IDPARTNE RSHIP NORTH ERN NEWS LETTER 2012
“Necessity is the mother of
Invention”
Contents 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 10 12 13 14 15 16 16 18 19 19 20 22 22 24
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Making Things Happen in 2012 Plan B Computer Modelling Volkerhaus Scotswood Daventry Portland Green Ranken House Cestria Offices Hillsview Geneva Newcastle Shopping Park Elba Park, Lambton Allens West Central Park Seafield, Seahouses School Street, Hebburn Sporting Academy The Lit and Phil Heaton Library Contact
Making Things Happen in 2012 In this, the third year of the great recession, IDPartnership-Northern are experiencing a quickening of the pulse, and the desire to get things going again. Activity is manifesting itself again across the development sectors. Whether it be developers revisiting large scale masterplans that have been parked for three years, social housing groups that are energetically responding to the HCA Housing Framework, schools and colleges finishing projects left over by the many aborted PFI’s, or simply the private sector responding to the challenge to get Britain making things again. All sectors seem to be accepting that they have to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps — and do it without government assistance. Necessity is the mother of invention, and doing a lot with very little is giving rise to a new way of innovation and rationalisation in the development world. IDPartnership-Northern are at the forefront of this re-assessment, and 2012 is about doing things; Smarter Quicker Better
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N NE O OP O OP
Plan B Cheaper, better quality housing by itself, can’t re-boot the market. It’s time for Plan B. IDPartnership-Northern quickly understood that a new rationalised product, although innovative and well received in the market place, cannot by itself solve social market problems. Procurement complexities, and the ability to cross-subsidise social housing, are central to unlocking the problem. IDPartnership-Northern have entered into a joint venture LLP with Social Housing experts Housing Consultancy Plus and procurement and Cost Consultants Elliott Associates, to form Plan B; a ground-breaking Initiative, which delivers a ‘one stop shop’ in the procurement of social and general purpose housing.
This turn key Initiative cuts through the red tape and complexity of procurement, delivering predetermined KPI’s against HCA performance benchmarks. Most importantly, Plan B guarantees delivery within a prearranged, pre-agreed criteria of time, cost, and quality. The Plan B product is capable of reducing procurement times by two thirds, reducing costs by 20%, and enabling clients to procure with confidence, on a repeat basis, a product that meets all their exacting criteria. Plan B is particularly suited to off-site construction and involves MMC. Its simplified and rationalised construction and detailing make it particularly appropriate for inclusion within apprenticeship training schemes. Industry leaders Silverdale and Forrest Construction have pilot schemes in production and this welcomed initiative in a stalled market place has caught the attention of the HCA and the Office of the Housing Minister.
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Computer Modelling Creating a Continuum in the Development Process Large scale masterplans are a crucial foundation to the UK’s economic growth. The complexities of planning law, public consultation and the necessary checks and balances within the Planning system make delivery of development programmes within the UK lengthy and prone to challenge. This is especially so when considering the consultation process accompanying the planning submission stage.
Complex and intricate planning applications often confuse and frustrate individuals during the public consultation stage, and IDPartnership-Northern have concluded that such misunderstandings can lead to major resistance to the planning proposal. It is with this in mind that IDPartnershipNorthern have developed an animated computer presentation technique that simulates the growth of the masterplan on screen through short, medium and longer time scales. Consultees are able to grasp the long term impact of the development proposal, understanding the timetable of growth. Important key data is shared with the public and a voice over ensures that the message is consistent and reassuring. Complex and detailed proposals are efficiently communicated, freeing up the consultation team to concentrate on answering any misconceptions or queries.
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Volkerhaus Mindful of the challenges of delivering social housing within the government’s reduced subsidy levels associated with the four year HCA framework, IDPartnership-Northern have developed a new range of social housing house types, designed to offer the highest possible quality, at the lowest possible cost. The Volkerhaus Project (The People’s House) has involved IDPartnershipNorthern in 14 months of design and development involving consultation with manufacturers, constructors, suppliers, and most importantly — end users. The result is a rationalised and simplified product which maximises quality, whilst minimising complexity and irrelevant detailing or specification.
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The Volkerhaus is being delivered throughout the North East and M62 corridor at an average construction cost of £70,000 per unit for a three bedroom house. These simplified houses have been developed using IDPartnership-Northern’s experience of working with IKEA on their BoKlok project to create the potential for home ownership or affordable rent, at a time when Britain has developed the lowest number of new houses since the 1920’s.
Scotswood IDPartnership-Northern received Planning Approval for the 378 no. unit First Phase of the 1800 unit Scotswood Regeneration Project. This ground-breaking decision enables new housing to proceed on the site, bringing to fruition a 16 year programme of dialogue and discussion with local people. The Scotswood project is an innovative collaboration between the Private Sector; Barratt, Keepmoat,Yuill, and the Public Sector; the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, as well as local residents in the delivery of area wide regeneration. This Public Sector Partnership is supported by investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The Scotswood project will revitalise the West End of Newcastle as an attractive, convenient, and competitive housing location. Subsequent phases will deliver a convenience store, community hub, new doctors group practice, health centre and pharmacy.
Scotswood Energy Centre The flagship Scotswood Renaissance creates new levels of sustainability in housing. All houses are designed to Lifetime Homes and Code for Sustainable Homes standards, and in support of this, District Heating is being provided from a new Energy Centre, to deliver lowcarbon energy throughout the life of the development. A new Energy Centre to serve Scotswood will be built in close proximity to the scheme. IDPartnership-Northern have prepared designs and are working closely with energy generator EON to develop a low carbon power plant for the West End. This eye catching green building will be a reference point for the provision of low carbon, sustainable energy solutions within the Northern Region.
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Daventry IDPartnership-Northern Urban Design and Masterplanning are working with Crest Nicholson to deliver a major 1000 unit urban extension for the north of Daventry, in the West Midlands. IDPartnership-Northern are currently leading the Design Team in the design and development of a 300 unit first phase Detailed Planning Application in parallel with a Reserved Matters Application for the balance of the 1000 unit community.
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This historic scheme is being re-worked to deliver a more environmentally sensitive masterplan, benefiting from the retention of all the historic landscape assets, creating a framework of linear parks, which accommodate pedestrian movement, recreation opportunities and SUDS, whilst connecting all elements of the new community with the Village Hub.
Computer modelling and BIM technology have enabled IDPartnership-Northern to re-assess the dynamics of the scheme and to accommodate existing infrastructure, whilst minimising ‘cut and fill’. The reworked masterplan retains all the existing landscape assets, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint of the scheme, whilst making it financially viable to develop.
Portland Green
Ranken House
Following the successful completion of Winn Studios Student Accommodation on behalf of Metnor and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, IDPartnership-Northern are moving forward with Phase One of the Portland Green Student Village in Shieldfield.
IDPartnership-Northern were approached by a private client to look at the potential for a new dwelling on the coastal strip in Beadnell. The presumption against development requires the construction of an exceptional case, and IDPartnership-Northern’s design solution provides this by utilising the principles of Earth Shelter design, which utilises the topography of the site in such a way as to reduce the visual impact on this protected coastline.
Detailed Planning Approval has been granted for 275 student bed spaces in Building 1A, with on-site construction commencing in February 2012. IDPartnership-Northern are leading the Design Team to provide a BREEAM ‘Very good’ project, which follows the learning curve of the Winn Studios design. This involves the decision to construct in steel frame, and thereafter, utilise dry construction techniques to minimise wet trades on site, providing maximum flexibility in internal configuration, and a fast track construction process. The building will be clad in brickwork and high quality curtain walling systems, and is focused around a central south facing courtyard, to provide appropriate on-site amenity space for students. Sedum roofing and combined heat and power concepts are integrated into the design proposals, to provide the maximum benefits within the BREEAM Assessment, and also the most cost effective energy usage for this building type.
The design solution incorporates mitigation to acknowledge site constraints, which include; ecology, archaeology, and rising sea levels. Solutions have been identified that support the principle of development on this particular site. This is a highly sustainable project that strives to be carbon-neutral, utilising off-site manufacture to minimise on site disturbance of sensitive ecology, fauna and flora, and also minimising the impact on existing residents. The Earth Shelter dwelling would include a south facing living space and protected courtyard to provide shelter from the wind and other extreme elements expected on this exposed site, whilst still having the potential to take advantage of this spectacular setting. It is orientated to capture the morning sunrise and evening sunset, so that this coastal environment can be fully appreciated. A planning decision is expected in Spring 2012.
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Portland Green
Ranken House
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Cestria Offices IDPartnership-Northern have been working closely with Cestria Housing Association in their search for new office accommodation. A Feasibility Study has been carried out on a number of sites in close proximity to Chester le Street, which include options for a new build headquarters relocation, leading to a final selection by Cestria of a relocation within Lambton Park. After careful cost analysis and viability options, it was suggested that re-negotiation with the existing landlord to provide more open plan floor space would offer the most cost effective and sustainable solution. IDPartnership-Northern have prepared detailed design and specification information, with building contractors having now been appointed to carry out refurbishment works to the listed part of the existing buildings to accommodate Cestria Office based staff. This scheme involves benchmarking against other fit out works to ensure value for money is achieved, but still delivering the highest aspirational environment to ensure Cestria’s ethos of open and sustainable working practices are encompassed.
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Hillsview The scheme at Hillsview is located on the cleared site of a former school in the Fawdon area of Newcastle. IDPartnershipNorthern partnered with Barratt David Wilson on their successful bid to develop the site with Your Homes Newcastle and Newcastle City Council. The proposals are for 113 two, three and four bedroom homes, including 2 storey houses, a bungalow and 6 flats. The housing provision includes the delivery of 16 affordable homes. The housetype designs work on the development of a contemporary vernacular to deliver a unique sense of place to the development. Accompanying the housing proposals are associated on-site landscaping, including a central open space on the site of a former mine shaft, and also improvements to the adjacent wildlife corridor which lies between the housing and the A1 Western Bypass. Several areas of retained mature trees are included within the proposals.
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Newcastle Shopping Park
requirements, still within the Shopping Park site, which will allow an additional 10,000 sq ft retail unit to be added, along with a petrol filling station.
IDPartnership-Northern have been commissioned by Aberdeen Asset Management to continue the ongoing investment in the Newcastle Shopping Park, with the introduction of ASDA into the former Woolworths retail store, which was successfully achieved for Christmas 2011 trading.
Further improvements to the site will ensure pedestrian connectivity to Chillingham Road Metro Station is provided, along with the provision of two electric car charging points, to illustrate Aberdeen Assets commitment to providing a sustainable solution within their development.
Further phases include the relocation of the PTE Social Club to a new purposebuilt bespoke design to meet their
It is expected that Planning Permission will be achieved during 2012 for completion in the Summer of 2013.
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Geneva IDPartnership-Northern have been commissioned by Northumberland Estates to assist in their European Portfolio, which is currently concentrating on projects in Switzerland. In the first instance, design solutions were prepared for the refurbishment of a 20,000 sq ft, 3 storey office building in the outskirts of Geneva. IDPartnership-Northern assisted in gaining Planning Consent based on a study of the external envelope, which maximises the appropriate cladding solution to meet high sustainable energy efficiency design criteria. Detailed day lighting studies within the internal courtyard areas were carried out, to ensure that the office space would be provided with sufficient natural lighting. This included studies to prove light transfer through glass block flooring that would also provide natural lighting to office space below.
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Marechal House
Forum Fayards
IDPartnership-Northern’s next commission in Europe was the Marechal House. This involved a single private residential project on the outskirts of Aire-la-Ville, which is a rural area within 20 minutes drive to Geneva.
IDPartnership-Northern’s visualisation team used the latest computer software to develop high quality presentation material for the launch of the Forum Fayards at the recent launch event in Geneva.
The design responded to the local character area of domestic dwellings, but had a contemporary twist with an unusual 3D built form.
The 3D visualisation presentation was well received by local agents and dignitaries, which will hopefully lead to the letting of the building to enable the project to proceed.
IDPartnership-Northern’s expertise in 3D modelling was used to provide high quality visualisations to support the planning application in the first instance, and will be used for detailed construction information in the subsequent build programme.
Allens West
Elba Park, Lambton
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Elba Park, Lambton The Elba Park development was officially launched in October 2010 with David Wilson Homes/Barratt North-East having been on site now for a year. This is the first phase of a 359-unit scheme, which is being constructed on the former Lambton Coke Works Site. It falls within the English Partnerships’ Coalfield Regeneration Programme, and the Homes and Communities Agency has worked closely with the developer and the design team throughout the development process. This is a contemporary residential development, providing a wide mix of house types, all set within a 52-hectare country park. The houses have been designed to meet EP Standards, including Lifetime Homes 2007, and also achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4. The Show Village and surrounding homes are complete, and most of these new homes are now occupied.
Back to Allens West
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IDPartnership-Northern prepared design proposals which achieved Outline Planning Permission for the Allens West Site near Eaglescliffe in 2008. Due to market conditions, the site was mothballed, and has been brought back to life by Wynyard Park Ltd, with a new Planning Application having been prepared and submitted on their behalf.
IDPartnership-Northern prepared an extensive Design and Access Statement, which illustrates how the constraints of the site can be utilised to provide the necessary on-site public open space requirements. Also taken into account were the listed buildings on the site, to ensure that the characteristic of this edge of town site still retains its natural setting.
The Design Proposals prepared by IDPartnership-Northern allow for the gradual displacement of existing employment land, which is currently housed in uneconomic, unsustainable and visually intrusive buildings, which will eventually provide the highest quality of residential solutions on this brownfield site.
This is achieved by the retention of existing mature trees, which have a significant impact on the views into and out of the site. The Application is currently under review by Stockton Borough Council, and a decision is expected in March 2012.
Central Park IDPartnership-Northern have been invited to join the Consultant Team of the Private/Public Sector Partnership delivering the Central Park Masterplan in Darlington. The first stage is to develop a robust masterplan that will lead to a reserved matters planning application in the summer. Central Park is a 30-hectare brownfield site that has been selected as one of the regeneration flagship projects for the Tees Valley to be developed over the coming few years. Darlington Borough Council and the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) are working with the selected developer consortium CKY (Commercial Estates Group, Keepmoat Homes and Yuill Homes) to bring forward the mixed use development. The scheme represents a tremendous opportunity to revitalise a key strategic site near the centre of Darlington, bringing investment and jobs which will spread benefit throughout the town and beyond. In response to the economic downturn in January 2012 the Council and HCA Board members signed off a new Masterplan Brief which reflects the original qualities and aspirations for the site. One of the main changes to be incorporated within this new masterplan is the reduction in the number of new homes from 600 to 450.
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Seafield, Seahouses IDPartnership-Northern were engaged by County Life Homes to design a replacement for the former Seafield Restaurant building, which sits along the coastal frontage to the north of the busy seaside town of Seahouses. The existing buildings were part of a farmstead, and through careful analysis of the
School Street, Hebburn IDPartnership-Northern are working closely with Four Housing Group and the Esh Property Services to deliver 71 affordable housing units on this brownfield regeneration site in Hebburn. Planning Permission was granted towards the end of 2010 with construction commencing in early 2011. The first phase of approx 20 units is due for handover in Spring 2012, which will provide much needed family housing to accommodate the relocation of residents arising from the regeneration project within Hebburn Town Centre itself. The design incorporates a green public route, which redistributes public open space in such a way as to encourage pedestrian movement between local schools and residential areas, which are well overlooked, to provide a safe and secure environment. The houses will achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, and are constructed using timber frame technology, with solar thermal, on-site renewable energy generation. 19
existing character, a design solution resolved how ten apartments could be provided, all of which have access to both a sea view and a south west facing private space. The internal layout is carefully considered to achieve this design criteria, whist still being cost effective and rational to be built. Utilising modular timber frame construction and repetitive components for bathrooms and kitchens will provide
an opportunity for standardisation of component parts, driving down construction costs. The external appearance is designed to be in context with the original farm steading buildings, whilst still utilising large areas of glazing, where possible, to maximise views to the Northumberland Coastline. The project has achieved Planning Permission in January 2012 with start on site expected during the Summer, for completion in the early part of 2013.
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Sporting Academy Quote from Journalist Stephen Cape at NCJ Media Newspaper Homeless young people on Tyneside have been given a multi-million pound lifeline. New accommodation, a communal kitchen and sitting area have been built at a cost of £2.7m for 20 vulnerable young people in Gateshead. The Gateshead Residential Sporting Academy includes a public café, changing rooms and sports facilities with four fixed football pitches, to be used by homeless youngsters as well as the public. The project was opened last night (Thursday 26 January) by Newcastle United Manager, Alan Pardew, who said he is always on the look out for talent. He said “It’s a real honour. I genuinely believe it will not only help improve the lives of people in the City, but also provide opportunities to develop home-grown talent. This is something we are really passionate about at Newcastle United; you never know, the next Steven Taylor could result from this project”.
The new development is at Redheugh Boys Club in Gateshead, well known for turning out football stars such as Paul Gascoigne. The plan slowly developed at key meetings involving Four Housing Group, Gateshead Housing Company, Gateshead Council, the Boys Club, the Cyrenians Homeless Charity and the architects, IDPartnership-Northern. Lynda Peacock, Group Development Director at Four Housing Group, a not for profit housing provider, said, “In a way this is unique. We all pulled together to make this work.
Gateshead Council called the development “a fantastic resource” for the community. Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Linda Green said “Providing accommodation for our homeless young people can be the first step towards helping them to move on to a more positive future”. Chief Executive of the Cyrenians Steve Bell believes that although the new centre will only help a small number of vulnerable people, they will avoid the trauma of sleeping in doorways. He said, “this is hugely important because this will give them hope”.
We are helping young vulnerable people, but there are also some great facilities for the whole community to enjoy with a range of services”.
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The Lit and Phil (The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne) IDPartnership-Northern have provided specialist advice to the Lit and Phil Board on how this extraordinary building can be worked with to preserve its heritage assets, and how to make this into an opportunity to provide a solution for the long term continuation of the Lit and Phil as an organisation which is open to all.
The collection of over 180,000 books and manuscripts sits within a collection of historic structures at the bottom of Westgate Hill, close to the Central Station, ideally located to form a centre-pin for business and community interaction. IDPartnership-Northern have provided feasibility input into immediate measures required to protect the building and secondly, a series of interventions and alterations which would enable much wider access to the building. The team are working towards a bid for financial support, with a wide range of partners, to put in place necessary funds to facilitate the project.
Heaton Library IDPartnership-Northern’s vision for the refurbishment and extension of the Edwardian former Library in Heaton has now been realised. Extraneous extensions have been removed from the locally Listed 1902 Edwardian Library building and a bespoke extension has been designed and constructed to sit more comfortably alongside this exuberant example of fine Edwardian architecture. To resolve the connectivity into Heaton Park, the building features extensive use of kiln dried larch cladding to soften the buildings relationship to the nearby mature woodland. This provides a striking, modern, contemporary contrast to the brick and stone detailing of the main building.
The building comprises of seven bespoke apartments in the new build component of the scheme, along with ground floor offices and a first floor space, which is suitable for either office use or a restaurant in the former Reading Room of the Library, within which there is an option to insert a gallery space for additional floor area. IDPartnership-Northern’s design is now fully complete and forms a striking backdrop to this dramatic edge of Heaton Park in Newcastle upon Tyne.
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IDPartnership-Northern, St. Judes, Barker Street, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AS
Tel: 0191 261 4442 Fax: 0191 261 1090 info@idpartnership-northern.com www.idpartnership.com
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IDPARTNERSHIP NORTHERN NEWS LETTER 2012