LSI Architects sets new standards with Design Excellence Award
 South Norfolk Council's Design Awards judges announced today that
they were ‘stunned’ by the quality of the new Wymondham College
sixth form centre in Norfolk, designed by London and Norwich based
LSI Architects. So stunned were the judges by the College design,
that at this year's eighth annual awards – Friday, November 14 -
they broke with tradition and created a new, special Award for
‘Design Excellence’. Now they are calling on developers across the
board to improve the quality of design in their own more general
development proposals. The aim of the annual South Norfolk Design
Awards is to promote good design and to show how this can improve
the quality of the built environment and its landscape setting.
In addition to the 2008 Award for ‘Design Excellence’, the scheme
also secured the Award for ‘New Building’ and the Award for
‘Landscape’.
South Norfolk Design Champion, Councillor Martin Wynne, was
delighted by the high standards on show, but said the Awards also
sent out a very serious message to developers wanting to build
thousands of extra homes across the district and region. He called
on them to improve the quality of their designs voluntarily, and if
that didn't work, councils should not be afraid to refuse
applications which did not recognise the importance of high quality
design.
Councillor Wynne, who also holds the pivotal role of Council
Planning Committee Chairman, said: "After many years of being
involved in assessing entries as the Design Champion for South
Norfolk, I was absolutely stunned by the thought that had gone into
the project at Wymondham College and the successful conclusion.
Overall, I am also delighted by the variety and quality of entries
which highlights the need for quality design in appearance of
buildings and landscapes, internal layout and space and importantly
the sustainability features built in, like orientation of the
buildings, alternative energy sources, insulation and water
conservation and reuse. It is evident that the schemes hitting the
highest standards are those where the owners have a clear vision of
what they wish to achieve and insist on this with the architects and
builders, as part of their brief."
He added: "Higher standards are unfortunately not so forthcoming
from larger developers, and these must be both encouraged
voluntarily or if necessary refused if maximum sustainability is not
achieved. This is especially the case in the light of the continued
pressure for new properties in our region. I would also like to see
greater attention to landscaping and in the future, more entries in
this category."
The new, £6.75 million expansion scheme which provides new, sixth
form boarding facilities at Wymondham College provide a ‘wishbone’
style extension to an existing boarding block, with 115 new ensuite
single study bedrooms and support accommodation, library, IT rooms,
new communal activity spaces and an expansion of the existing dining
facilities. The new building links to the existing Lincoln Hall
building to provide a single base for all Year 12 and Year 13
pupils. Wymondham College is both the UK’s largest State Boarding
School and one of the few State Boarding schools in the country,
classified by the DfES as a ‘Successful and Popular’ School.
In the judging panel's view of the design of Wyndham College’s new
sixth form centre: "The resulting solution is a distinctive and
dramatic building with two wings meeting in a westward pointing
‘prow’ which is clearly visible on entry into the site. This
prominent end to the building is facetted and glazed giving it a
strong three-dimensional quality and is the point at which the three
storey southern wing meets the four-storey northern wing. There are
clear visual links between the design of the building and its
landscape setting, which create a strong character and sense of
place within the courtyard. The straight and curved wings define a
courtyard of asymmetrical shape and provide a sense of enclosure to
a space which offers possibilities for a variety of activities."
The judges were also highly impressed by the building's
sustainability credentials using renewable energy technologies.
The design of new Sixth Form complex at the College was won by LSI
Architects in a limited competition in 2005 and the Governors
awarded the contract to local contractors, RG Carter and structural
design engineers, Ramboll Whitbybird.
The main concept behind the design for the new complex was to
provide all residents with a view outwards over the Norfolk
countryside, from rooms organised in three and four-storey wings
arranged around a large, landscaped courtyard. Access to the new
wings is via a covered walkway surrounding the new courtyard. The
wings meet in a dramatic westward pointing ‘prow', which is clearly
visible on entry into the campus.
As time was an important factor to the project, the bathroom ‘pods’
were pre-fabricated to make construction quicker. As every student
knows – noise travels fast in close-knit dorms so to minimise this
problem the structures team used a reinforced concrete frame
construction with alternating loadbearing crosswalls.
Melvyn Roffe, Principal of Wymondham College and current Chairman of
the Boarding Schools’ Association, commented: “The College secured
funding of £9.844 million from the DfES under the Government’s
‘Successful and Popular Schools’ Programme of which the £6.75
million for the Boarding Block represented the lion's share. The
balance was allocated to various works across campus and to an 11
classroom expansion project. We are delighted with the outstanding
quality of the design of the new boarding facilities and of the
landscaping which deserve the recognition of these awards. The
facilities will raise the profile of our 16+ provision and hopefully
attract even greater student numbers applying to our Sixth Form.”
Phil Cowen of Cowen Consulting, the Project Manager for the scheme,
said: "From the outset the College’s brief required a building that
provided a bridge between school and university and defined the
sixth form within the campus. Hearing the positive comments, from
the staff and students alike, underlines that it has been a
rewarding process for all on the Project Team to have worked with
the College to assist them to realise their aspirations for the new
Boarding Block.”
LSI Project Associate, Jeremy O’Rourke, said: “The new building
makes a bold, contemporary architectural statement, with large areas
of white render, timber cladding and glazing. The idea is that the
new building provides high quality accommodation akin to that which
the student may experience at University. To this end, the design
concept allows each new room to enjoy distant views, whilst making a
diverse range of activities possible within the landscaped courtyard
at the heart of the scheme. Here there is a stage for performance,
places for outdoor lessons and areas for the display of students’
art.”
Mr O’Rourke concluded: “The sustainability agenda has been a key
determinant of the design. The highly insulated building has exposed
concrete surfaces internally to provide cooling in the summer, has
hot water produced by solar panels, and is largely ventilated by
natural means.”
Director, James Greatorex of Ramboll Whitbybird, said: “Education
projects form a key part of our business, we have been delivering
education buildings at the rate of almost 1 a month for the past 8
years……each one is different which keeps things exciting. Disruption
to the teaching calendar was minimised by keeping the college open
while the building works were carried out.”
Email:
carri@carismacommunications.co.uk
Aico Ltd Fire alarms and sensors News 171108
Beaumont Heaters Industrial Boilers DHW Generators News 171108
BPT Security Systems (UK) Ltd Security and Surveillance Systems News 171108
CIOB Building Control Maintenance Refurbishment 171108
Clugston Construction New Build Construction Building Development News 171108
CME Sanitary Systems Plumbing News 171108
Expamet reinforced concrete structures support system 171108
Faithful+Gould International Project Managers Cost Consultants News 171108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists New Builds News 171108
Kingspan Insulation Sound Proofing News 171108
Master Builder of the Year Awards News 171108
MK Electrical Accessories Cable Management News 171108
Morgan Lovell Office Interior Design Fit Out Refurbishment News 171108
Mouchel Construction Consulting Business Services News 171108
National Grid Natural gas Liquefied Natural Gas News 171108
Waterloo Air Products plc Air distribution systems news 171108
Carrier Air Conditioning Systems Chilled News 181108
City Loft Ltd project development redevelopment community property developing News 181108
Danfoss Heat Pumps Invertor Drives Control Boilers News 181108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 181108
Heradesign ceiling systems metal ceilings suspended News 181108
Jewel and Esk Waste Management Waste Recycling News 181108
Knauf Drywall Plasterboards Plasters Drylining News 181108
Leaderflush Shapland Doors External Doors Internal News 181108
Levolux Solar Control External Louvres News 181108
LSI Architects Architecture, planning and development News 181108
Marshall-Tufflex Cable Management Floor Boxes News 181108
Sapa Building Systems Curtain Walling Metal Cladding Facades News 181108
Secomak Air Handling Units Air Movement News 181108
SSQ Roofing Slates Roofing Tiles News 181108
Sustainable Building Awards Sustainable Building Technologies News 181108
BES Construction consulting and business services group News 191108
CIES Electrical contractors Specialised power installations News 191108
EnOcean Self-powered Wireless Sensors News 191108
Flowcrete Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 191108
Greenbrooks Electrical Adaptors Electrical Plugs Electrical Sockets News 191108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialist New Builds News 191108
Kalzip Roofing system News 191108
Kawneer Curtain Walling Systems News 191108
kbbreview EXPO Architecture Exhibitions News 191108
Space Airconditioning Air Conditioning Systems Chilled Beams News 191108
Space Solutions Space Planning Interior Design News 191108
Victaulic Fire Protection Fire Detection News 191108
Ward Metal Roof Cladding Systems Metal Wall Cladding Systems Single Ply Roofing Systems Ancillary Products News 191108
Alpha Rail Fencing Railing Designs News 201108
Aspire Housing Group Urban Living Property Development News 201108
Cembrit Natural Fibre Cement Roofing Slates News 201108
Elements Europe Off-site construction modular products News 201108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 201108
Gensler Edelman Global Architecture Construction Consulting News 201108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialist New Builds News 201108
Isover Thermal Insulation Acoustic Insulation News 201108
Kingspan Offsite Timber Frame Systems News 201108
Klober Roofing Materials Roof Tiles Roofs Finishes roofing materials membranes Roof Units Products Range News 201108
Leaderflush Shapland Doors External Doors Internal News 201108
Luxo Architectural Feature Lighting Emergency Lighting News 201108
Steadmans Meta-Slate Roofing System Metal Roofing System News 201108
Burlington Slate Slate products Natural stone products News 2111078
CIOB Building Control Maintenance Refurbishment 211108
Danfoss Heat Pumps Invertor Drives Control Boilers News 211108
ESG Manufacturers fire toughened laminated safety glass News 211108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 211108
Gleeds Management and Construction Consultancy News 211108
GML Construction Contractors Fit-out Contractors News 211108
Greenbrooks Electrical Adaptors Electrical Plugs Electrical Sockets News 211108
IMServ House builders carbon emissions sustainability News 211108
Isover Thermal Insulation Acoustic Insulation News 211108
Northwest Business Environment Awards sustainable development awards News 211108
PHS WATERLOGIC Watermarques Boilers Waterlogic Distributors News 211108
Purcell Miller Tritton Architects Building Consultants News 211108
Rok plc Planned repairs Response maintenance News 211108
Seaward Electronic Ltd Energy management news 211108
Simmtronic Lighting Control Management Systems Dimming News 211108
Sutton Vane Architects Architectural Lighting Heritage Lighting News 211108
Tyco Electronics Energy Management Engineered Systems News 211108
DORMA Door Entrance Systems News 211108
Eaton Williams Dehumidification Humidification Packaged Plantrooms News 211108
Weatherite Air Handling Units News 211108
Aico Ltd Fire alarms and sensors News 171108
Beaumont Heaters Industrial Boilers DHW Generators News 241108
Calon Sustainable Energy Emission Reduction News 241108
Chloride UPS system Diesel Generators Static Switches News 241108
Clugston New Build Construction Building Development News 241108
CMS Acoustic Ventilation Acoustic Insulation Sound Proofing Insulation News 241108
Coopers Lighting controls design Lighting products News 241108
DORMA Door Entrance Systems Revolving Doors Door Automation News 241108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 241108
Fusion Building Consultancy Construction Company Property Development News 241108
Icopal Roofs Finishes Roofing Materials Roofing Membranes News 241108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists News 241108
Jackson Building Construction Refurbishment News 241108
Kawneer Curtain Wall Systems Door systems Framing Systems News 241108
kbbreview EXPO Architecture Exhibitions News 241108
MC A Architects and Developers Modern Architecture News 241108
McTavish Doors External Doors Internal News 241108
Stride Treglown Architectural Practice Planning Consultants Development Consultants News 241108
Vent-Axcia Vent-Axcia Lo Carbon Ventilation Range News 241108
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP Construction planning and deveopment News 251108
BiGDUG Shelving racking storage solutions News 251108
Briggs & Forrester Building Services Specialists News 251108
Danfoss Heat Pumps Invertor Drives Control Boilers News 251108
Faithful+Gould International Project Managers Cost Consultants News 251108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 251108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists News 241108
Jones Lang LaSalle Architecture planning development News 251108
Knauf Drywall Plasterboards Plasters Drylining News 251108
L.B. Plastics Aluminium windows Architectural windows News 251108
Lumitron Lighting Office Lighting Controls Commercial Office Lighting News 251108
Marshall-Tufflex Cable Management Floor Boxes News 251108
MC A Architects and Developers Modern Architecture News 251108
Miller Construction Company Property Development News 251108
T.I. Dynamic Facades Internal cladding materials News 251108
ABM Bridge Systems Precast Solutions Concrete Systems News 261108
Acies Project Management Development Management News 261108
Aspire Housing Group Urban Living Property Development News 261108
Briggs & Forrester Building Services Specialists News 261108
Carlo Gavazzi electronic systems intelligent building systems News 261108
Derwent Security lighting specialists News 261108
Diocese of London Construction Management Building Development Management News 261108
Faithful+Gould International Project Managers Cost Consultants News 261108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 261108
Illuminex Low Energy Lighting LED Lighting Commercial Lighting Systems News 291008
JC Wilkins Acoustic solutions specialist News 261108
Marley Eternit Roofing Clay Tiles Concrete Tiles News 261108
TOTO Washroom Bathrooms Urinals Bathrooms Design News 261108
Tyco Thermal Specialty Heating Floor Heating News 261108
Valspar Powder Coatings Ltd architectural powder coatings durable protective coating News 261108
Willmott Dixon Major Contracting M&E maintenance Property Investment News 261108
ABM Bridge Systems Precast Solutions Concrete Systems News 261108
Danfoss Heat Pumps Invertor Drives Control Boilers News 271108
Flowcrete Screeds Renders Floor Screeds Floor Resins News 271108
Gleeds Management and Construction Consultancy News 271108
Gleeson Fully managed services M&E servicing News 271108
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists News 271108
Kingspan Off-Site Modular Buildings Prefabricated Modular Building News 271108
Polyflor Safety Flooring Contract Flooring Vinyl Sheets News 271108
Purcell Miller Tritton Architects Building Consultants News 271108
Red Box Architecture Urban development Residential projects News 271108
Sarnafil Acoustic Roofing Suspended Ceiling News 271108
Spirax Sarco Steam generators Trapping stations Steam services News 271108
Stormsaver Rainwater Recovery System News 271108
The Content Group Content Management and Documentation News 271108
VM Zinc construction products zinc roofing zinc facade News 271108
Weatherite Air Handling Units News 271108
Active Sustainable Energy Air Conditioning Heat Pumps News 281108
ARDEX Ceramic Adhesives Grouts Floor Screeds Resin Finish News 281108
Bituchem Asphalt Ltd Bitumens Asphalt Emulsions News 281108
Cabinco Log Cabins Lodges Summerhouses News 281108
CERAM Ceramics research Materials processing Construction composites News 281108
DHF Door Hardware Shutter Accessories News 281108
EGGER UK Wood Based Panels Flooring News 281108
Intrum Justitia Credit Management Services Business Management News 281108
Kawneer Curtain Wall Systems Door systems Framing Systems News 281108
Levolux Solar Control External Louvres News 281108
NorDan Public Sector Windows Doors Curtain Walling News 281108
Purcell Miller Tritton Architects Building Consultants News 281108
Rockwool Stone wool Insulation products Construction News 281108
Schneider Electric Electrical distribution Automation control Switchgear News 281108
South Yorkshire & Humber Building Control Annual Built In Quality Awards News 281108
UK Trade & Investment UK trade and investment British designer News 281108
Urban Eye Architectural Feature Lighting Urban Lighting News 281108
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No.
07334149
copyright all rights reserved
News Categories : Architecture
Planning and
Development
Building Services Consultants
|
Architecture,
planning and development
