Lawray Architects

Eaton Place Given the building’s heritage, it was essential that this high-end refurbishment was handled with sensitive care and attention. The scope involved a full refurbishment and reconfiguration of the internal spaces, increased ceiling height and the relocation of the Triplex stair case to create a grand uplifting experience upon entry into the property. A rear and roof top extension created relaxing spaces and all applied a high degree of design that fell within the parameters of the listed consent. As a team, we accomplished a vision that restored the property back to one of architectural merit after it had been left in a neglected state. Eaton Place was a complex conservation scheme involving a high degree of co-ordination between Planner, Heritage Officer, Architect and Interior Designer. Our innovative yet sensitive approach to planning allowed us to replace the existing 1980’s roof top extension that conflicted with the Grade II listing. This modern clad extension remained sympathetic to the proportions and discipline of the Georgian façade with large, openable glazed screens providing a panoramic view of London. By relocating the staircase and introducing the roof extension, we were able to encourage large amounts of natural light into the property. This internal reconfiguration completely transformed the opening of the triplex, giving it a sense of grandeur befitting its address, situated just across from Eaton Square.

Wick Tower, Powis Street

Wick Tower, Powis Street We were originally approached by the developer once they had procured the site with full planning approval and an extensive list of pre-commencement conditions. The project included the redevelopment of the existing five storey building and basement. Along with this, there was an additional three storey extension on top of the building, with duplexes and a stepped terraced facade. In the various technical requirements for the project, high levels of sustainable targets were set by the local planning authority, meaning the use of ecological materials and equipment was vital. We worked closely with Laxcon Development, KUT Partnership and Knapp Hicks, along with the client, other consultants and the local planning department to discharge the 30+ conditions. Every condition required a number of highly technical and integrated design elements from the start. The development is centrally located with fast links into the city. It created 73, one and two bedroom apartments with views over the Thames estuary.

Atlantic College In 2013, the client commissioned a Masterplan with the main objective to provide a framework for strategic decision making for projects on campus for a 5-10-year period. The plan was also intended to provide a basis and understanding of the impact of proposed change on landscape and buildings of high architectural and historic importance in line with a conservation plan. Part of the masterplan included for the provision of the new Sports Hall with key considerations to include: siting a building with a large footprint and volume not to avoid a harmful effect on the setting of the existing buildings and estate of high architectural and historic significance; proximity to existing sports facilities used by students and external users; and ease of access from the other related facilities. The solution would need to cater for 250 students and provide 4 badminton courts, 1 basketball court, 1 five a-side football pitch, a dance studio, a gymnasium, changing facilities and a commercial kitchen and cafeteria facility. The Sports Hall would accord with the Sport England guidelines for sporting facilities and the building was to achieve a BREEAM rating of very good.

Tarling Road Community Centre The proposal sought to replace the existing community centre which had outgrown its purpose and had no longer provided the kind of service the community needed. Looking with a fresh approach the Council wished to provide the community with a new state of the art facility that supported local groups and families. Designed with a glazed central core that sub-divided two distinctive strip timber clad forms. The community centre is a two-storey building with an overhanging feature canopy housing two halls with training facilities, offices, meeting rooms, amenities and a nursery. External landscaping, off road parking and cycle storage all promoted and achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating. The clearance and excavation of the existing buildings and site presented a need for specialist foundations that co-ordinated with the below ground surface water drainage, which required attention due to the situation of pipework within the steel columns. The interface details required between timber strip cladding, set back glazed curtain walling and SFS construction all required careful co-ordination. The development of a detailed Revit 3D model, that was shared between disciplines and with clash detection all helped to appreciate early design constraints. These were tabled allowing the Contractor to progress from a Stage 4a to 4b process at a pace without disruption on site.

Carmarthen Leisure Centre The entire scheme was based on merging two 1960s secondary schools onto a single site to help improve the services and education that local children would receive. Along with the redevelopment of Queen Elizabeth High School, the brief called for a new leisure centre to be constructed to make up the heart of the site. It needed to comfortably serve the 1600 school population beside the local community and provide a further outreach to surrounding counties and visitors to the area. By creating a centre designed around how the public would actually use the site, it has become a regional hub for exercise. We created a 25 meter, eight-lane swimming pool that uses state-of-the-art electronic timing with a spectator area and teaching pool. The health and fitness suite includes an all weather playing surface, tennis courts, gymnastic and martial arts centres and a 45 station gym and fitness studio. We also allowed for the commercial arm of the centre to extend further by creating spacious conference facilities for hospitality functions. The site fully embodies the latest guidance and legislation on inclusion, sustainable design and subject areas and also achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good.