News

Brooklands Technology Park planning consent granted

Oct 02 2020

Planning consent has been granted for a new technology and business development at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. Robothams have acted as architect and agent for the planning application following a design competition held earlier in the year.

The scheme will create 51,000 sq.ft of mixed B1, B2 and B8 floor space with a focus on technology and aviation businesses to complement the airfield’s existing community of companies.

More information is available at the Technology Park’s website link here.

Above, 3D images generated of the development.

Above, photo of the proposed site.

St Philips Church, Dorridge begins on site

Sep 20 2020

Work is now progressing on the new church and community facilities for St Philips and St James in Dorridge. Having worked on the project with Kier and the church for a number of years the whole team are delighted to see construction finally beginning on site.

Jon Moore, leading the project from Robothams said, “this is brilliant news, the start on site has been a real team effort and the new building will make a big difference to the life of the church and the wider community”.

Above, recent image of steel frame being erected.

Above, 3D image of the finished project.

An event was held on site to mark the ground breaking and covered by the Solihull Observer, link here. Delegates included the Bishop of Birmingham, David Urquhart and West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.

More details on the scheme can be found in our project section.

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.