The practice won a tender and competitive interview in October 2009 to design the Universitys refurbished sports facility within the listed Woodcock Street baths. The client was seeking to repair major structural defects in the fabric of the original building and make the new centre an outstanding part of their rejuvenated city centre campus. Our initial work identified the key areas that needed to be repaired and retained, whilst also earmarking about a third of the structure for demolition and replacement. The pool hall and entrance area would be carefully restored with modern changing, aerobics studios and a fitness suite provided within the envelope of the original building. Working closely with Birmingham City Councils conservation team the proposal received all necessary approvals.
The scheme was competitively tendered using a traditional JCT contract with bill of quantities, with only specialist areas subject to contractor design.
The University subsequently commissioned a second phase completed in 2013 which provides further sports facilities, spectator areas and changing accommodation in a new build extension designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
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