The Great Associate Bake Off

As the May Day Bank Holiday beckoned Watson Batty planned to get the extended weekend off to a flying start with a staff get-together over a few slices off delicious home made cake. The competitive side soon came shining through in the planning of the soirée and it was decided that the cake making should take the form of The Great Associate Bake Off!

It may be argued that the skills of Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry were lacking but the effort and enthusiasm was not. Joint winners Keith Southernwood and Catherine Blain managed to see off the competition of Scones, Ginger Cake and a Victoria Sponge with respective treats of Rocky Road and Chocolate Fudge Cake.

A great effort by all got the afternoon and weekend off to a flying start.

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. 

Troy Street Complete

We are pleased to announce the completion of the Troy Street residential development in Blackburn which we handed over on the 15th April on behalf of our long standing client Twin Valley Homes ( part of the Together Housing Group). The social housing scheme, delivered by PLP construction, provides 6 dwellings each with 3 beds set around a small private courtyard suitable for family living. The scheme also delivers on the latest sustainable objectives meeting The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.

The development which is of modest size for our client provides accommodation in a key strategic location. The site was identified by Watson Batty in an ongoing stock appraisal masterplan which we are working on with Twin Valley Homes.

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.

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.