A showcase for our low energy design of six houses in Othery, Somerset.

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Velox Blocks at Othery site, Somerset

gcp director Colin Powell supported South Western Housing Society and Man Green Solutions showcasing our scheme at Othery this week. The scheme, currently under construction, is being built using an innovative construction system from Austrian Manufacturer Velox.  This is our fourth project using Insulated Concrete Formwork – a system we believe can deliver very low energy and high quality homes with a speedy construction. The project will deliver 6 new affordable homes with extremely low energy bills, that are comfortable and easy to run.  The construction system was explained by Man Green’s Director Ian Bartlett and his site team who will be delivering the completed homes by the end of the year. The invited audience of Housing Associations and Developers were all very impressed with the robustness and simplicity of the construction system and we expect to see more projects being developed with this innovative approach.

Links:

http://velox-systems.co.uk/

http://mangreenhomes.com/

Hot Weather Endorsement for Practical Advice

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Doug Douglas, CEO & Owner, Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park MegaFan Installation

After a month of hot weather, the children, parents and management in the Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park play barn near Bristol are delighted with the MegaFan installation as suggested by Jonathan Platt, Director at gcp.  Doug Douglas, Managing Director of Avon Valley outlines the main benefits for his business.

gcp Chartered Architects are currently working with Avon Valley to create a masterplan for the site. The aim of the plan is to improve user experience by using people flow analysis to help avoid bottlenecks at key points in the site by introducing new attractions and changing sightlines that encourages circulation around the site. The work includes further upgrades to the play barn, the introduction of party rooms, re-planning the visitor entry and exit and developing out of park facilities such as the farm shop.

The masterplan improvements will also enable Avon Valley to further develop their off-summer season events such as their multi-award winning Fear.

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park gets a little cooler

MegaFan in play barn at Avon Valley Wildlife & Adventure Park

MegaFan in play barn at Avon Valley Wildlife & Adventure Park

Having been appointed to develop a masterplan for the long-term development of Avon Valley Country Park, park owner has sought gcp advice on other operational issues such as the overheating of the main play barn in summer due to sun heating up the roof and lots of children running about.

gcp suggested a range of low cost interventions including the installation of a slow moving destratification fan to help circulate air within the barn. Having taken this advice Avon Valley are currently trialling a destratification fan from Megafan Technologies Ltd and are experiencing promising results: cooler environment, fresher air and happier parents! In winter, the fan also works to push warm air down to ground level thereby reducing heating bills. It looks like with gcp’s practical advice this relatively simple intervention will a win in the summer and a win in the winter for Avon Valley. See the video on how this technology works.

Welcome Ann Sharp!

gcp are really pleased to welcome Ann into the administrative team. Ann will be covering reception and lending a hand whilst Natalie goes on Maternity Leave. Give us a call and say hello !

Walk the Wye - Complete!

Edit 30.05.2017: Total money raised from this event currently stands at £299.95

gcp staff and families walking on the Wye

gcp staff and families walking on the Wye

We enjoyed a lovely stroll from Lower Lydbrook to Monmouth on Sunday and were pleased to get sunshine! Thanks to kind donations, we raised over £300 for charity.

Once the 10 miles were complete, we rewarded ourselves with a BBQ and ice cream.

Route map from the walk

Route map from the walk

DfS Project Published in ICE Civil Engineering Journal

Further to our post in November 2016 regarding gcp's support on this project, please find attached the updated version.

“Design for Health Task Group

gcp have been invited to be part of a body of industry experts advising the Constructing Excellence, Construction Clients Group. gcp will be working alongside organisations including Safety in Design, Mace, HSE, Land Securities, Imperial College, Jaguar Landrover, Skanska and others.

The CCG Health and Safety Group have recognised that Clients and Designers can do more to put health at the forefront of their considerations and have recommended the establishment of a task group to move this forward. The purpose of this Group is to equip clients with what they need to specify to achieve the highest standards for Health & Safety during decision making and design, by setting clear expectations to the industry.
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— gcp blog post, November 2016

Join our team! Wanted: Part-time Administrative Assistant

We are looking for a responsible Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks, providing general office administration and support.

Part-time: 10am – 2pm, 3 or 4 days per week. Up to £17,500 (pro rata, per annum), fixed term maternity cover.

Closing date: 26 April 2017. All successful candidates will be contacted by 4 May 2017 to arrange an interview. Interviews week commencing 8 May. Please contact Natalie Lock on mail@gcparch.co.uk to request further information or an application form.

 

CV’s alone will not be accepted. No agencies please.

J3 up for placemaking award!

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Urbanism Award Logo

The ground breaking J3 housing led mixed use development on the edge of Bristol has made the shortlist for the prestigious Academy of Urbanism Awards 2018. J3 has been shortlisted in The Great Neighbourhood category alongside some truly internationally recognised schemes such as the Byker Wall in Newcastle, The Barbican in London and Park Hill flats in Sheffield. Look out for the announcement of the finalists to be made on April 26th and final awards to be made at the Awards Ceremony on 8th November in London.

J3 is a partnership scheme between the principal partners, Knightstone Housing Association and Bristol City Council. gcp acted as the catalyst for the scheme, bring the development forwarded by brokering the partnership between the founding partners and devising a delivery mechanism that could cope with the complex funding cocktail required.

Throwback Thursday: West Street, Bedminster

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“The West Street project began in 2010, as a collaboration with Knightstone Housing Association and gcp Chartered Architects. The scheme trained homeless ex-service personnel to build a community, gain new skills and qualifications and meet like-minded people. The Homes and Communities Agency provided £660,000 of funding to help kick-start the project, which features 14 homes for social rent. ”
— Community Self Build Agency, Projects

Handing over at Cotford St Luke, Taunton

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Handing over at Cotford St Luke, Taunton; the first tenants cut the ribbon on their new homes.

Tenants cutting the ribbon to their new homes in Coltford St Luke

gcp worked with South Western Housing Society and Kier Living to design and deliver 28 affordable homes on this sensitive site. The opening was attended by Local and Parish Councillors and SWHS Board Members.

Feedback on the design was very positive. Particular features commented on were: spacious design, positive relationships to neighbouring properties and integration into the structure and character of Cotford.