regeneration
Works have recently completed on the refurbishment of three tower blocks on Silcox Road in Hartcliffe. The project included energy upgrades which will improve thermal comfort for 184 dwellings.
gcp were appointed by SERS/Rateavon to provide design co-ordination support for Bristol City Council Major Projects Team, including elevational designs for the tower blocks appearance, and building regulations co-ordination and guidance.
The Trinity Centre occupies the Holy Trinity St Phillip’s, a Grade II* Listed parliamentary church. Originally built in 1832, the church was declared redundant in 1976 and was appropriated for community use in 1977. Continuing the tradition of a community hub and music venue, the centre today also provides recording and broadcast studios, training around media arts and technology. It also holds a licence to perform civil ceremonies! The centre is run by Trinity Community Arts TCA.
TCA’s mission, which has never been more important than in these really difficult times, is to: “use the Trinity Centre to engage the local community of all ages in imaginative and socially inclusive projects.”
Working on behalf of Trinity Community Arts, gcp secured planning consent to carry out capital improvements so the site can host and support even more community activity. The proposals, developed and approved following several months of consultations with key stakeholders will see customised timber clad containers installed on site, to provide affordable, low-cost, sustainable hot-desk space as a base for community partners, emerging artists and local start-ups. The Digs project has minimal impact on the historic setting of the listed building and aims to release space in the exiting building for additional programme related activities, therefore has the real potential to consolidate the long-term financial resilience of the centre.
Given the Grade II* Listed status of the site planning was complex and demanded working closely with the planning and listed building officers who were keen to minimise the impact of any development on the historic setting. Therefore, the elevations of the listed building have been studied and analysed, leading to the creation of a vertical and horizontal ‘grid’ that informs the timber cladding for the new building.
gcp team is passionate about supporting community groups and voluntary sector organisations, and for over 20 years has helped organisations like TCA make the best used of their assets.
Images by Olia: The relaxing effect of the Aegean blue, Arabic architecture and the microclimate of open spaces, Getting lost in the colourful souks of Marrakesh
Architect Olia Kyritsi joined gcp last year at the start of a very busy summer period. Olia has 6 years working experience on residential, retirement living and commercial schemes, workspaces and leisure centres.
She holds a MArch from the National Technical University of Athens and an MSC on Environmental Design of Buildings from the Welsh School of Architecture.
Olia is celebrating her first-year anniversary this week so we took a little bit of time to find out more about her.
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Hey Olia. Let’s jump right in with what inspired you to pursue architecture.
The idea that I will be an artist and an engineer at the same time…
So, if you weren’t an architect, what do you think you would you be?
Possibly a mathematician who writes cooking books in her spare time.
And an answer like that is exactly what makes you such a fun and interesting member of the team! How about your best moment at gcp in the last year?
Accepting the job offer and joining the gcp family.
I forgot to add delightful to the list above! You’ve brought a cheerful and calming influence to our side of the office for sure.
Tell us, what do you like to do in your spare time? Travelling in order to explore new cultures or cooking for friends.
And what’s your proudest personal achievement?
Surviving through my 7 year-long architectural studies.
We are pleased you did and even more so that you accepted the offer of joining our gang! Thanks for your time today Olia, just to finish could you tell us something we might not know about you?
My wardrobe is colour coordinated…
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Olia has been working closely with Jeremy Pilling this year on Bristol Down’s iconic Water Tower. She has been involved in our ongoing work at Trinity Community Arts Centre and working with Fare Share on their office redevelopment. Outside of her architectural work in the office, Olia attends many local CPD’s, industry talks and networking, connect on linked in if you’d like to catch up with her at an event.
Olia is a keen photographer and is often seen taking pictures at our gcp enrichment, industry and social events.
Keep an eye on our blog for more staff interviews over the coming weeks, the summer is a popular time to join our team!
Competition Display Boards for Glencoyne Square Redevelopment
Southmead Development Trust invited architects and design teams to register their interest in taking part in a limited design competition for the redevelopment of the Glencoyne Square area of Southmead.
gcp Chartered Architects teamed up with Alec French Architects and McGregor Coxall Landscape and Urban Design Consultants to prepare a strong submission from Bristol-based design companies. The team was one of four shortlisted practices selected to develop their ideas through to a public and stakeholder consultation carried out over three days last week. This exercise created good interest from stakeholders and the local community, where there is an enthusiasm to support change and develop new facilities around the Glencoyne Square area. This exciting project could have wide-ranging benefits, supporting community organisations, local shops and traders, creating opportunities for new housing and community facilities and regenerating the infrastructure of the area.
All four design teams were challenged to explain and justify their ideas and approach. Southmead Development Trust are expected to announce a preferred design team to move forward for the next stage of the project that will include detailed consultation and planning applications.
Public consultation underway at the Greenway Centre
gcp have been appointed by Curo Group to develop proposals for two large residential developments in Lawrence Weston which will deliver much needed affordable homes for sale and rent in this part of the city. The first main site for 128 new homes has been developed following detailed consultation with Bristol City Council and the local community.
Working closely with Curo Group and Planning Consultants GL Hearn, gcp developed detailed proposals that have been submitted and registered for planning consideration. This project will create a range of family homes in a landscaped setting that will provide a great place to live and excellent affordability for young people looking for their first property.
Site plan showing new homes and landscape setting.
gcp have been appointed by Curo Group to develop proposals for two large residential developments in Lawrence Weston, which will deliver 185 new homes in this part of the city. The proposals at Henacre Road and Corbet Close will provide a mix of new homes for sale, affordable rent and shared ownership. Lawrence Weston is one of the first areas in the city to have adopted its own Neighbourhood Development Plan and both sites are key to delivering the residential objectives of this plan.
Having had detailed discussions with Ambition Lawrence Weston; the local neighbourhood planning group, the proposals were presented to the wider community at two separate open consultations in March. The proposals were generally well received with useful feedback and comments from the local community – with a lot of interest expressed in the opportunity that new affordable homes for sale and shared ownership will give to local families.
Further details of the consultations for Corbet Close and Henacre Road are available on the Curo Developments pages at https://www.curo-group.co.uk/house-building/schemes/
Careful inspection of proposals at a well-attended consultation
Consultation boards set up & ready to receive feedback at Corbet Close
Urbanism Award Logo
The ground breaking J3 housing led mixed use development on the edge of Bristol has made the shortlist for the prestigious Academy of Urbanism Awards 2018. J3 has been shortlisted in The Great Neighbourhood category alongside some truly internationally recognised schemes such as the Byker Wall in Newcastle, The Barbican in London and Park Hill flats in Sheffield. Look out for the announcement of the finalists to be made on April 26th and final awards to be made at the Awards Ceremony on 8th November in London.
J3 is a partnership scheme between the principal partners, Knightstone Housing Association and Bristol City Council. gcp acted as the catalyst for the scheme, bring the development forwarded by brokering the partnership between the founding partners and devising a delivery mechanism that could cope with the complex funding cocktail required.
Image: Frances Gard. The Trinity Centre, Bristol
“A lot has happened since the Architecture Centre first opened its doors onto Narrow Quay in 1996. Trace the changes in Bristol over the past two decades along a timeline that focuses on how significant buildings, places and people have shaped the city. Look ahead to consider what the future might be for one of the city’s most contested places – Castle Park – and find out about the different elements that contribute to making a successful place.”
The Architecture Centre is celebrating 20 years of people and places in Bristol with their exhibition running between 9 September & 13 November 2016.
Three projects we have been involved in feature in this exhibit: Trinity, J3 and Filwood Green.
Beautiful images taken by Frances Gard, check out her website or follow her on twitter.
Image: Frances Gard. J3, Bristol
John Baker, partner at PBA Associates provides a rounded review of the scheme three years on since completion and finds it a worthy winner South West RTPI 2015 Planning Excellence Best Scheme on the Ground.
The mixed use scheme next to the M32 motorway now has all ground floor commercial work space units fully let that further contribute to the vibrancy of this urban meeting place.
The J3 scheme has transformed an unloved and unsafe corner of Bristol in to an active and accessible crossing point for the M32. J3 has become a catalyst for further development work in the area and bring forward ideas about regeneration in the vicinity of the motorway.
The J3 scheme builds on an earlier Master Planning study gcp undertook to bring forward development opportunities along Stapleton Road in Easton which runs parallel to the M32.
If you don’t have a full log on licence read the full article by John Baker of PBA Associates here
