Leeds Arts University
Leeds Arts University has been a rite of passage for some of the world’s most decorated artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst, Danny Sangra and Thomas Houseago.
With its Blenheim Walk site close to capacity, DLA Architecture worked alongside the university to ensure it can grow to meet the ongoing demand for places and inspire future students.
Approval was granted for the development of this next generation environment for art and design education totaling 62,250 sq ft. The scheme consists of a state-of-the-art auditorium, group study space and breakout areas with a new library and an exhibition space to showcase the creativity of students. An ancillary café and new public art gallery encourage wider engagement in the university, while meeting rooms and an enterprise centre are the main focus of the college’s engagement with regional businesses as part of its ambitious employability agenda for students and alumni.
Reimagining the site on an existing Blenheim Walk car park, it acts as a natural extension to the campus, connecting the art university with Leeds Beckett’s Broadcasting Place, Leeds University’s Parkinson building and the wider historic campus around St George’s Field.
Blackpool Sixth Form College
Initially commissioned to undertake an estates strategy appraisal for Blackpool Sixth Form College in 2005, DLA progressed the scheme to deliver a comprehensive phased redevelopment masterplan strategy for the entire campus.
Replacing existing tired one and two storey 1970’s teaching blocks, Phases 1-2 of this striking new scheme saw the completion of 6000sqm of new teaching accommodation including IT, Science and Visual Arts, as well as a Learning Resource Centre, Internet Cafe, Student Services and a new Main Entrance. An additional 2000m² of existing facilities were refurbished to the same ‘new-build’ standard.
A landscape solution was also developed to accentuate the built form, creating a consistent and holistic architectural language.
The selected materials are bold and contemporary, but with the critical element of timelessness to ensure that the building ages gracefully and stands the test of time.
The Trustees of Borough Market
Borough Market is London’s oldest and most celebrated food market. Located opposite London Bridge Station and the Shard, DLA Architecture’s redevelopment of the interior of the Market Hall has helped to transform a pocket of Southwark into a revolutionary new city garden.
This new internal space is simultaneously a meeting place, classroom, kitchen, dining room and garden – the produce of which feeds its many public workshops and demos.
This new internal space is populated with mobile structures and seating that can be organized in to different configurations depending on the event – whether it is teaching, relaxing or another purpose. DLA have designed a number of ‘pop-up’ type structures which are used for a number of functions including one which is used as a demonstration kitchen. Our design includes a bespoke oval lighting structure as well as an integrated vertical planting structures where food is grown as part of the integrated food experience.
Hurst Stores Interiors
DLA Architecture provided on-site coordination for the construction of the new Biza retail unit for Alpha Retail working alongside Hurst Interiors under a ‘Formation’ partner agreement.
DLA provided delivery expertise for a complex design within the challenging constraints of the existing structure within Manchester Airport Terminal 1 ensuring operation of adjacent areas of the airport were not affected by the construction works. DLA provided realistic solutions to allow the implementation of the original Design Architect’s proposals coordinating a complex ceiling design with the interface of the glazed retail frontage and display arrangements.
Designed to provide a transitional retail space for those arriving at the airport lounge with the overarching requirement to provide an enticing visitor experience that through the careful selection of materials would provide a high quality, enduring design that can with stand the vast number of airport visitors.
University College London
Astor College is the first in a high-profile programme of student accommodation upgrades undertaken by UCL, and forms an integral part of their Bloomsbury Campus masterplan. Located next to the BT Tower, on the edges of the Charlotte Street conservation area, and within the Fitzrovia Area Action Plan, Astor College is a strategically located and prominent building that meets the increasing demands to improve the student experience.
DLA Architecture partnered with Galliford Try, through the Southern Construction Framework, to develop UCL’s concept design and take it through to turn-key completion, opening for new residents in 2019. In total, Astor College accommodates 297 rooms, an increase of 60 over the previous provision. Improvements include new social learning spaces, recreational areas, step-free access, additional en-suite rooms, and a landscaped courtyard. As well as refurbishing the existing rooms, Astor College is overclad with a brick system and extended with a new plinth, café pavilion, and rear extension.
Royd House Properties (Central Square) Ltd
Central Square is a spectacular new office and retail complex located within 2 minutes walk of Leeds train station.
An emblem of the city’s ambition, the landmark development binds together a dynamic business district to create a vibrant new destination for the public and tenants.
The much-anticipated development is a mixed-use scheme of high-spec, sustainable offices at the upper levels atop restaurant, shopping and leisure at ground and first floor levels, opening up to an inviting new ‘winter garden’ and atrium creating stunning new public realm and improved pedestrian connections. Nestled within an area of special architectural and historic interest, DLA Architecture’s vision for Central Square embraces both its cherished past and its prosperous future.
Morgan Capital Partners LLP
DLA worked closely with Morgan Capital to reimagine this old printworks into a 45,000 sq ft new London office headquarters for a fashion/media occupier through the redevelopment of 6-10 Market Road, originally constructed in 1989.
The building was stripped back to frame whilst retaining the original London stock brick facade which faces Market Road. The new façades increase daylight and provide full height views to every elevation. The new elevations were designed to be as efficient as possible and minimise material wastage.
The main circulation core areas were fully reconfigured, making the building fully accessible from the repositioned entrance / reception as well as giving level access to the terraces. A bike lift has been added to provide seamless connection to the extensive bike and shower facilities within the lower ground floor.
Alex Morgan of Morgan Capital said, “We are again extremely impressed with DLA’s ability to re-imagine tired and outdated assets with their #retrofit approach as well as in this case, developing a design aesthetic that suited the incoming tenant”.
Neil Matthews, of DLA said, “It has been an interesting design journey to deliver this superbly constructed project on a tight budget, it is a real testimony to the collective teamwork and dedication of the entire project team to have such a great result”.