Planning Granted for York St John Sports Hub

Full planning permission was granted last week by City of York Council for York St John University’s proposed £3.5m sports hub building. Designed by WBA as part of the 70 acre Haxby Road sports campus development, the new hub building represents a significant third phase of investment by YSJU. 

Proposals for the sports hub come following the recently completed floodlit outdoor artificial sports pitches and courts. The facility will provide team changing rooms for players and officials; a dedicated strength and conditioning suite; a five court sized sports hall as well as flexible learning and social facilities with viewing areas for both indoor and outdoor activities. 

Construction work is due to commence on site this Summer.

New Facilities for Craven College progressing well

Work is continuing to complete the new Construction and Engineering Facility at Craven College ready for student use in August 2015. The eco-friendly, built to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, building will contribute in reducing the College’s carbon footprint and its longer term operating costs; maximising future funding to be allocated for teaching and learning. 

The project is part of an exciting £6.2m series of developments designed to provide first class new and refurbished accommodation for staff and students. The project further consolidates the College on the Aireville site to ensure that even more students have the opportunity to easily access the full range of College services and resources.

The existing Whernside building will be refurbished to provide a modern and exciting learning and social spaces. A Learning Resource Centre will bring the student services together alongside the Enterprise Zone and a Shop.  The Hub building will be refurbished to provide an all new fitness suite, showers, changing rooms, and a Sports Science laboratory.  

Plans submitted for the Dixon McMillan Academy

Plans were recently submitted to Bradford Metropolitan District Council ( BMDC) Planning Department apply for permission to convert the existing Bradford College McMillan Building on Trinity Road into a secondary school academy. The proposals will see the demolition of the west wing of the existing building to make way for a staff car park and a sports hall with changing and storage facilities. The front of the academy will be transformed with a 2 storey extension creating a double height multi-functional ‘heart’ space for the school. The extension will see a contemporary glass façade brought to the building allowing views and natural light into the academy. The inclusion of a new entrance within the extension work will create a secure and welcoming arrival point for staff, students and visitors. Together with extensive internal refurbishment and landscape works the proposals will see the existing building gain a new lease of life educating the next generation.

The proposals are due to be determined by the BMDC planning department at the end of February 2015. If the application is approved the school is programmed for completion and opening in September 2015.

Works at Craven College Underway

Work is well underway at Craven College where George Houlton & Sons Ltd are re-cladding and internally refurbishing the three storey Whernside building. The improvement works to the building are due to complete end of February 2015.

While simultaneously undertaking the refurbishment works a new workshop facility is being built which is due to complete August 2015.

On completion of the Whernside refurbishment works to the single storey Hub building will commence to form a sports lab, teaching gym, associated changing facilities, a classroom and office accommodation.

Liverpool Hope Health Sciences Building set to go

Watson Batty Architects were successfully appointed by Liverpool Hope University in January 2014 to support the design and delivery of the proposals for the £10m Health Sciences Building on the Hope Park Campus. When complete the building will be home to bio medical science and research, psychology, bio mechanics and sports and science exercise, nutrition and robotics. The design team, including Baker Mallett, Allan Hill and Clancy’s, have been working closely with the University and Local Planning Authority to ensure that the Vice Chancellor’s original vision of a high quality scheme supporting excellence in health science learning, was not lost during the detailed design stage of the project. 

Part of the design development works included the redesign of the interior layout of the proposed building. Through a series of detailed end user engagement meetings the design team have completely reworked the interior layout of the building to achieve a more efficient layout that supports and works with the delivery of the proposed curriculum. With only minor exterior alterations required the scheme now has full planning consent allowing the works to proceed when ready.

Contractor expressions of interest have been received for the construction phase of the project. The building is due to be traditionally tendered in August with an anticipated start on site late autumn 2014. Completion is due by Christmas 2015. 

Rufford Park Primary on Track

Works are progressing well at Rufford Park Primary School as the four classroom extension heads towards completion due September 2014.

The extension forms part of the Leeds CC Children’s Services Basic Need Programme delivering additional pupil places needed as a result of the demographic changes across the City.

Watson Batty have been working with the client, Pinnacle psg and Leeds City Council, since December 2012 to develop the most appropriate solution to address the challenges of a steeply sloping site and are now assisting Bermar Construction with the on-site delivery of works.

West Yorkshire LABC Building Excellence Success

Watson Batty Architects were pleased to receive two awards at last night’s West Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards at Headingley Stadium. Three of the practice’s projects nominations were shortlisted; Harold Wilson Court (Huddersfield), Student Central (University of Huddersfield) and STEM (University of Bradford) along with a practice entry for the Partnership Award. 

We are delighted to report that Student Central picked up the award in the Education category with the practice also taking the Partnership Award which recognises our commitment  to team work, the development of long-standing relationships and our co-operative approach to problem solving during the development process.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed towards the success at the awards. The winning entries will now be put forward for the national awards to be held in London on the 11th November 2014.

York St John University approve Temple Hall Project

We are pleased to have been commissioned by York St John University to proceed with the renovation of Temple Hall, the main conference room and registration area for functions performances and exhibitions within the university. The Hall is to be modernised to create a state of the art performance space to support the expressive arts, and provide one of the largest lecture spaces on the Lord Mayor’s Walk Campus. When complete the agile space will provide a contemporary venue to support both the academic curriculum and a wide variety of events, concerts and open days.

The project is due to start on site later this month with completion due before the new term starts in September.

4 entry shortlisting for WBA in the West Yorkshire LABC awards

Watson Batty have had 3 projects shortlisted this year in the West Yorkshire Building Control Building (LABC) Excellence Awards 2014 with 2 nominations in the Education category. In addition to the projects, the practice is also one of three companies to be shortlisted for the Partnership Award.

The success follows a dynamic 18 months seeing a number of unique and exciting projects coming to completion from both in our Leeds and Loughborough offices.

In addition to the Partnership Award we have nominations in the following categories:
Education:    STEM, University of Bradford
Education:    Student Central, University of Huddersfield 
Restoration and Conservation – Major Projects:   Harold Wilson Court, Union Street, Huddersfield

Mark Sidding director of the education sector spoke of his delight in the shortlisting success saying;

“ This is fantastic news, a real testament to the quality of projects we deliver and the dedication and commitment of our staff in achieving excellence for our clients ”

The winners of the awards will be announced on the 10th of June at an awards ceremony held at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. 

Planning Win at Craven College

Craven College has received planning permission for two exciting projects on their Aireville Campus in Skipton. The proposals which were designed and submitted by Watson Batty on behalf of the College include the building of a 2 storey Construction Workshop and the refurbishment of the Whernside teaching block creating a new campus reception, shop, social space and an open plan learning resource centre. The building will also relocate the student services department and include the refurbishment of general teaching classrooms, admin space and ancillary accommodation. 

Improved energy efficiency will be achieved through upgrading the external envelope, improving passive ventilation, maximising natural light and upgrading services and plant with the Construction Workshop aiming to be a BREEAM 'excellent' accreditation.

University of Huddersfield Alumni Celebrate Student Central

Alumni from all over the UK will meet to celebrate the opening of the Student Central building at the University of Huddersfield on the 4th April. 

We are delighted that Mark Sidding our Director for Education, Sport and Leisure, and a member of Alumni himself, has been asked to play a key role in the event. Mark also features as an ‘inspiring graduate’ in the 2015/16 University prospectus. Student Central has received significant acclaim from within the University and has significantly enhanced the facilities on campus for both students, staff and visitors. The event is an opportunity for ex-students to visit and experience the changes that have happened on campus over the last 2 years. The Vice Chancellor, Bob Cryan will be attending, and we wish the University every success for the event.

For further information please visit our website by clicking here

Sheffield Hallam University Framework Appointment

Watson Batty Architects are to continue a successful and ongoing relationship with Sheffield Hallam University for a further 12 months following the extension of the existing framework until February 2015. We were successfully appointed onto the framework in 2011 and have worked closely with both the Estates Department and Faculty of Sport to design and deliver the University’s multi-million pound Graham Solley Sports Development Centre at Bawtry Road. 

We are delighted with the positive comments and feedback from across the University regarding the development. We look forward to working with the University over the next year.

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

Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park Shortlisted for RICS Awards

Watson Batty Architects are pleased to announce that the recently completed Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park has been shortlisted for 2 awards at the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014. The facility has been shortlisted for the Community Benefit and the Tourism & Leisure Categories.

Chair of the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014 judging panel, Colin Harrop, ‎Director, Jones Lang LaSalle, said: 

“I’m delighted to announce the shortlist for the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014. The awards showcase the very best in property and construction across the region. Competition this year has been stronger than ever - with 46 projects shortlisted, there is a lot for Yorkshire to be proud of. 

The shortlisting comes following positive feedback on the facilities since it was completed in September 2013 with John Senior, Estate Department, Sheffield Hallam University adding that the facilities offer; - “An extremely striking building designed to high standards. It was very warmly received on completion and continue to please all who visit” 

University of Huddersfield Student Central Open Ahead of Programme

Photographs courtesy of The University of Huddersfield and the Huddersfield Examiner

The new £22.5m Student Central Building designed by Watson Batty Architects opened its doors on Friday 10th January. The ribbon was cut by the Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan and Nosheen Dad the President of the Students’ Union.

Having worked closely with the University to see the project brought to completion, we are delighted with the positive responses which have received. Mr Cyran stated ‘I am absolutely bowled over’, whilst Peter Slee, the Deputy Vice Chancellor responded ‘Just fabulous’. The successful delivery of this project is also thanks to the efforts of GB Building Solutions who we have been working with closely since the project started on site in May 2012. The new building provides new sports facilities, including an 8 court sports hall, squash courts, fitness suite and exercise studios, together with a new centre for the Students’ Union, Student Services and catering on campus. 

The contemporary design has also been well received by the University which features mesh facades onto Wakefield Road providing a fantastic opportunity to create dramatic lighting effects enhancing the impact of the building at night. These were switched on as part of the Christmas celebrations by members of the Huddersfield Giants Rugby Team.

The official opening of the building will be later this year.

WBA Appointed for Liverpool Hope University Science and Sport Project

We are delighted to announce our appointment with Liverpool Hope University to support the detailed design and construction delivery of their major science and sport development. The £7.8m extension and refurbishment project will enable a greater integration between the faculties of science and sport on the Hope Park Campus. The planning application was submitted late last year with anticipated approval in early 2014.  

The engagement continues a successful string of recent appointments at York St John, Huddersfield, Sheffield Hallam, Nottingham, and Bradford Universities.

York St John University Dining Room Extension Submitted For Planning

Having supported York St John University in the incremental development of the Lord Mayors Walk Campus in York since 2010, Watson Batty has been working closely with the University since early 2013 on the second phase of a new £1m Dining Room extension. The scheme will provide essential additional catering space together with an extensive external terrace and new gardens in the heart of the campus. The extension has been designed as a ‘pavilion in the landscape’ making use of traditional rustic red brick and glulam timber structures to compliment the site context. A planning application has been submitted to the City of York Council with approval being sought early next year. The development is planned to start on site in the spring with a completion in August 2014.

To view a walk through video of the proposals please click here.

York St John University Holgate Building Completed

The successful completion of the Holgate Building project sees a variety of different student facing services in the heart of the main university campus brought together. 

The scheme improves links with social and catering spaces to create a more holistic journey through the campus. Purpose designed consultation and meeting spaces, together with the re-organised reception and open plan learning space significantly enhances the warm welcome of the building while improving the pastoral care. 

We have been encouraged by the positive feedback from Students, Staff and Visitors to the building, and we are delighted that the project has added significant value to the University.

For further information visit our website by clicking here.

New Works at Craven College

Watson Batty are currently developing detailed proposals for a new construction and engineering building on the Aireville Campus site, alongside the refurbishment and upgrade of existing buildings, to provide modern up to date facilities. The £6.2m development will be partly funded through the College Capital Investment Fund, allocated by the Skills Funding Agency.

It will be the second major scheme on the campus that Watson Batty have been involved with in the last two years, following completion of the £3m Pen-y-ghent teaching facility in 2011.

We are now developing the scheme towards a planning application early in the new year with a start on site programmed for July 2014.