We're Hiring!

Watson Batty Architects are seeking a highly motivated and versatile project architect and architectural technician to work with our clients to deliver dynamic, creative and practical building solutions.

The successful candidate will be based within our Leeds or Loughborough Studio and must be able to demonstrate excellent design skills, sound construction knowledge and the ability to work in a fast paced environment. You will be a hands on all-rounder with both job running and client facing experience with the ability to deliver projects within a range of sectors, from initial concept stage through site works to completion.

If you are ambitious and are seeking a new challenge please submit details of your experience, along with samples of work, to Pamela Cooke at the following email address: - pamela.cooke@watsonbatty.com

• Applicants must be skilled in AutoCad and computer literate. Revit and graphic presentation skills are preferable. 

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience in managing challenging projects as well as the ability to liaise with design consultants, clients and stakeholders.

• 3 years post qualification experience is preferable.

WBA to assist the Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum

Watson Batty Architects are delighted to be working with the Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum (ANDF) assisting the group in developing their 'placemaking' masterplan to map out the development of Aireborough to 2028. The masterplan will eventually be examined as a Neighbourhood Plan by the Government Planning Inspectorate to ensure compliance with Leeds' strategic local plan; then it will be voted on in a local referendum to be adopted as a legislative document.


The first stage of the project will see us assisting the ANDF map out evidence of issues, desires and ideas in order to create a vision plan by Spring 2015.

We were delighted to be shortlisted and eventually chosen as the groups preferred consultant having demonstrated our detailed local knowledge of development in the area. The group were also impressed with the range of disciplines offered by the practice as well as our ability to provide initiative solutions.

For further information please visit the Aireborough Neighbourhood Development Forum by clicking here

Exciting future for Guiseley AFC

Watson Batty Architects are delighted to support their local football team Guiseley AFC with plans for the redevelopment of their existing Nethermoor Park ground.  A planning application has recently been submitted to Leeds City Council by the Conference North football club which includes new covered spectator stands, a new changing room facility, and a new two storey community hub building.  Proposed improvements to the ground will increase the spectator capacity to 4000 allowing the Club to meet league requirements when promoted to the Conference Premier division – Step 1 of the national league system – just one promotion from the Football League.

  

The new plans represent a significant long term investment by the Club not only to support their football aspirations but to serve and benefit their local community seven days a week. The new hub building will include a ground floor social enterprise café whilst on the first floor a multi-functional social space provides match day hospitality.

On non match days the upper floor can be divided into three separate spaces with pitch-side views providing areas for learning, meetings, entertaining, and use by various local community groups and local schools. 

A number of established community groups, programmes and prominent individuals have already pledged their support towards the new development including AVSED, Action for Children and Stuart Andrew MP.

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.

Blaydon Fit Out Complete

Morrisons are due to open the doors to their long awaited new store in Blaydon on Monday the 25th of August. The new store promises shoppers an innovative shopping experience with a focus on fresh produce and traditional craft skills such as butchery, bakery and fishmongery.

The opening of the store marks the latest successfully completed project by Watson Batty Architects who worked alongside the developers design team to coordinate the shell construction and undertook the internal fit out contact with main contractor, Bowman and Kirkland. The store is the first completed retail project by Watson Batty which sees the implementation of the store car park directly above the store allowing cars to park on the car deck above the building with shopper using lifts and travelators to access the sales floor.

Islington Delivery Office On Site

Proposals for Islington Delivery Office are now well underway as the has construction of the new facility commences on site. At 1,745 m.sq the building will play a key part in the royal mail distribution network and will feature the latest Royal Mail Customer and You design standards aimed at improving the facilities on offer to both staff and customers. 

The building also features a number of sustainable credentials allowing making it set to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating. Photovoltaic panels, green roofs, a living green wall and a reed bed in the canal will all contribute to making this a sustainable development.

Miller Construction have taken on the role of principle contractor with the project due for completion spring 2014. 

Progress at Washington Leisure Centre

Following the Ground Breaking Ceremony in February of this year, construction work is underway on the £11m Washington Leisure Centre for Sunderland City Council. 

The steel frame of the building is complete along with the precast concrete floors and stairs. Concrete work for the two pool tanks and the external cladding is in progress.

Using BIM Modelling we have assisted Pellikaan Construction in coordinating consultants and subcontractors information, eliminating any clashes between packages on site and allowing a complete design review of the construction before it gets to site.

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; with associated administration and changing facilities. Externally the site will hold 6 five-a-side floodlit football pitches and a 100 space car park.

The New Leisure Centre also delivers sustainable benefits with the inclusion of a 'green' sedum roof  across half the building. The green roof will provide habitat for insects attracting birds and other creatures while aiding a sustainable drainage solution by holding onto and releasing rain water slowly.

The project is programmed for completion in Spring 2015. Once the new centre is open demolition of the existing centre will commence to make way for the new car park and the external pitches and landscaping.

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.