Cotswold School expansion receives planning consent

Aug 11 2020

Gloucestershire County Council has granted planning consent for the application to expand The Cotswold School in Bourton on the Water by one form of entry. Robothams have acted as the agent for the planning application as well as designing the elements of the scheme.

Robothams were appointed in 2019 by Speller Metcalfe and Gloucestershire County Council to design a one form of entry expansion to the ‘Outstanding’ Academy school in the Cotswold village of Bourton on the Water. The practice engaged with the school to define the brief undertaking a BB103 analysis of the existing accommodation and analysis of the site. Our initial assessment identified the need for enhanced / expanded science accommodation, additional general teaching rooms and a shortfall in sport facilities.

The scheme will therefore deliver a new 10 classroom building including resources base and staff accommodation, an additional science laboratory and a new activity studio and changing rooms. The practice sought and gained planning consent from Gloucestershire County County Council with a start on site made in September 2020.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the functional brief the building needed to address the Cotswold vernacular and the context of the sites location in the AONB. The facades combined render, architectural masonry and standing seam metal roofs to complement earlier developments at the school and meet local authority requirements.

The buildings will also meet the County Council expectations that new facilities should exceed the energy and thermal performance set out in the building regulations with integration of renewables and enhanced building envelope.

The project is due for completion in 2021.

Winchcombe School submitted for Planning consent

Feb 10 2020

A planning application has been submitted for extensions to Winchcombe School to support its expansion by one form of entry. Robothams undertook a BB103 analysis of the existing accommodation concluding that there were shortages of sport, science, SEN, DT and dining facilities. In addition the project would include improvements to the reception area to strengthen the school’s safeguarding approach.

The school is located on the edge of the town close to the neighbouring village of Greet and visible from the wider Cotswold landscape. Extensions have been designed to sensitively sit within the wider context and compliment the existing facilities.

Above, computer generated images of the proposed sports hall, a significant element of the expansion project.

New SEN School in Hackney

Oct 14 2019

Robothams have been working with a charitable school in Hackney to create a brand new school for 120 children, combining a nursery with an SEN school. The new school had received planning consent in 2007 and 2015 however the trustees appointed Robothams to take a fresh look at the design and ensure it accorded with the guidance of BB104.

The Side by Side school will move from its current site on Big Hill near the River Lea to a new site on Arbor Court near Clissold Park. The design consist of accommodation across four floors with external play space at the rear and at roof terrace level.

The project is anticipated on site in 2020.

Above, the site with adjacent housing in the background.

Above, CG images of the proposed school across four floors.

Family houses completed in Mickleton

Aug 14 2019

Client, Oscar Homes have recently completed the construction of two new family houses in Mickleton designed by Robothams Architects. The four bedroom houses sit in rural surroundings and address the local context and the amenity of neighbours.

Above, photos of the completed houses.

Work begins on Kingswood Place, Lapworth

May 13 2019

Construction work is progressing on A C Lloyd Homes’ residential scheme in Lapworth, on a site bordered by countryside and leafy canals. Robothams Architects have designed the scheme’s 38 new dwellings in a contemporary style drawing on the rural context and using local materials. The houses are generating a considerable amount of interest from purchasers with a sales suite opening in May.

Further information is available on the project’s website.

Computer generated images courtesy of A C Lloyd Homes.

Aston Students Union Grand Opening

May 07 2019

The 1st May 2019 saw the grand opening of Aston University’s new students union building. The event brought together the whole team who were involved in delivering this vibrant new addition to the University’s campus, and facilitating the continued redevelopment of its city centre home.

Robothams Architects have led the design team both on the construction of the shell and its fit-out ready for occupation in the coming months. The scheme has been delivered using a design and building contract with Clegg Construction.

More details are available on our website at the building’s project page.

RDA Lowlands is completed on site

Mar 29 2019

The new national office for RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) has now been handed over to the charity at its site Lowlands near Warwick. Earlier phases saw the refurbishment and extension of an indoor menage, however the final phase gives RDA training and office space and creates a contemporary face for the public visiting the site.

Construction work was undertaken by Greswolde Construction, with a consultant team including Starkey Button, Couch Consulting and Greenways.

Livestock Technology Centre completed on site

Feb 22 2019

Abingdon & Witney College’s new Livestock Technology Centre has completed on site. The project which includes the construction of a new indoor riding school will extend the College’s potential to integrate technology into their courses. It features both a large practical space, changing and bio-security areas and a theory teaching room.

The new building will be used to teach animal husbandry across a wide range of livestock. Working closely with the farm manager and the Head of the Faculty the fit out was coordinated with the shell building to create a facility that both reflected a real work environment and had the IT infrastructure to support the technology.

Photographs courtesy of PMP Consultants.

Latest images from RDA Lowlands

Oct 15 2018

Works are progressing on site at RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Lowlands Equestrian Centre on their new spectators area for the indoor menage, training accommodation and new offices. Due for completion in 2019, Greswolde Construction are completing the project in phases, the first of which is before Christmas.

Above, outdoor viewing area

Above, indoor viewing area for 150 people

Above, exterior of new training and office building

For images of the completed project see our post from February 2017.

Planning consent granted at the Green, Solihull

Mar 02 2018

As part of the wider development of the ‘Green’ adjacent to the A34 Stratford Road, the latest residential care home scheme for Restful Homes Group has been approved by SMBC. It will deliver 86 care bedrooms in a T shaped form that sits within a master plan developed by M7 Real Estate, to the high standards achieved across all the RHG sites.

The four storey, contemporary form is articulated with a variety of materials to create a varied frontage on this key route into Birmingham. Open space for residents is provided around the perimeter of the site as well as at roof level within the established landscape of the site.

Above, images of the proposed design