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

Planning application approved for Agritech Project

Feb 14 2018

A planning application has been submitted to and approved by West Oxfordshire District Council for Abingdon & Witney College’s new Agritech Innovation and Skills Centre at their Common Leys campus near Hailey. The building will provide a highly serviced environment to support courses and research relating to livestock husbandry. It combines theory teaching spaces and a livestock area capable of supporting the latest technology and providing wifi access to portable devices across the campus.

The design provides a space that allows for the care of the animals according to the latest working practices, combined with modern design which uses an ‘agricultural’ portfolio of materials which will reflect the farming context. In providing the new facility the College will also construct a new covered riding school to replace the existing one lost as part of the scheme.

The scheme will be completed for early 2019 by the design team which includes PMP Consultants, Couch Consulting, Halligan Associates and the Richards Partnership.

Above, visualisations generated in 3D modelling software Revit from a model which will also provide all the construction details.

Old Warwick Road, Lapworth receives planning consent

Feb 06 2018

Planning consent has been granted for 38 new dwellings, of which 15 are affordable in the village of Lapworth on a site which was formerly used as a nursery, for client, property developer A C Lloyd Homes. The site of 2.8 hectares is bordered by open countryside and the Grand Union Canal, it accommodates the new dwellings in a landscaped setting with public open space including a pond. The scheme received strong support from the planning sub-committee at Warwick District Council and is anticipated on site later in 2018.

The design draws on influences in the sites context with a palette of materials from the village but creates a scheme that is modern in its approach to forms and external appearance.

Advanced Skills Centre completes on site

Dec 08 2017

The practice’s first project delivered to BIM level 2 has completed on site. Constructed by Beard Construction the scheme is now being readied for the technical fit out of the technology laboratory and CADCAM workshop. Project architect, Stephen Jackson says ‘it has been a massive team effort with collaboration between designers, client and contractor throughout the process of delivering the scheme’.

Site photos taken during the process of handover.

WCS Woodside receives planning consent

Jun 01 2017

Our design for WCS Care’s Woodside home received planning consent on the 25th May 2017. Robothams lead on the project, David Sercombe said ‘this is a really important project for the practice and WCS Care. We are delighted to be working on a scheme which embodies such a large range of innovative ideas’.

For more details see the project section.

Above, images of the design.

Planning permission granted for Post 16 Centre

Apr 04 2017

Planning consent has been granted by Coventry City Council for our design to extend Sidney Stringer Academy in Swanswell. The first floor extension will provide a new base for the school’s post 16 pupils including an open study space, teaching rooms, office accommodation and cafe area.

The external cladding extends the vertical striped pattern on the adjacent sports hall and incorporates large windows to Cox Street creating a well lit interior. Visitors and disabled parking space are retained at ground floor level with pedestrian connections to the school’s main entrance.

Robothams are working with Shires, Halligan Associates, PMP Consultants, OCC and Cundall to create the new spaces for the start of the 2018 academic year.

Official opening of Rendcomb College’s Arts Centre

Feb 26 2017

On Friday Jonathan Suffolk, the National Theatre’s Technical Director officially opened the school’s new arts centre. The Griffin Centre includes a 350-seat auditorium, mirrored dance studio with ballet barres and a sprung floor, dressing rooms, prop and set workshop and costume store. Set into the historic landscape of the school the building is the first to be built on the site for 27 years.

The opening ceremony included performances from the pupils including ballet and contemporary dance in the bespoke dance studio, poetry and an excerpt from the school’s production of Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’.

For more information see the project case study on our website.

RDA’s Lowlands Equestrian Centre proposals submitted

Feb 14 2017

Robothams have been working with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to develop proposals to create a new National Training Centre at their existing site in Shrewley.

‘Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), brings the therapy, achievement and fun of horses to children and adults all over the UK. Formed in 1969, the charity today supports around 25,000 riders and carriage drivers with all kinds of disabilities, and there are almost 500 RDA groups around the UK.’

The scheme involves the demolition of a number of existing buildings to create new facilities including a workspace for RDA, a training centre and spectators seating area for 150 people adjacent to an existing indoor menage. After pre-application discussions over to refine the design during last year a submission was made to Warwick District Council in February.

Above, training and spectators viewing extension.

The new buildings will use a ‘rural’ language for the design and material palette for the exteriors with references to both modern and traditional architectural forms.

Above, RDA’s new work space building.

Extension to Beaufort Cooperative Academy, Gloucester

Dec 05 2016

Appointed by E G Carter, a contractor based in Gloucester, the practice are currently working on designs to extend an existing secondary school in the Tuffley area of the city. The creation of a development plan for the school has led to the progression of a first phase to create space for an additional form of entry. It addresses shortfalls in science and general teaching rooms whilst also creating a new entrance to the school and improving circulation within the existing building.

Above, the new entrance joins two existing buildings and identifies a more legible ‘front door’ for visitors.

Above, the new teaching block will be naturally lit with a mixed mode ventilation system aimed at lowering energy use.

The scheme will shortly be submitted for planning consent and if approved will begin on site with a targeted completion of summer 2018.

Advanced Skills Centre receives planning consent

Aug 26 2016

Planning consent has been granted by Vale of the White Horse District Council for the Advanced Skills Centre at Abingdon & Witney College. The addition to the College’s Abingdon campus will provide high specification engineering teaching spaces and a base for the higher education courses.

The design continues the themes established by earlier phases at the campus whilst reflecting the site’s adjacency to the perimeter and neighbouring properties. It will be delivered to BIM Level 2 using an integrated Revit 3D model allowing high levels of visualisation and collaboration between disciplines.

It is due to be completed for the start of 2018.

Above, images of the ASC from the Northcourt Road.

Above, site layout by the Richards Partnership showing integration of parking and boundary treatments.