Local architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is launching a free interactive toolkit to introduce primary school children to the importance of building sustainably. Focusing on building materials and how much carbon is released during their manufacture, the engaging and interactive Better Buildings website is free to use
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has won planning approval for the latest phase of 59 new homes at William Davis Homes’ Copcut Rise development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. This will be the sixth phase of this ongoing scheme, with the 1.55 hectare site containing a mix of terraced semi-detached and
Leading architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has submitted detailed plans for a new £6 million, 1,100m2 Bus Interchange which will be the first step in Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term plan to regenerate Stevenage Town Centre. Explains Alistair Branch, Director & Head of Transport for SGP: “The relocation of
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) and infrastructure firm AECOM have submitted plans for a £15.8m bus station in Halifax, a key regeneration project which will deliver a fully enclosed concourse with 19 DIRO stands, fully enclosed waiting areas, retail and information facilities under a stunning feature timber framed concourse
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working
One of the leading architectural practices in the UK, Stephen George + Partners has won the contract to build the new Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre that will be located in South Shields. The Architectural firm will be carrying out this project for client, Nexus and the work has
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Local architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is launching a free interactive toolkit to introduce primary school children to the importance of building sustainably. Focusing on building materials and how much carbon is released during their manufacture, the engaging and interactive Better Buildings website is free to use and aims to get children at Key Stage 2 thinking about sustainability and designing low carbon buildings. Project lead Simon Matthews, a member of the Social Responsibility group at SGP takes up the story: “We decided to create a set of learning aids that teachers can use with children of about 10 or 11 years old, to help them discover more about building materials and their impact on the environment, in a fun and accessible way. Buildings have a significant impact on the environment – 11% of global carbon emissions come from the construction of buildings and the materials used. The Better Buildings programme aligns perfectly with our company values – it is imperative for us to raise awareness and put our knowledge out there for everyone to share.” Steve Malkin, founder of sustainability champions Planet Mark, adds: “”As an engineer, I would have loved a lesson in imagining and designing buildings that are great for the planet and for people. I have seen first-hand the wonderful ideas school children can bring to creating better buildings and, this exciting classroom resource gives them the ideas to fuel their imagination.” The Better Buildings resource is web based and includes investigating traditional and alternative materials used around the world, followed by a module for children to design their own low carbon building. Throughout the site, children are encouraged to explore the subjects through activities and open discussions, discovering fascinating facts and using an interactive carbon indicator to assess each material. Cartoon avatars of SGP staff help to explain common terms used throughout Simon continues: “Sustainability is everyone’s issue and everyone needs to contribute what they can. We developed the Better Building website specifically for primary school children because they are the architects of the future – and a generation that will need to face the problems we have left. We know the interest in sustainability and climate change is there from our existing schools’ sustainability campaign, SGP + You, so the earlier we can engage the better. “SGP’s Better Buildings website celebrates the positives and what people can do, reaffirming the message that people do have the ability to make changes that will have a positive impact. We hope that this resource will help teachers explain sustainability in building materials to older primary school children and ignite their enthusiasm for the subject.” The website, an open-source asset, is now available, free to all teachers. Link to the website: https://betterbuildings.stephengeorge.co.uk/
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has won planning approval for the latest phase of 59 new homes at William Davis Homes’ Copcut Rise development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. This will be the sixth phase of this ongoing scheme, with the 1.55 hectare site containing a mix of terraced semi-detached and detached, two-, three- and four- bedroom houses, 39% of which will be affordable homes. Explains Peter Brown, Studio Director at SGP: “SGP has been working with William Davis at Copcut Rise since 2012, and we are delighted to see the latest phase of this popular development win planning approval. Our designs are complementary to the scheme as a whole and develops the vision of the existing masterplan. When complete, it will contain just under 700 houses, with just over 600 already built. The variety of housing types will appeal to a wide range of local people, with the social housing element integrated seamlessly.” SGP chose materials and architectural details that extend the themes already established in previous phases. The design uses warm brick colours and crisp render, and details such as porches and gablettes to articulate the street scene. The homes generally face outwards, so careful consideration has been given to establishing active and passive frontages, as well as defined vistas and views which create a sense of openness without overlooking existing homes. Strong and well-defined building lines are opened up by adding soft landscaping, punctuated by trees and feature planting. Black metal railings and low-level hedges, create a layering effect which draws the eye gradually into the scene. Stephen Rush for William Davis Homes, said: “This is an important development where houses are in great demand. As with all our sites, the quality of design and construction really matters to us. That’s why we greatly value our partnership with SGP. We look forward to starting work on the new phase in due course.”
Leading architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has submitted detailed plans for a new £6 million, 1,100m2 Bus Interchange which will be the first step in Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term plan to regenerate Stevenage Town Centre. Explains Alistair Branch, Director & Head of Transport for SGP: “The relocation of the interchange will unlock development sites in the town centre and enable SG1, the first phase of the biggest town centre regeneration scheme in the east of England.” With a gross development value of £1bn, the 20-year regeneration programme aims to attract large-scale investment to the Town Centre and create new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, and a wholesale transformation of the public realm. SGP’s design provides an upgraded modern bus station as well as improving connectivity between rail, bus and town centre services. A centralised concourse canopy structure is the focus of the new Interchange, housing retail and passenger waiting areas under a simple mono-pitch form that over sails the parked buses. The roof hangs from a central avenue of columns to create the expansive space below and a central barrel rooflight maximises natural lighting. Lighting in the head of the columns and canopy soffits will provide illumination and animate the structure at night. Continues Alistair: “Although the design was very much form following function, the Interchange uses a bold, sweeping architectural style to create a positive and welcoming gateway to the town centre for passengers and passers-by.” The project promotes a greater integration of transport services, creating a ‘transport hub’ for bus and rail passengers, supporting connectivity and accessibility to the town centre and with London and other parts of the country. With 10 DIRO and 2 DIDO stands around the central concourse, the design provides for the efficient movement of traffic and people, safely segregating vehicles and pedestrians. Alistair concludes: “This project marks the latest success in our expanding transport portfolio, which has seen SGP secure over £100 million worth of infrastructure projects in just three years.” The planning decision is expected June with work on site due to commence Summer 2020.
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) and infrastructure firm AECOM have submitted plans for a £15.8m bus station in Halifax, a key regeneration project which will deliver a fully enclosed concourse with 19 DIRO stands, fully enclosed waiting areas, retail and information facilities under a stunning feature timber framed concourse and fully green roof. The redeveloped bus station is a key component of West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council’s plans to transform public transport within Halifax town centre. The bus station combines improved passenger facilities and a safe and welcoming environment in a statement building that marries contemporary sustainable architecture with the existing listed heritage assets. SGP is the architect for the project, while AECOM is lead consultant providing engineering, planning, environment and transport planning. Says Alistair Branch, Studio Director at SGP: “Our design for the bus station redevelopment sensitively integrates a number of important listed heritage structures within a modern bus concourse facility, improving safety for pedestrians and enhancing accessibility to the town centre in a state-of-the-art station that meets the aspirations of the client, operators and key stakeholders.” SGP has chosen a simple and contemporary ‘pavilion’ form to create a bold gateway to the town centre for passengers and passers-by. A simple timber grid shell structure supports a full green roof, flowing down as the concourse gently traverses the steep site, improving access for users with walking difficulties or wheelchairs. The eaves will use a two-part copper effect capping and triangular rooflights stand up from the roofscape, adding form and interest. Continues Alistair: “The surrounding buildings all have views towards the bus station from a high level, making the roofscape as important as the other elevations. Our design incorporates a fully green roof, with a wildflower meadow over the main concourse to encourage ecological diversity and a sedum green roof over the bus boarding areas to reduce load on the large canopy overhangs.” The concourse facades will use a combination of glazing and large format natural stone cladding, respecting the material of the listed Sion School. The School itself will be integrated into the design, with a colonnade and glazed entrance to frame the view of the School and provide a dramatic, light airy arrival space. A glazed link connects the bus concourse with the School, offering a sensitive interface and creating a breathing space around the listed School. Accessibility and safety are central to the design and SGP’s innovative Y shaped configuration of stands allows facilities such as a retail unit, waiting rooms and a café area to be sited in the triangular centre, serving all the stands. Creating segregated foot and vehicular paths, the concourse is the shortest route for pedestrians to get to the stands and there is only one crossing place, which has good sight lines for both walkers and drivers. For the fully enclosed bus concourse area, the DIRO bus stands will be separated from the bus concourse by means of a fully glazed screen and automatic doors linked to induction loops within the bus stand area, ensuring the automatic doors will only operate when a bus is parked on the respective bus bay. Concludes Alistair Branch: “This is another significant transport commission where SGP with will be providing full architectural services with AECOM for client West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Halifax Bus Station is a once in a generation project, a statement building, sustainable and future-proofed for new electric vehicles, able to help reduce congestion, enhance public spaces and promote economic activity across Halifax and the West Yorkshire region.” AECOM’s Project Manager for the scheme Kirsty James said: “This is a further milestone in the delivery of a number of transport schemes within Calderdale that AECOM is proud to work on through the delivery of multi-disciplinary support. This investment in the bus station will bring a very significant improvement in the quality of public transport facilities for the residents of Calderdale.” This project has received funding through the Transforming Cities Fund and match funding from the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund. The planning decision is expected Autumn 2020 and the project is planned to complete by March 2023.
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working with St. Modwen and Lindum Construction, SGP designed the three units of 34,464 sq ft, 21,614 sq ft and 53,072 sq ft to complete the 247,000 sq ft development, which was granted outline consent in March 2016. SGP designed and delivered the first two phases of the park in 2016 and in 2017, and the speculative units were quickly occupied by Bosch Automotive, DB Schenker and Thornhill Engineering. Steven Clegg, Principal Architectural Technologist at SGP, said: “The project provides accessible and adaptable space in a modern envelope that uses robust yet cost effective materials. The clean, crisp contemporary design appeals to a wide cross section of users and has been well received in the market.” Rob Richardson, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, added: “We are delighted to have worked with SGP on this scheme and to have reached completion of the third and final phase. The new warehouses are testament to our ability to bring forward much-needed industrial and logistics development and we look forward to welcoming businesses to these new, high-quality units.” Built on an established 27-acre brownfield site off Wheatley Hall Road, one of the main arterial routes into the city, the business park offers versatile high bay warehouse and office space, with separate parking and yards and segregated access to each area.
One of the leading architectural practices in the UK, Stephen George + Partners has won the contract to build the new Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre that will be located in South Shields. The Architectural firm will be carrying out this project for client, Nexus and the work has been valued at £8 million. This is a vital regeneration project that aims to bring new skills and employment into the region. The design that has been submitted by Stephen George + Partners, or SGP portrays a single three storey building that will feature a training centre and light maintenance facility. It has been said that in terms of the architecture of the proposed building, the design will help to unify the development as the training centre will wrapped around the light maintenance area. Other comments on the design have also included that by vertically stacking the accommodation the reception and the break out areas can overlook the main entrance and helped to keep the classroom, meeting and engineering activities separated over different floors. SGP worked with the contractor Galliford Try Infrastructure in order to develop the 33,500 sq. ft. single building option that could be constructed while meeting the client’s operational requirements and budget. This single building design has created a range of efficiencies for the design and has then therefore optimised the requirements for the foundations, structure, stairs, lifts and site clearance. In terms of meeting the operational requirements of the Nexus, the management of a single building as opposed to two offers operational cost savings. The creation of the new Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre is a flagship construction for the region and also an innovative project for SGP’s developing Transport Sector Portfolio. The existing maintenance is currently carried out in a different region, therefore, with the creation of a new training centre will allow for the skilled work that is engendered by this significant investment to be produced and allow the Metro network to move back into the area.
