Amy Allwood is Scott Brownrigg’s first architectural apprentice to complete the Level 7 Architect Degree Apprenticeship course at Oxford Brookes University and become a fully qualified architect. She is among the first cohort of students in the country to qualify through the architectural apprenticeship route, after joining Scott Brownrigg’s pilot
Scott Brownrigg’s masterplan for a new film and television studio campus in central Bedfordshire near Stewartby has been submitted for planning. The scheme redevelops a 143-acre site and former clay mineral quarry to provide over 1.75m sq ft flexible studio space together with on-site accommodation, amenities and a re-wilded water
1000 Aztec West, the South West’s first net zero carbon in operation out-of-town development, is fast taking shape. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for CEG, 1000 Aztec West near Bristol is set to become a state-of-the-art working environment which promotes inclusivity, sustainability and wellbeing, creating a new benchmark for office spaces
U+I have been given support by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to transform 30 acres of unused land in Kent into a thriving new green business community that will address a severe shortfall of office and industrial provision in the area. Kingstanding, located 3.5 miles from Tunbridge Wells town centre, will comprise flexible, high-quality employment and industrial space to cater for a variety of different businesses. The buildings will be set within a beautiful
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Amy Allwood is Scott Brownrigg’s first architectural apprentice to complete the Level 7 Architect Degree Apprenticeship course at Oxford Brookes University and become a fully qualified architect. She is among the first cohort of students in the country to qualify through the architectural apprenticeship route, after joining Scott Brownrigg’s pilot apprenticeship programme in 2018. Recognised by both the RIBA and ARB, the apprenticeship programme aims to create an equal alternative route to qualification for those interested in a career in architecture, allowing them to achieve RIBA Part 2 and 3 while earning a salary in practice. The course is funded through the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy which requires all large employers operating in the UK to invest in apprenticeships and means that apprentices themselves pay no fees and can avoid student debt. As a founding member and sub-lead of the Architecture Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group of 20 practices – Scott Brownrigg has committed significant time and resource to developing this important new route into the profession. We hope this new route will support a diversity of future talent. Apprenticeships at Scott Brownrigg are open to people of any age, including existing employees, looking to pursue qualifications in architecture. Having worked in practice throughout her apprenticeship, Amy qualifies as an architect with a range of skills and experiences which reflect both employer and industry need. During five years at Scott Brownrigg as an apprentice, she has collaborated with different sectors and services including Interior Design, while working primarily as part of the Education and Advanced Technologies teams. Of the Architectural Apprenticeship, Amy said: “The apprenticeship programme provides students with structured, hands-on training whilst working towards qualifications. As an apprentice working in practice, I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learnt to real projects and have enjoyed working with, and learning from Scott Brownrigg designers along the way. The apprenticeship route had a positive impact on my confidence too, which grew exponentially as I started to recognise that this practical experience was enhancing my academic performance.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scott Brownrigg’s masterplan for a new film and television studio campus in central Bedfordshire near Stewartby has been submitted for planning. The scheme redevelops a 143-acre site and former clay mineral quarry to provide over 1.75m sq ft flexible studio space together with on-site accommodation, amenities and a re-wilded water body and canal for developer VERB and film studio operator Quartermaster. Home of Production (HOP) Bedfordshire will set a new benchmark for sustainable studio facilities in the UK and will be the first facility designed by producers, for producers – also incorporating premium facilities aimed at squarely addressing the need for production crews to achieve better balance in their work environment. The former quarry, known as Quest Pit, opened in 1983 and was the last active brick pit in Bedfordshire when it closed in 2008, leaving a series of redundant brownfield sites with access tracks and flooded extraction bowls, and parts of the site up to 12 metres below natural ground level. The masterplan addresses this by placing four separate 430,500 sq ft production units on a 70-acre platform, four metres above the water level. These units centre around a restaurant and activity zone, visually linked to two large lakes that have formed over time due to the natural flooding of extraction pits. Workshops envelop studio space, while an outer loop road provides access to supporting facilities. Importantly, the land has already been purchased and realisation of the masterplan is fully- financed – meaning that a planning decision can move rapidly to commencement of the construction programme. Head of Masterplanning at Scott Brownrigg, Bruce Calton said of the project: “This complex brief, across an intriguing site, combines landscape, water and a highly-functional film and television campus masterplan. It has been a rewarding experience creating such a unique setting for the Home of Production (HOP) within the UK.” An accomplished and multi-disciplinary group was formed to drive the project forward and encompassing the broad range of skills and experience required for an ambitious project of this type. Quartermaster delivered the vision and extensive studio experience, in partnership with the real estate developer VERB to make that an operational reality. Scott Brownrigg and SWECO offered complementary input through the planning process to make the overall masterplan achieve as much as possible from the site, whilst accommodating each of the ambitious performance targets self- imposed by the group. The landscaping strategy developed by Macfarlane Associates includes the introduction of ecological corridors across the site and new wetland and floating reed beds to create habitats for future and existing wildlife species. Planting tall trees around the site perimeter and positioning large-scale buildings into the valley base will significantly reduce the visual impact of the development to the surrounding flat landscape across Bedfordshire. This deliberately-unobtrusive approach is allied to strong commitments to a sustainable future for the site – targeting BREEAM Excellent for the build whilst also installing PV panels across the site to supply somewhere between 50-85% dependent on occupation levels at a given time. A transport hub will connect the site to the local bus network with an arrival point for cyclists, pedestrians and coaches. New pedestrian links and walking routes will line the site’s parameter, with widened pavements to enhance usability and safety provided throughout. The Home of Production (HOP) development is anticipated to bring 1,400 jobs to the local area if approved. Submission for planning follows a series of public consultations where the scheme received significant public support, and with exciting plans in place to continue working hard with Central Bedfordshire Council plus a range local education bodies to return real, measurable benefits for the community in the coming years. A phased construction programme is due to start early 2023. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
1000 Aztec West, the South West’s first net zero carbon in operation out-of-town development, is fast taking shape. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for CEG, 1000 Aztec West near Bristol is set to become a state-of-the-art working environment which promotes inclusivity, sustainability and wellbeing, creating a new benchmark for office spaces in the UK. South Gloucestershire council leader Toby Savage has visited the site to see the rapid progress of the £17m transformation which is being delivered by Beard Construction. The structure’s existing 1980s footings, frame and building structure have been retained, saving some 1.7 million kg of carbon and creating a pathway to a net zero carbon development. The savings have been made by a clever conversion of the existing steel frame and much of the preparatory work was devoted to shot-blasting a cement fire treatment from the steel, which was then given a rust-proof coating. With the steel skeleton work complete, the existing roof will be removed to create a new floor and roof, which will see the capacity of the building grow from 38,000 sq ft to 80,000 sq ft, creating space for an 850-strong workforce. Councillor Savage, South Gloucestershire Council Leader and cabinet member for the local economy, said: “South Gloucestershire is the economic powerhouse of the West of England and is a fantastic place to live, work and base a business. We welcome CEG’s confidence in this location, which, thanks to its excellent connectivity, is booming. “This building is being re-developed and modernised with sustainability in mind and is in line with our own ambitious goal of tackling the climate emergency by becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The 1000 Aztec West redevelopment fits into a wider picture of significant investment in office, residential and leisure facilities in this part of our district – from the thousands of new homes being built on the former Filton Airfield, to nearby landmark leisure facilities like surfing centre The Wave, Bristol Zoo’s Wild Place and the recently opened ice rink Planet Ice.” Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, said: “The development delivers the key requirements of contemporary tenants – environmental sustainability, staff wellbeing, on-site facilities and data connectivity, all of which respond to the requirements of businesses seeking to provide with people with the best workspace environment.” Ed Hayden, Director at Scott Brownrigg, said: “It’s great to visit the site with Councillor Toby Savage and see the work progressing on our Aztec 1000 design for CEG. The lakeside setting and carbon conscious design will make this a really exciting new addition to the Park.” Designed to meet BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, 1000 Aztec West will be powered by renewable energy and use energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. A striking three-storey atrium will be added to the centre of the stunning new, all-glass structure which will include a secure cycle block with male and female showers and changing facilities to encourage sustainable travel. A 1,300 sq ft gym and wellness facility will be the heartbeat of the building, with daily gym and yoga classes to help tenants balance their work and leisure commitments. Attractive indoor spaces will provide places to eat, meet, drink and work, with access to Wi-Fi and plug-in points. Outside, a new café, decked terrace area and rooftop terraces will overlook Aztec West’s existing lake and parkland. Completion of the project is expected in summer 2023. More information is available at: www.1000aztecwest.co.uk
U+I have been given support by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to transform 30 acres of unused land in Kent into a thriving new green business community that will address a severe shortfall of office and industrial provision in the area. Kingstanding, located 3.5 miles from Tunbridge Wells town centre, will comprise flexible, high-quality employment and industrial space to cater for a variety of different businesses. The buildings will be set within a beautiful parkland to create an inspiring place for people to work post-Covid, with sustainability and wellbeing at the forefront of the design. The scheme, which has been designed by Scott Brownrigg, sits on underused greenbelt land and will centre on a reinvigorated pond, itself surrounded by the ancient woodland of King’s Standing – providing biodiversity net gain and a tranquil environment for employees. Tunbridge Wells has been losing office and industrial floor space at a rate that exceeds regional averages. Consequently, vacancy levels of both office and industrial space are very low, with the shortfall compounded by limited new development activity. In line with the council’s economic needs study – which noted the requirement for at least 14ha of additional employment land up to 2033 – Kingstanding will alleviate the shortage in office and distribution space and stimulate economic growth. This will be encouraged further by an allocation in the emerging local plan. U+I’s proposals will see the delivery of nearly 800,000 sq ft of flexible warehouse and office accommodation on a well connected site. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train, while cycling from Tunbridge Wells town centre will take around 16 minutes. The new offices will be situated around the perimeter of the site, with new warehousing units concentrated in the north-west corner. Buildings will be positioned adjacent to woodland and other key landscape features to allow the occupiers immediate access to nature and other outdoor amenities. The name Kingstanding is inspired by the ancient woodlands surrounding the site, which once served as hunting grounds for Gilbert de Tonbridge, an Anglo-Norman nobleman of the 11th century. Richard Upton, Chief Development Officer, U+I, said: “U+I is now a step closer to unlocking the potential in this underused developable land within the greenbelt just outside Tunbridge Wells town centre into a thriving new business destination and community space, with nature and wellbeing at its heart. “With demand for office and industrial space far outstripping supply, Kingstanding will attract firms from a range of backgrounds to work in a workspace inspired by the outdoors and fit for the modern era. It will also create over 4,000 new jobs in the local community, stimulating economic growth.”
