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” 

Washington Leisure Centre Starts On Site

Construction of the new Washington Leisure Centre started on the 21st February 2014. The ceremony was attended by local Councillors, representatives from Sunderland City Council Project Management Team, Sports Operators,  Pellikaan Construction and our team at Watson Batty. The project is programmed for completion in Spring 2015.

When complete, the facility will create a sports hub for Washington and the surrounding areas containing; a 25m 6 lane pool, a learner pool with water features including two water sides, a 4 court sports hall, an international standard trampoline hall, 2 squash courts, 100 stations wellness centre, 2 dance studios, associated administration and changing facilities, 6 no. 5-a-side floodlit football pitches and a 100 space car park.

The site is located on a strategic link between Washington city centre and Princess Ann’s Park and accommodates one of the main public rights of way. The design proposals look to enhance the urban context, creating a welcoming and interactive building, promoting sport participation. 

For further information please click the following links:

SR News

ITV News Tyne Tees

Works Commence at the Royal Mail Chelmsford Delivery Office

Following Watson Batty Architects long standing relationship with Royal Mail, works have now commenced on a new Delivery Office in Chelmsford.

Due to the restrictive site area a deck car park has been designed to provide private staff parking with parking for Royal Mail's operational fleet below.

The project will  include the 'Customer and You' initiative, a redesign and new approach to key areas of the Delivery Office which Watson Batty have played a leading role in developing.

The contractor is VolkerFitzpatrick and works are due to complete summer 2014.

Staff Wanted!

Due to an expanding number of projects, we are seeking to appoint talented Architects and Technicians for both Scheme and Detailed Design. We will be looking to recruit candidates to join our professional and dynamic team, primarily in our Leeds office, although the position(s) will require working on projects throughout the United Kingdom. 

We would like to hear from candidates with a broad range of sector skills and specialisms in keeping with Watson Batty’s diverse client range and background. Commercial / Industrial experience would be advantageous for these vacancies. 

Delivering projects from our Head office in Leeds and increasingly the East Midlands office in Loughborough we are now utilising BIM on most new commissions. Practical experience of Revit is therefore welcomed but not a necessity.

Please click the links below for the details of corresponding positions. If you are interested in joining our team please send your CV, personal statement and where appropriate examples of your work to pamela.cooke@watsonbatty.com

Click Here for Architect Job Description

Click Here for Architectural Technician Job Description

Watson Batty go BIM

Watson Batty Architects are taking a major step forward with the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on selected projects across the practice. During the last 2 years the practice has made a significant investment in hardware, software and staff training to enable use of the computer software on some of our live projects. Over the last 12 months BIM has been used to deliver a number of key projects within the practice including the newly opened Student Central at Huddersfield University, the proposed Washington Leisure Centre and new foodstore in Chapel Allerton. Having used Autodesk’s Revit software on each project we have been able to bring the benefits of the BIM software into the design and co-ordination process.

BIM is a process of managing the information produced during the design and construction phase of a project in a single common format that can be utilised from the initial design stage through to construction, operations, maintenance and finally demolitions. BIM is set to become an integral part of the construction process and the investment that has been made by the practice will ensure that Watson Batty has the potential of bringing the benefits of BIM to both existing and future clients.

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.

The Poplars Start on Site

Following detailed design development we are delighted that the Poplars Development has now commenced on site.  This scheme represents the first phase of the “New Bolton Woods” master-plan initiative in Bradford.  The strategic plan was originally commissioned by Canal Road Urban Village Ltd (CRUVL), a joint venture company that includes Bradford Council.  

Watson Batty Architects are assisting the preferred developer, Skipton Properties to deliver this exciting exemplar residential project initially through the detailed planning process and then onto the construction working drawings packages.

The scheme consists of 20no. affordable dwellings for Great Places Housing Group and 26no. private ‘for sale’ units.  Our Appointment also included re-planning the private ‘for sale’ areas to allow Skipton Properties to deliver their own particular housing sales product.  Our challenge was to alter the unit footprints on the site whilst paying close attention to the already approved architectural styles and elevational treatments.  The materials proposed include a contemporary mix of buff coloured facing brick, artificial stone plinths with cast stone contrasting bands and a selection of feature render panels.  Following a number of productive design workshops with the development team and representatives from Bradford Council the resulting scheme is of a very high standard, which reflects the aspirations set out in CRUVL’s original master-plan.

For more info please see Telegraph and Argus article & video link by clicking here