The views of DLG Architects
perspective
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Inside: News, Projects, Viewpoints and the Concept of Excellence Considered
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Excellence in Conservation, Consultation, Masterplanning, Public Space, Urban Design... June 2009
“Considerate Conservation in Buxton” DLG and Threadneedle Property Investments have recently submitted plans for Spring Gardens, a comprehensive mixed use development including retail, restaurants, multi-storey car park, Premier Inn hotel and a major new Sainsbury’s store for this historic setting within Buxton. The sensitively handled design has been developed through the public consultation process to incorporate extensive public space and as a result of this successful design development process it will also bring an estimated 320 new jobs to the town.
“It was important that the scheme complimented the historic fabric of the town. Where possible we will use local materials and the form of the proposed buildings take their cue from locally distinctive structures” Neil Swift, Associate Director.
“Community Spirit”- a life-long community ethos The mixed use Bellows Road scheme comprises the regeneration of an existing district centre including shops and housing. The brief aimed to achieve a code for sustainable homes rating of 6 through the implementation of exemplar passive design. DLG’s approach included highly insulated airtight envelopes, low embodied energy material specifications, SUD’s, water recycling, smart metering and household energy performance management. “We targeted a step change in the ecology of the site through the introduction of new private and public green spaces”. David Bailey, Associate Director
Hillingdon Planning Solutions
The London Borough of Hillingdon’s programme for new housing involves an extensive study of small backland sites and has identified more than 100 which are thought suitable for re-development. DLG’s appointment forms part of the HRA pipeline programme and involves quick analysis of sites to confirm feasibility where overlooking, day lighting, density and accessibility are often on the margins of expected design standards. Front Cover: Buxton Spring Gardens
“Once feasibility is established we will go on to prepare and submit planning applications for a variety of housing from market sale/rental through to special needs accommodation. Vandalism and anti-social behaviour are often problems on the existing sites so redevelopment will provide not only much needed housing but also improvements to quality of life in the neighbourhood”. James Beadnell, Associate Director
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Excellence in Design, Innovation, Delivery, Commercial Awareness, Working Practice...... June 2009
Excel, Excellent, Excellence: (the state of excelling or being exceptionally good) DLG has recently received the award for Excellence from Property Executive magazine. It was based on the body of work we completed during the past twelve months and the criteria included not only design innovation and excellence but also sustainability, commercial awareness, industry presence and sector spread. We are pleased and honoured to have received this recognition from our fellow property professionals and it has also led us to examine the meaning of the word excellence. We all seek excellence, but what is it? Is one man’s excellence another man’s mediocrity? The iconic building of today may become the burden of tomorrow, a beautiful concept may become a financial liability, short term gains can become long term losses. So what does excellence mean? We have long believed in the importance of transforming the ordinary into something special. The ordinary proliferates and thus makes the most impact on our environment, however achieving the best results can only come from a common understanding of the objectives and aspirations by all involved. It is these joint aspirations which make for success and we would like to invite you to pick out some of the issues that determine an excellent outcome in project development and architecture, and to consider how best to allow them to sit comfortably with one another.
Council Offices “BREEAM Excellent” Kirklees Council’s new 60,000 sq ft offices will be a model for 21st century working and are to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating using; – Natural ventilation – Shallow floor plates and central atrium – maximising natural lighting – Night time purging with exposed concrete soffits to ceilings – Heat provided via a new District heating system – Rainwater Harvesting – reuse of grey water in WCs – Using the river Colne for micro-generation of power to lighting in the square – Efficient net/gross ratio and high building occupancy density – Extended building opening hours and flexible working arrangements – Solar water heating and wind turbine micro generation
To this end we would be grateful if you would complete the short ‘Excellence 2009’ questionnaire by visiting..... www.dlgarchitects.com Also If you would like to be involved in any discussions which may arise, please fill in your contact details at the end of the form. We have identified some of our current projects within this edition of Perspective as examples of our work which led to the award, so do please read about them. “Next to excellence comes the appreciation of it”. Thackeray “By appreciation we make the excellence in others our own property”. Voltaire “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way”. Booker T Washington
For each questionnaire completed we will make a donation to the Variety Club children’s charity.
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Excellence in Industrial, Food Preparation, Residential, Interiors, Office, Feasibility.......... June 2009
Delivery for Arla DLG are progressing with the further stages of the Arla Foods Stourton Dairy expansion in Leeds. The Arla Dairy is Europe’s most technologically advanced milk processing facility and home to the world’s largest fresh milk 4 pint weight filler, as well as boasting full product traceability to high tech production lines.
“We have had the opportunity to develop a very strong relationship and good understanding with the Arla team and this has allowed us to form an excellent knowledge of the specific requirements and the constrictions and hygiene measures associated with working with a fully functioning dairy”. Richard Austwick, Associate Director.
The Becketts, Meanwood The Judges said: “A robustly detailed and well mannered scheme - It creates a contemporary local landmark and resolves a number of complex site issues”
Winner of Yorkshire Finest Property Awards 2009 - Best City Centre Apartment Development.
High Wycombe Hotel
Plans for a new High Wycombe hotel above The Chilterns Shopping Centre designed by DLG Architects won an overwhelming positive response at a recent public consultation exercise in the town. The 119 bed hotel and restaurant are due to be submitted for planning very shortly.
“This part of High Wycombe has suffered significantly from the effects of the opening of The Eden Centre and it is hoped that this scheme will act as a catalyst to kick-start further investment and bring some life and footfall back to this part of the town”. Julian Monaghan Senior Partner
Excellence in Consultation, 3D Modelling, Commitment, People, Regeneration, Public Space................... June 2009
60 New Broad Street, London The Grade 2 listed office building has been refurbished to CAT A office standards whilst retaining the period features designed by CF Voysey to provide meeting and circulation areas. The now complete scheme provides 55,000 ft2 of exceptionally open space over 7 floors, with the core suited to single or multi tenant occupation. The new limestone reception compliments the modelled stone facade whilst providing a 21st century welcome to the building. Client: Warner Estates. Visit www.60newbroadst.com
The Atrium, Connecting Community The introduction of a new linked public open space has been key to the successful completion of the £130 million mixed use ‘Atrium’ in Camberley. The development creates a seamless transition between residential neighbourhoods on the fringes of the site and the commercial centre of the town.
The Octagon, Bath “Grade 1 Benefits” This complex scheme involved the conversion of the Grade 1 Listed Octagon Chapel for retail use and the creation of a new public route connecting The Shire Yard and Moon & Sixpence Yard to the surrounding streetscape. “This intricate piece of urban design not only results in increased retail opportunities but also builds upon the existing historic context and character” Jill Rayson, Partner
Derby Royal Infirmary
This major new regeneration plan for the former DRI site creates a new sustainable ‘urban village’ that will act as a catalyst for massive economic change in the area; helping to raise standards of housing and attract investment to the city.
“These proposals present a unique opportunity for the city of Derby and could make a massive difference to the eastern fringes of Derby City Centre”.
Excellence in Transport, Public Spaces, Sustainability, Delivery, Sector Knowledge, Teamwork.................. June 2009
Corby Retail Therapy The recently completed Willow Place project (Autumn 2008) has seen a major step forward in the regeneration of Corby. Built in a prime location adjacent to the existing retail core, primary road network and the adjacent Civic Centre site at Park and Gateway, the development now offers fantastic high street stores. “The finished proposals at Willow Place really have met and fulfilled Corby Borough Council’s long term aspirations to fully integrate the town centre and surrounding districts”. Martin Cranage, Director. Tenants: TK Maxx, Arcadia, JD Sport, WH Smith, New Look, Costa Coffee and Superdrug – size circa 195,000 sq. ft., value circa £35m, Client Land Securities.
Eco Communities
Car Park as Catalyst
The proposals for up to 10 new Eco towns were highly publicised, if not controversial. These pioneering approaches to low/zero carbon lifetime communities between 5,000 and 20,000 inhabitants set new standards for delivering sustainable homes with a fully holistic approach. DLG worked with an extensive team of travel planners, energy consultants, lawyers and planning consultants to submit bids for two separate sites.
Detailed plans are underway for the important first phase of this major regeneration project at Quarry Hill, Leeds. The design for the MSCP will be based around the newly created Centenary Square and is developed to form a series of pavilion buildings creating symmetry around the main east-west access.
DLG is one of the first Architectural Practices to be included on the Green Register of Construction Professionals.
Architects Top 100 - 2009 The Practice has consistently appeared in the Architects’ Journal National Top 100 list and has yet again reconfirmed its position in 2009.
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dlgarchitects.com
“The car park will set the “design bar” for future buildings and is not just a purely functional ‘box’ for storing cars. It has become a sculptural form that responds to the surrounding townscape both at day and at night”. Andrew Gardner, Partner
Winner of The Architectural Award for Excellence 2009