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Number of approach: 4

Urban Design

Our aim is to foster a sense of place in the way we configure buildings and accommodation. The external spaces are as important as the internal rooms. We use our urban design skills to combine the two in a series of interlinked spaces that create a shared identity whilst being distinct places in their own right. Spaces with individual character enliven our lives, help orientate daily life, and provide that variety which allows choice. This can engender a group ownership and ultimately provide safer, cleaner shared space for all.

Consultation

We have long been a 'listening practice' and enjoy a close dialogue with all users, developing the brief both in terms of the basic accommodation and the 'softer' issues of management and ethos. We have extensive experience of engaging with all types of communities - supportive or uncooperative, first time consultees or expert community steering groups. In all cases our engagement process is guided by self-imposed principles of fairness, trust, transparency and inclusion.

Flexible Environments

Accelerating technological advancements has transformed the environments we live, learn, work and play in, and opened up exciting opportunities allowing new synergies to develop. We pay particular attention to flexibility and adaptability so that change can be easily accommodated. Flexible spaces that can be adapted add value by intensifying use and help to optimise resources. Achieving '200% usable space' draws more use from given budgets. The key to this transformation is robustness. The design should allow maximum use from the onset.

Green Agenda

At architecture plb, we are committed to the principle of sustainable development and to managing our own day-to-day business practices in a sustainable manner. We take a practical attitude to sustainability and believe that it should be part of a holistic approach not a bolt on technology. We concentrate first on straight forward solutions that offer high sustainable gains for comparatively low cost before considering other potential solutions and technologies appropriate to the particular project. We work with our clients to realise the most sustainable solution to suit the individual project requirements. For our current Environmental policy please download the linked PDF :

Number of Titles: 4

Living

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. We understand how to design spaces where people want to live, whether for a short time as a student, or as somewhere they can put down roots. It is vital to us that the homes we design contribute to creating communities with a sense of place. People want light and space in their homes. They also want comfort and security, with a mixture of social and private spaces. We combine these qualities inventively, producing versatile homes that can change as families develop.

Working

Well-designed workspaces, combining aesthetic and functional values, inspire employees to perform to their best. Internal and external space planning informs both functional organisation and ethos - most successful companies invest in high quality space and equipment. Specialist workplace environments offer opportunities to develop new spatial strategies. We are informed by our experience and understanding of working patterns and commercial trends. We challenge perceptions of conventional space.

Playing

We believe a successful civic building should inspire the whole community. Our museums, galleries, visitor centres and performance spaces emphasize cultural participation and social inclusion. Buildings for public life become part of the urban fabric and part of people's lives - they can also be a catalyst for change. Our civic buildings are full of light and space; they are welcoming and secure, stimulating positive responses from those who visit them.

Learning

Learning environments are about more than teaching. They are learning communities that foster the development of young people, in both academic and social terms. They should inspire people of all ages to gain skills and explore something new. Places for education can be an important focus of the local community. A well-designed school is a sustainable, local asset, encouraging social inclusion and participation.

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Number of events: 6

New London Architecture

DES RES 2008 architecture plb's mixed use development scheme in Dagenham was on display at the NLA's DES RES from April 2008 to June 2008. Providing a new gateway building as part of the regeneration of the Dagenham Heathway, the Dagenham Library model was part of the NLA's biggest exhibition and events programme to date. The project, due for completion in 2010, includes a new district library, retail and 82 new apartments. DES RES : London's Housing Challenge explored the issues affecting planning, designing and developing London's housing.

Architecture Week 2007

Eco Architecture Organised by the Solent Centre for Architecture and Design with the RIBA, architecture week South East was held from 15 June to 24 June 2007. architecture plb were pleased to host Eco Station from 18 to 24 June. This was the product of a collaborative initiative between ourselves, the School of Architecture at the University of Portsmouth, BDP and Price & Myers. Eco Station is a project addressing ecological issues on a global, local and personal level. Find out how you can contribute and make a difference. For more information see:

LFA 2008

London Festival of Architecture 2008 - Edible Cafe As part of the London Festival of Architecture, architecture plb organised a series of workshops involving secondary school pupils. We are currently designing a number of schools in and around London and worked with pupils from some of these schools. With advice and guidance from our own staff on hand throughout the sessions, the children were encouraged to discuss their ideas and share their thoughts on shapes, colours and best materials to make models from fresh fruit and vegetables. The Edible Cafe sculptures were exhibited at a public display in July during the LFA 2008.

Open House London 2008

St Matthew Academy and Castle Green architecture plb had two schemes open during Open House London in September 2008. St Matthew Academy for Business and Enterprise in Blackheath is one of our most recently completed schools. Catering for 1320 pupils, including a 13 place nursery, it is a new all age City Academy. Castle Green was completed in September 2005 as part of the Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham. Designed for extensive out of hours use by the community, the centre provides a public library, adult education courses, performance spaces, a nursery, creche and a one-stop shop.

Expert Seminar 2008

Primary Schools at NLA, July 2008 In July 2008, architecture plb organised and hosted an expert seminar at New London Architecture centre. The expert seminar was held in the context of the new DCSF Primary Schools Capital Programme. One of the principal objectives of the programme is to help schools deliver the five Every Child Matters objectives. The seminar attracted key participants, with contributions from Michele Zini of ZPZ Architects in Modena talking about his work with Children of Reggio, and Robin Duckett from Sightlines Initiative - the reference point for Reggio Children, and for the UK interest in reflecting on the work of the preschools of the Reggio Emilia region in Northern Italy.

More for Less 2009

architecture plb hosted 'More for Less' at our London office on 24 September 2009. The seminar was part of a series of evening dialogue sessions by the RIBA Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF). The purpose of the seminar was to provoke a discussion about the future challenges facing higher education institutions in the changing economic climate, and how best to respond to the emerging issues. If we are expected to deliver 'More for Less', how do we do it? Budgets are cut so do we cut space, quality and sustainability targets? Looking outside the sector, are there any useful lessons? Should the strategic planning of the estate be approached differently? Which projects really make a difference? A copy of the seminar programme is available below :

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We are recruiting a Technical Manager to work across both our London and Winchester offices. Please download PDF below for a detailed job description and send your CV setting out clearly: • your qualifications, experience and two professional references • illustrations of work should be a maximum of 3 double-sided A4 pages illustrating projects you have been closely involved with Please summarise, in an accompanying letter, why you are suited to the role and how your experience, skills and qualifications support this.

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Some News

We are currently looking for a Technical Manager to work across both our London and Winchester offices. For a detailed job description and instructions on how to apply please go to our About Us page and click on Recruitment. Please note ONLY HARD COPY CVs will be accepted.

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Number of people: 9

Andrew Lowe

BSc BArch RIBA Andrew Lowe joined the practice in Winchester in 1983 becoming a principle in 1988. He was responsible for setting-up and managing the Salisbury office until 1997 and has since returned to Winchester where he has been managing director since 2002. He is also the main director-level link with our associated landscape architects practice Plincke Landscape. His expertise is wide-ranging encompassing planning, procurement and funding issues at a strategic level. Sectors of architectural expertise include school projects in both independent and public sectors, further and higher education, residential and mixed-use schemes as well as work with historic buildings. He has won RIBA architecture and Civic Trust awards and has been a member of design competition winning teams for The Godolphin School performing arts centre and Petersfield town centre redevelopment.

Mike Skilton

BA(Arch) DipArch DipBRS RIBA Mike first joined architecture plb in 1995 to work on one of the practice’s major award-winning schools projects, Haute Valle, a new, low energy 750-pupil secondary school with community facilities. He re-joined the practice after a short period at Hampshire County Architects and became a Director of architecture plb in 2003. Mike has acquired a wealth of education and housing experience and has been responsible for delivering many of the practice’s projects. His technical skills are very strong and his management and delivery of large schemes is of great value to the practice. He has brought this expertise to bear in the delivery of student accommodation and affordable housing schemes. Over the last 3 years, Mike has concentrated on delivering a variety of large education and civic projects including the successful West Sussex Academies bid, ‘Building Schools for the Future’ bids for both Bradford and Westminster, the Barking Schools PFI project and a mixed use regeneration scheme in Dagenham. Mike is also the director in charge of Health and Safety across both offices.

Rupert Cook

BA(Arch) DipArch RIBA Rupert has been at architecture plb for over ten years working on a variety of projects including; education, housing, mixed-use, arts and cultural buildings. Currently leading work in the University and Cultural sectors, and supporting the Housing work within the office, he also coordinates the business development group, and has responsibility for IT. Rupert brings skills from a range of projects, particularly planning, ensuring effective working between all team members, and maintains an interest in projects involving extensive public consultation. He enjoys the challenge of modern methods of construction and innovative building techniques as a means to deliver high quality, sustainable buildings. As the joint convenor of the Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF), Rupert spoke at the 2008 annual conference and organised the 2009 Conference. As part of the group, he has promoted an evaluation of good practice in the residential part of the University sector, and also initiated an evening series of events to encourage discussion and debate. Rupert is a visiting critic and has presented lectures on a broad range of architectural issues. He sits on Advisory Boards at Southampton and Portsmouth Universities and for the last two years has been a judge for the Creative East awards. Rupert is an RIBA Awards and Civic Trust Awards judge.

Jo DeSyllas

BA(Hons) BArch RIBA Jo joined architecture plb in 1999 and was appointed to associate level in May 2006. During this time, she has worked predominantly in school design and has gained a wealth of schools experience covering primary, secondary and special needs schools. Jo was the project architect for Jo Richardson Community School which has been featured in a number of publications including those by CABE and DfES. Jo enjoys the dialogue with end users and stakeholders and is experienced in integrating their various requirements with good quality design. Committed to ongoing relationships with clients, Jo has helped with the implementation of the Built Environment GCSE at Jo Richardson. She has also been involved with DfES publication on Extended Schools and is a member of the Winchester & Eastleigh Architects Advisory Panel. Jo is currently leading the practice in Wave 1 of Westminster's Building Schools for the Future project.

Rachel Shaw

BSc DipArch RIBA Calling on the experience gained at her previous practice in schools PFI, Rachel joined architecture plb in September 2003 as project architect for the St Matthew Academy in Lewisham. Appointed to Director level in April 2008, Rachel now leads the City Academies programme and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the practice’s London office based in Southwark. Since qualifying in 1996 Rachel has worked on a variety of projects both educational and commercial where high quality flexible accommodation has been a key requirement. She is now bringing this experience to City Academies projects where multi purpose and adaptable spaces are important in creating flexible modern teaching environments. Rachel has a keen interest in sustainability issues and is firmly committed to addressing these issues in the design and development of education projects. She is responsible for driving architecture plb's environmental policies, and leads an in-house Sustainability Group. She also sits on the Southwark Design Review Panel and is a member of the RIBA Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF).

Helen Taylor

BA(Hons) BArch RIBA FRSA Helen joined architecture plb in 2004 as a senior architect in the practice’s London office, initially leading bids for City Academies. She is lead architect for the Marlborough Hill Campus as part of Westminster BSF, co-location of secondary, infant, junior schools, leisure and council services; and Barnfield West Academy, a brand new secondary school sponsored by Barnfield FE College, creating improved educational opportunities in an area of deprivation. She has also previously worked on John Roan Secondary School, a high profile multi-storey school designated for the Greenwich Peninsula, as part of phase 1 of the Greenwich Building Schools for the Future programme. Helen has a particular interest in engaging end users of all ages in brief development and consultation events, and has been part of successful bid teams for the Bradford and Waltham Forest BSF programmes. She was made an Associate in January 2007. Helen maintains a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in architecture and the built environment, particularly as co-chair of Architects for Change, the RIBA’s Equality & Diversity Forum, and in her current roles as chair of the RIBA Inclusion committee and Convenor of the RIBA Schools Client Forum. Helen was a finalist in the Atkins “Inspire” Awards 2008, Architecture Inspirational Leader Category.

Ian Deans

BA(HonsArch) DipArch RIBA MAUrbDes Ian is an architect and urban designer with 20 years’ experience, over half of these with architecture plb. He has successfully delivered many award-winning projects, principally in the education and housing sectors. His urban design work has involved him in a number of inner city mixed use schemes, often in sensitive conservation areas and involving public consultation. His skills in urban design have particular relevance to education and residential projects. Both require the ability to create designs that foster the development of a community and a particular sensitivity for sense of place. All his projects are united in a concern for both internal and external space, exploiting the possibilities of the spaces between buildings to create additional, shared areas that add value to homes and schools alike. Ian is a CABE Enabler, a SEEDA Design Panel member and has also been involved with Defence Estates on their Design Evaluation Programme. He is also a qualified Building for Life Assessor.

Nick Mirchandani

MA DipArch RIBA Since qualifying in 1991, Nick has gained expertise in a wide range of building types and procurement routes. At architecture plb he has been primarily involved in the education sector and in particular PFI, including his role as project director for one of the first such school projects, now acknowledged by many as a quality benchmark in PFI design and delivery. Nick leads the practice’s involvement in the Building Schools for the Future programme and is actively involved with CABE in design quality issues affecting this programme. He is currently working with a number of BSF authorities, including Luton Borough Council, and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Nick’s previously acquired skills in mixed use and conversion projects are of great benefit, not least in the education sector due to an increasing emphasis on community provision and the remodelling and reuse of existing facilities to meet modern requirements. With over 10 years experience in the education sector, Nick also acts as a RIBA Client Design Advisor and is an active member of the British Council for School Environments. These activities enhance his appreciation and knowledge of the sector and help him keep abreast of new developments.

Andrew Fifield

Andrew joined the practice in 2004, and was appointed to the position of Associate in March 2009. During his time at the practice, he has been responsible for a number of Academies projects including St Matthew Academy, a new all-through school in Blackheath, which was completed in March 2008. His current work includes the Barnfield West Academy as part of Luton Academies BSF, and acting as design advisor for the Wellington Academy. Andrew is a skilled draughtsman, and his design and sketching skills have been brought to bear on a variety of projects within the practice, also taking responsibilty for the internal design review process. He has worked with a wide range of public and private clients, and is particularly interested in the process of understanding clients’ ambitions, and transforming these into sustainable, legible, attractive buildings that are fit for their purpose without forgetting the potential of architecture to delight. Andrew has undertaken training to become a BREEAM Assessor and is also a member of both the Sustainability and Housing Specialist Interest Groups within the practice.

Number of project: 33

College Staff Houses

Winchester College

As part of their ongoing Campus Development Plan, Winchester College commissioned architecture plb to design four new staff houses on two separate sites within the City’s conservation area. The planning authority were prepared to consider additional dwellings on these sensitive sites, provided that they were of high design quality and that they made a positive contribution to the overall character of the area. architecture plb’s response was to design contemporary dwellings that harmonise with the surrounding properties, rather than replicate them. A disused fives court provides the location for a new two storey staff house, whilst three and four bedroom houses provide modern accommodation for College staff and their families.

St Luke's Court, Winchester

A2 Winchester

As part of the drive for greater utilisation of brownfield sites within urban boundaries, architecture plb was commissioned to consider the development of a constrained backland site previously occupied by garages. A2 Winchester set a brief for 11 family houses, providing a mix of 3 bedroom and 2 bedroom accommodation, that were to be located so as to provide an attractive public realm whilst maintaining privacy and light to the existing gardens of the surrounding houses. The development of the scheme involved the residents in consultation workshops in order to develop a shared vision and deliver planning approval. The houses used Modern Methods of Construction to condense the construction programme. Despite its innovative form, the development combines traditional materials such as stock brick, cedar cladding and zinc with areas of sedum roof.

Frances Sheldon Court

A2 Winchester

Building on established relationships developed on earlier projects, architecture plb were commissioned by Winchester Housing Group to design a scheme to replace three large inter-war villas sitting on a steeply sloping site within the western edge of the City’s Conservation area. The 33 new affordable units take a lead from the existing situation, establishing a courtyard for the centre of the site with views between each block. A key element of the design was to animate the neighbouring road frontage, with lightweight bridges into the visually permeable stair cores and to negotiate the storey level drop through the depth of the buildings. Simple monopitch standing seam roofs, oversail the brick and timber facades. Key views out-of and into the site are celebrated with bay windows and balconies provide limited external amenity space.

All Hallows Development

Southwark Cathedral

architecture plb have been commissioned by Southwark Cathedral to design a mixed use scheme on the site of All Hallows Church in Southwark. The proposal includes 15 flats, offices for the specialist fostering and adoption agency, Parents For Children, a Community Space and a new Canon Pastor's House. The original All Hallows Church, designed by George Gilbert Scott Junior was bombed during the second world war, and the new designs incorporate a fragment of the remaining structure. The site, once fully occupied by the church, is now a well-loved public garden, this too will be retained within the design. Parents For Children is a charitable organisation, conducting pioneering work in the field of fostering and adoption, currently operating from a large converted house in North London.

Bournemouth University

Unite Group Plc

When architecture plb was asked to be involved on this site in Bournemouth, the developer, Unite, was faced with serious policy constraints. In addition a significant development nearby was ‘derailed’ due to design issues following a CABE design review. With an established record, we were able to add value by delivering the planning consent within the very constrained timeframe. More accommodation than originally briefed was also provided and the design quality of the sceme was raised overall. The development accommodates office space and student housing in two buildings : Melbury House - 2,250 sq m offices; and Purbeck House - 500+ student bedrooms. Melbury House The office building was designed to the BCO standards as a commercial venture. Now used by the University of Bournemouth, housing their Estates' administration teams, the building accommodates the renowned ‘Business Gateway’.

Cathedral Visitor Centre

Winchester Cathedral

Won in limited competition, this scheme was for a masterplan to provide new facilities for the hundreds of thousands of visitors attracted to Winchester Cathedral annually. Working in this historic setting, great sensitivity was required both architecturally and in balancing the various functions of the Centre within the life and ministry of the Cathedral. The first phase of construction included the conversion of a grade 1 listed 17th century coach house to provide an entrance for the centre, retail and office facilities and a gateway to the new refectory building beyond. Following the success of the first phase, architecture plb was invited to design a second phase to accommodate increasing visitor numbers. Our response was a single storey, lightweight, timber framed building which preserves the archaeology below. The building comprises a multipurpose space, used for functions and meetings, together with office and ancillary spaces. The transparency of the building highlights the beauty of the flint wall behind and maximises views of the West front of the Cathedral from inside.

Barking Schools PFI

Bouygues UK

This project comprises two large secondary schools on the edge of the Thames Gateway for the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, forming a significant part of the Borough's strategy for urban renewal. The schools address two important objectives; the delivery of a new pedagogy and the provision of cultural, leisure, health and learning resources for the wider community. Both schools are designed for extensive out of hours use with public access to the performing arts, resource areas, sports and dining spaces. Jo Richardson School also incorporates a primary healthcare centre, a community one-stop shop and public library. With 1500 students the pastoral arrangement, at the new Jo Richardson School, is particularly important and the planning provides a distinct hierarchy of inside and outside spaces to reflect this. The existing Eastbury School has been amalgamated onto one site and expanded to accommodate 1800 students.

Jersey College Campus

States of Jersey

Following a competition win entailing the rationalisation of three existing sites for the new Jersey College Campus, architecture plb were appointed by the States of Jersey for a four-phased programme of delivery over a period of 15 years. The design addressed the problems of a restricted site, steeply sloping contours and the retention of historic buildings, with buildings that respond in scale to the different curriculum needs and maximise access to the landscape. Phase 1 Preparatory School (1997) - primary school Phase 2 Main Campus (1999) - community theatre - learning resource centre - science laboratories - refurbishment of College House Phase 3 Art, Design and Technology Faculty (1999) - centre for art, design and technology Phase 4 Sports Centre (2003) - national standard swimming pool - gymnasium, dance and sports hall

Harrow Road, Westminster

CityWest Homes

CityWest Homes, the Arms Length Management Organisation for Westminster City Council, is embarking on ten “Community Build” projects funded by the Housing Corporation. architecture plb has been appointed to design housing, community, nursery and public realm improvements for the Warwick Estate, an area of deprivation in Westminster bounded by the Regents Canal, Harrow Road and the Westway. The new housing will meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, comprising of over 100 units of mainly family-sized apartments. The proposals also include the replacement of an existing community hall and private nursery, with an integrated community centre facing the canal, as well as incorporating an educational garden for three local primary schools. Significant improvements to landscaping and entrances around four residential towers on the estate will be enhanced further by the creation of new public squares, better boundaries between public and private spaces, new lighting, and “green corridors” that will tie all the existing green spaces on the estate together and improve biodiversity.

Textile Conservation Centre

The Textile Conservation Centre is a leading international centre for the conservation of textiles and the education of curators and conservators. Originally housed at Hampton Court, the Centre was relocated to a purpose-designed building on the Winchester School of Art campus in 1999, following the creation of an academic partnership with the University of Southampton. In preparing the design, architecture plb visited similar centres and carried out lengthy discussions with the conservators to ascertain their precise requirements; the resultant design is a direct translation of the way the Centre works. The environmentally controlled conservation laboratories are double height spaces benefiting from UV filtered north light. Specialist facilities include the Garfield Weston Analytical Laboratory, the Lister Microscopy Room, dye laboratory, washrooms, photography studio and dark room. A glass wall extending along the length of the first floor gallery enables students and visitors to view the conservation process, without infringing on the delicate nature of the conservators’ work.

Mixed use, Dagenham

LB of Barking & Dagenham

architecture plb with developer Bouygues UK have won a competition to deliver a landmark gateway building as part of the regeneration of the Dagenham Heathway. The mixed use scheme is located within one of the Mayor's 100 'Key Public Spaces', and has been designed to function as the hub of the regeneration masterplan, acting as a catalyst to further investment. Together with retail and 82 new apartments, the scheme includes a library, as the first new public building in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham for over 20 years.

Rue des Marais, Guernsey

Guernsey Housing Association

This scheme is the first phase of a masterplan for the Grand Bouet area, to the north of St. Peter Port in Guernsey where the existing housing stock is in need of replacement. architecture plb was commissioned to submit a detailed planning application for this 1.37 hectare site. The scheme comprises a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed flats and houses, totalling 87 dwellings. This achieves a density of 64 dwellings per hectare. A parking provision of 1 space per 1 bed dwelling and 2 spaces per 2 and 3 bed dwellings has been achieved in line with the island’s highways policies. The scheme is designed around a series of courts with sensitive landscaping treatment to the communal areas. The dwellings have been carefully orientated to address the historic castle and amenity space to the north, and the streetscape to the south. New "green" links have been established to increase permeability across the site with an emphasis on the pedestrian.

James Watson Hall

Unite Group Plc

This scheme completes the major part of a city centre site and is partly used by the University of Portsmouth as halls of residence. The 12-storey building provides 726 student rooms above 10,000sqft of commercial space at ground level, with some of this space being developed by the University to house its administration facilities. The massing and general articulation of the building responds directly to surrounding buildings and key views into and around the site, with particular attention being paid to the scale and nature of the smaller listed buildings. Traditional materials - such as terracotta - presented in a modern form adopting new techniques, have been chosen to sit comfortably in its setting. Further to the completion of the halls of residence, we were asked to design a new high glazed shop front for the University on the ground floor of James Watson Hall. Known, as ‘Purple Door’, the majority of this area is open plan and provides office accommodation and a new face for the University.

Ineos Headquarters

Ineos Capital Plc

This project involves the design of a new administrative headquarters building in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, for a global company operating in the chemical manufacturing industry. The brief specified a modern but discreet building, on a sensitive site in the heart of the New Forest. The response by architecture plb is a two-storey structure which works with the contours of the landscape and is designed for minimal visual impact to neighbouring properties. The building provides flexible, cellular offices and open plan accommodation, its form maximising the benefits of daylight and natural ventilation. The design specifies the use of traditional materials used in a contemporary manner. RIBA award 2003, Civic Trust award 2003

Veterinary Research Centre

RVC, University of London

architecture plb was appointed by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) to design the Centre for Emerging Endemic & Exotic Diseases (CEEED). The brief for the building is to bring together academics from a variety of research areas into one centre, the first of its kind to support the development of internationally important research. Whilst modest in size, the centre still provides a huge impact globally and physically. New researchers and students will be able to utilise the category 3 laboratories, open plan office area and attend seminars and meetings all under one roof and within a space that cleverly claims an existing stair core to open up the centre to interaction. The use of materials has helped to create a feeling of a fresh new facility whilst in keeping with the rural campus feel of its context. The two-directional use of timber cladding plays on the surrounding character of the timber and corrugated barns but with a sharper and more professional feel. The height and composition of the elevations gives it a firm presence but expands inside with the use of restrained but at times vibrant detailing and colour.

Aston Martin Museum

AMOC and AMHT

This project entails the refurbishment of a 14th century Barn in Drayton St Leonard, Oxfordshire. The building provides the setting for the museum and archive for the newly formed Aston Martin Heritage Trust and houses historic racing and development artefacts, memorabilia, photographs, trophies, records and drawings. This Grade II* listed barn is considered one of the most important remaining structures of its type in the country, therefore a sensitive approach towards conserving the historic fabric of the building was paramount. Whilst the programme of conservation has maintained the exterior form and the dramatic interior space, architecture plb has sought to incorporate modern design and materials, affording an exciting juxtaposition of old and new, in line with the prestigious and innovative marque. This approach was advocated and part Grant funded by English Heritage. A staircase links the ground and first floor and incorporates a large trophy cabinet inviting guests to view as they ascend. The kitchen and toilet facilities are housed in an outlying, linked pod of contemporary design.

Jephson Gardens

Warwick District Council

architecture plb has completed a unique temperate house and restaurant in the grounds of Jephson Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa. The riverside building is part of a major regeneration scheme for the park, undertaken in association with landscape practice, Plincke Landscape, and with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Constructed of structural glass fixed back to a light steel frame, the glass house, which provides a ‘temperate’ climate for a myriad of plant types, is sandwiched between two more solid elements - a two-storey exhibition entrance foyer at one end and a high quality 120 seat restaurant, which hovers over the bank of the River Leam, at the other. All parts of the building offer panoramic views across the gardens and river. The three areas are designed to work as one during the day but also offer the facility to act independently for evening function use.

Lloyd Park, Walthamstow

LB of Waltham Forest

Plincke Landspace and architecture plb were commissioned to prepare a vision for Lloyd Park in 2005, as the premier open space in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The initiative is part of a wider regeneration project to align with the Council’s aspirations as one of the Olympic Boroughs. The project includes significant investment to restore and renovate the park's historic landscape. The building proposals act as a focus for the many activities in the park uniting the diverse communities through ecology, sports, culture and heritage which includes; an education centre, cafe, gallery and studios. All with a particular focus on increasing safety, reducing fear and to activate the use of the wonderful piece of open space. The design forms a garden wall, enclosing many activities with visually rich and tactile materials inspired by William Morris. The scheme is designed to meet BREEAM excellent. The project has included an assessment of needs for arts accommodation in the area. The project received stage one grant approval from Heritage Lottery Fund in March 2008.

Camden Learning Cafe

The Royal Veterinary College

This scheme is part of a comprehensive reassessment of priorities and needs for the Royal Veterinary College's Camden Campus. architecture plb has been commissioned to investigate design opportunities to realise the College’s aspirations for spaces that enable flexible teaching and learning environments in a ‘social learning’ pedagogy. The Camden Learning Café will enhance the facilities on site. On a tight urban campus with limited opportunities for expansion, the development utilises an underused courtyard of an existing building. Flexible spaces are created within the courtyard as extensions of the facilities surrounding it, incorporating elements of the existing library, refectory, teaching and office spaces, main entrance, common rooms and museum. Strong links with the existing museum lends the atrium a character unique to the Royal Veterinary College. A high level, semi-enclosed reading room creates a dramatic focus to an exciting new facility that will act as a unifying ‘hub’, enhancing the educational experience of the campus and the College.

Springhill Primary

Governors of Springhill School

The brief for this project was to provide a new building to link the existing lower and upper school buildings. Our clients, the Governors of Springhill School and the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, also specified a new well-defined and secure entrance for the school, incorporating a small amount of visitor parking. The new building comprises a hall and servery, an administration suite with ancillary services and a reception and entrance area. A small library/ resource centre is housed within a linking corridor. The project also includes an external quiet prayer area, which is surrounded by a garden wall and trees to help provide shelter for the children. The building has been designed to meet the access requirements of all users and to give the school the maximum flexibility of use.

St Matthew Academy

Catholic Diocese of Southwark

architecture plb completed St Matthew Academy in 2008, a scheme which was Highly Commended in the BCSE Inspiring Design Award 2009. Built on the constrained site of an existing primary and secondary school within the London Borough of Lewisham, the new Academy provides a fully inclusive all-through programme of education. The school caters for 1260 pupils aged 3-16, including a 25-place nursery, primary and secondary school co-located on the same site. The layout meets the requirement to cater for early years through to secondary pupils in one building, by maximising the opportunities to share facilities whilst at the same time recognising the diverse needs of children of different age groups. Within a strong Catholic ethos the Academy teaches the full national curriculum and specialises in Business and Enterprise. The school seeks to provide a very high degree of flexibility and openness to promote group working and to create an environment equivalent to a modern work place.

Brighton Study Centre

Pinnacle Group

Brighton Study Centre offers preparatory courses run by Study Goup to over 1000 students for entry into UK universities, with a student age range from 15-45. Each student has an individual timetable, so the flexibility in the departmental structure and room management is quite different to a UK school and much more akin to a University or College. The design challenge was how to bring together five different school communities and the headquarters’ staff into one building, offering a united identity and shared experience. This was realised in an internal, vertical street offering a focus for the diverse and international community - a social learning space. Careful and sustainable selection of materials fed into a separate green procurement strategy for the building. architecture plb worked closely with the ecologist from Brighton, who advocated ecological biodiversity through a series of green walls, treed courtyards and green roofs. The scheme achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’, and won an ACE Engineering award last year.

University of Lleida

University of Catalonia

architecture plb was appointed to design this new 8800sqm faculty building for the University of Catalonia in Lleida, following an international design competition. The building has been designed to accommodate Lleida’s wide climatic range while minimising energy demand. Taking many of its themes from the Basque sculptor Chillida, the building can be considered an eroded cube, where volume is carved out to create lungs of light and air. These pockets of light slots and courtyards bring daylight deep into the plan, acting as cool respite from the harsh summer sun and protection from the opposite extremes of the climate in winter. The University has a reputation for an innovative approach to curriculum and architecture plb translated these teaching methods into an equally innovative design solution, where flexible lecture theatres and teaching spaces are organised around a four storey atrium. Central administration suites, dining halls and student services complete the upper and lower ground floor areas.

Kelmscott School

LB of Waltham Forest

As part of the ‘Bouygues Partnership for Education and Community’ architecture plb was selected as Preferred Bidder for the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s BSF programme. Responsible for two of three schools in Wave 1; Kelmscott School (completed 2008) and Walthamstow School for Girls (due late 2009), both existing facilities requiring refurbishment, extension and complex remodelling to provide modern, transformational accommodation fit for 21st century learning. Our brief for Kelmscott School was to transform this late 1960s middle school, which had been extended over 25 years to cater for use as a 900-place secondary school. A highly prominent new entrance was required, coupled with new performing arts and dining facilities to improve both the image and the functionality of the existing school, and its identity within the surrounding community. A new ‘street’ connecting the entrance to the school buildings has created a legible circulation axis, providing multi-use, flexible spaces that offer a number of different uses. The project won ‘Best Design for a Remodelled School’ at the PfS 2008 Excellence in BSF Awards.

Barnfield West Academy

Luton Borough Council

architecture plb is currently designing proposals for Barnfield West Academy, a new 8-form entry building within the grounds of the existing Academy. The Academy’s specialisms are Cultural & Creative Industries, Business and Enterprise and ICT. The building has been designed to enable community use of certain facilities such as sports, performing arts and LRC. The Academy is one of the schools receiving additional funding from the DCSF for achieving a 60% reduction in CO² emissions from the Part L 2002 building regs. The orientation and layout of the building has been optimised to minimise unwanted solar gain and large glazed areas allow for high levels of natural daylight. The massing and construction of the building has been designed to stabilise internal temperatures and reduce annual energy consumption, utilising exposed concrete soffits to act as a heat sink. Highly robust materials have been selected in order to ensure the building’s longevity. The scheme is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

Chilcomb Innovation Centre

Cavendish & Gloucester Ltd

Planning permission has been granted by for the redevelopment of a brown-field employment site on the eastern edge of the City. The site in Chilcomb Vale is one of the few developments in Winchester to be located east of the M3 motorway. The 1.9HA site is also situated within the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and designated South Downs National Park. Comprised of six individual three-storey units arranged in two blocks, the proposal includes 9000 sqm of accommodation for office-based and research & development businesses. The proposals have been enthusiastically supported by North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester City Council, who see this as an encouraging sign of high-end employment prosperity that may reverse the tide of decline of employment opportunities in the City over recent years. The scheme achieves high levels of architectural and sustainable design, with an anticipated BREEAM score of 'Excellent’. The northern block acts as the acoustic barrier providing the landscaped courtyard and the southern block with reduced traffic noise levels and a pleasant working environment.

King George Allotments

Test Valley Borough Council

In conjunction with Radian, architecture plb has won a competition to design and deliver innovative housing on a site in Andover, Hampshire. Currently owned by Test Valley BC, the land has been released for development as affordable housing. The new development will meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and Lifetime Homes Standards, and will consist of 17 houses (78 bedspaces) at a density of 40 dwellings per hectare. The winning design addresses the sensitivities of building on previously communal spaces surrounded by houses, with an arrangement that maintains views across the site whilst creating privacy and minimising overlooking. Predominantly single storey, the accommodation is arranged up against a perimeter wall that backs onto surrounding gardens and thus creates an internal south facing courtyard. The houses combine green roof and timber clad pods to remain in keeping with the allotments and sheds that previously occupied the site.

Northgate Chambers

Keyhaven Land / Laing Homes

The Northgate Chambers site originally comprised a series of existing 1960s office blocks located in a prominent site in the centre of Winchester. The scheme was developed through a series of public consultation events and Planning ‘working parties’, after which architecture plb submitted a scheme for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site, knitting it back into the urban grain. This was welcomed by the Local Authority as a chance to regenerate the site and to address some townscape problems that the 1960s block created. The resultant scheme combines 73 new 1 and 2 bedroom residential units, with car parking and commercial units sited on the street frontage. The design combines a variety of scales and massing, appropriate to the differing townscape that surrounds the site. It also provides a new pedestrian link across the site linking into other routes that criss-cross this area. The front of the buildings respond to streetscape views close to the site, as well as the long view across the roof tops of the City.

Ashcroft Technology Academy

DCSF

architecture plb was appointed by the DCSF to transform the existing fabric of ADT City Technology College (ADT CTC) to a City Academy whilst maintaining its specialism in ICT and D&T. The new Ashcroft Technology Academy includes refurbishment of existing facilities to improve teaching spaces whilst new build accommodation has been provided for Performing Arts and Sports. These new facilities include a drama studio, music suite, ICT and D&T together with the school’s SEN provision and an ASD unit funded directly by the Local Authority. Off-site development includes tennis courts, a synthetic turf pitch and a Pavilion including new changing rooms. To cope with the very high demand for places, the Academy is now also able to accommodate one new form of entry. The Ashcroft Technology Academy will be fully operational in September 2009 and create a leading edge school benefitting local community and its partner schools.

John Roan School

LB of Greenwich

As part of Greenwich BSF, the John Roan School is planned to relocate to a new brown field site on the Greenwich Peninsula, next to the Millennium Dome. Here, the school will form an early focus of a whole new master plan, combining community, residential and commercial development to be developed over the next 20 years. One of the key constraints is size and setting. At the centre of the new development, land costs are high and buildings are up to 12 storeys in order to create appropriate density and value. The school is under the same pressures and the design is based on multi-storey solutions, with classrooms, social and play areas at upper levels. The lower floors are reserved for facilities that can accommodate community use – sports hall, main hall, dining and library – and which will provide a lively street frontage. The views westward towards the City will be exploited through a glazed atrium that gives access to all levels. The scheme was the first to be awarded a rating of BREEAM for Schools ‘Excellent’.

Walthamstow School for Girls

LB of Waltham Forest

As part of the ‘Bouygues Partnership for Education and Community’ (BPEC) architecture plb was selected as Preferred Bidder for the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s £200m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, and consequently appointed for two of three schools included in the first phase of the programme, Kelmscott School, and Walthamstow School for Girls. The second of the two schools for which architecture plb has been responsible, Walthamstow School for Girls is an existing 900-place facility which has been extended and remodelled to provide modern, transformational accommodation, fit for 21st century learning. The scheme offered particular design challenges as the existing Edwardian buildings are listed Grade 2 and are set in a wonderful, mature landscape. New buildings needed to be designed to provide state of the art specialist teaching accommodation while respecting the form and massing of the original school and minimising the impact on the gardens.

Marlborough Hill Campus

LB of Westminster

architecture plb has been appointed by Westminster Local Education Partnership to masterplan the co-location of four schools, a nursery and crèche, children’s services, youth support, PCT, health, recreation, leisure and sports facilities on one campus. The site already houses three schools that offer extended services to their pupils and the local community but there are physical barriers to integrate delivery of their ambitions, and those of the local authority, which redevelopment of the whole site can address. The key objectives are to realise a sense of place and identity, with a central community entrance and gathering space providing legibility and cohesion to the various elements of the campus. The range and usage of the diverse facilities on site will enable a central heat and power plant and elements of on-site renewable energy to be viable. The project will achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of “very good” but the project team ambition is to achieve a much higher rating, and inclusive community involvement is at the heart of this ambition. Effective engagement with stakeholders during the design process will embed a sense of ownership and develop a shared vision for the site.

Sir Robert Woodard Academy

West Sussex County Council

As part of the Balfour Beatty bidding team, architecture plb has been announced as Preferred Bidder for the West Sussex Academies programme to be delivered under the PfS National Academies Framework. The winning design was for the Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Sompting, sponsored by The Woodard Trust. The proposals include replacing the existing 1400-place Boundstone Community College with a dedicated 8FE Academy and post 16, also providing for extensive community use. The new Sir Robert Woodard Academy has been awarded a specialist status in both Performing Arts and Mathematics. The layout and concept respond to the sponsor’s vision and ethos; the structure and pastoral arrangements being based on the creation of 6 small schools known as the “Chapters”. Our concept brings two ideas together; the organisation of the Chapters as a flexible group of spaces arranged around a ‘mini-atrium’ and the wedge-shaped ‘shard’ space, enclosing the social areas and the elements that express the Academy’s two specialisms as well as the quiet reflection worship space.

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Selected Project List: Ashcroft Technology Academy Abbey Mill Housing Development Aston Martin Museum Barnfield West Academy Bournemouth and Poole College Bournemouth University Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College Brighton Study Centre Camden Social Learning Space, RVC Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, RVC Chilcomb Innovation Centre College Park SEN School Dagenham Heathway Housing and Library Eastbury Comprehensive School Eastlea School Equine Surgery, RVC Frances Sheldon Court Housing Harrow Road Estate Regeneration Haute Vallee School Horndean Village Redevelopment Ineos Headquarters Jephson Temperate House and Gardens Jersey College for Girls Jo Richardson Community School John Roan School Kelmscott School King George Allotments Redevelopment Knowle Village Housing Development Langford Sports Centre Les Nicolles School Littlehampton Academy Lloyd and Aveling Park Education Centre

Marlborough Hill Campus Merton Rise Housing Development Midhurst Rother Academy Morn Hill Hotel Moot Court, London School of Economics Naomi House Newbury Road Residential Care Northgate Chambers Housing Development Peacehaven Schools PFI Pimlico Academy Porlock Road Housing Redwood Park SEN School Rue des Marais Housing Shoreham Academy Sir Robert Woodard Academy Springhill Primary School St Clement’s Surgery St Luke’s Court Housing St Matthew Academy Teaching and Research Centre, RVC The Deanery College of Residence University of Lleida, Spain University of London, Goldsmiths University of Portsmouth, James Watson Hall Walthamstow School for Girls Wellington Academy Western Primary Care Delivery Centre Willis Way Housing Winchester Cathedral Visitor Centre Winchester College Boarding House Winchester College Staff Housing Winchester School of Art

Selected Clients list: A2 Dominion Acornford Developments Arqiva Assura Aston Martin Owners’ Club Atlantic Housing Balfour Beatty Barratt Homes Berkeley Homes Bournemouth & Poole College Bournemouth University Bouygues UK Bradford Metropolitan District Council CityWest Homes CABE De la Salle Brothers Department for Children, Schools & Families East Sussex County Council Enham Registered Charity Espalier Private Equity Ltd / INTO Footstep Governors of Redwood Park Guernsey Housing Association Hyde Housing Association Ineos Plc Keyhaven Land Ltd Knightspur Properties Ltd Laing Homes Laing O'Rourke London Borough of Barking & Dagenham London Borough of Greenwich London Borough of Newham London Borough of Southwark London Borough of Tower Hamlets

London Borough of Waltham Forest London Borough of Westminster London Diocese of Southwark London School of Economics Lovell Partnership Luton Borough Council Mott MacDonald Osborne Radian Housing Group Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth Royal Veterinary College Solent Centre for Art and Design South East England Development Agency Spectrum Housing Group States of Guernsey Study Group Synergy Housing Association The Woodard Trust The United Learning Trust Winchester Cathedral Winchester College Unite Group University of East Anglia University of Catalonia University of Portsmouth University of Southampton VT Education and Skills Warwick District Council Wates Group Wellington College Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust West Sussex County Council Winchester Cathedral Winchester College