Inspired

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week the Bond Bryan team behind Coventry City’s proposed new fire station on Radford Road jointly hosted a public consultation event alongside West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS).

Aimed at showcasing the design and inviting comments and questions from members of the local community, the event was a complete success and received a resoundingly positive response from everybody who attended.

The Bond Bryan and WMFS team are very excited to be submitting the scheme to Coventry City Council for planning approval on 11th March, with work commencing on site in the summer.

Thank you to everybody who has worked on the scheme and attended the event.

The Bond Bryan team is delighted to have three projects shortlisted for prestigious awards in one week.

Factory 2050 (for the University of Sheffield), the UK’s first fully reconfigurable assembly and component manufacturing facility, is shortlisted for The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Yorkshire Annual Award; this project is also featured on the World Architecture News’ (WAN) Award website (Education category).

The Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology (NUAST) has also been shortlisted for the RIBA East Midlands 2016 Award.

Meanwhile the Oasis Academy, Don Valley, Sheffield has been shortlisted for the RICS’ (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Regeneration Award.

Director Jonathan Herbert said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for each of these awards and are proud of all of our people whose hard work and determination has made this possible.”

Following a series of commissions in Birmingham and the West Midlands, Bond Bryan Architects has announced the permanent opening of its new studio, now located at Two Snow Hill. Previously Bond Bryan designed Birmingham Metropolitan College’s Matthew Boulton Campus, Sandwell College and Harbourne Academy’s new building. The practice has 125 staff, the new Birmingham presence adding to Bond Bryan’s studios in London, Sheffield and Kent.

Fran Holloway, Associate Director, will be heading up the Birmingham studio. Fran is an experienced architect having previously worked for another local practice on multiple projects for clients in a variety of sectors. She is currently working on the new Birmingham National College of High Speed Rail, which will support local businesses’ growth and secure jobs for future generations; she is also working on designs for the new Coventry Fire Station. Fran said, “As a local architect working in Birmingham for the last 17 years, this is a great and exciting opportunity to be opening a permanent base in the heart of the Midlands; the city is continuing to flourish with a vision and a drive which we are keen to be a part of.”

Bond Bryan Managing Director Jonathan Herbert said, “We are thrilled to be opening a studio in Birmingham. The new base will allow us to provide excellent levels of service to more clients in the Midlands. Upon arrival Birmingham is instantly impressive; clearly an ambitious city and key to the Midlands Engine initiative; it’s a great place to do business and as a naturally creative place an obvious choice for us.”

Bond Bryan is delighted to announce the promotion of Paul Shaw and James Woodhouse to Associate level at our Sheffield Studios.

Director John Lee said: “Paul has emerged as one of our strongest and most determined technical minds – his hard work, positive outlook and personal quest for excellence is balanced by a strong team ethic.”

James joined Bond Bryan over four years ago. He quickly built on his previous experience in Manchester and London to become a highly accomplished member of the Bond Bryan team working on a wide range of excellent projects.

Director Bruce Raw said: “I’m delighted to recognise James’s enthusiasm, dedication and achievements for the practice with his promotion and I look forward to seeing his future successes.”

Congratulations to both!

Bond Bryan’s latest project for the University of Sheffield has just received planning permission meaning work on site is expected to start in 2017 with a 2018 completion.

Following the establishment of a Development Framework by Bond Bryan’s Strategic Team, and a successful design competition entry, this third phase of the St George’s Campus redevelopment is the culmination of Bond Bryan’s work with the Faculty of Engineering.

The Engineering Heartspace will sit beneath a dramatic undulating glass roof structure, providing a unique space for the whole of the Faculty. The four-storey atrium, inserted between the Grade II listed Mappin Building and the 1885 Central Wing, will house new highly serviced laboratories, offices and a café, as well as providing a ‘collaboration space’ for students and staff from different departments.

A connection to Portobello Street will provide an additional destination on the pedestrian route that links a range of campus facilities including the Students’ Union, the Information Commons (Learning Centre) and the University’s tram stop.

The design responds to both the historical heritage of the site as well as the ambition of the Faculty. The contemporary curved roof design contrasts with the existing formal brick buildings, floating across the tops of the existing roofs and creating a clear distinction between the old and the new. However the design takes visual cues from the Mappin building’s original “Star of David” ventilation outlets with its own interlocking triangular glass and solid roof panels. The proposed new triangular steel tree columns are also deliberately positioned to frame key features of the existing buildings.

Matt Hutton, Associate Director and the project’s concept designer said, “We believe that the honesty, of having a highly-engineered roof adjacent to the historic brick walls and slate roofs of the existing buildings, is about celebrating the engineering of both the past and the present, inviting the building user to look at both in more detail. This surely is what renovation and conservation is about, engaging with the user and the wider public, bringing these buildings back to prominence.”

The Heartspace development will provide the University with a total gross internal floor area of around 12,400sqm of combined new build, refurbished and reconfigured existing space.

Congratulations to our Sheffield studio architect Yasser Fadhl on successfully passing his Part 3.

John Lee, Director, commented: “I know how hard Yasser has worked to achieve his goal and thanks are due too to those studio colleagues who have supported Yasser in his efforts.

Yasser is a fabulous asset to the BBA community and is now rightly eligible to join the hallowed ranks of the world’s second oldest profession.”

Best wishes from everyone at Bond Bryan!

HRH Prince Richard , The Duke of Gloucester, officially opened the Bond Bryan designed David Hockney Building at Bradford College yesterday.

He was given a tour of the building including its 3D printing facilities, hair, beauty and spa areas and multi-media equipment zones

The Duke said: “This is a splendid structure that seems to please everyone who comes here. I would like to congratulate all those who have played a role here. I also wish the best to those who grow their talents here. It’s a great pleasure for me to come to Bradford. Everyone I spoke to seems very happy on what they are doing with the building.”

Andy Welsh, chief executive officer of the Bradford College Group, also hailed the site, saying the facilities will let the college keep at the forefront of new technology.

He said: “The new building marks the future of Bradford College, and the innovative way our students will learn and develop during their time here. The David Hockney Building is significant not only for the college, but for Bradford as an entity, and on behalf of the college, I would like to say that we feel honoured to receive the Royal recognition for our hard work.”

Matt Hutton, Associate Director at Bond Bryan Architects and largely responsible for the design of the David Hockney Building, was there to celebrate the opening.

Last night Bond Bryan Architects scooped up the Construction Computing Awards for BIM Project of the Year for Bradford College and beyond: OPEN BIM Research and Development. Rob Jackson, Kevin Grayson, Greham Raynham and guests were there to collect the award.

The awards affectionately known as the Hammers are in their 10th year and recognise both technology solutions and the use of technology solutions in the construction industry.

The award was for Bond Bryan’s OPEN BIM research and development work at Bradford College and other subsequent projects. This work has been pioneering by not only carrying out extensive testing but also in the way Bond Bryan shared that information through their BIM Blog, at events and through social media.

This award follows other awards this year for Bond Bryan’s BIM work including winning Best SME BIM Project (Medium Enterprise) and Best BIM Blog at the RICS BIM4SME Awards, as well as being shortlisted for the Construction News Awards in the BIM Project of the Year category. Also this year Bond Bryan were awarded Graphisoft’s signature building on the front cover of their flagship product ARCHICAD.

Associate Director and BIM Manager, Rob Jackson said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised for our work which has benefited our real life projects. However the real reward for me personally is seeing that this investment in research is resulting in improvements to many technology solutions and ultimately making BIM simpler and easier for everyone. We hope that our small contribution plays a part in helping to fully digitise the construction industry to provide better outcomes on projects for years to come.”

A full list of the 2015 winners is available here:

The development proposals seek to provide accommodation for both the current Upper School and Lower School at the Lower School site to facilitate the redevelopment of the Upper School site for residential dwellings. The Academy development includes integrating the ARK Theatre and Sports Centre on the Lower site.

These proposals have been developed for Hertswood Academy by Bond Bryan Architects, in conjunction with the Contractor Willmott Dixon Construction, Mott Macdonald Engineering Consultants and Bond Bryan Landscape Architects. The detailed design to construction will be developed with the Academy’s sponsors the Meller Education Trust and the staff and governors of Hertswood Academy and their advisors.

The current Lower and Upper schools will both be co-located in a single new Academy building on the Cowley Hill site. The masterplan will include the provision of parking, drop-off, play and sports provision across the site.

Zubin Masters, Associate Director of Bond Bryan Architects explained: “Our designs for this site deliver a bespoke solution that has been developed in full consultation with the Academy and its governors, Local Authority and other stakeholders and built upon the foundations of an established landscape setting. It will provide an integrated campus within a single building that creates a strong sense of place.
The design of the exterior facades of Hertswood Academy aims to be cutting edge yet timeless through the juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary materials. The architectural language and the palette of materials chosen for the Academy is one of simplicity and elegance. The predominantly brick facades with the render panels creates a timeless architecture, whilst the glazed elements break up the massiveness of the elevations creating a sense of transparency. The recessed windows and extruded glass boxes break up the massing, giving the building a contemporary image using classic materials.”

Flexibility in all teaching and learning spaces will be maximised to enable the Academy to respond to changing demands and forms of curriculum delivery. The way in which this will be achieved is by standardisation of the specification of services to allow the majority of rooms to accommodate most subject areas. This will involve the use of technology by the extensive provision of network access, interactive whiteboards and projectors.

The ARK Theatre is a vital component of this project. The Theatre has been integrated into the Academy building, but will offer public access via a separate community entrance. A box office, cloakroom, refreshments bar, kiosk, an audio and lighting control room, stage and scene dock to the rear will form part of the theatre, which is designed to accommodate 250 seats.

The Sports Centre has been designed such that it can be completely segregated from the Academy and will be open for community use outside of school hours. It comprises of a four badminton court sized Sports Hall to current Sport England standards, a double height activity and dance studio, a fitness gym and associated changing and toilets.

Hertswood Academy, which replaces the former Hertswood School, is a coeducational secondary school situated in the North East of Borehamwood. Hertfordshire. The Academy will provide a world-class education for 1200 students aged eleven to sixteen and 200 post sixteen students. It was launched in January 2013 as an Academy in the existing buildings on the Lower and Upper sites and in late 2018 will move into new buildings on the Lower Site subject to this planning application.

The new Hertswood Academy will be an 8 Form Entry Secondary School accommodating 1,400 Pupils (including 200 Sixth Form Pupils). The Academy building will provide 12,005 sqm of new accommodation. Construction on site is planned to commence Summer 2016 with a completion date in 2018.

Last night’s Yorkshire Property awards ceremony revealed that for the second year running Bond Bryan have won the Award for Architect Firm of the year.

John Lee, Director at Bond Bryan commented: “This is no mean achievement and fabulous recognition of the qualities of our business and the people in it!”

There to collect the prize were (pictured from left to right) Paul Shaw, Sarah Hussain, Rosanna Sutcliffe, Eamonn Chapman and Matt Hutton.