Aston University transformation plans receives planning support

Dec 15 2024

Birmingham City Council planners have recommended Aston University’s plan to transform their main building for approval by the Council’s planning sub-committee. The design will see the south wing demolished to create space for a landscaped approach to a new front entrance, reinstating the original façade and relocating the vertical circulation throughout the building.

The proposals will significantly change arrival at the University creating a more accessible experience for students and a new public open space in the campus.

Robothams are working as architect and lead designer with project manager Ridge, quantity surveyor PMP and planning consultant, Delta Planning with support from engineering teams at Ridge, BDP and Hoare Lea.

The project aligns with the campus masterplan developed by Hawkins Brown and Ridge.

Wheatridge School approved at Planning Committee

Dec 01 2024

Gloucestershire County Council planning sub-committee have given there support to a new SEN school in the Abbeydale part of Gloucester. The school will provide spaces for children with moderate and additional learning difficulties, across age groups 4 – 16 years. Robothams Architects have worked with Gloucester based contractor, E G Carter and GCC to develop the design following the practice’s appointment in 2023. Reach South were appointed in 2024 to operate the school, as a Trust with experience operating similar SEN schools.

Working with landscape architects and transport consultants Rappor, close attention was given to the operation of the school and the process of transport at the beginning and end of the day, reducing stress on pupils and impacts on local residents. The design works with the existing perimeter landscaping to retain a soft edge to neighbouring houses as well as pedestrian routes to the Ash path along the site’s western boundary.

The project should be on site during 2025, with more information available on the County Council’s website.

New Teaching Block, Wolverley Secondary School

Oct 11 2023

Work is nearing completion on the practice’s largest school project delivered using MMC modular units. Constructed by Kier the new building for Wolverley Secondary School in Worcestershire will provide 12 general classrooms with associated staff workspace, WC’s and breakout space and uses modules provided by Integra. The units were largely completed off site with only façade treatments and final finishes remaining when they arrived on site in August.

Above, full height WC gender neutral cubicles

Above, original 3D image of proposed teaching block

Bromsgrove School – Latest Projects

Apr 30 2023

The last twelve months has seen the completion of a wide range of projects at Bromsgrove School. Schemes handed over to the school included refurbishments of Wendron Gordon, a senior school boarding house, a common room space for the senior school and an extended school shop.

Above, internal and external photos of Wendron Gordon

Above, internal photo of the new senior school common room

Above, external photos of the extended school shop

Robothams have worked with Mace and E G Carter, contractors based in Gloucester to deliver these projects.

Photos courtesy of E G Carter and Andrew Haines.

Sladewood Academy, Stroud

Mar 15 2023

The practice have been appointed by Speller Metcalfe through the GCC Contractor Framework to design a new school for primary age children with Moderate and Additional Learning Difficulties (MALD) in Stroud. The school will be created through the refurbishment of the former Severn View School on the eastern side of the town and provide pupil places for 60 pupils.

It will be operated by the SAND Academies Trust who already run SEN schools in Gloucestershire including the Milestone School, Belmont School and the Willow School. Renamed Sladewood Academy the school will open to new pupils in summer 2023, following refurbishment beginning in April.

The refurbishment will include reconfiguration of teaching spaces and WC’s, realignment of secure lines, creation of break out spaces, services upgrades and external envelope works. Robothams have liaised with the team from the County Council, the Academy Trust and Speller Metcalfe to develop the design from concept through to working drawings for construction.

Above, photos of the existing school building before refurbishment.

GBS Institute of Technology completes on site

Aug 22 2022

The ambitious Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Birmingham has completed on site at the beginning of August. It is a collaboration between four universities and three colleges to create a hub for vocational courses aimed at young people seeking careers in engineering, technology and manufacturing.

The centre piece of the building is a space with a Cyber Manufacturing Rig, with associated IT and teaching rooms.

More information the new facility and available courses can be found on GBS IOT’s website.

University of Warwick Observatory completes on site

Aug 15 2022

The University’s new campus observatory has been completed on site. It will provide hands-on experience of operating telescopes for its astrophysics students, as well as serving as a showcase University facility that can be used for outreach, public engagement activities, and local participation.

Robothams have worked with members of the University’s estates team and main contractor – William Gough on the detailed design.

Ground Floor Social space completes at Aston University

Nov 30 2021

Our team has just handed over a new space for students at Aston University. The area is to offer a range of futureproof, multifunctional space to enable a variety of different learning activities to take place in order to meet students’ varied learning needs and study preferences. The scheme includes;

Formal and informal individual and group work spaces
Group working areas with AV provision
Designed to allow for potential ‘out of hours’ use

We have worked with a project team including PMP Consultants, Couch Perry & Wilkes, Tracey Kirby Consulting and Interclass Construction.

Above, images of the completed scheme at handover.

Steelwork is signed for posterity at Brockworth

Oct 08 2021

Robothams Architects were amongst those invited to join main contractor E G Carter at the signing of the steel frame at the new SEN school in Brockworth. Representatives of Gloucestershire County Council and Learn@ Multi Academy Trust all put their mark on one of the last steels to be installed.

Some of those attending said;

Sam Carter, Director at E G Carter & Co Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate this significant milestone at Brockworth SEMH. To see the steel frame erected is very exciting, as we can all now see the building start to take shape. This event is a great way to acknowledge this phase of the project.”

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member for economy, education and skills at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It was a privilege to be able to leave my own personal mark on this new school.

“The new school will create much-needed special school spaces for children in Gloucestershire, and allow them to have the high quality of education they deserve, in a way that is suited to their needs and closer to home.”

The project is covered in the projects section of the website and due for completion in 2022.

Brockworth SEMH School receives planning approval

Apr 17 2021

Gloucestershire County Council have approved plans for the new SEMH School in Brockworth, south of Cheltenham. The new school will provide 75 pupils places for children with Social Emotional Mental Health needs from across the county.

The project will be constructed by E G Carter and handed over to Learn@ MAT who will operate the new school in Summer 2022.

Robothams Architects will be acting as Architects and Interior Designers for the scheme.

For further details refer to our projects section.