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
FOUR years after starting on site, the design teams behind the purpose-built £320 million Waterside Campus for the University of Northampton have completed the project. The scheme which houses six new academic buildings on a 58-acre former brownfield site has been one of the biggest of its kind in the
A consortium has been appointed in order to provide advice regarding North Norfolk District Council’s property portfolio. The consortium is led by Gleeds, the property and construction consultancy and will be supported by CPMG and Pygott & Crone. The appointment has come as part of an innovative partnership that seeks
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
FOUR years after starting on site, the design teams behind the purpose-built £320 million Waterside Campus for the University of Northampton have completed the project. The scheme which houses six new academic buildings on a 58-acre former brownfield site has been one of the biggest of its kind in the higher education sector. CPMG Architects, experts in higher education campus transformation, led on the delivery of three campus buildings – the Creative Hub, Senate Building and Logistics Hub – which form half of the university’s new academic buildings. Chris White, director at CPMG said: “This multi-million-pound scheme is a complex development delivered with true collaboration between consultant partners and contracting teams. We’re proud to be part of the team to deliver this ambitious project and these three important buildings.” The four-storey senate building acts as the corporate and research centre hosting guest lectures, exhibitions and events within its teaching spaces, large lecture hall and impressive atria. The dramatic roof creates a bold entrance to the campus and shapes its impact on the wider environment. The Creative Hub will be home to the university’s art and design faculties. With art studios, specialist teaching spaces, media spaces and laboratories; the building’s stripped back and open-plan structure allows visitors unrestricted views of the River Nene. A Logistics Hub has also been completed, housing the university’s infrastructure team which is vital in supporting the campus activity as facilities continue to develop onsite. Chris continued: “We have a wealth of experience in the higher education sector, so we understood the challenges and requirements of delivering a modern estate that is fit for the future. Now the project is complete I’m confident it will be a catalyst to support Northampton’s wider regeneration programme and will be one of the UK’s most vibrant student communities.” CPMG Architects worked with Bowmer & Kirkland on the new campus which will provide world-class teaching and learning facilities for 15,000 students. The new campus also features a Learning Hub, Research and Enterprise Hub, Sports Hub, students’ union, cafes, a restaurant, retail space and student residences. Chris added: “Since our involvement on the project, the whole approach to delivering the campus has been one of collaboration between the architectural practices involved and the wider consultant team, both on the contractor and client sides of the development.” The university previously occupied two campuses located outside of the city; Waterside aims to become a new destination for the university’s students – amalgamating the existing two sites to create one central location. CPMG has more than 30 years’ worth of experience in the education sector – evolving alongside the developing industry. The firm has recently completed projects at University of Derby, Teesside University and Cranfield University – with designs ranging from aerospace research facilities and labs to students’ unions and libraries. Find out more about CPMG at www.cpmg-architects.com or join the conversation @CPMGArchitects
A consortium has been appointed in order to provide advice regarding North Norfolk District Council’s property portfolio. The consortium is led by Gleeds, the property and construction consultancy and will be supported by CPMG and Pygott & Crone. The appointment has come as part of an innovative partnership that seeks to provide specialist advice for the North Norfolk Council. The appointment has come after the decision to take a more commercial approach for their current property portfolio with the intention to maximize their revenue and capital returns. It is thought that taking this more commercial stance will improve the council’s long term financial position. This improvement should deliver economic growth as well as improve the service delivery and allow the resources to be recycled and put in to front line services. The project will allow the companies in the consortium to make a significant contribution to the area and will be providing suggestions that will support the service delivery of the Council as well as encouraging future investments and regeneration to take place around the region. The review that has been created by the consortium ranges from commercial properties towards administrative buildings. The review has already created headline proposals for four different sites that have been discussed at a variety of different public meetings in the region. As the consortium continues its work, they will focus on the Council’s current assets which currently stands at an estimated 181 properties. CPMG is an AJ100 practice that is based in Nottingham and London and will be working with the consortium in order to assist the council with their more innovative design and architectural solutions. This project could be incredibly beneficial for the commercial future of North Norfolk. Pygott & Crone will provide the project with agency services and will also be taking on a review of the local market activity for the consortium. The project offers the company an opportunity to work with other companies as one force with the focus of improving North Norfolk.
