Bristol Water Head Office Now Complete

It was March 2012 when gcp was invited to prepare a feasibility for the refurbishment and extension of Bristol Water's HQ at Bedminster Down.  Bristol Water had decided to rationalise their building stock by disposing of their Bedminster Down Depot site and relocating approximately 150 network staff to head office. With staff in-situ, the iconic 1963 structure was initially over-clad and re-roofed before a two storey wing was added, supported on tapering columns over the rear car park.  This enabled a progressive decanting process so that the entire building could be re-serviced and re-furbished without recourse to temporary accommodation.
 
The new facility benefits from a new atrium café, a new computer suite and reception area as well as open plan office accommodation with a wide variety of workplace settings.  The construction works were carried out by Thomas Vale Construction (now part of Bouygues UK) completing the final phase in June 2015.
 
gcp were architect for Bristol Water through the design phases of the project, and architect for the contractor during construction.

"This has been a very complicated project from a logistical and technical design point of view and Bristol Water's technical team has worked closely with the project delivery team to deliver a fantastic building with the minimum of disruption" - Jeremy Pilling, Director of gcp Chartered Architects.

Image credit: Story Photography

gcp Bristol 2015 Update

Bristol's Big Green Week 2015

gcp are hosting a series of events at Trinity Arts Centre on Thursday 18th June. "PassivHaus Thursday" is free to attend and will include two talks, an exhibition and design surgeries.

To celebrate Bristol 2015 European Green Capital and Bristol BIG Green Week gcp Chartered Architects have teamed up with European partners from Austria and the UK to showcase the very latest thinking on PassivHaus, the world leading ultra-low energy design standard.

PassivHaus Thursday builds on a similar event gcp ran last year. All bookings can be made by going to gcp’s website.

Read more at the Passivhaus Trust.

Major Housing Success in North Bristol

Working with United Communities (housing association), in partnership with HAB, (Kevin McCloud's development company), gcp has been successful in winning the contract to redevelop the former Dunmail school site in Southmead.

This success builds on our strength in providing design services across the whole housing sector, from private developers to housing associations and brings together two of the region's market leading housing providers.

This scheme, in the year of Bristol 2015 (European Green Capital), will develop over 150 new homes to help tackle the housing crisis in this part of Bristol. The planning application is expected to be submitted in March 2016.

The scheme was announced to coincide with Bristol Mayor George Ferguson's State of the City address on November 10th 2015 in Great Hall, University of Bristol. The address included praise for Filwood Green Business Park, a scheme delivered by gcp with Midas Construction.

The Dunmail scheme will feature affordable homes built to the equivalent of Passivhaus energy efficiency standards and all homes will meet the old level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

gcp were the first architects in the West of England region to be qualified as certified PassivHaus Designer by the European PassivHaus Institute.

 

ISO 14001 at first time of asking

Working with BM Trada, gcp Chartered Architects have achieved ISO 14001 Environmental Accreditation at first time of asking. This reinforces gcp's strong environmental credentials that include PassivHaus design services and our commitment to using the best business management tools for the business.

gcp were also the first architects in the South West of England to gain accreditation to BS5750 (Quality Assurance standard), now ISO 9001 in 1994.

J3 wins RICS SW Regeneration Award

At gcp we are delighted to have been recognised by the RICS for our work at J3, particularly given the extremely high calibre field of entries this year.

"The RICS Awards, South West, showcase and celebrate the most inspirational buildings and structures in the region, not to mention the talent behind them that develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which we live and work." Lynn Robinson, RICS Regional Director South & West. 

For more information click here.

Feasibility Study Funding Secured for PV Installation

Working with Southmead Development Trust gcp have helped secure feasibility study funding from the Urban Community Energy Fund administered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy in partnership with Pure Leadfrog. The study will investigate the technical constraints and the potential wider community benefits that could be derived from the installation of a large PV array (about 500m2) on the roof of their existing building.

If the study proves the project is viable with demonstrable community benefits then further capital funding could be available for the installation. 

Passivhaus Home Takes Shape

gcp's Oxfordshire Passivhaus project is progressing well as the insulated concrete formwork heads towards completion. This innovative construction method involves building a 'stay-in-place' two panel formwork out of expanded polystyrene (EPS). The panels are held together with a web system made of 100% recycled materials and formwork is stacked, reinforced with steel and then filled with concrete.
 
Benefits of this system for Passivhaus design include cold bridging elimination and an airtight structure, which enables the home to be ventilated more efficiently. For our client, their home will be highly energy efficient, draft proof, acoustically insulated, safe and secure, durable and low maintenance.

More Award Nominations for J3

J3 has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Royal Town Planning Institute Planning Excellence Awards for 2015 (national award). It has been shortlisted in the category of Excellence in Planning for Community and Well-Being. See RTPI website for more details.

See here details of our J3 submission and the competition we are up against.

The Awards Ceremony held on Monday 6 July 2015 at the prestigious Pullman London, St Pancras.

Funding secured for North Bristol Health Project Development

Working alongside Vivid Regeneration gcp have helped secure funding for the next stage of design development for a new Health and Wellbeing Centre in Lawrence Weston, Bristol. The funding from the Homes and Communities Agency HCA has facilitated the preparation of a detailed planning application. The planning application scheme will be the result of extensive stakeholder and community consultation.

Skyhigh views for new homes in South Bristol

Torpoint Road is a 71 home housing scheme for Knightstone Housing Association in South Bristol which gcp are helping Kier Living deliver. This aerial video commissioned by Kier Living shows off the complex, steeply sloping nature of the site in all its glory. The project is due to complete towards the end of 2015.

gcp are also delighted to have been selected for Knightstone Housing's Architects framework.