InsIde:

Streetly Children’s Centre

Worcester Bosch

Heathcote Sixth Form

National Planning Policy Framework

O&M BuIldIng fOr the wOrld’s largest OffshOre wInd farM

nearIng cOMpletIOn

BBlBnewsVIsIOn / cOMMItMent / skIlls & expertIse / delIVery

www.bblb-architects.co.uk / Issue 10 / Winter 2011

The Government’s consultation of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) closed in October. The proposed presumption in favour of sustainable development has catalysed a debate about the amount and quality of development England needs to house and employ its population, and has sparked the Telegraph’s “Hands off our Land” campaign at one end of the spectrum and Inside Housing’s “Get on our Land” at the other.

The definition of sustainable development is the Brundtland definition of “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But this definition does not stand alone; the Government’s intention is that the NPPF as a whole embodies sustainable development and the presumption shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. The NPPF also proposes a plan led system (local authorities need to strategically assess local requirements and proactively plan their land accordingly) and the presumption sits in the context of the NPPF itself – 50+ pages of policy designed to ensure development meets the needs of the economy, people and places.

The RIBA in principle supports the Brundtland definition, providing it is in the context of Local Plans and the full suite of policies in NPPF. Other responses have disagreed, with the RTPI for example suggesting that the 2005 UK Sustainable Development Strategy is a more useful basis for the definition.

In its response the RIBA calls for the

delivery of high-quality, inclusive design for all developments should be a core planning principle and recommends that further guidance is needed to support the NPPF on design codes, local standards, community consultation and energy mapping. The response makes clear that a good design process is a mechanism for reconciling the social, economic and environmental tenets of creating sustainable communities.

The RIBA has encouraged amendments to the climate change section of the policy to ensure local authorities prioritise urban densities that are appropriate to sustainable development and will help create sustainable communities. Another amendment is designed to strengthen the regard to improving energy

efficiency as well as opportunities for low carbon technology and renewable energy provision; the RIBA has encouraged local authorities to map energy usage and plan for opportunities for decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems and also for energy efficiency improvements.

Whilst agreeing with the sequential approach to town centre development, the RIBA noted that concerns have been raised about the weakening of the ‘brownfield first’ rule. The RIBA has therefore advised that local authorities should be encouraged to develop a strategy, in line with their Local Plans, for the development of previously used land – which may include incentives reflecting the expense to developers or lack of additional infrastructure needed when building on such sites. The aim is that local plans and government incentives take the benefits of urban regeneration into account; where suitable sustainable brownfield sites exist it will be in the interests of the local community that they are developed appropriately.

The RIBA’s full NPPF consultation response can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/nisv7d.

The Old Library, Hagley RoadStourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1QHTelephone: +44 (0)1384 880 550

www.bblb-architects.co.ukinfo@bblb-architects.co.uk

Welcome to the Winter Issue of BBLB News, we hope that you will enjoy reading this issue. In addition to pieces about BBLB and our projects we have also included articles about topical subjects which we hope will be of interest to you. If anyone else in your organisation would like to receive a copy please let us know.

If there is anything you would like more details on, or you are interested to find out more about how BBLB could assist you with current or upcoming projects, please call John Bradshaw on telephone: 01384 880550.

BBlBnews

national planning policy framework

This article is taken from the RIBA website www.ribablogs.com and was written by Rebecca Roberts-Hughes, RIBA Policy.

Further information on the NPPF can be found on http://bit.ly/gsgBxf.

BBLB was appointed in 2010 to assist Barteak Developments and Orbit with the successful delivery of this phase of the 11 acre ‘Market Quarter’ development, providing the technical suport and working drawing packages to the construction team.

The elements of the redevelopment include three 3 and 4 storey apartment blocks each

comprising thirty open market apartments, and also a three storey supported housing block comprising five apartments with a resource unit accomodating a common room, laundry and office.

The site is the old Rugby Cattle Market which is conveniently located between the railway station and Rugby town centre.

rugby cattle Market

RESIDENTIAL

The main concern highlighted by the RIBA is that a lack of resource, capacity and expertise will undermine the ability of local authorities (and neighbourhoods) to produce strong and coherent plans in time for the introduction of the NPPF. The RIBA has called on the Government to make arrangements for a smooth transition to the new planning system.

2 BBlB news

Currently the World’s largest consented offshore wind farm, The London Array project is planned to generate up to 1,000MW of power and is being built in two phases. The London Array could eventually power up to 750,000 homes – about a quarter of Greater London – and reduce harmful CO2 emissions by 1.4 million tonnes a year. So it’ll make a big difference to the environment as well as helping provide a reliable electricity supply to south east England.

Phase One of the project which includes the Construction Management Base, 175 turbines, an onshore substation and two offshore substations and over 400km of cables, together with the Operation and Maintenance base which is currently under construction. The wind farm is located 12 miles from the Kent and Essex coasts in the Outer Thames Estuary. Phase One is expected to be commissioned by spring 2013, after which the site will be handed over to the Operations and Maintenance team who will be based at the new purpose built facility at the Port of Ramsgate.

the facIlItyThe design for the Operations and

Maintenance base was won by BBLB architects LLP in 2008, and is now nearing completion.

The project is a £4.2m steel frame structure built by Mansell Construction Services Ltd. The building will accommodate up to 90 staff and is divided into two distinct elements – 15,000 sq ft offices for monitoring the operations of the

wind farm, and a 10,000 sq ft warehouse and workshop to deliver the needs for the day to day running and maintenance of the wind farm. These two elements will be separated by a three storey full height glazed atrium incorporating the building’s main entrance and an internal ‘street’ linking the office and warehouse areas.

the desIgnThis is a landmark building of the highest

quality. The architectural concept has been designed around the exposed marine conditions and driven by positive sustainable measures. The building has achieved Industrial BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ status and has been built using materials that are sustainable and recyclable.

The building’s sustainable design features include: maximising the available natural light through passive design measures; an extensive specially designed green roof seeded with planting typical to the area to provide ecological value and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit.

Our serVIceBBLB have provided a full architectural

service to London Array including concept design, production information, contract administration, project management and on-site clerk of works services. BBLB appointed all necessary consultants directly in order to provide a ‘one-stop’ service to the Client.

Lead O&M Engineer Mr Andrew Leadbetter said of BBLB … ‘Utilising experiences gained on other similar projects, BBLB quickly and efficiently guided London Array through the process of finalising a suitable layout and specification for the facility. The experience of the BBLB team was again invaluable during the procurement process and during administration of the main building Contract.

BBLB have always been willing and able to support London Array’s additional requirements, such as the works required for its adjacent Construction Management Base.’

‘We are delighted with the final appearance and finish of the O&M Facility, and look forward to enjoying the excellent operational setup during the lifetime of the London Array Offshore Wind Farm.’

london array, Ramsgate

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL

For more information on the project visit www.londonarray.com

Client - London Array Limited �Client QS - Janes Lathwood Limited �Structural and Civil Engineering - Curtins �ConsultingMechanical and Electrical Consultants - The �Engineering Practice

“Utilising experiences gained on other similar projects, BBLB quickly and efficiently guided London Array through the process of finalising a suitable layout and specification for the facility. The experience of the BBLB team was again invaluable during the procurement process and during administration of the main building Contract.”

Andrew Leadbetter, Lead O&M Engineer

BBlB news 3

Social media has developed into a powerful sales and marketing tool. An estimated 120 million people use LinkedIn and 254 million use Twitter – reaching clients has potentially never been easier. Used well, social media tools can allow real-time communication in a cost effective way, yet many UK businesses still have it sitting in the ‘too hard’ basket.

From a Business To Business perspective LinkedIn is definitely the tool of choice, followed by Twitter. LinkedIn is more labour intensive to set up properly in the first instance, but then is not quite as ‘real-time’ as Twitter which requires more frequent, timely postings and responses.

Before embarking on any social media campaign it is important to have a plan. What are you trying to achieve? Is it to target clients, staff, investors or new business development? Is it to generate more web visits, boost leads and/or sales or to raise brand awareness? Once you have given some thought as to what your objectives are, you should research

which social media channels your clients and targets are using to ensure your efforts are being made in the right place. From a strategic perspective you need to remember why you’re there and what led your business to become involved with Social Media. Engagement is good but ultimately you’re there to grow your business and influence perception, it needs to be cleverly used as a means to an end, to serve your objectives or not at all.

Content is key, without good content, it can be all too easy to fill your Tweets or LinkedIn

posts with futile ramblings - read around and get involved in the sector you are targeting so that you have something to say, offering value to the reader. Don’t be tempted to fill your ‘regular’ postings with promotional/sales material, instead look at what your prospects and competitors are doing, and send out informative, relevant messages. Though it does not have to be original material every time - forwarding on or pointing to links of useful information is more than acceptable, and given the massive amount of information that is now available to us it would be foolish to always assume that a contact/client is aware and up to date on everything you are.

And in conclusion, does all of this work? Yes, although as with everything, it takes some focused effort and you get out what you put in.

social Media for Business: what’s it all about?

BUSINESS DEvELOP,MENT

The second phase of Moreton Manor is due to commence in the early part of 2012. The first phase incorporated the construction of the manor House itself which achieved practical completion of the shell earlier this year. The interior fitout is currently being completed and will be ready for occupation next summer. The Central hall is a double height space featuring a cantilevered stone staircase and open galleries at first floor level that gives access to all the bedrooms.

Phase 2 consists of a separate wing linked to the main house and will accommodate a new swimming pool, Games Room, gym and garage. It will be constructed using a green oak frame with high quality internal and external materials used throughout. The private courtyard that sits between the main house and Phase 2 will also be complete ready for occupation in Summer 2012.

Moreton ManorRESIDENTIAL

LinkedIn has over 120 million members in �over 200 countries and territories

6 Million members are located in the UK �

More than 80% of LinkedIn members �influence business decisions at their company

Executives from all Fortune 500 �companies are LinkedIn members.

More than 2 million companies have �Company Pages

When LinkedIn reached 100 million �members, over 3 million of those were from the Construction Industry (www.socialnomics.net).

46 is the average age of a LinkedIn �member, of which 51.2% are female

There are 254 million Twitter users, 27% �of those log in every day, 37% by way of a mobile device

52% of logins update their status every �day

Top countries rank as follows: US: 33.3%, �India: 8.2%, Japan: 7.1%, Germany: 6.5%, UK: 5.9% (Digital Buzz from April 2010)

The Architects Journal and new media �company the Construction Network (tCn) recently published the hundred most influential UK architects on Twitter.

Unless otherwise stated the source of the statistics used in this article are http://bit.ly/nlhsVx & http://bit.ly/nb1spn.

US Market-research firm Lab42 finds that top-level executives and entry-level workers use LinkedIn differently: Younger members use the site mostly to post résumés and network for jobs, while more experienced professionals use it to demonstrate thought leadership and expertise, promote their businesses, conduct market research and - perhaps most important - win new business.

Main Hall construction in progress

tIp: Once you’ve set up your personal information on LinkedIn, you should set up your business as a “company” on LinkedIn, this isn’t necessarily going to generate a large number of leads, but it does give you an opportunity to have a presence on LinkedIn beyond a personal profile and assists building up your company’s profile.

tIp: A major hurdle to overcome is the real-time nature of Social Media and maintaining regular postings. Free message scheduling tools/sites such as Twuffer, SocialOomph, HootSuite, or TweetDeck can assist B2B marketers to automatically update their timelines allowing you to tweet regularly but without losing hours of the day doing it in real-time.

4 BBlB news

streetly children’s centre, WalsallBBLB architects was appointed by Walsall

Council to adapt, remodel and extend existing accommodation to provide facilities for the wider use of children under 5 and their families. The new facility has prominence in the local community and offers a high quality environment for family support activities, information sharing and learning and enjoyment. The centre is designed to operate all year round between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily with additional evening activities on offer in training and multi-use rooms on a regular basis.

Due to the multi-use nature of the facility it was important that architecture and design be interesting and engaging to both children and adults. Particular consideration was given to

the community room/multi-use area to ensure the scale was appropriate to children, such as the inclusion of child orientated features at suitable heights for children to feel comfortable and at home within the environment.

The ‘zoning’ of the building was also a key design driver in order to create spaces that are welcoming and friendly while also meeting other practicalities such as security for unwanted visitors and inner security zoning where necessary, appropriate disabled access, efficient to heat and provision of car parking.

The centre has been designed to exploit the opportunities of the existing buildings relationship with the local community by the creation of more learning and leisure facilities

with the addition of the parent & child/community room. The brief from the Council included the provision of a new easily accessible, welcoming entrance, a range of spaces to support different activities, a kitchenette, additional storage and toilet facilities, and that the design proposals complied with National Standards for childcare spaces as a minimum requirement. Natural daylight and ventilation measures were incorporated into the new extension to help reduce the facilities energy demand.

The official opening of the Sure Start Streetly Children’s Centre took place in the summer, pictured are Sarah and Emma from Rainbow Rhyme and inset is Barbara Butlin and Brenda Birch, Centre Managers.

EDUCATION

Mark Cowley, BBLB architects attended the official opening ceremony of the new state of the art Reception Building at Little Sutton Primary School, Sutton Coldfield in November which was opened by former Aston villa and England striker Stan Collymore. BBLB have worked hand in hand with the school and its

governors in order to achieve the aspirations for the new reception area by relocating the facility in order to rationalise the school and maximise the use of the existing buildings.

The new and refurbished buildings accommodate the new entrance and reception, offices, medical room and a parent

advisory meeting room. Within the reception there is a dedicated internet access area allowing parents and pupils to access the schools extensive IT provision in the comfort of a relaxing waiting area.

little sutton primary school

EDUCATION

BBlB news 5

“Our new Reception has been a vision for our school for over 4 years. Mark Cowley from BBLB Architects worked closely with us to achieve the concept we wanted and the innovative design he produced was most impressive. It is wonderful to see the project finally come to fruition and we are delighted with the result. The refurbished area now has a really spacious and modern feel- it is hard to believe it is the same building! It will certainly make a tremendous difference to the welcoming image of our school.“

Rachel Davis, Headteacher

key client: worcester Bosch group

cOMMercIal & IndustrIal

BBLB architects have a long, well established working relationship with the Worcester Bosch Group and we are pleased to have been involved in a number of important projects with them over the last six years.

We have assisted Bosch on key projects to help facilitate their expansion aspirations providing additional buildings, enhancing and redeveloping existing facilities, and assisting in the planning for future site developments to accommodate the company’s long term growth plan.

wOrcester BOsch grOupWorcester Bosch is the market leader in domestic heating and hot water systems and it has a name that is known for its reliability, quality, efficiency and value for money. Their home heating products include condensing boilers and renewable energy products - solar panels, ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps.

real lIfe wOrkIng exaMplesBosch has their very own flagship energy home in Worcester which BBLB are pleased to have helped facilitate. We converted the 1930’s semi detached property which is now used to demonstrate a variety of Worcester Bosch real life heating systems used by their training team.

the hIstOry Of wOrcester BOschSince 1962, when Worcester pioneered domestic oil-fired boilers, the company’s commitment to excellence hasn’t changed.

They are currently working towards their 50th birthday celebrations in 2012 and as part of their commitment to excellence we have redeveloped their Reception Area which showcases the History of Worcester Bosch.

The new reception which caters for visitors and staff has an impressive entrance reinforcing the high quality associated with Worcester Bosch and their products.

It has an efficient and flexible entrance which provides a customer focus room displaying products, the history of Bosch exhibition space, small meeting rooms as well as general and discrete waiting areas served by the impressive Reception and Welcome desk.

sustaInaBIlIty - research & deVelOpMentIn order to maintain its market position Worcester Bosch are continuing to focus on the research and development of new technologies. BBLB used our experience in designing sustainable buildings and implementing low to zero carbon technologies giving low carbon footprints, to design a House for the Future incorporating Worcester Bosch technology for their research and development team. These designs were realised in the form of physical detailed models and presentations.

As part of the continuing improvement plan for Worcester Bosch we redesigned their existing Research and Development building in order to provide additional working space by the introduction of a mezzanine whilst still retaining full height flue shafts in order to provide suitable testing facilities for their products. This design provided much needed additional floor space within the same building footprint and provides a top quality facility to assist Worcester Bosch in the future development of their technologies.

cOMMItMent tO staff and custOMers Employing more than 2,000 staff in Worcester and Clay Cross in Derbyshire Worcester Bosch is committed to their staff and customers. As part of this commitment for improvement we undertook an overhaul and refurbishment of the existing Canteen facilities on site in Worcester. This all had to be undertaken during their Christmas holiday period to avoid loss of production and BBLB designed and project managed the project providing a completely refurbished canteen area in two weeks.

apprentIceshIp scheMes fOr the futureThe new Training Academy building provides the latest training facilities in heating, solar and hot water systems, and was designed and project managed by BBLB.

grOwth IntO the futureWe are currently working with Worcester Bosch continuing to facilitate their expansion and growth in Worcester and throughout the country.

useful lInkswww.worcesterenergyhomes.co.ukwww.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/our-company/news

BBLB have designed and delivered a first class training facility to us, which has set the standard for any training facilities that Worcester Bosch Group develop in the future.

Phil Bunce, Training Manager Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd

6 BBlB news

BBlB INHOUSE

fbe event: focus on sustainability

BBlB project updates

staff Profiles

favourite piece of architectureDifficult one as architecture is an emotional experience and different buildings work in different ways and at different times. I admire buildings that have created new ground and brought new thinking to design solutions that also stand the test the time.On that basis I have always admired the Lloyds building in London by Richard Rogers. Its nearly 30 years old and it is still used as a symbol of futuristic design in many films and images. Its wonderfully put together and is a very honest expression of the function, which is also something that I personally try to achieve in my architecture.

why I joined the IndustryAfter giving up the dream of driving buses for a living I wanted to be an architect from the age of 10 when I first started technical drawing in school. I really liked the fusion of a broad range of subjects from art to physics, and despite the initial shock when I found out it was another 7 years education once I finished school, it ended up being the one profession that I really wanted to do.

favourite piece of architectureI love all kinds of architecture from Sagrada Familia to the Chrysler Building. I think my favourite has got to be the Taj Mahal.

why I joined the Industry I left school at the age of 16 and came straight to work at BBLB, started my ONC and progressed via that route. I have always been interested in buildings, and how they actually work. My family were involved in the construction industry for some time, so I have always had a slight push from them.

danIel crann ARCHITECTURAL TECHICIAN

tOny Mead ARCHITECT

A recent Black Country & Telford Forum for the Built Environemnt (fbe) event held at the Mount Hotel in Wolverhampton was a successful mix of sustainable theory, presented by Ant Wilson of AECOM, and sustainable practice, delivered by Simon Linford of C-Zero, which was then rounded off by Laura Shoaf of Black Country Consortium who provided an interesting update from the Black Country LEP.

Ant Wilson is AECOM’s European Leader for Advanced Design, Applied Research and Sustainability, he talked about Government drivers for more sustainable construction such as Low Carbon Construction – the Innovation and Growth team final report, changes to planning policy for climate change, the Governments Carbon Plan and Construction Action Plan and the place of building regulations to conserve fuel and power and enabling the transition to a green economy.

Simon Linford founded C-Zero 18 months ago to push forward the agenda of sustainable housing development. Simon has found that being on the ‘bleeding edge’ of sustainable

construction has it’s fair share of complications - including pushing the boundaries of new materials such as Hemcrete and working through the Sustainability vs Mortgageability minefield. He still passionately believes it is all worthwhile however, both starting and concluding his presentation saying that if there are still awards for the ‘Most Sustainable Project’ and ‘Most Sustainable Contractor’ in 10 years time, the world is doomed... referring to the fact that delivering ‘highly sustainable’ projects is still viewed as somewhat niche and unusual.

John Bradshaw, Partner at BBLB is on the Black Country and Telford Branch Committee. The Black Country & Telford Branch’s mission is to help generate business growth by Building Local Networks through focusing on local people, local issues and local venues.

visit www.fbeonline.co.uk for further event details in 2012.

(L-R) Phil Beale, fbe; Simon Linford, C-Zero; Laura Shoaf, Black Country Consortium and Ant Wilson, AECOM

IncuBatOr scheMe, OldIngtOn lane, stOurpOrtIncubator Unit Development and Construction Technologies Academy on behalf of Thomas vale at Oldington Lane, Kidderminister was granted Planning Consent in November.

teMple aVenueReceived planning consent on 9th November for this residential scheme for Solihull Community Housing, the scheme is a small garage infill site of 4 houses and 2 wheelchair bungalows.

affOrdaBle hOusIng deVelOpMents, wOlVerhaMptOnPlanning application submitted on behalf of Midland Heart for two residential developments for Affordable Housing in Wolverhampton.

Barr BeacOn cOllege, walsallCompletion of Creative Art block at Barr Beacon Language College in November.

BBlB news 7

The client, Waltham Forest Council and Heathcote School and Science College required a brand new state of the art facility in which to provide Post 16 vocational and academic education for Heathcote School which would respond to the educational, social and economic challenges of the future.

BBLB architects was initially appointed with Turner Townsend to prepare a Feasibility Report to achieve funding from the YPLA for the proposed new Post 16 Centre. Several locations on the school site were investigated and a corner plot was chosen which would locate the new building between the existing Secondary School and the adjacent Primary School and Nursery, creating a tangible connection between all levels of education provision in the locale.

The original concept of the scheme sought to provide a visual link, a wedge, from the building entrance through the central core to the centre of secondary school playground. This concept has been retained with the

main entrance and dining areas and study area above sitting directly on this wedge with glazing at both ends affording views right through the building. The building has been designed to accommodate up to 250 learners and has the potential for future expansion into the school grounds. As well as general classroom provision the building also provides Music Teaching and Recording facilities, a Fitness Suite, a dedicated Science Room and

an ICT Suite, plus vocational training facilities for Construction training and a Hair and Beauty Suite. It is intended that the Post 16 Centre will also be accessible for local community use.

The Post 16 Centre incorporates new technology to provide economy of operation and flexiblity within and be a landmark building of sustainable construction. The building has been designed to utilise a combination of both natural and mechanical ventilation all controlled by a Building Management System and also includes Combined Heat and Power boilers and heat recovery systems to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions. It will achieve a BREEAM ‘very Good’ score.

The building was procured under the SCAPE Framework with Willmott Dixon Construction with a total project value of circa £5m.

The building creates a vibrant addition to the school and community and provide a contemporary and inspirational base for the delivery of a Post 16 curriculum for learners in the Waltham Forest area.

www.bblb-architects.co.uk BBLB architects llp

heathcote sixth form, Chingford

EDUCATION

“As students come to view the building for next year’s intake the words ‘Wow’ , ‘Amazing’ and ‘I want to come here’ are frequently heard”.

Zoe Cozens, Headteacher

8 BBlB news