More accolades for J3

David Orr, the Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation said

"J3 really is something to show off about and to be proud of. You approach the development and just think 'wow'. It's a genuine example of how building homes is a great thing. When we build homes, we create communities and we make better places and that's exactly what is happening here. Everyone who has been involved in developing J3 should be proud."

Prior to the formal opening in April 2013 the J3 development had been put forward to the Considerate Constructors Scheme 2012 awards programme. The J3 development achieved the high accolade of Most Considerate site runner up. Credit goes to the client, Knightstone Housing Association and construction team at Leadbitter Construction. gcp did their bit early on in the project to create the positive atmosphere for active engagement that continued throughout the project.

Bristol Water HQ office phase 1 complete

Bristol Water head office, located high up on Bedminster Down and overlooking Bristol is undergoing a radical transformation. The 1960's office building is being modernised and extended to create a modern working environment. The refurbishment is being carried out whilst the building is in occupation and the staff have been consulted and encouraged to put forward suggestions.

The project is being designed and managed by gcp Chartered Architects. The first phase of over cladding the existing elevations with insulation was completed at the end of 2012. The next phase of work delivers an extension to provide additional office space, before the internal refurbishment of the original building commences in September 2013. The refurbishment is programmed to be complete by March 2015 and will feel clean, bright and funky for the lucky employees.

Two national awards for one project

A ground breaking development in Bristol scoops two national awards by Inside Housing, the leading weekly magazine for housing professionals.

The recently completed housing scheme for the Community Self Build Association and Knightstone Housing Association has been voted 2013 Development of the Year, Small Scheme Award Winner, and in Top 50 Best Housing Schemes in the UK completed during 2013.

The first train and build scheme of its kind to accommodate homeless ex-service personnel, the project not only provided much-needed affordable housing but also gave ten ex-service personnel the opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifications. The brownfield site was formerly used as a car wash and vehicle storage compound. The redevelopment removed an unplanned and undesirable activity from a largely residential community.

J3 gets Building for Life green light

The landmark J3 development on the M32 in central Bristol is an example of best practice in urban design. Constructing Excellence South West is using J3 for their Bristol based Building for Life 12 training course for the development industry. The City Design Group of Bristol City Council are using J3 as an example of successful collaborative working between all members of the design team at the planning stage of a project.

J3 is a collaborative project between Bristol City Council Library Service, Single Parent Action Network and Knightstone Housing Association. The project regenerated a site which was previously isolated by the road network. It includes 53 one and two bed flats, 6 large family houses, 8 workspace units, community meeting rooms, a library and a crèche. Funding for the project has been provided by the HCA, BIG Lottery and Bristol City Council.

BIG bonanza for The Trinity Centre

Famous Bristol music venue and community arts centre is to get its share of £2.4m for the South West from the BIG Lottery. The Trinity Centre grant of £460,000 (second highest in the region) is towards building works to help improve access and increase the range of facilities and space available for community activities.

The grant is from the Reaching Communities Buildings Fund and will be spent on: improved access to the site, including a new pedestrian gate, cycle parking, disabled car parking, new paving, a new Reception and the Hall upstairs.  The refurbishment of the upstairs hall is going to be dramatic! There will be a sprung wooden floor with under floor heating, a professional lighting system and huge black curtains to create a wonderful space for dance productions, fitness and performance.

The Trinity Centre has been a community centre since 1976. The Council recently granted a new lease for the building for a period of 35 years using the council's Community Asset Transfer Policy. Along with our designs following consultations and the money available, it's going to be a fantastic asset to the Bristol scene.

Works will start in June 2013 and will be phased across the year to ensure the centre remains open. The completion will be celebrated with a Trinity party in January 2014.

Nottingham piazza gets new coffee kiosk

gcp Chartered Architects have designed a bespoke coffee kiosk ready for this summer. No mean feat - planning permission was only submitted in February!

We're going to achieve this deadline by working closely with a modular building supplier and the benefits of choosing this solution are clear to our client; Courtenay Investments Ltd wanted minimum disruption to the trading environment for other retailers around the piazza. Mapperley is a very busy shopping centre on the edge of Nottingham and the piazza is host to a craft market and soon-to-be-launched farmers market, along with opportunities for retail entrepreneurs through: www.popupbritain.com. The kiosk faced in glass will be lively and in the midst of the activity.

Feasibility Study attracts funding for Malcolm X

Malcolm X Community Centre, St Paul's, Bristol has secured funding fromCommunitybuildersfollowing an options study prepared by gcpChartered Architects working alongside Locality, the social investment advisor. The funding will support the preparation of a Planning Application following the preparation of a detailed feasibility study for the development, expansion and realignment of services at Malcolm X, which has been the South West's leading Afro Caribbean arts centre since 1980's.

It is anticipated that the work will lead to a significant capital investment programme over the next 5 years and will see the completion of a lease for assets transfer from Bristol City Council.

Communitybuilders is the key funder of the feasibility study that can lead to a capital grant for the identified building works.

Flood resilient low energy house complete

Working for long-term client South Western Housing Society gcp has completed a rural exception site scheme that is both low energy and designed to be resilient to flooding. The scheme at East Huntspill near Bridgwater comprises eight houses and four flats built on an isolated, redundant Somerset County Farm site.

The energy performance of the development has been monitored via a co-heating test following a successful funding application to the Technology Strategy Board TSB Building Performance Evaluation programme.

The project has also been shortlisted for thePremier Guarantee Social Housing Development of 2012 award

TSB re-engages gcp as competition advisors

Following three very interesting years of work the Technology Strategy Board have re engaged members of gcp staff as assessors on their building environment and climate change investment competitions. gcphave worked on many of the TSB's leading programmes including Retro Fit for the Future and Climate Change Adaptation programmes.

gcp have also supported competition entries on behalf of clients to the TSB for project funding. We are currently developing a submission under theInnovative Refurb competition with a material manufacturer.

Autumn completion for Junction 3 Landmark

Junction 3 on the M32 is the most ambitious and complex urban regeneration project in East Bristol. The project comprises a library, workspace, community meeting rooms, crèche, 6 large family houses and 59 one and two bed flats. Designed by gcp following extensive community engagement, the scheme is the result of a partnership comprising Bristol City Council Library Services, Knightstone Housing Association and SPAN (Single Parent Action Network).

The scheme has been funded by The Big Lottery Community Library Fund, Homes and Communities Agency, and Bristol City Council.

Gcp In the spotlight again

Trinity Arts Centre, home of the 'Bristol Sound' has appointed gcp to prepare a feasibility study leading to a planning application that will see the centre transformed into a true multi use arts facility. gcp are co-ordinating the stakeholder consultation that is a key aspect of the project. A key aim of the project is to develop the first floor of Trinity, a Grade II* deconsecrated church, in to a community theatre and dance space.

In recognition of rising energy prices the objective is to make Trinity a benchmark for low energy community arts venues in the South West.

The work will involve a significant capital investment programme over the next 5 years. In this period Trinity will also take over ownership of the building from Bristol City Council under the recently adopted council Asset Transfer Policy.

English Heritage and The Big Lottery 'Reaching Communities' fund are the key funding agencies.

Yet another first for gcp and Knightstone Housing Association

Continuing our long relationship with Knightstone Housing Association gcp has completed the first Train and Build scheme of its type in the country. Working in partnership with theCommunity Self-Build Agency and Leadbitter Construction the innovative scheme provides 14 new homes on a very tight site on West Street in Bedminster. The properties were part of a self-build initiative to help integrate ex-service personnel back in to civilian life. Ten of the homes are for ex-service personnel and four are for people with disabilities.

Funding for the scheme was from the Homes and Communities Agency and Bristol City Council.

Coffee culture comes to Mapperley

Working for regional retail shopping centre investment company, Courtney Investments, gcp Chartered Architects was commissioned to investigate the development of a new standalone coffee kiosk at this popular high street shopping precinct in Mapperley near Nottingham.

The scheme comprising a modular, re locatable kiosk with internal seating and preparation areas comes complete with solar panels. Being manufactured off site and requiring a shallow concrete foundation the kiosk can be installed in just two weeks.

Measurement is everything !

Working with Forum for the Future www.forumforthefuture.org and West of England Carbon Challenge www.westofenglandcarbonchallenge.org  gcp have committed to reduce carbon emissions by 10% over four years from 2009 which equates to a saving of 1.2 tonnes of carbon. We are using the online tool provided by the Carbon Challenge to upload and benchmark our performance against other similar businesses in Bristol.

Colin Powell, gcp Director who leads on the sustainability agenda says "measurement is knowledge. Without data you can't make informed decisions. We aim to be better year on year through a range of initiatives, including focusing on encouraging behavioural change amongst our staff and clients."

City Living for Harlow

In Harlow, gcp is exploring the revitalisation a tired 1970's shopping centre to create an economically viable asset for the next 50 years.  This involves work to future proof the centre around changes in tenancy, introducing residential accommodation at upper levels and bringing back in to use disused space. Future potential for expansion is also being assessed.

Postcards from Hong Kong and New Zealand

One of the directors of gcp Chartered Architects, Jonathan Platt, took a period of sabbatical leave in early 2011 to travel to Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. He promised some postcards, and here are some that he sent, with the last one being from New Zealand. Jonathan is now back in the office - with many memories!

"Hi there, Still moving south, travelling through Fiordland and yes at every bend in the road there are dramatic vistas like this. Currently staying in Te Anau, 4hr south of Wanaha, preparing for a long 3/4 day walk staying in basic campsites / simple sleeping shelters. Should be spectacular if the weather holds, the track gets in excess of 8000mm of rain pa. After that heading further south to Bluff before making way up to Christchurch. Countryside amazing, distances huge, people really friendly, nothing rushed, but many things 10-20 years behind UK - just an observation, not criticism. All the best and see you in March. Jono & Terri."

Previous to that, we had this update: :

"Hi. Have made it to the bottom of North Island NZ, having walked through volcanic landscape and experienced earth quake tremors in Napier, to be followed by tour of Hawkes Bay vine yards. Off to South Island next after 3 days in Wellington. All the best & see you in March."

And earlier in January, we received this card from Hong Kong:

"Hi.
Made it.
Well HK is a mad & fantastic place. It's frenetic with vast contrasts between cultures. China is now very dominant with only [sic] few remmants of British Empire - all very strange that empire thing! See you soon. Jono."

Making a splash at Soundwell Swimming Baths

gcp are delighted to announce that Phase 1: The pool at Kingswood Leisure Centre on the edge of Bristol is now complete and open for swimming! Working locally has always been really important to gcp, so adding the refurbishment of this well used centre to our portfolio of leisure projects is a real triumph.

The design solution developed by gcp director Jeremy Pilling, working along with local contractors ISG, Circadian Trust and South Gloucestershire Council focused the main work on reducing running costs and providing facilities for the 21st century. Achieved largely through upgrading all aspects of the building fabric and creating a new 25m community competition pool and learner pool by dividing the original 33 1/3 meter pool the formal opening is awaited by local residents.

To be ultimately powered by means of a new biomass boiler, this leisure centre has really come a long way since its original opening in 1961. We expect Phase 2, that includes a state of the art well-equipped fitness suite, to be complete in the autumn, with the centre fully refurbished and re-opened by Christmas.

At a recent outing, the pool at Kingswood Leisure Centre, still affectionately referred to by many as Soundwell Swimming Baths, was given an impressive 9/10 by our senior technician's son - that's more than a recommendation we like to think!

For more information on how to reduce the energy consumption of your local sports facilities please call Jeremy Pilling or Jonathan Platt at gcp on 0117 932 8888.

Bristol double award winner for gcp Chartered Architects

gcp Chartered Architects have designed another award winning building in central Bristol. Ducrow Court, a development for Knightstone Housing Association, has been awarded a Silver Standard Building for Life. The development is in the St Paul's area of Bristol and just a few minutes walk from the popular and culturally vibrant Stokes Croft area of the city.

The Building for Life award ceremony took place in November 2010, and was hosted by designer and chair of Building for Life Wayne Hemingway MBE.

Fifty-five schemes were shortlisted for a Building for Life standard and an independent judging panel then selected outstanding schemes to receive a Building for Life award. Shortlisted developments varied from small self-build community schemes to large developer schemes. The standard of the shortlisted schemes was very high making 2010 "a vintage year for housing design" in the words of Wayne Hemingway.

The housing led mixed use development of the 69 new homes including 60 shared ownership properties and eight small scale studios / workspace offers affordable living and working within this sustainable area of Bristol.

The judging panel said "Knightstone takes the top prize for their willingness to take the risk and commit to helping change the face of St Paul's in Bristol. Ducrow Court offers really good quality housing at a very affordable price."

Building for Life is a partnership between several national agencies. It is now led by the Design Council with support from the Home Builders Federation and Design for Homes. The Building for Life reward developers that demonstrate a commitment to high design standards and sustainable development.

In addition to the Building for Life award Ducrow Court has received the Gold Award for 'Best Shared Ownership Development' in the 2010 What House? annual celebration. These awards were presented by comedian Jimmy Carr in November 2010 and are considered the Oscars of the new house building industry.