Public Brochure

Public

Architects

Heritage Consultants Masterplanners

Purcell are Architects, Masterplanners and Heritage Consultants. We have been working across the public sector for many years. We understand the current need for maximising the value of public sector property portfolios and much of the work illustrated in this brochure is targeted toward that end. We have categorised this work under several key themes:

Adaptive reuse

Optimising Value

Condition Surveys

Civic Buildings

Masterplanning

Towns and High Streets

Climate

Security

Social Value

Frameworks

Kresen Kernow, Cornwall

Adaptive Re-use

Reusing buildings to reduce carbon, create value and improve efficiency

Existing buildings, particularly historic buildings, are exciting opportunities rather than liabilities. The work we show here illustrates a selection of buildings rescued from dereliction to which we have brought new life through economically sustainable new uses.

Reusing existing property brings real benefits. Significant amounts of carbon are locked up in these buildings and continuing to use and reuse these can reduce the need for new carbon generating construction.

Kresen Kernow before the works began

Kersen Kernow, Cornwall

Regenerating Redruth through a new archive and local studies centre for Cornwall

We worked closely with Cornwall Council on this significant regeneration of Redruth. The catalyst is the recovery of the derelict Redruth Brewery buildings to create a new archive and local studies centre for Cornwall. Wider regeneration plans include housing, hotel and a new micro-brewery adjacent to the recovered Brewery buildings.

We retained most of the historic structures and laced these together with new build interventions including a new and lively education centre. Drawing together three currently separate Cornish archive and library organisations the new state-of-the-art archive houses the largest collection of archive material anywhere in the world which focuses on Cornwall’s people, places, history and culture.

Engine Shed, University of Northampton

A disused engine shed becomes the centre of student life

Working with Northampton University we recovered this derelict and fire damaged Engine Shed and formed a new Students Union as a centrepiece for the Campus. Part of our work included an initial condition survey which led to a range of interventions upgrading the external envelope to meet BREEAM excellent and current accessibility standards.

We then introduced a new limecrete floor and lined the existing external walls internally with breathable lime hemp insulation. Replacing the roof structure and coverings together with the reinstatement of the central ventilator allowed the new Students Union to be passively ventilated.

Factory No.1, Bedminster, Bristol

Adapting an Edwardian tobacco factory for housing

Wills and Imperial Tobacco Cigarette Factory had been converted to office use in the 1980s but was then empty for 5 years. Purchased by a developer in 2014 Purcell created a masterplan for the creation of 250 new residences in several new buildings within the setting of the Grade II listed factory.

The historic and new buildings together create a vital new place providing high quality commercial, retail and residential accommodation contributing to the regeneration of Bedminster. In this we worked closely with Bristol City Council to ensure the masterplan and subsequent development responded to community needs.

Vulcan Works, Northampton

Creating vibrant creative workspaces and a business hub in the centre of Northampton

Purcell created a vibrant business hub for creative start-up companies within the centre of Northampton. Working with Northampton Borough Council, we converted and extended a collections of existing buildings, some of which are Grade II listed, to create the hub. This also included two striking contemporary new buildings which connects with the workshops. Design options found the right balance for financially viable solution whilst working with the existing building constraints. The hub brings together like-minded individuals and small businesses in a collaborative working environment, offering shared working spaces, social areas, professional offices and artist workshops.

Battersea Power Station, London

Recovering a London landmark for retail, hospitality and housing

Battersea Power Station is a London landmark taking its place amongst other landmarks along the River Thames. Since 2014, we have been collaborating with Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Buro Happold to transform the Power Station, derelict since the late 1980s, into the ‘town centre’ of a thriving and diverse neighbourhood. We are Architects for repairing the building’s brick shell, Heritage Advisors for the internal fit-out, and site-wide Heritage Consultants. We also advised Buro Happold on the reconstruction of the four chimneys. We prepared a gazetteer of significant elements to gain an in-depth understanding of its unique heritage. We were responsible for all Heritage Impact Assessments to support Listed Building Applications for the £8 billion project.

Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE), Stoke-on-Trent

A disused pottery is transformed to set new benchmarks in low energy retrofit

Working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council we carried out an options appraisal of the Henson Works in Longton - one of the few surviving complete potteries in the area. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) were looking for a project involving the reuse of a historic building that they could use as an exemplar for the techniques of refurbishment and the application of alternative energy sources. With the City Council we found a way of bringing the BRE together with Stoke College and together created a national centre of excellence for low energy building retrofit. This included a conference venue, exhibition zone for the retrofit market and construction training College workspace and lettable business accommodation. The project received A-Rated EPC certificate and BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

Holyhead Market Hall, Wales

A derelict market hall becomes the centre of the Holyhead community

The Market Hall in Holyhead was for many years derelict. With funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government and the European Union, the County Council took the lead to save the building from potential collapse. Securing ownership after a successful Compulsory Purchase Order in 2015 we worked with the Council on the Market Hall’s revitalisation.

The restoration involved the re-modelling of the building’s interior. It features a mix of social facilities that are modern and usable for a new generation, including study areas and multi-functional meeting space. The new energy saving features ensure the effects of climate change are mitigated and that the building’s carbon footprint remains low.

Optimising the Value of Property Portfolios

Unlocking the development of land and buildings including preparing these for disposal

Optimising value will often involve developing redundant buildings or land, with or without partners, and sometimes preparing these assets for disposal. Finding new uses for existing buildings and redundant land lies at the heart of what we do. We can prepare an asset for sale showing how value can be unlocked for a prospective buyer. We often go on to help that buyer realise the value predicted at the point of sale.

We work with central government departments and agencies to imagine what might be possible for a range of uses. For example, across East Anglia, one of the five regions in which we operate, we currently have 13 live projects for Local Authorities adapting, developing and disposing of assets.

Shepton Mallet Prison, Somerset

Dorchester and Shepton Mallett Prisons

Transforming two prisons into characterful residential developments

Closed by the Ministry of Justice in 2012 we prepared both sites for the market demonstrating for each an imaginative capacity for change. They were acquired by the developer City & Country who then continued to work with Purcell in their development.

The main challenge of both sites was optimising their development in relation to the number of residential units that each site could accept, whilst respecting their heritage value and special character. Our exploration of both Prisons and their settings through research and analysis informed our subsequent designs which included refurbishing the listed buildings and introducing new build elements.

Reading Prison, Berkshire

Maximising cultural and commercial value to ensure a viable future

Working on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, Purcell prepared several studies to evolve understanding of the heritage and commercial value of this historically sensitive, decommissioned prison. The site forms part of the Scheduled Monument defining the medieval precinct of Reading Abbey, burial place of Henry I. Studies explored options for development in advance of government disposal. Our work comprised the preparation of detailed archaeological and built heritage desk-based assessments. These included a programme of archaeological trial trenching to inform the preparation of an architectural feasibility study. The study looked to achieve a balance between heritage protection and financially viable options to secure the future sale of the site.

Asset Management: Condition Surveys

Accurately assessing repairs on complex buildings

Existing buildings, including historic assets, require methodical information about their condition and recommendations for repair. Having an up-to-date condition survey has many benefits including understanding early diagnosis and repair recommendations, creating work programmes and budgets, and advising a prospective buyer of repair issues.

The knowledge and experience of our conservation architects and surveyors is of great benefit to clients who include government agencies, developers, religious institutions and private individuals. We identify building defects and provide reliable recommendations for rectifying them. We use a range of techniques to ensure that survey information is collected in the most efficient way, including the use of drone surveys and digital software to support in collecting survey data.

Battersea Power Station, London

Civic Buildings

Generating income to secure long-term futures

We are working for a range of City Councils, London Boroughs and Local Authorities on their Town Halls and other Civic buildings. They have often outgrown these buildings and while they are keen to retain their civic functions, we can help in re-purposing redundant space to generate income.

In Manchester and Liverpool, Nottingham and Newcastle, London and the South East, South Wales and East Anglia we are working with our public sector clients to maximise commercial return from their civic building stock, re-purposing to commercial workspace, business incubation and residential uses while protecting civic functions and other public uses.

St George’s Hall, Liverpool

Manchester Town Hall

Re-establishing the Town Hall as the civic heart of Manchester while generating income for the City Council

Manchester Town Hall is a 19th century Grade I listed building of international significance and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Purcell are leading a £330m refurbishment project to restore the façades and interiors, re-purposing the Town Hall to generate income for the City Council. The project will safeguard its status as the civic heart of the city. This immense refurbishment project is currently on site but to date we have collaborated with the City Council to ensure the Council’s social value commitments are met. So far, Purcell and the Design Team have created apprenticeships, work placements, student support with research and employment. Local schools have benefited from careers advice and employment sessions.

Norfolk County Hall, Norwich

Realising a vision for innovative workspaces and civic areas that are accessible for everyone

Purcell has refurbished Norfolk County Hall, putting the Council’s vision of equal opportunities and accessibility for their staff at the heart of the site. Open, flexible, and adaptable workspaces have replaced outdated cellular offices. The mix of flexible and adaptable workspaces include adjustable working desks, quiet spaces, meeting rooms and breakout areas. A new staff restaurant area has also been included within the informal working environment. Within the Civic Area, new accessiblity has been introduced to ensure the spaces are fit for everyone. The Civic Chamber has been modernised and updated to reflect the changes in technology and working. County Hall sets a innovative example of what civic and work spaces can be in the future.

Parliamentary Estate

Working with both Houses of Parliament to expand workplace and improve access and security

We have been working at the Palace of Westminster and the Parliamentary Estate since 2001. For nearly two decades, we have worked on numerous refurbishment projects to create additional workplace whilst re-presenting historic interiors. These projects have often included improving security and access measures. Our work has also involved the conservation and repair of historic building fabric of both interior spaces and external façades and roofs. Current or recently completed, projects have included the comprehensive refurbishment of the Millbank Island Site, the repair and refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Tower, the repair of the cast-iron roofs across the historic Palace of Westminster, the relighting of Westminster Hall together with numerous security and access improvement projects.

Camden Town Hall, London

Bringing new life and purpose to a local landmark

The London Borough of Camden is revitalising its historic Grade II listed Town Hall. Purcell are leading a multi-disciplinary team (under the contractor Lend Lease) in the restoration of the external stone and glazed brick façades and internally, the refurbishment of key civic spaces including the Council Chamber, Committee Room and Camden Centre Assembly Hall. The listed building will also house new wedding suites and enhanced Registry together with Category A&B state-of-the-art workplace across upper levels to generate income for the Council. The proposals will sensitively enhance parts of the building of most historic significance, improve environmental and thermal efficiency and introduce modern technology to spaces for council functions, public services and events.

Maesteg Town Hall, Bridgend

Reviving a local cultural centre

Working with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) and the Awen Cultural Trust, Purcell is developing Maesteg Town Hall, extending and refurbishing what has been the cultural heartbeat of the Llynfi Valley for almost 140 years. It represents one of the biggest investments in Maesteg for decades. Our design provides an enhanced performance space, studio, and community learning space, accessed via a re-conceived front of house which presents a new image to the town.

Additional works have included conversion of the existing market space into a community library with work pods for start-up business, as well as a local history centre and café.

Hammersmith Town Hall, London

Regenerating the civic heart of Hammersmith

Hammersmith Town Hall is at the heart of the wider Civic Campus regeneration project. Working closely with Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council, and the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour, Purcell are responsible for the restoration of the Grade II listed Town Hall. The Town Hall features materials and craftsmanship of a high standard together with a fine sequence of virtually unaltered public and civic interiors. These are under-performing for office and civic uses.

We are producing façade surveys and repair drawings to define a costed scope of work. The scheme sensitively creates a new residential development around the building. The Town Hall will retain civic and political function rooms whilst introducing new commercial and business functions.

Nottingham Castle

Transforming a much-loved historic building into a world-class visitor attraction

Purcell, alongside Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham Castle Trust, transformed the Castle into a world-class heritage attraction of national and international significance. The aim was to reinstate its importance for both the local community and visitors from around the world. From entering through the gatehouse, a contemporary entrance pavilion will welcome visitors and encourage them to explore the castle grounds. There is a large extension planned for the courtyard of the Ducal Palace to increase exhibition area and provide new gallery spaces. The project includes extensive repairs to the fabric with a comprehensive refurbishment of the buildings and galleries. It also includes a new sustainable visitor centre and access to a network of caves.

National Gallery, London

A long relationship with a key national landmark

Purcell has been working continuously at the National Gallery for over 30 years. We have undertaken a wide range of projects including creation and refurbishment of galleries, fit-out of commercial facilities including hospitality and retail spaces and redesign of support spaces and staff workplaces.

Most recently, we have been working on a masterplan to assess the site’s development potential. The masterplan identifies and analyses the challenges the Gallery is currently facing. It establishes a vision informed by the Gallery’s aspirations for the 21st century – more open, more ambitious, more dynamic and more connected.

Ministry of Justice

Improving courts for the 21st century

Purcell has worked with the Ministry of Justice and the Courts and Tribunal Service for several years. Projects have included preparing historic assets for disposal on the open market as well as updating retained assets in relation to their operation and taking advantage of contemporary technology. We have worked at several sites including Aylesbury Crown Court, City of London Magistrates Court, Lewes Combined Court, Kings Lynn Magistrates Court, Taunton Combined Court and Reading Crown Courts.

At the Royal Courts of Justice, we have completed alterations to improve its functionality, repairs to maintain its historic fabric and surveys to understand its condition. Most recently, we prepared an application to Historic England for an Enhanced Listing.

Masterplanning

Regenerating complex sites to provide new opportunities for economic growth

Optimising Portfolio value from reusing and adapting existing buildings, usually begins with a masterplan. Such plans can test infrastructure, capacity for development, opportunities and constraints (sometimes arising from complex heritage or planning issues) and commercial return.

Our method is to rigorously understand the context of the study area - uncovering the stories of a place, discovering what has gone before, assessing where that place is now and imagining what it can be in the future. We are experts in stakeholder consultation and working with local communities. We create design guides to secure development of the appropriate quality. Our masterplans reshape places creating commercially sustainable development.

Wolverton Works, Buckinghamshire

Part of a former railway works becomes a new residential area

Appointed by St. Modwen Properties PLC, Purcell developed proposals to obtain outline planning permission for the Wolverton Railway Works redevelopment. The regeneration of the Wolverton Works site will create a new community of high-quality homes, a food store, community spaces and a new heritage centre. Retaining its heritage through ongoing rail use is essential to the redevelopment.

Through our understanding of how to maximise development within historically sensitive industrial sites, we added significant value to the process and secured the site a future use. The masterplan evolved in collaboration with numerous stakeholders. We also produced a Wolverton Works Design Guide to secure a high level of design in the future development of the site.

Hafod Morfa Copperworks, Swansea

Regenerating an industrial site by unlocking its history and its development potential

Purcell created the vision document for Hafod Morfa Copper Works within the Lower Swansea Valley as the first phase of a much wider masterplan focusing on this 12-acre site which has been derelict since the 1970s. Founded in 1810 Hafod was for decades the world’s largest copper works employing over 1000 people. Our study involved investigating the creative reuse of a collection of Grade II listed industrial buildings including the Powerhouse, Laboratory, Engine and Locomotive sheds.

The challenge was balancing economic viability with finding sustainable new uses for both the site and the listed buildings. Our solution was to create affordable housing, a Riverside Street development of premium housing, a secluded site for new homes and a new mixed-use development.

Tamworth Town Centre, Staffordshire

Rescuing a historic town centre

As part of the Future High Streets Fund, Tamworth Town Centre’s regeneration promises to deliver transformational change through diverse uses. Purcell developed a masterplan as part of a wider multi- disciplinary team’s work, to regenerate the town’s vibrancy and future sustainability. The town centre currently has a failing retail market. Our masterplan focuses on under-performing sites and proposes a combination of adaptive re-use of the existing buildings with selective demolition and rebuilding. Our masterplan contributed to Tamworth Borough Council’s recent award of £21.65m from the Future High Streets Fund which will be used to deliver the biggest transformation to Tamworth town centre in a generation.

Burderop Park, Swindon

Creating a sympathetic residential development in the grounds of an historic manor house

This Grade II* listed manor house sits on the edge of the Marlborough Downs within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For many years it provided workplace for the American engineering group CH2M. Bought by a developer, we developed a masterplan for a new 54 house residential development.

Our design comprised clusters of buildings which created small squares with their own unique character and identity. The landscape is integral to this, knitting together the different character areas across the site, through which pedestrian routes are created.

RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire

Transformation an operational RAF base into a world-class aviation visitor experience

Our masterplan for RAF Scampton envisaged the transformation of this historic airfield into a world-class aviation visitor experience. Purcell worked closely with Focus Consultants, the County Council and key stakeholders to develp a detailed understanding of the historic buildings and the key historic events of the base.

The masterplan developed options including whether an enhanced aviation heritage attraction and aviation centre of excellence could be created at RAF Scampton whilst it continued to be an important operational RAF base and fulfil its potential as a valuable cultural, historic and economic asset for the local area.

Sacrewell Watermill, Peterborough

Rejuvenation of the Watermill and its site into a local learning centre

The Grade II* listed Watermill, Mill House and bakery date from the 18th century and form part of Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre. Purcell led the National Lottery Heritage Fund restoration of the Watermill and the rejuvenation of the site as a learning centre and local attraction.

Key elements of this project included a visitor route through the Mill and Mill House and to provide residential accommodation for millwright training courses and office accommodation to support the operation of the mill. A new hydro-electric wheel turbine was also installed within the redundant northern wheel pit which created on-site energy generation for the site.

Towns, High Streets and Heritage Action Zones

Rejuvenating our town and city centres in response to the new retail environment

Our Towns and High Streets are facing numerous challenges. The enormous growth of online shopping, changing work patterns and increasing pressure to provide housing within town centres have all dramatically changed the character of our Towns and High Streets.

We can help our public sector clients meet these challenges through our expertise in adaptive reuse, masterplanning, vacancy studies, condition surveys, conservation area appraisals, Buildings at Risk, planning and design guidance, historic building appraisals, listing reviews and public engagement.

We are currently working for several local authorities in their High Street Heritage Action Zones including Swindon Borough Council, London Borough of Southwark, East Suffolk Council, Rochdale Borough Council and Fleetwood Town Council.

Walworth Heritage Action Zone

BIM

Balancing BIM and heritage

Purcell are experts in Building Information Modelling (BIM) whether this is for new build projects or existing historic buildings (BIM for Heritage).

We are currently the architectural lead for the repair and refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) in Westminster, London. Our use of BIM as a shared 3D delivery model, has been crucial to all aspects of the project but particularly in coordinating the numerous technical interfaces.

Our work on the new build extensions for New College, Oxford for Sir Robert McAlpine has relied on 3D modelling to construct the complex roof structures across all new buildings. Purcell have provided BIM leadership on the project together with the technical design of the stone façades.

Top: New College, University of Oxford; Below: Elizabeth Tower, Palace of Westminster

Climate

Adapting existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions

Our built environment is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions - the third biggest in a variety of assessments. Recent research shows that we can dramatically reduce carbon in existing buildings through adaptive reuse, refurbishment and regular repair and maintenance. By extending the life of our assets, historic or otherwise, we can materially reduce the need for high carbon consuming activities and materials.

Our expertise in adaptive reuse can help clients realise these benefits. We have developed various methods by which energy efficiency can be increased and we use ethically sourced materials utilising state-of-the-art technology to reduce carbon footprints.

CoRE, Stoke-on-Trent

Security

Safeguarding the public estate while avoiding fortress solutions

Our work for the Parliamentary Estate, Westminster City Council and the Ministry of Justice has invariably involved enhancements to security. This has often involved negotiating with Officers from both Houses of Parliament, Central Government Departments, Government Historic Estate Unit of Historic England, Local Authorities, Police and numerous independent Security advisers.

We have also worked closely with the Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure (CPNI) particularly in incorporating Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures designed to blend into a range of architectural and historical contexts.

Whitehall Streetscape Project

Social Value

Demonstrating how social, economic and environmental value can benefit communities

We regularly contribute to maximising social value for our public sector project work. “Value” is seen as:

Social: learning and development opportunities

Economic: supporting local employment and helping the most vulnerable get back into work Environmental: benefits usually linked to a public sector client’s carbon reduction commitments

For example, through our comprehensive repair and refurbishment of Manchester Town Hall, we have made a significant contribution to social value. This has included considerable voluntary time given by Purcell and the wider Design Team in numerous community initiatives resulting in 8 jobs created, 31 schoolwork placements, 12 adult work placements, numerous school and college career development forums, University postgraduate research and 1225 students supported by the Design Team.

Manchester Town Hall

Frameworks

Providing a route to market

We understand the importance of public funded projects being procured in a fair and transparent way, compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR). We are approved suppliers on several frameworks including Pagabo, Fusion 21 and the London Housing Corporation Framework.

These frameworks provide our clients with a route to market that is fully compliant with the PCR. Appointing Purcell through a compliant framework represents a significant saving in traditional procurement costs through open competition. It also brings an opportunity to discuss the project thoroughly with the client to be clear about scope and deliverables from the beginning.