placed in the centre of the scheme. In line with the City Council’s Climate Change Strategy, the new plans will also significantly reduce the number of car parking spaces available and increase the number of cycle parking spaces to over 1,500, encouraging active travel modes within the city. Richard Van Lente, Senior Asset and Development Manager, Railpen said: “The plans for Botanic Place have incorporated feedback from the local community and will see over 200 local jobs created, the development of cafes, restaurants, a market hall promoting healthy and sustainable local food and drink, alongside the existing public house which will be renovated. It’s an exciting project, within a thriving knowledge-led economy and a supportive local authority who share our commitment to sustainable development.” Botanic Place will drive economic and social value for the community by providing new amenities and employment opportunities, both in construction and operation. In addition, Railpen and Socius aim to contribute to the recovery of wildlife in the area by providing green spaces designed to nurture the natural habitats of native species. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PLANNING permission has been granted for an innovative new bioscience facility in Nottingham, creating more than 245,000 sq ft of laboratory, office and meeting space designed by CPMG Architects. Forming the latest phase of work to the northern edge of The Island Quarter in the heart of Nottingham city centre – led by developer The Conygar Investment Company PLC – the two buildings of the new development will be connected at the upper levels by a glazed link. To create a sleek and modern appearance, a materials palette of grey brickwork and off-white terracotta façade modules will be highlighted with gold metal plant screens and entrance surrounds. Meanwhile, clear glazing will be used for circulation spaces and ceramic-backed spandrels for fixed desks and laboratory benching. CPMG Architects served as the delivery architect for Phase 1A of work for The Island Quarter, including the now-iconic building housing hospitality venues Binks Yard and Cleaver & Wake, which completed in September 2022. Nick Gregory, director at CPMG Architects, said: “We have optimised the use of glazing influenced by the anticipated internal arrangements of the new biosciences facility, and to reflect the usage of the buildings. We have incorporated a DNA sequencing pattern into the brick detailing and on specific elevations, these sections of brickwork will also be up-lit by lighting positioned within the landscaping. “The designs also serve to break down any divide and give a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces through the inclusion of bi-fold doors that enable large sections of the ground floor to open into the wider landscaped plaza. “With the designs now approved by the city council, it takes Nottingham’s exciting overall story forward, helping to position the city as a leader in biosciences and large-scale development. It also, of course, marks another significant step in The Island Quarter’s progress and we look forward to continuing our relationship with The Conygar Investment Company PLC and the wider project delivery team to make the vision a reality.” External landscaping has been designed by Studio Egret West to echo the vision for the overall site, incorporating rainwater gardens and medicinal planting along with an ecology-focused street linking this latest phase of work with the rest of The Island Quarter. The planning permission was announced during a joint presentation by The Conygar Investment Company PLC and Nottingham City Council at UKREiiF, in a session that also revealed updates to the overall masterplan for the 36-acre site. Christopher Ware, property director at The Conygar Investment Company PLC, said: “Gaining planning approval for the bioscience facility is a significant step forward for the continued regeneration of The Island Quarter. We are continuing to build momentum on site, and this phase will feed into the latest updates to the masterplan.” The adjustments to the masterplan – produced by Leonard Design Architects and Studio Egret West – include additional wooded and grassland areas, along with re-imagining of the streetscape throughout the eastern side of the site to improve access to the Victoria era warehouses. The scheme was submitted by Axis PED on behalf of The Conygar Investment Company PLC, with support from WES, Quartz Project Services, Studio Egret West, Tier Consult and Chord Consult. For more information, please visit https://www.cpmg-architects.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
