gcp director Colin Powell was among the first group of students undertaking (and passing) the new AECB CarbonLite Retrofit training course developed to deliver robust low energy retrofit solutions for existing buildings.
AECB CarbonLite includes detailed understanding of the moisture risks in existing building retrofits and the particular requirements for servicing in existing buildings. With this qualification Colin will be able to certify projects under the AECB CarbonLite scheme.
Mark Community Housing
gcp have been working closely with Mark Community Land Trust and South Western Housing Society to develop a project of 12 homes which will provide affordable housing for local people in the village of Mark in the Somerset Levels. Like many rural villages homes in Mark are unaffordable for young families and people who are in low-waged rural employment. This makes it hard for people with family or work connections to find homes and stay in the village. Following a housing need survey that showed that there was a significant number of people who wanted to live in Mark but were priced out of the housing market, a group of local volunteers set up a Community Land Trust to find a solution. After a long process of testing sites and finding a willing landowner the CLT found a site and employed gcp to develop design and planning proposals.
Following a period of community engagement and consultation gcp finalised a design that delivers an attractive contemporary appearance, with a mix of homes including bungalows, houses and apartments, that will meet a broad range of needs and will provide high quality, energy efficient homes for the village. The project was submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for Planning Approval and at a full planning committee meeting this week received the support of all councillors (with one abstention).
This is great news for the village and we look forward to starting the construction stage in the new year, working with EG Carter Construction to deliver the new homes for the beginning of 2018.
Tercon Ltd have just completed a new domestic waste transfer station for Stroud District Council at Gossington. The project involved the construction of a new 1,200m2 high bay sorting area with a single storey office facility. An existing transport workshop on the site has also been refurbished as well as the completion of an extensive external works package. gcp chartered Architects supported Tercon Ltd through the construction phase of the project which is due to be open for business in the new year.
Gossington Waste Transfer Depot
Gossington Waste Transfer Depot
If the answer is yes then gcp Chartered Architects recommend the AECB as a fantastic source of information and guidance. As members of the AECB and certified PassivHaus Designers gcp are ideally placed to assist in delivering both new and refurbished low energy buildings to the AECB Silver standard.
After: what the building looks like now works are complete
gcp Chartered Architects would like to congratulate Rydon Construction on the successful completion of Cat A+works at 155 Aztec West, Bristol. The project was managed by BNP Paribas Real Estate for the institutional owner. The project involved replacement of all windows and mechanical and electrical services as well as the introduction of a new shower area. The entrance has been greatly enhanced with the addition of a new entrance lobby extension with a new boardroom at first floor.
Before: outside 155 Aztec West, Bristol
gcp are off on a tour of the Stewart Milne Factory today! You can leave messages with reception - we will be back in the office tomorrow.
gcp Chartered Architects have secured planning permission for the conversion of offices to flats in the Banbury conservation area.
Local referendum has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Nailsworth Community Land Trust Housing scheme. http://www.nailsworthclt.org.uk/ . Project is for the creation of 10 new affordable homes for local people. One aim of the referendum was to seek agreement of the right to remove the right to buy so that the homes would be protected as affordable homes into the future.
gcp are thrilled to be involved in one of the first successful CRTBO's!
Design for Health Task Group
gcp have been invited to be part of a body of industry experts advising the Constructing Excellence, Construction Clients Group. gcp will be working alongside organisations including Safety in Design, Mace, HSE, Land Securities, Imperial College, Jaguar Landrover, Skanska and others.
The CCG Health and Safety Group have recognised that Clients and Designers can do more to put health at the forefront of their considerations and have recommended the establishment of a task group to move this forward. The purpose of this Group is to equip clients with what they need to specify to achieve the highest standards for Health & Safety during decision making and design, by setting clear expectations to the industry.
http://ccg.constructingexcellence.org.uk/health-and-safety-group/hs-in-design/
Easton Learning Centre Library
Have you seen our blog post about the Architecture Centre celebrating 20 years in Bristol?
Check out these beautiful images taken by Frances Gard, go to her website for more details or follow her on twitter.
Image: Frances Gard. The Trinity Centre, Bristol
“A lot has happened since the Architecture Centre first opened its doors onto Narrow Quay in 1996. Trace the changes in Bristol over the past two decades along a timeline that focuses on how significant buildings, places and people have shaped the city. Look ahead to consider what the future might be for one of the city’s most contested places – Castle Park – and find out about the different elements that contribute to making a successful place.”
The Architecture Centre is celebrating 20 years of people and places in Bristol with their exhibition running between 9 September & 13 November 2016.
Three projects we have been involved in feature in this exhibit: Trinity, J3 and Filwood Green.
Beautiful images taken by Frances Gard, check out her website or follow her on twitter.
Image: Frances Gard. J3, Bristol
Healthy Bristol community event
Another busy morning discussing #health #wellbeing and #productivity in the workplace. Delighted to be able to hold this in the recently completed Bristol Water HQ. Such an inspiring place and right-on message for this seminar !
We've had a great time participating in Healthy City Week 2016 - a roundup of the weeks' events written by our very own James Pilling to follow soon.
Healthy Bristol community event
Twinnell House, Bristol
@spsenvirowall said: Amazing thermal & aesthetic improvement for Twinnell House, #INCAAWards2016 finalist, refurb high rise category @gcparchitects @mearsgroup
Just back from an interesting morning at Ambition Lawrence Weston discussing #healthy communities and the journey taken so far at Lawrence Weston Community Hub.
gcp are pleased to be making the link between #healthy homes, workspaces and communities.
Our second event is happening on Thursday @BrisolWater where we shall be discussing how building impact on #health #wellbeing and #productivity at work.
#HealthyBristol
gcp are supporting researchers at UWE on an ESPRC funded research project to create a tool to enable architectural and engineering design firms to improve their Design for Safety capability.
gcp are pleased to announce Lime Property Ventures first development creating 25 student flats from a decommissioned sheltered housing scheme just off King Square in central Bristol has been delivered on time and within budget. The scheme has been developed in partnership with Bristol SU Lettings.
Lime Ventures is Elim Housings new development arm. This is the 4th project gcp have worked with Elim on over the last 3 years and we are actively sourcing development opportunities for future Lime schemes.
Graven Hill near Banbury is the largest development of custom / self-build homes in the country.
We are pleased to be supporting a couple keen to move in to the area who are bidding for a plot in Phase 1A. Using the Plot Passport for their preferred site we have developed a compact modern home with the agreed Material Palette for that part of the site.
For more information about the Graven Hill development see their September 2016 Newsletter or go to www.gravenhill.co.uk.
Graven Hill, Banbury
Our project J3 takes the lead image for this story as an example of how new tall buildings can make a positive impact on the skyline.
Exert from Bristol 24/7:
Last week, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: "I want Bristol's skyline to grow. Years of low level buildings and a reluctance to build up in an already congested city is a policy I am keen to change. Tall buildings built in the right way, in the right places and for the right reasons, communicate ambition and energy."
