The Extra Care Charitable Trust Framework Appointment

We are delighted to confirm that following a detailed OJEU procurement process Watson Batty has been chosen to assist The Extra Care Charitable Trust in the delivery of a significant capital works programme for Extra Care Retirement Villages, over the next 4 years. 

The ECCT has for the past few years been developing a unique brand of retirement village with very different characteristics from the traditional extra care scheme. They are larger (in excess of 250 units), have a mix of tenure and offer a lifestyle choice that includes a café, woodwork and craft room and gymnasium amongst other facilities within the development. 

We look forward to working with the Extra Care Charitable Trust to deliver their ambitious development plans over the coming years.

Pioneering Free School Officially Opens

Photograph courtesy of the LJFS

The UK's first Jewish Secondary Free School has been officially opened by the first cohort of students. The ceremony, led by Head Teacher Jeremy Dunsford marks the realisation of a vision many years in the making. The Free School is an invaluable resource to the Leeds Jewish community allowing Secondary education to be accessed in the region. The teaching facilities, which came into use in September 2013, have exceeded the schools expectations, providing first class shared learning environments with the primary school. The Zone, a linked community facility, provides a variety of extended provision to the school curriculum further enhancing the educational offer.

The design solution creates a series of linked open plan learning spaces, mixed with specialist teaching areas including food technology, material technology, science and performing arts. The scheme integrates the secondary school within the refurbished existing primary school building, with the addition of a teaching block extension and a new entrance block.

Watson Batty Architects were appointed by Wates Construction for the £3.6m ground breaking project which was a pathfinder for small secondary free schools using the Yorbuild contractors framework. Successful collaboration with Wates Construction over the last 18 months resulted in a creative design solution being delivered on time and budget.

We wish the school and all future cohorts every success in their new facility.

Watson Batty is set to deliver the UK’s first Passivhaus and BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ education building

Watson Batty Architects have been working with the University of Bradford and GB Building Solutions to design and deliver the Science, Technology and Engineering and Maths centre (STEM), one of the world’s most sustainable buildings. The new building which forms part of the University’s city campus will be one of the UK’s first Passivhaus accredited educational buildings that is also expected to receive BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ accreditation.

The £1.5m development uses a fabric-first building approach utilising high levels of insulation as well as high performance windows and doors. The building is so well insulated that it may not even require heating in the winter! The building also employs passive heating and cooling techniques as well as the use of sustainable materials such as timber cladding to further enhance the ‘green’ credentials of the 400m.sq building. The STEM is set to  be the University of Bradford’s third BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ accredited building on campus and is a welcome addition to Watson Batty’s sustainable portfolio.

For more information please visit the links below.

Watson Batty Website

GB building solutions

Passivhaus Trust

Planning Application lodged for £10 million Newark Leisure Centre

Watson Batty have submitted proposals to Newark and Sherwood District Council Planning Department to construct the new Newark Leisure Centre. The plans, if approved, will see a new Leisure Centre replacing the existing, out-dated Grove Leisure Centre in Newark which was built in 1968.

Proposals for the new facility include a 6 lane 25m main swimming pool; a ‘leading edge’ 8.5 x 20m teaching pool;  a 4 court sports hall; 2 squash courts with movable walls between for flexibility of use; a 200 station fitness suite; two exercise studios; a café overlooking the pool, associated administration and changing facilities. 

A new access road with dedicated cycle and foot ways will be formed on Bowbridge Road giving access to the site. Along with the provision of a 175 space car park an attractive  “Civic Hub” is to be formed in front of the main entrance acting as a meeting point for the centres visitors.

Professional Success

Watson Batty Architects are delighted to announce the professional accreditation of three members of staff. Nick Page and Victoria Wood were both successful in becoming qualified Architects and are now seeking chartered status in becoming RIBA members. Both Nick and Victoria have been with the practice for a number of years with Nick's first venture at the practice forming part of his secondary school work placement.

Simon Collins also added to the success when he passed the CIAT Professional Assessment Interview to become a Chartered Architectural Technologist. 

Having seen Nick, Victoria and Simon through their studies, new staff members are already in place at the practice who we hope will achieve similar successes.  

Royal Mail Sutton Coldfield Delivery Office

Royal Mail Sutton Coldfield Delivery Office has been redeveloped into a modern mail processing unit designed and managed on site by Watson Batty Architects. The Grade II listed building has been enhanced, extensively re-modeled and includes the newly re-branded customer service point. 

The new facilities were designed using bold colours and finishes to provide a modern, comfortable environment for both staff and visitors. Efficiency improvements to the building fabric and new building services have improved the energy performance reducing the running cost of the facility. 

Due to the strategic nature of the facility it was critical to our client that the construction work was complete on time and to budget. Both objectives were met and the project handed over as planned.