Inspired

Planning permission secured for St Dunstan’s College

Bond Bryan have recently secured planning permission for St Dunstan’s College – a co-educational Independent school in Catford, London Borough of Lewisham – seeking to upgrade their facilities and redevelop their campus. The scheme combines a new all-through Junior School and a STEM Building for the Secondary School into a single integrated building, adjacent to the College’s main building.

Bond Bryan worked closely with the College and its stakeholders to develop a solution that fully addressed the concerns of the Local Authority. The primary school will include a full suite of teaching accommodation, staff and support spaces. The secondary school creates a new central HUB comprising a lecture theatre, sixth form centre with social/IT spaces, teaching spaces, design & technology workshops, science labs and maths classrooms.

Bond Bryan’s solution was to deliver a simple compact and linear building, responding to the planning constraints and minimising construction on the adjoining playing fields (designated metropolitan open land). The split-level building and landscape take advantage of the site topography by stepping up from the front to the rear – primary school at the front and secondary school at the rear and “stepping up through the learning journey”

The solution retains, showcases and restores the headmaster’s house at the front of the site. The junior school wraps around the headmaster’s house, linking the old with the new via a light-weight glazed link.

Zubin Masters, Director at Bond Bryan explained: “Our design for the site delivers a bespoke solution to revitalise an established and prestigious independent school through a new elegant and contemporary brick building and associated landscape areas.

Architecturally, the solution aims to be a contemporary addition to the site that is a sensitive response to the historical locally-listed College building. The elegant brick facades aim to reflect the proportions, materiality and features of the historical building, albeit in a contemporary and timeless language.”

Construction on site is planned to commence in Autumn 2019 with a completion date in Autumn 2021.

Bond Bryan and Fallon’s FUTURE PARK is a finalist for the Best Futura Mega Project, MIPIM Awards 2019.

FUTURE PARK will be one of the UK’s most significant cultural and energy-efficient attractions to be built in the 21st Century. Located in the heart of Yorkshire, England, this unique interactive park explores, unites and celebrates the best food & drink experiences in the world.

The park, which is described as a synergy of architecture, landscape and infrastructure, is dedicated to sharing the biodiversity of cuisine whilst showcasing a range of innovative technologies with a special focus towards the environmental and agricultural sectors.

Users are given the opportunity to submerge themselves within the park and enjoy the experience through its Farms & Livestock, Restaurants, Factories, Shops & Marketplace, Education, Research Facilities & Events.

Inspired by the ‘dry valleys’ that define the local Yorkshire landscape, the structure is formed around an existing lake with an overall building form that seeks to become part of the natural landscape – rather than a statement object within it. The low linear building hugs the edge of the lake – the lowest part of the site, – so maximising views across the landscape.

The awards ceremony will take place at MIPIM – the world’s leading property event 12 – 15 March 2019.

To find out more about the scheme, please visit: www.futureparks.co.uk

Attended by a variety of leading representatives from the construction industry – who are actively engaged in this area – the discussion focussed upon the current tendencies in offsite construction and on how the industry is preparing for its potential future in delivering efficient, sustainable and high-quality solutions.

All of the participants reported a high level of interest in offsite construction within the UK and in the international construction market, with some governments (China/Singapore) developing strategies to actively encourage its uptake. Although the benefits of offsite construction – time, quality, sustainability and health and safety – are widely understood, the adoption rate is relatively low due to a degree of apprehension and the perceived risks of using unfamiliar methods of building. Interestingly, this reticence is not limited to clients and their advisors alone, but is also prevalent within the construction industry itself.

Image: Greenford High school, Ealing by Bond Bryan and Osborne using the Innovare prefabricated insulated panel system.

Preconceived notions based on historical examples, a lack of the understanding of the full cost benefits and limited supplier capacity were mentioned as the key barriers to the adoption of offsite manufacture. From the manufacturers’ perspective, uncertainty in demand makes it challenging to invest in capacity, development and testing.  Some participants felt that the current procurement routes were also not suitable for modular building procurement.

The participants discussed a number of interesting initiatives and innovations in which they were involved: this included predesigned offsite solutions for schools and healthcare, designers and manufacturers collaborating on prototyping designs and connection systems, developing tools to accurately estimate offsite construction and testing products for compliance with fire regulations. Particularly noteworthy, some of the participants are part of a team currently working with CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association) and Cambridge University on a key research project ‘Quantifying the benefits of offsite construction’. Collecting and analysing that data will allow the industry to quantify the benefits and allow clients to make evidence-based decisions on the use of offsite construction.

Evolving Role of Designers and the Supply Chain

The final part of the discussions focussed on how the role of the design and supply chain would need to adapt and evolve to suit offsite construction. It was recognised, by all, that the key to the success of prefabricated solutions is a fully-integrated approach between designers, manufacturers and contractors – adopting a BIM (Building Information Modelling) and DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) approach from the outset.

Designers need to develop a thorough understanding of the basic requirements and parameters of design and detailing prefabricated buildings. Design guides and tools from manufacturers would help to educate design teams. In order to maximise opportunities for economies of scale, designers need to adopt a fully-modularized approach to design by limiting module types. The designers expressed a concern about over-standardization making some professions redundant. It was thought that designers would play a vital role in balancing standardization against the need for customization in order to integrate with the context. For example, the development of contextual solutions with the innovative use of materials and production technologies – in order to create unique façade solutions.

Participants highlighted a particular concern about lack of skills in this sector. Graduate training schemes and school-based events – to create awareness about modern methods of construction as well as career options in design and construction – were some of the initiatives being carried out. More college/university courses in modern methods of construction, modular buildings, DfMA, and BIM were also suggested.

Prefabricated offsite construction can help to solve the issues faced by construction and housing in the UK. It, potentially, has a valuable role to play in the future of the industry. The industry, as a whole, needs to adapt and drive this change through a truly collaborative approach – by educating each other, aligning working processes and uniting as a single voice.

Bond Bryan would like to thank all those who attended for joining us and sharing their valuable insights and perspectives on this subject. We hope to continue and grow these discussions in the future.

Attending companies: Willmott Dixon Construction; Peter Dann Consulting Engineers; Meinhardt; Caledonian Modular; Innovare Systems; Bond Bryan

Nestled in the heart of the De Haviland Campus, this bespoke ‘Three in One’ design combines Business Incubator, Social, and Teaching facilities all under one roof for the University of Hertfordshire. Responding to the complex requirements of a brief that calls for a dynamic educational building, Bond Bryan have designed a collaborative environment wrapped up within a cost-effective solution and a fast-paced programme.

The new Business and Social Hub’s rectangular design maximises the space provided by the site, whilst the massing of the three-storey building and the internal configuration creates a set of flexible and interlinked, yet also independent, internal functions all connected by the two central atria. At ground floor, the building’s open-plan layout will serve as an informal learning and social space in the daytime, then as a place for social gatherings and events within the evening – utilising furniture to divide the space and create a unique atmosphere that the students can identify with.

Externally, the building’s appearance speaks to its diverse, yet harmonious, internal functions through the two contrasting materials used to form the interlocking volumes. This subtly reduces the massing and form of the building whilst also creating a strong 360-degree presence on the site, with each of the four elevations being equally important for the articulation of the building’s external form.

Working collaboratively with our client Willmott Dixon Construction, Bond Bryan are set to deliver the Business and Social Hub during 2019 with completion to take place in early 2020.

Each year, Bond Bryan adopts a Charity of the Year programme to raise additional funds to support their work. This year, Bond Bryan were delighted to support the work of Museums Sheffield and are extremely pleased to have raised a total of £6,500.

Bond Bryan’s team have organised, and taken part in, a number of events throughout the year to support Museums Sheffield with their quest to ensure that everyone in Sheffield and the city region has access to a consistent and high quality arts and cultural learning experience.

Bond Bryan Director, Bruce Raw added: “It’s been a real pleasure working with Museums Sheffield; the people involved are just so passionate about what they do and have a true commitment to ensuring that they are making a real difference by allowing more people from the region access the great art in the City”.

Grace Brierley, Museums Sheffield said: “Museums Sheffield are proud to have been chosen as Bond Bryan’s 2018 Charity of the year; we were inspired by the hard work the team put in to raising £6500, and their support will go a long way. Each year we need to raise over £1 million and every penny raised helps us continue to offer free exhibitions, engaging events, and inspire lifelong creative learning in Sheffield; the support from the Bond Bryan team has been truly inspirational and a great help in enabling us to reach our charitable goals.”

The School’s design is distinctive and striking, applying clever use of external brick and timber that helps the building sit harmoniously within the immediate landscape’s natural palette of colours. Wherever possible, this design has been inspired and driven artistically by the open green spaces surrounding it and the buildings of the surrounding residential area. Throughout the building itself, the use of renewable technology and sustainable design principles such as renewable energy PVs and green roofs further cements this built form into the natural setting. These features, along with other features such as the use of natural daylighting achieved via the large windows and rooflights, have guided the School to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. The building utilises the natural contours of the site to create a lifted sports hall and also conservatively works with existing features on the site, such as the car parking facilities and access junction.

Exceeding a challenging brief, this building maximises the value of its serene setting by integrating sensitively into the open space – presenting a visually welcoming image of the School to both the attending students and the wider community. The design of the building achieves a preservation of the open nature surrounding it through the use of the finger design and the open courtyard, promoting an aesthetic assimilation into the parkland setting.

The School’s specialism of performing art spaces are linked by a central atrium area that also facilitates community access and even provides a ‘family’ dining area at the heart of the building. By preserving the open nature of the parkland setting and views of the tree-lined horizon, the community access to the wider site is maintained.

Community integration has been key to the success of this project, with the curtain walling and large, glazed elevation creating a unique and open frontage to the School’s main entrance and community facilities. Alongside the open and encouraging design principles, the School also features separate sports facilities open to the community, with an accessible route being included from the changing facilities to the pitches.

The Mercia School is a building that truly benefits from the surrounding area, choosing to sit in synchronisation with its surroundings, offering a welcoming and familiar feel for those around and in it – students, staff and community members alike.

At Bond Bryan, we believe in the power of people. As designers, everything we do revolves around the varying facets of the human experience – that of our clients, our end-users and, of course, our staff.

As we’ve shown throughout this year; with a fantastic, award-filled summer, we’re very capable of making waves in our industry. Our people-centric places have earned us, as a practice, much acclaim this year – but it’s also a recognition of the people behind the designs – the people who propel us forward.

It’s with great glee that our year’s industry successes have been translatable to internal successes in the form of the four well-earned promotions to Associate Director for four of our key Northern players, and the promotion to Bids & Communications Manager for one of our Central Bid Coordinators.

 

DUNCAN HOGG

A Bond Bryan veteran, Duncan has been with the practice for an impressive sixteen years. An Architectural Technologist by profession, Duncan stepped up to an Associate role a short while ago, back in 2017. Since then, Duncan has excelled and shown himself to be a natural leader, ensuring smooth sailing within his team across a whole host of projects, including the ongoing works at Wyre Forest Emergency Hub, Aston Fire Station and Barnsley Fire Station.

Leading the Red Team, Duncan will be focussing primarily on building Bond Bryan’s Industrial, Residential, Bluelight and Commercial repertoire and blazing new trails into these sectors for the practice to march down.

 

AFSHAN MCKAY

Having been with the company since 2007, Afshan has spent the past 11 years crafting, shaping and designing the future of education; from large-scale FE College projects to smaller-scale Schools and Academies, Afshan has been instrumental in building the Bond Bryan Education portfolio. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Afshan has been promoted as part of the recent Bond Bryan restructure.

Afshan, and her newly formed Green Team, will focus on further developing our profile within the School, FE and HE aspects of the education sector. Chief amongst the team’s current projects is the ambitious Nottingham College project – a £35m FE City Hub envisioned to complete the merger of the two pre-existing Nottingham-based colleges.

 

JON RIGBY

A homegrown talent, who needs no introduction within Bond Bryan, Jon recently celebrated his 12^thanniversary with the firm. One of our most prolific Advanced Manufacturing architects, there’s nary a project upon the Advanced Manufacturing Park that Jon hasn’t had at least a hand in shaping, designing and delivering. As Project Architect for Factory 2050, Jon has shown – time and time again – that he is able to deconstruct and rebuild the traditional ideas surrounding industrial architecture into something new, something slick, something chic.

With a focus on furthering our Advanced Manufacturing, HE and Residential output, Jon will be leading the Orange Team and continuing to push the boundaries of the traditional industrial workplace.

 

JAMES WOODHOUSE

Joining the practice in 2011, James bought with him a keen eye for design and a natural talent for studio leadership. Immediately showing his mettle with the successful delivery of the NUAST project, James went from strength to strength within the business, working on and leading the delivery of some of our most high-profile buildings – including the RIBA Award-Winning Advanced Manufacturing Building for The University of Nottingham. James also built the bridge for the Bond Bryan and SimpsonHaugh connection, which has seen both practices collaboratively land one of our biggest schemes yet.

James’s Blue Team will be centred on furthering the business’s presence within the HE & FE Advanced Manufacturing sectors – hoping to deliver many more successful award-winning projects over the coming years.

 

JACK DE GRAAF

Joining the practice early in 2016, Jack has thrown himself – “heart and soul” – into Bond Bryan and, specifically, the Bids Team. Based in Sheffield, but working with all studios, Jack has supported the process of winning many bids over the past couple of years. Throughout the duration of this year, Jack has developed and built upon his role – taking on more duties and branching out into Communications across the business as well as leading the development of Bond Bryan’s new suite of internal and external documents.

Now, as Bids & Communications Manager, Jack will continue to both develop his duties and produce the highest quality work within the Bids Team across the whole Bond Bryan network.

 

It’s with smiles on our faces that we wish these five fantastic colleagues the best of luck in their new roles, and we all know that they are well-placed to overcome every challenge that may come their way. Well done people, you’ve earned it – now go out there and keep making us proud!

Bond Bryan’s main headquarters, The Church Studio in Sheffield, is steeped in history spanning back to its creation in 1908. Part of its history is intrinsically linked to its surroundings, and as such that history spans back to The Great War.

Sitting on a sloping hill, the former Crookes Congregational Church borders Western Road and is enclosed by the Western Road Memorial Trees – planted in 1919 to honour the soldiers who were ex-pupils of the former Western Road Council School that fought in World War 1.

Embedded into the wall of The Church Studio is a stone plaque that reads “The trees in Western Road and Elliot Street were planted in grateful appreciation of the part taken by former pupils of this school in The Great War 1914 – 1919”. Working in tandem, the plaque and trees symbolise the rememberance of the fallen – through a vow to ‘never forget’ set in stone, and the growth of new life born from the sacrifice of the dead.

Placed above the stone tablet by Bond Bryan are a collection of silent silhouettes – created as a memorial to those lost in the war and a way to say ‘Thank You’ to the Lost Generation.

On Sunday the 11th, 100 years after the end of all that bloodshed, there will be a procession of 64 homemade willow lanterns from Wesley Hall, through Crookes to Western Road at 16:30. An avenue of light will be created by the procession as they place their lanterns under the memorial trees planted down the street.

After this, the procession will gather at the memorial plaque embedded in Bond Bryan’s Church Studio at 17:00 to have a short ceremony, including the reading of the 64 fallen soldiers’ names, some poetry and a song.

Our Managing Director, Jonathan Herbert has been with Bond Bryan for thirty years, THIRTY years. We look back over those thirty years and gain some insight from the man himself.

Do you remember your first day? What was it like?

I just about remember! We rented two small rooms (Jon Bond and John Bryan had started the practice a few months earlier – working on Jon’s kitchen table). I joined three others (an administrator, an architectural technician and a part two architect) in one small room which i thought was very smart because we had lots of potted plants as well as Habitat angle-poise lamps over our drawing boards; there were no such luxuries at that time at my previous employer. There was also a fax machine, which, we all agreed, made us very “cutting edge”. It was very friendly but, on day one, I was asked to draw up a small extension to an existing workshop which, from the photos, looked like it might fall over if anyone touched it; perhaps – fortuitusly – the project did not proceed!

You have been with Bond Bryan for 30 years; why is Bond Bryan such a great place to work at?

The people. Even at the start there was a very friendly culture at Bond Bryan and it is fantastic to be a part of that. The studios are bursting with energy and creativity and there is a certain drive and determination to keep evolving and get better and better. There is a lot of great design that is produced, but, there is also a great sense of humour – a lot of unique characters who make every day memorable and a lot of fun. The most important thing is that we all really enjoy what we do.

What do you see for Bond Bryan in the next 30 years? 

I hope to see more success! We have had a fantastic year this year – we have been fortunate enough to receive some great recognition and some prestigious awards. We have made a bold step forward with the development of our brand and new website and I know, as a business, that we hope to continue to build and maintain relationships with colleagues; when we had our 30^th birthday celebrations, it was a real joy to see people whom we’d worked with and now consider friends.

Bond Bryan joined together across all of our studios today to celebrate – and share in – our success in winning “Architectural Practice of the Year” and “Project of the Year” at this week’s Education Estates Awards.