gcp

news > London to Paris 2010 Earthquake sponsored cycle ride
news > Malcolm X Community Centre users consulted on Asset Transfer
news > Renewables technology research provides invaluable guidance
news > gcp complete exciting Community Sports Facility for Writhlington School
news > Planning success for Junction 3
news > Sustainable services expanded: BREEAM Education & Multi Residential live

London to Paris 2010 Earthquake sponsored cycle ride

The earthquakes that devastated both Haiti and Chile earlier this year prompted two staff at gcp Chartered Architects to act and raise funds for Article 25, a UK registered charity that designs and delivers buildings and structures for those in greatest need worldwide. Having set a target of raising £10,000, Jonathan Carter and Rob Mckillop of gcp both graduates of University of West of England UWE, have enlisted the support of ten friends to cycle 296 miles from Trafalgar Square (London) to the Eiffel Tower (Paris) over the August bank holiday. None of the 12 cyclists have ever done any distance cycling before, but they all work within the construction industry. 

All the money raised goes to the charity. All transport costs, accommodation etc is being met by the cyclist out of their own pocket. To meet this target the team are looking for financial or in kind support ranging from individual donations, through to securing a team kit sponsor. An online individual donation site has been set up at http://www.justgiving.com/article25bikeride and a leaflet summarising the cycle ride can be downloaded here (PDF , 134kB).

To become a team sponsor or provide in kind support, or for any other information relating to this event please contact Jonathan Carter on jonathan.carter@gcparch.co.uk or call 07816 493886. Supported by gcp and CIAT. For details of the charity see http://www.article-25.org.

You can follow the ride on Twitter at http://twitter.com/A25Bikeride

Malcolm X Community Centre users consulted on Asset Transfer

gcp have been appointed to undertake a feasibility study as part of a major review of the centre by the management team. The results of the stuidy will help inform a decision on Asset Transfer from Bristol City Council to the community as outlined in the government's Quick Report. See gcp's blog and consultation questionaires at http://malcolmxcentre.wordpress.com.

If you would like to learn more about the prinicple of Asset Transfer please contact Jonathan Platt at gcp on 0117 932 8888.

Renewables technology research provides invaluable guidance

We have been working on an interesting project for a client evaluating the relative benefits of a number of low and zero carbon technologies to satisfy Code for Sustainable Homes requirements and to meet the objective of developing low or zero carbon projects in the future. With an aim to avoid “green bling” this exercise has highlighted the most suitable applications for common technologies such as solar thermal and photovoltaics as well as ground sourced heat pumps, biomass and combined heat and power. The study coordinates capital and lifecycle costing data to provide broad decision criteria for selecting technologies.

If you would like to discuss this project or how we can support your development to attain your sustainability goals, or to understand more about these technologies, please speak to Colin Powell on 0117 932 8888.

gcp complete exciting Community Sports Facility for Writhlington School

Writhlington School opened it’s indoor tennis hall in 2009, completing the final phase of a ten year community sports development project which caters for football, tennis and cricket as well as boasting a hugely successful gymnastics programme. The site is also the location for Bath and North East Somerset Council’s flagship ‘Building Schools for the Future’ project, which is due to open in Summer 2010.

gcp have worked with the School since 1996 on a variety of sport and education projects and the site has become an exemplar for the development of community sports hubs. The tennis building was part funded by The Lawn Tennis Association and with a further four outdoor courts it provides a top quality recreational training, performance and competition venue.

Planning success for Junction 3

gcp Chartered Architects has gained detailed planning approval for a major mixed use brownfield regeneration project next to the M32 in Easton, Bristol. The scheme has been designed for Bristol City Council and Knightstone Housing Association and includes a library, crèche and community meeting rooms, 53 apartments, 6 family homes and 7 small scale work units. The learning centre is designed to BREEAM excellent environmental standard and the homes to Code level 3. The £8.2m development is due to go onsite in Spring 2010 and will be completed by Autumn 2011. The scheme is funded by the Big Lottery Community Libraries fund and the Homes & Communities Agency.

Sustainable services expanded – BREEAM Education and Multi Residential go live

gcp Consulting has expanded its suite of environmental assessment services to include BREEAM Education for new schools, major refurbishment and extension projects, and BREEAM Multi Residential for any development comprising large numbers of similar living units such as care homes, student accommodation and hotels. Colin Powell, Director in charge of gcp Consulting says ‘These services are a natural extension of our Code for Sustainable Homes work to provide energy advice to the care home sector’.