Refurbished / Recycled Workplace
Projects listed below are the winners for the Refurbished/Recycled Workplace Award 2009.
NATIONAL & REGIONAL WINNER
NORTH OF ENGLAND, NORTH WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND
MEMPHIS BUILDING FOR STUDENT LOANS COMPANY, LINGFIELD POINT, DARLINGTON
Project Client:
Lingfield Investments and The Student Loans Company
Owner:
Marchday
Project Manager:
tmd Building Consultancy
Quantity Surveyor:
Faithful + Gould
Brief Consultants:
tmd Building Consultancy
Architect:
Shuttleworth Picknett Associates
Interior Designer:
3FOLD
M&E Engineer:
QuinnRoss
Structural Engineer:
WCJ
Contractor:
Rok (North East)
Investment/Property Company:
Lingfield Investments
Developer:
Lingfield Investments
Both regional and national judging panels were vociferous in their praise of this achievement in turning an unpromising relic of the industrial past into vibrant and modern offices fit for the 21st century.
"The developer has been both brave and ambitious," say the regional judges - an opinion emphasised by the national panel in its enthusiasm for the quality of this scheme.
"The quality of Memphis emanates from a very strong collaboration between a flexible and ambitious developer, and exceptionally focused and informed client and a creative design team," say the judges.
"Too often we see 'public body' offices achieve very good things but without the quality of workplace for their staff. Not so here.
This project is located within one of the old weaving sheds, which forms part of a previously derelict site of 200,000m² of factories in Darlington. It once provided much of the area's employment, so successful regeneration of this first stage is particularly important. Darlington is not automatically thought of as an office location but through a positive attitude to design and tenant care, the scheme has carved out a strong position.
Claims to sustainability were given a start through recycling a derelict building but this was carried through to treatment of materials and utilities and a site-wide energy centre. The national judges were, therefore, disappointed that it was not carried further with a formal BREEAM assessment.
The judges were, however, struck by the use of the original roof to utilise existing north-facing glazing to produce a "wonderful wash of consistent natural light".
The high quality of fit-out did not reflect that this was a cost-driven project. Imaginative use of the 86m x 91m wide-bay structure also created a contemporary and vibrant feel, which matches the young, mostly local, workforce.
At its heart this is a call centre but it avoids the trap of appearing cold and utilitarian with clever use of breakout areas and meeting rooms, varying height work stations and splashes of strong colour. The fit-out is never afraid to show the strong industrial heritage, leaving the structure and services exposed.
REGIONAL WINNER
LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST
55 BAKER STREET, LONDON
Project Client:
London & Regional Properties
Owner:
London & Regional Properties
Project Manager:
Tweeds
Quantity Surveyor:
Tweeds
Brief Consultant:
London & Regional Properties
Architect:
Make
Interior Designer:
Make
M&E Engineer:
Blyth & Blyth
Structural Engineer:
Expedition
Contractor:
BAM (formerly HBG)
Investment/Propery Co:
London & Regional Properties
Developer:
London & Regional Properties
After beating off stiff competition for Marks & Spencer's 46,500m² former HQ, London & Regional Properties could have taken the easy route of demolishing this drab, worn-out colossus, and constructed a 21st century project suitable for the heart of the West End. However, that would have taken as long as five years, a period too long for the developer's perception of the market.
Instead, it decided to create a new building utilising the existing structure and while this reduced the build period to less than two years, the design and delivery did not cut corners.
The building was required to match and exceed the style and efficiency of a new build if it was to attract top tenants and would also have to provide as much space as would demolition and rebuilding. Bringing in the skills of architect Make helped to achieve all that and more, according to the judges.
With its spectacular entrance and stunning glass atria, which at night transforms the building into a spectacular light show, this much discussed building has created wonderful accommodation at great value.
The vision of developer and architect working closely together was largely responsible for early pre-let of half the space. The national panel praised the developer's keen market sense in going for a renovation and Make's creative talent to retain the existing structure but still provide bigger floors and create flexibility that tenants require.
REGIONAL WINNER
THE MIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA
DAVID WILSON LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Project Client:
University of Leicester - Estates Office
Owner:
University of Leicester - Library
Project Manager:
Faithful + Gould
Quantity Surveyor:
Faithful + Gould
Brief Consultant:
University of Leicester - Estates Office
Architect:
Associated Architects
M&E Engineer:
Faber Maunsell
Structural Engineer:
Faber Maunsell
Contractor:
Marriott Construction (Kier)
The newly refurbished library at the University of Leicester provides an uplifting learning and work experience for occupiers and users.
This is an example of how existing structures can be transformed using simple design principles and well thought out ideas. To have achieved this while the existing building remained operational and to then have such excellent feedback from users is rare.
The scheme is an imaginative transformation of something altogether grim and unsurprising. The quality of finish and execution, the ease of use of the new facilities, the rewarding occupational experience and uses of space all combine to make this an exceptional project.
the national panel priased the recycling of this 1970s library building into a project that could happily house a coporate occupier, but whose use as a library, with the addition of a basement lecture theatre and breakout space was also a success.
The development team was under huge pressure not only to rejuvenate a tired asset but also to produce an aesthetically pleasing design because of its location near the highly regarded Grade II-listed university engineering building.
The project demonstrates an efficient crystallisation of its principal purpose as a library but adherence to BCO specifications and a logical internal layout of offices could easily result in a change of use to high-quality offices.
REGIONAL WINNER
SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH WIDOWS, 15 DALKEITH ROAD, EDINBURGH
Project Client:
Scottish Widows
Owner:
Scottish Widows
Project Manager:
Lloyds Banking Group - Group Property - Projects
Brief Consultant:
Steelcase Applied Research
Interior Designer:
Lloyds Banking Group - Group Property - Projects
M&E Engineer:
Arthur McKay
Contractor:
Arthur McKay
This is part of a project to analyse work and communication within Scottish Widows and develop a 21st century environment "future proofed" against ever-changing requirements.
This 1976 award-winning block by Sir Basil Spence had a striking exterior but the deep floor plates and low ceilings were in need of an upgrade. A series of workshops with staff revealed wishes to maximise views and energise and increase the variety of space. Two areas serving 700 staff were selected to investigate ways of transformation, which would satisfy modern demands for an innovative, flexible and sustainable environment that encourages interaction.
The judges were impressed by how the in-house design team, together with David Brown Lighting, has provided a stimulating, vibrant space on a very low budget.
To cater for the increased occupancy demands and to produce a better working environment, the team set out to create a new design philosophy that, without substantial intervention into the listed base building, would recycle exisiting space to create an efficient working environment that would improve staff morale and retention.
The fit-out has improved the legibility of the floor plates, creating clearer sight lines and by using colour and innovative lighting, the navigability on the floor plates has also been enhanced. Lighting also creates a far more interesting building from the outside at night.
Staff feedback following the work has been moitored and is very positive. Despite moving from their own desks to "warm desking", staff retention has noticeably improved.
