Latest News
Developments at Robothams
Robothams Architecture is a practice committed to providing a high quality service across a number of market sectors. For more information about any of our news items or PR please contact our office.
18th January 2012
Warwickshire College Major Refurbishment
Partially funded by a Skills Funding Agency enhanced renewal grant, Warwickshire College will be undertaking a major refurbishment of their main six storey teaching building in addition to reconfiguring their public areas and extending to form a new entrance foyer.
The scheme is to be designed by the practice and the first phase will be complete for September 2013.
6th January 2012
Diglis Water, Worcester
Since the 1990's the practice have been working for Taylor Wimpey to transform a brownfield site at the junction of the River Severn and the Worcester to Birmingham canal. Earlier phases have been praised by local civic groups and the planning authority for the sensitive way the scheme dealt with existing buildings in the conservation area, and the quality of the public open space.
2012 will see an increased level of activity as production information is prepared for the next phases of the development.
21st December 2011
Midland Studio College
The practice has been appointed to design a new Studio school for the Midland Academies Trust in Hinckley. Reusing a building currently owned by sponsor, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, the school will open in September 2012 for young people between 14-19.
As a Studio school the focus will be on preparing the students for work and personal coaching, with part of every week spent in the workplace. The project will involve renewal of the windows and roof, and internal refurbishment of both finishes and services.
21st November 2011
New Home for the Foundation Campus
Work has begun on site to transform the former Coventry University Students Union into a base for the Cambridge Education Group who operate a study centre allied to the the University.
The project will involve the complete redevelopment of the interior and the addition of sun-shading and wind-catchers to the exterior. Work is due for completion in Spring 2012.
9th November 2011
Sports Centre Extension
A planning application has been submitted by Robothams to extend the Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre for Aston University.
The new building will add a sports hall, squash courts, spectators areas and changing rooms to the recently refurbished centre. The design concept includes the creation of a varied, layered facade using both elements of living 'green' wall and stainless steel mesh wrapper to the sports hall.
1st November 2011
St Pauls Church, Leamington Spa
Following the practice's appointment as master planning architect for the project, we have now been commissioned to prepare the detailed design for the first phase of the masterplan.
Image courtesy of Jonty King www.jkvisuals.com
Fundraising within the congregation has made the redevelopment of the reception areas, kitchen, lounge and toilets all possible, with completion anticipated for July 2012.
19th October 2011
New Appointments
The practice is delighted to announce that David Sercombe and Jon Moore have been promoted to Associate Directors. In their new roles they will be focused on developing the practice's commercial image and continuing to create a diverse client base.
The move illustrates the practice's positive outlook and willingness to evolve and improve our services. Senior Partner, Nick James says “David and Jon have proved they have the determination and commitment to grow the practice during this difficult economic climate, we are confident this long term strategic decision will make us even more competitive.”
23rd September 2011
Warwick Library & Registrar
The County Council's rationalisation strategy will mean Warwick library and the town's Registrar will relocate to Shire Hall to extend the existing one-stop shop facility and improve the accessibility of council services.
Robothams have been working with Willmott Dixon to design and implement the new space. Part of a wider reorganisation of Shire Hall this phase of the project is due for completion early in 2012.
7th September 2011
Sidney Stringer Academy - Now Open
The first phase of Coventry's newest secondary school opened in September for the start of the 2011-12 academic year.
Robothams worked with Sheppard Robson www.sheppardrobson.com to design the new campus in the city's Hillfields district, the project continues its regeneration after the construction of the nearby City College. The new year will see completion of the second phase providing the school and community with a sports centre and external pitches.
23rd June 2011
Housman Hall, Bromsgrove School
Whilst the practice is busily delivering the current phase of development at Bromsgrove School we have been preparing designs for the next phase which includes two new boarding houses providing 100 study bedrooms.
To be built on the site of the listed former home of poet laureate A.E.Housman, the two new buildings have been designed to reflect the vernacular character of the site and its context.
14th June 2011
Banner Lane, Coventry
The practice has recently received planning consent for a premium care home with 106 bedrooms in Coventry for Restful Homes.
The project is one of the practice's largest schemes to date, and has been designed with both a progressive approach to communal facilities and a contemporary exterior. Our specialist team is also working with Restful Homes and Wildgoose Construction on care homes in Lichfield and Stratford Upon Avon, both of which are on site and due to deliver a total of 176 bedrooms in 2012.
7th June 2011
Office visit to Sidney Stringer Academy
A group of our staff visited the buildings forming the first phase of the new school prior to handover later in June 2011.
The Enterprise and Innovation Centre designed by Robothams endeavours to provide an adult environment to encourage progression to the world of work and vocational training for 14-16 year olds. The light, contemporary teaching spaces, and external references to the local 'topshop' vernacular have made this project a successful response to Coventry City Council's brief. The project has been delivered with Sheppard Robson architects and Kier Moss.
31st May 2011
Bliss Charity School
The practice has recently completed a feasibility study to extend Bliss Charity School near Northampton, adding classrooms and seminar room, extending the staff room and refurbishing the dining room.
25th March 2011
On Site at Bromsgrove School
Work has recently begun on site on the School's new sports centre and boarding houses.
The construction works are being undertaken by Speller Metcalfe with completions due in 2011 and 2012. In addition to a project blog the school has posted time lapse camera footage on their website which depicts the progress of the works. This project develops the practice's relationship with the school and builds on the successful science department project completed last year.
25th March 2011
St Pauls Church, Leamington Spa
The practice has been appointed to design a masterplan for refurbishing and redeveloping the interior of north Leamington's parish church.
The church was built in 1874 in the gothic revival style with most of the original features intact despite various refurbishments during the intervening period. The project aims to improve the visitor experience and increase the capacity of the worship space, our work is due for completion by July 2011.
7th February 2011
BSF Primary Capital Programme
The practice has been appointed by Shaylor Construction to complete the design of three primary school extensions in Birmingham.
The designs had been prepared by MSA Architects and Cazenove Architects for Bovis Lendlease. All three schemes are due for completion this summer, and embrace a range of natural ventilation strategies.
25th January 2011
University of Warwick
Robothams working in partnership with Faithful & Gould, have submitted an application for student accommodation on the University's campus.
The design includes, curved roofs and solar thermal panels, to achieve the Breeam Excellent design.
11th January 2011
Coventry University Capital Projects
Appointed in 2010, the practice have been acting as compliance monitor for two major projects currently under construction in the city centre.
The Student Enterprise Building (site photo above) will be completed in Summer 2011 with the Engineer and Computing Building occupied in 2012. Our role includes
co-ordinating a team of specialist advisors for the University and reviewing detailed design information.
