WBA appointed for Nottingham leisure centre project

Watson Batty Architects have been appointed by Gedling Borough Council as Lead Consultant and Project Architect to undertake a detailed options appraisal of Arnold Leisure Centre, Nottingham.  

Working closely alongside WBA and GBC will be design team colleagues Pick Everard,  V4 Services Limited as consultants, and Nottingham City Council as client advisors  The project is due to complete by the end of this year, reviewing and advising upon various refurbishment and redevelopment opportunities for the existing 1981 leisure centre and site.  WBA are delighted to support Gedling Borough Council providing extensive knowledge and experience of public leisure facilities and leading sports and leisure sector design.

For more information click here or click here.

New Athletics facility takes off

Construction of the new Loughborough University and UK Athletics national Elite Throw Centre has recently commenced on site.  This exciting and unique facility for elite athletes is due to be completed in November 2011.

A tensile fabric canopy will provide additional cover and protection from the elements to enable our leading Olympic competitors (Javelin, Hammer, Shot Put and Discus) to practice in the field in all conditions leading up to London 2012 and to provide a future legacy facility.

Stadium steelwork completed on time

Construction of the new Loughborough University Holywell Park stadium gains momentum with the recent completion of the structural steelwork package. 

An exciting outline of the new £3m project is now emerging on site with the main clubhouse steelwork and ongoing installation of the spectator terracing. Completion of the project will provide a first class sports venue facility for the University’s football and rugby teams and is expected in early Spring 2012.

House of the Future

Watson Batty have volunteered our services to develop a recently renovated former derelict terraced house on Lower Rushton Road in Bradford. The project was developed to showcase how a practical approach to sustainability can be applied to an existing dwelling as part of the British Science Festival which was held in Bradford during September.

Technologies and systems showcased at the property included permeable paving to reduce rainwater run off, rainwater recovery and the use of recycled furniture and materials

York St John Fountains Learning Centre Complete

Watson Batty Architects are proud to announce the completion of the £1m refurbishment and remodelling of Fountains Learning Centre at York St John University. It was a 15 week contract completed on time and on budget where we provided an interior design service including graphic and signage design, space planning and furniture layouts and bespoke furniture design.


Please click here for more images of the finished project or click here for further information.

WBA deliver Morrison’s first M-Local Convenience Stores

Watson Batty Architects Ltd were appointed as project Architects for Morrison’s first three convenience stores under their new M-local format. The first store in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, opened on 8th July 2011 with the Wilmslow store following shortly after on the 1st of August. The third store in the M-local format will open in Widnes, Upton Rocks later this year.


The Ilkley store conversion from a former College Building to a modern convenience store was delivered on programme in only 14 weeks with Watson Batty Architects Ltd acting as lead designer for both the shell and fit out contracts. Watson Batty Architects have also been appointed as lead designers of the Wilmslow and Widnes Stores.


These stores are the first of the Morrison’s trial stores that Watson Batty has been commissioned to undertake introducing Morrisons’ expertise in fresh foods but with the added element of convenience. The store provides freshly prepared meat, fish and bakery goods as well as fruit, vegetables from a local hub store. These products are delivered at least four times a day to guarantee freshness.


Watson Batty Architects Ltd worked in close partnership with Morrison’s to delivery this new and exciting venture into the convenience market and over came many technical challenges to provide the stores infrastructure and internal design to meet Morrison’s aspirations.  


The store has been entered into the prestigious Insight NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award 2011. For your chance to vote and see a 4 minute video of the store opening please click here


To view Ilkley Store Click Here
To view Wilmslow Store Click Here

Significant win at the University of Huddersfield

Watson Batty Architects have been appointed to work on the new Student Learning and Leisure Centre for the University of Huddersfield. The centre will bring together social, learning and sports activities in the heart of the Queensgate Campus. The new multi-million pound development will significantly enhance the student experience at the University and support their strong academic track record. Huddersfield is the 9^th UK University we have worked with, being appointed for the project ahead of 40 other regional and national practices.

Triton Construction Ltd are on programme to deliver a new Classroom Block for Craven College

Triton Construction Ltd are on programme to deliver a new classroom block for Craven College. The £2 million building will include general teaching classrooms, I.T. learning spaces, 2 laboratory classroom as well as a multi-functioning hall and other facilities. The 2200m.sq new building also features range of sustainable technologies such as rainwater harvesting, solar heat collectors and photovoltaic panels. Being on site for almost 7 months the building is due to complete on Friday 19^th August 2011.