The construction phase has just been completed on the refurbishment of part of Aston University’s fifth floor providing upgraded laboratory accommodation for the Biosciences .  The project included a full replacement of the M&E infrastructure and partial refurbishment of fitted furniture. Robothams acted as contract administrator with BSN undertaking the work for the University.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This year has seen two further completions at Bromsgrove School and her sister school, Winterfold House School, a preparatory school in Chaddesley Corbett. Both have been handed over despite COVID-19 and within live educational environments.

Completed in October the Ottilie Hild girls day house was a conversion and extension of a former staff common room building. Set within the school’s mature, historic landscape the building faces  the central grassed space.  Contractor E G Carter worked across the school site from summer 2019 until the hand-over of this section in the autumn.

Concept 3D view of the extended building.

Images of the completed project with existing and new build elements.

Earlier in the year O’Brien Contractor, completed a refurbishment of Winterfold House School’s Kindergarten, creating vibrant internal and external spaces.

Above, an image of the refurbished Kindergarten.