As the construction industry is responsible for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, national practice GSSArchitecture is continually striving to help reduce these statistics and as part of a wider sustainability strategy, have appointed an in-house SKA Assessor. Eleanor Lee has been appointed as the SKA assessor for the
National architects GSSArchitecture, whose head office is based in Kettering, are delighted to share that work has begun on the new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Kettering General Hospital, following a turf-cutting ceremony, which took place on 12th July. The centre – the first in North Northamptonshire – will bring
GSS Architecture and Couch Perry Wilkes have revealed plans for a brand new primary school. New Lubbesthorpe Primary School will be located within the new community of Lubbesthorpe, near Blaby, Leicestershire. The 420-place primary school is the first of three schools – a mix of two primary and one secondary
As the construction industry is responsible for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, national practice GSSArchitecture is continually striving to help reduce these statistics and as part of a wider sustainability strategy, have appointed an in-house SKA Assessor. Eleanor Lee has been appointed as the SKA assessor for the Practice, having successfully completed her SKA training and assessment modules earlier this month. SKA assessments are a sustainable initiative focused on the refurbishment and remodelling of existing buildings, which is a crucial part of the sustainability strategy that GSS promote with their clients. The assessments themselves help building owners, landlords and tenants assess remodelling and refurbishment projects against a series of sustainability best practice criteria. As an organisation, GSS is committed to promoting the efficiencies and sustainable outcomes that can be achieved by reusing or repurposing existing built assets. The practice would like to see an increase the current 11% of UK construction spending on fitouts and refurbishments, rather than building new. GSS are involved in numerous fit-out and refurbishment projects across the country, and, because of the appointment of an in-house SKA Assessor, they can enhance their client offer by supporting sustainable assessments whilst also delivering effective designs. The SKA assessment has a strong focus on realistic steps to improve environmental impact, as well as health and wellbeing measures, and is a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors initiative. Eleanor has already led the client and design team at Durham University through two schemes, successfully achieving a bronze and silver certification respectively. Jonathan Hunter, Partner at GSS, said, “We are proud to have Eleanor as part of our team and our clients are already benefitting from the skills she has gained from the SKA Assessment training. At GSS, we are proud to encourage and empower the next generation of designers to lead a more sustainable future and we are looking forward to seeing where else we can drive improvements in the sustainability of the construction industry.” Eleanor Lee said,“When 80% of buildings which will be occupied in 2050 already exist, it’s becoming increasingly important that we review and improve existing buildings. Having interacted with the SKA Assessment from the designer’s perspective, it’s inspiring to see an assessment methodology encourage realistic steps towards sustainability, in a way that works with designers, clients, and contractors alike. I’m really pleased to have had this opportunity and I’m excited to take this forward in future projects.” To find out more about GSSArchitecture, and their research and stance on sustainability and net zero, or to view their extensive range of projects in a variety of projects across the UK, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National architects GSSArchitecture, whose head office is based in Kettering, are delighted to share that work has begun on the new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Kettering General Hospital, following a turf-cutting ceremony, which took place on 12th July. The centre – the first in North Northamptonshire – will bring a range of vital cancer support services together under one roof. As well as providing information on all aspects of cancer, emotional and psychological support, the centre will provide welfare benefits advice, wig fitting and signpost to other local services. Situated within the courtyard inside the hospitals main ward block, the centre will make best use of the available space, whilst providing an engaging and sympathetic environment for users of the centre. The unique curved nature of the plan enables the building to interact with several interesting external spaces that have been created, while maintaining the requirement for a less clinical, private, and calming setting. Andrew Vallis, Architect leading the project from GSSArchitecture, said, “I’m proud to be working on such an interesting and important project to benefit the people of Kettering, building upon GSSArchitecture’s long history with the hospital which dates back over 100 years. Our substantial experience in the Healthcare sector, in addition to a close collaboration with both Macmillan Cancer Support and Kettering General Hospital, has allowed us to progress these important plans to site, with works expected to complete early next year.” Rachel Atkinson, Macmillan Partnership Manager for Northamptonshire, said: “Cancer can affect every part of your life, not just your health, so it’s vital that we try and support patients with non-clinical needs as well. This brilliant new centre, funded by public donations, will offer a comfortable space where our highly-trained support staff and volunteers can offer people with cancer support for a variety of different needs that come with a cancer diagnosis. We want to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can and will do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.” GSSArchitecture are working as Architect, Principal Designer and Lead Consultant on the scheme, alongside Main Contractor, Marshdale Construction Ltd., and GSSllp who are providing Quantity Surveying services. If you would like any further information on GSSArchitecture, or the projects that they are currently working on, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com
GSS Architecture and Couch Perry Wilkes have revealed plans for a brand new primary school. New Lubbesthorpe Primary School will be located within the new community of Lubbesthorpe, near Blaby, Leicestershire. The 420-place primary school is the first of three schools – a mix of two primary and one secondary school – to be unveiled to meet the needs of the 4,250 home development. The building design, developed by GSS Architecture, is based on a green philosophy that encourages green spaces. The outside is brought in with a focus on natural light and playful colours inside the building. “There were many different factors to consider when designing New Lubbesthorpe Primary School especially as the school will inform the style of the future community buildings on the development,” said Tom Jagger, associate at GSS Architecture. “The masterplan is also centred, aside from creating a green, eco-friendly site, on forming an open square for the village that will be a central spot that responds to the surrounding site and offers a sense of community in the budding development.” The school consists of single storey accommodation, which will include 14 classrooms, a learning resources centre, hall, kitchen, staff room, a studio and specialised room and the reception along with plenty of circulating space. CPW, a national M&E engineering consultancy with extensive experience in the education sector, was brought on board by the architecture firm to support with the mechanical and electrical assessment on the project. “We want to achieve a BREEAM rating of good so there is good daylighting throughout the school and the electrical lighting has been thoughtfully designed with the use of low energy LED luminaires throughout. Similarly, the mechanical services solution reliably provides a suitable environment while minimising energy consumption – this is in keeping with the green philosophy of the project,” commented Matt Wrate, director and head of the CPW Leicester office. The design team also includes the project manager and quantity surveyor, Bentley Project Management, Rodgers Leask, the structural engineers, and Secured by Design which provided guidance on the overall project.
