#throwbackthursday: West Street, Bedminster

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“This project proves what is possible when partners work together to deliver services where they’re most needed. This initiative provides both quality affordable housing and an opportunity to find work for men and women who have served this country and now need support to re-establish themselves in the community”
— Jay Lambe, Area Manager of the HCA (Bouygues UK Article)
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On the anniversary of the opening of our project at West Street, Bedminster, we thought we’d take a look back at this project. Colin Powell, gcp Director and Architect on this project says:

The site at West Road Bedminster was a challenging project – a tight infill development of a site that had previously been used for various purposes including car repairs and the sale of garden buildings.

The site is closely overlooked by terraced housing on three sides and has some very large retaining structures on the side and rear boundaries. These are the sort of issues that make urban infills difficult and expensive.

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For the client it was important to achieve a minimum level of development to make the site financially viable and the first design challenge for gcp was to find a form of development that could deliver the right number of homes whilst recognising these constraints.

gcp’s solution was to step the buildings across the site, using the site levels to reduce the height of buildings in the rear of the site whilst maintaining the higher storey height of the buildings on West Street. This creative approach to levels, reducing the impact of overlooking in the back of the site and the risk of adverse effects on the retained boundaries, delivered the number of homes needed whilst creating a neighbourly development.

Coming up with good solutions for sites like this is one of the more satisfying aspects of what we do.  Knowing that the project was creating homes and training opportunities for homeless ex-servicemen made this an extra-special project and it was a privilege to have played a part on the successful delivery of these homes.

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“True partnership working has been paramount in bringing West Street through from an idea to a reality. We’re really pleased to have been part of such a pioneering project. Now that the project is complete, our Supported Housing team is looking forward to offering ongoing support to the new residents of West Street.”
— Nick Horne, Chief Executive of Knightstone (Bouygues UK Article)

Women in Property visit Foundation Park

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On 10 July, Women in Property hosted a site visit and networking opportunity at Foundation Park, Swindon. If you’ve been following us on Twitter or Instagram, you will have seen activity around this project we are working on for Swindon Town Football Club Community Foundation. You might have even read this round-up blog written by James Pilling.

Contractor Beard Construction organised this event through Women in Property and gcp were delighted to be able to attend. James, who has been heavily involved in this project, took colleague Esther and Architecture student Martha along to tour the site.

Esther said of the visit:

This was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the journey of Foundation Park – a project that will drastically change and uplift the area. Jon Holloway spoke of the struggles with planning and the challenges STFC Community Foundation faced to get enough funding to get the project started.

It was great to hear the passion he has, not only for this project, but the whole team. And in return, how much dedication the whole team involved have for Foundation Park.

It was great to hear him speak with such enthusiasm about this project and it really felt like that passion was replicated through the wider team as well.  

We were taken around the construction site and Dean Barnett from Beard answered many of our questions about particular construction points, helping us gain a deeper understanding about the process they have been through on site to date. Most people at the event were local to the area and it was a good opportunity to chat with them and to better understand what this project means to the wider community.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable and informative event and a great opportunity to see, what will surely be an iconic project, being constructed.

Another Energy Efficient Home

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We hope to get this lovely new home in Eynsham started up on site in the coming months! It is the latest in a series of private energy efficient homes which gcp has been creating for some very happy clients, thanks to the expertise of our qualified PassivHaus Designer Colin Powell. 

The home is designed to be flexible to ensure the residents can enjoy it for many years to come, even as their needs change. To ensure high thermal performance, the house will be built using an Insulated Concrete Formwork system which we have used before at Church Road and Dundry. Keep your eyes peeled for site progress photos in the coming  year!

Completion: Morley Road

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This site in Staple Hill, Bristol, comprising of 15 houses and 6 flats for LiveWest is now complete. The brick detailing has worked really well on this scheme.

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The contractor on this scheme was Halsall Construction, who say of this development:

“A very tidy looking re-development of an inner city brownfield site which will provide much needed quality affordable housing for the area.”
— Halsall Construction

Meet the Team: Olia Kyritsi

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Images by Olia: The relaxing effect of the Aegean blue, Arabic architecture and the microclimate of open spaces, Getting lost in the colourful souks of Marrakesh

Architect Olia Kyritsi joined gcp last year at the start of a very busy summer period. Olia has 6 years working experience on residential, retirement living and commercial schemes, workspaces and leisure centres.

She holds a MArch from the National Technical University of Athens and an MSC on Environmental Design of Buildings from the Welsh School of Architecture.

Olia is celebrating her first-year anniversary this week so we took a little bit of time to find out more about her.  

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Hey Olia. Let’s jump right in with what inspired you to pursue architecture.

The idea that I will be an artist and an engineer at the same time…

So, if you weren’t an architect, what do you think you would you be?

Possibly a mathematician who writes cooking books in her spare time.

And an answer like that is exactly what makes you such a fun and interesting member of the team! How about your best moment at gcp in the last year?

Accepting the job offer and joining the gcp family.

I forgot to add delightful to the list above! You’ve brought a cheerful and calming influence to our side of the office for sure.

Tell us, what do you like to do in your spare time? Travelling in order to explore new cultures or cooking for friends.

And what’s your proudest personal achievement?

Surviving through my 7 year-long architectural studies.

We are pleased you did and even more so that you accepted the offer of joining our gang! Thanks for your time today Olia, just to finish could you tell us something we might not know about you?

My wardrobe is colour coordinated…

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Olia has been working closely with Jeremy Pilling this year on Bristol Down’s iconic Water Tower. She has been involved in our ongoing work at Trinity Community Arts Centre and working with Fare Share on their office redevelopment. Outside of her architectural work in the office, Olia attends many local CPD’s, industry talks and networking, connect on linked in if you’d like to catch up with her at an event.

Olia is a keen photographer and is often seen taking pictures at our gcp enrichment, industry and social events.

Keep an eye on our blog for more staff interviews over the coming weeks, the summer is a popular time to join our team!

Laying the foundations

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Foundation Park site progress

Foundation Park site progress

With the technical design now complete, we continue to support Beard Construction on site delivering this new community facility for Swindon Town Football Club Community Foundation.

 

We are now coming to the end of week 18 on this fast-moving project and have already experienced all four seasons. The guys on site have been doing a fantastic job of late, battling through some tough conditions, with the superstructure really starting to take shape.

 

There has been some impressive workmanship on site with one moment standing out, an apprentice carpenter forming the neat shuttering for the raft foundation. It’s always great to see new talent entering the industry.

 

The next few weeks will see a big change in appearance, with the standing seam roof on and the first fix trades moving in. We are excited to see the progress, keep up the good work team!

Foundation Park site progress photos

Meet the Team: Matt Bonney

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Architect Matt Bonney is celebrating his first-year anniversary with gcp. He joined us last year from 360 Architecture in Glasgow. Matt graduated Strathclyde University in 2016, where his studies focused on developing sustainable buildings with inter-seasonal energy storage.

We wanted to get to know Matt a little better, so asked him a few questions!

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So Matt, what inspired you to pursue architecture?

Meccano, K-nex and Lego along with a desire to create and an infinite imagination.

and if you weren’t an architect, what would you be?

Set designer or carpenter.

Can you tell us what’s your best moment at gcp in the last year?

The build up to Christmas!

Matt joins a long list of gcp employees who have a competitive streak - in the run up to Christmas last year we ran several games and challenges amongst the team to win chocolate, wine and - more importantly - glory!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Cycling or anything sporty really (not sure if appropriate but I also create beer pong tables as a side project).

Certainly interesting though! So, what’s your proudest personal achievement?

A-level art – creating a full-sized grand piano out of match sticks and coloured PVA (photos available)

And attached to this blog! Thanks for your time Matt, just to wrap up could you tell us your favourite project that you’ve worked on to date.

Leyton Urban Cricket Hub.

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Matt has worked on some interesting projects since starting with gcp, including Bristol County Ground, Bristol Tower blocks and the Urban Cricket Hub in Leyton. Outside of his architectural work in the office, he is on both our media and events groups; personally, he has just returned from a cycling expedition through the Alps.

 

Keep an eye on our blog for more staff interviews over the coming weeks.

  



gcp does the 10 Peaks Challenge

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We’re putting on our walking boots here at gcp. In the Brecon Beacons on 11 August we shall attempt to complete the 32km route between 8am and 6pm.

Beyond the simple fun, we are making it count by fundraising for the fantastic work done by Mind, the mental health charity. Please click here to make contributions to our just giving collection, however small, to help with the really important work they do.

Here at gcp we recognise the importance of supporting mental health in the workplace and have a number of training sessions scheduled for later in the year.

Whilst there is always more work to be done, we are encouraging our employees to strive for the ever-elusive work-life balance and have supported many flexible working options, cycle schemes, further education and extended annual leave for bucket-list-inspiring trips around the World.

We are delighted to support staff-suggested initiatives such as job shares, daily quizzes, group visits to local buildings of interests and lunches at the local pub. We have model making and hand-sketching lunchtimes on the agenda, as well as volleyball matches and mindfulness Lego.

On a day-to-day basis in the office, it is really important to us that we align as much of the work our people do with their personal interests and the things that give them joy.

gcp has a family feel, our summer events include all partners and children. Our staff turnover is incredibly low - we are proud that most of our employees have been with us six or more years - keep your eye on socials over the coming months for interviews with our team members.

We hope you can join us in supporting Mind and the great work they do - if you are unable to donate then why not like our posts and share our just giving page. Join the conversation on socials by following Mind and using the #mindcharity hashtag.

Read on for some statistics and sources of information around mental health and the construction industry.

“Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”
— Mind.com
“Male site workers in construction are three times more likely to commit suicide than the average UK male [...] The statistics as they stand are clearly unacceptable – mental health needs to be made an urgent priority by all employers in the construction industry. ”
— Construction Media

and there is so much more still to do across all industries to address this.

Read the full article here.

“IOSH’s speech highlighted how work-related stress, depression and anxiety have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the most reported workplace health issue in the construction industry. the construction industry has more suicides than any other profession, with 454 construction workers taking their own lives in 2016.”
— PBC Today

gcp staff socials

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Our social team have been incredibly busy organising a calendar of events for 2019. A few weeks ago we headed over to Riddlr Escape rooms just up the road from our office. Team 1 were incredibly successful, escaping in an above-average time whilst Team 2 (confined to the super-scary Seance room, went over by about 3 minutes. Their screams could be heard in the lobby by all accounts). Lots of fun had by all and the challenge is on to escape their other rooms over the summer.

On Thursday we went to the Bristol Old Vic and took a behind the scenes tour where the staff were entertaining, engaging and very knowledgeable. This is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world. The architecture has a wealth of history and character, which is now complemented with the new theatre entrance that fronts King Street. A fantastic way to spend the morning.

Tomorrow we are having a lunch-time picnic and volleyball match.

It is really important to us that our team are well-bonded and get the opportunity to engage in a mix of team-building activities.

Equally important to us are client-focused events. Keep your eyes peeled for some staff-client events coming your way later this year.

Bristol County Cricket: a summer of cricket for gcp

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On the 21st April 2019 we were appointed to help Gloucestershire Country Cricket Club deliver Phase 1 of this fast-paced project for England v Pakistan ODI on May 14th. Phase 1 has been designed to improve the existing indoor practice hall with a new configuration of bowling lanes, nets and LED lighting adopting the ECB latest format standards encapsulated in their 2019-2023 Inspiring Generation strategy.

 

The bowling and batting ends have now been switched creating a safer entrance approach to the hall with new padding up and bag drop areas with IT enhanced coaching aids. The new lights are the very first LED, ECB approved installation designed to provide 1500 lux in the practice nets.

 

gcp worked closely with Ridge & Partners (QS) and Griffiths Evans (Lighting Engineers) and 21st Century Building Services to deliver Phase 1.

 

Phase 2 (yet to be instructed) is would extend the hall allowing the bowlers a longer run-up in line ECB technical design standards.

 

gcp are also working directly for the ECB to deliver a new Urban Cricket Centre in Leyton, East London in time for the Cricket World Cup being hosted in England throughout this summer.

Morley Road Secured by Design

gcp and Halsall Construction have achieved the Secured by Design Gold Award for the LiveWest development of 21 houses and flats at Morley Road, Staple Hill. Gold is the highest level of security and is awarded to developments which incorporate physical security to the new homes and crime prevention techniques in the layout and landscaping of the site.

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Signatory: Bristol Women in Business Charter

“Congratulations on becoming a signatory to the new Bristol Women in Business Charter. We are delighted that you plan to make progress towards gender equality in your organisation. [...] Thank you for being part of the movement to make Bristol business gender equal, developing better business and improving the city for all those who live and work here.”
— Bristol Women in Business Charter
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Malvern Housing Development on site

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Construction work has started in earnest at Ranelagh Road, Malvern where c-t-s Construction are building six houses, four flats and four Maisonettes for Broadway PLC.  gcp has been busy achieving Section 73 and Minor non material Amendment consents from Malvern Hills District Council as wells a securing discharge of pre-start conditions. The project is due for completion in Q2 2020.  Part of the site is within the Malvern Link Conservation Area and within the curtilage of a former listed convent which dates from 1869 and contains several buildings of significant architectural merit.

OPENING // LAWNSIDE NAILSWORTH

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gcp were excited to be part of Nailsworth Community Land Trust’s first project to deliver affordable homes for local people. Working alongside Aster Housing and EG Carter, 4 houses and 6 flats have been built and will be kept as a community asset. The scheme has been a great success for Nailsworth CLT who hope this will be a good spring board for more projects in the area.




Facility expansion at Avon Valley country park

Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife park are celebrating 30 years of successful business with a substantial new catering offer. Their desire to achieve excellence in all the park's facilities is the key reason gcp are excited to be appointed as architects on this scheme.

The popularity of the family friendly wildlife park has grown dramatically in recent years and to ensure the visitors experience continues to be great, AVA&WP are rethinking and expanding their catering facilities. The catering overhaul includes their first al fresco cafe experience, a grab & go cafe and a seated restaurant. It will substantially improve customer experience and responds to a dramatic rise in customer numbers over recent years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the park to further develop their facilities in line with their new brand image. Avon Valley has grown to be the 4th most popular tourist attraction in B&NEs and the 10th most popular in the West of England region; not only does it have a strong brand identity for visitors to the region, it is well-loved and cherished in the local area too.

For gcp, this project builds on the success of the B Block bistro at the Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham for St Monica Trust completed in May 2018.

We are pleased to be working with Emily Pearman of Studio EP again, the concept sketches below are hers.