Successful 1st PassivHaus air tightness test at the STEM Building

GB Building Solutions are currently under way with STEM Bradford at The University of Bradford which commenced in September.

The project is progressing quickly onsite leading to the buildings first of three air tests. To meet the PassivHaus requirements the building must not leak more air than 0.6 times the house volume per hour (n₅₀ ≤ 0.6 / hour) at 50 Pa (N/m²). Onsite testing showed that the building exceeded the requirements and takes the project a step closer to full accreditation.

The demanding project is on track to deliver the University of Bradford’s first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and PassivHaus accredited educational building in early April.

Planning submitted for the Calverley Building Refurbishment at Leeds Metropolitan University

In mid-December Watson Batty submitted a planning application to refurbish the Calverley Building at the Leeds Metropolitan University city centre campus. The project is split into 3 phases with a total estimated value of £8 - 12 million. Phase 1 involves the provision of new toilet accommodation within the building and the creation of hub rooms and service risers within the adjacent Portland building. 

Phase 2, for which the planning application has been submitted, involves the repair and cleaning of the concrete structural frame, replacement of all windows from levels 02 to 10 and the rendering of the lower part of the building referred to as the ‘Plinth’. 

Phase 3 of the proposals will include a phased internal refurbishment of the building. We hope to be out to tender early February with initial works commencing in June this year.

First Project Completed at Leeds Metropolitan University

As part of our on-going work at Leeds Met University we have completed an interior project at the first floor of the Universities City Campus library. The project involved rationalising three floors of reprographics space into one in order to provide additional individual and group study spaces. New fixed and ‘quick visit’ IT space has been provided with a varied selection of furniture to give students greater choice. An interior design scheme with new lighting has also made the space more welcoming and functional.

WBA Double Award Nomination

Watson Batty Architects have had not 1 but 2 recently completed projects nominated for the York Design Awards – ‘Peoples Award’ hosted by the York Press. WBA’s work at Our Lady’s RC Primary School and the refurbishment of the Fountains Learning Centre have been well received and we are delighted that the success of the projects has been recognised through the nominations.

To register your vote and support please click the link below:

YORK DESIGN AWARDS - ‘PEOPLE’S AWARD’

Watson Batty Client Evening

Watson Batty would like to say a big thank you to all that attended our annual client evening which took place on Thursday the 29th of November in our Leeds office. The evening was well attended and a great success.

We would like to say a special thank you to Philips Lighting who did a fantastic job at lighting the exterior of the Watson Batty Office on the night. Watson Batty have been working closely with Philips Lighting over last few months designing the external feature lighting at the (recent planning approved) University of Huddersfield Student Learning and Leisure Centre. For more details on the products and features provided by Philips see www.philips.com

Curtain Goes Up On John Leggott College Performing Arts Building

The new Performing Arts Building for John Leggott College opened it's doors to welcome students this Autumn. The state of the art facility provides a range of dedicated teaching, learning and performance spaces, including specialist acoustic practice and technology spaces. Watson Batty Architects were appointed by the contractor to complete the design and support the project through to completion. We are delighted to be involved in this high profile project for the College.

Morrisons Blyth Progressing Well

With the stores envelope practically complete, McLaren Construction, are now focused on undertaking the internal fit out and second fix of the services as the milestone of mains power is completed this month to the store.   

On completion of the works, due January 2013, the existing stores staff will transfer to the new store and the existing Morrisons building will be demolished to make way for additional car parking and Section 278 works. The external works and new access in the redeveloped site are due to complete in summer 2013. The new store will create an additional 200 new jobs for the local area and forms part of the Blyth town centre regeneration programme.

Watson Batty Architects will be working closely with all involved in the construction phase to ensure a successful delivery of the store

Planning Approval for the Graham Solley Sports Development Centre

Planning permission for the development at Graham Solley Sports Development Centre was granted on Monday the 22nd October.

      

Sheffield City Council have approved a second planning permission on the site for a Pavilion,  Sports Hall and two Synthetic Grass Pitches.

The pavilion comprises of a  two storey building with 14 changing rooms on the ground floor and a Student Social Hub on the first floor offering 4 sided viewing balcony and 360 degree views onto the 8 sports pitches on site for cricket, football and rugby.

The proposed sports hall building comprises of multi-purpose 4 court sports hall, changing rooms , main entrance on the ground floor and a multi-purpose room and viewing gallery on the first floor. The new sports hall building will be linked to the existing sports hall on site on the ground and first floors.

Construction works will commence on site in January 2013 with a completion date set in September 2013.