consarc architects

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Number of Titles: 6

Workplace

Hotels

Consultancy

Heritage

Public Sector

Research & Press

Number of Captions: 1

Andrew Brownsword Hotels Ltd Bath Priory Ltd Benugo Ltd Berkeley Square House City Fusion City Retreats (Hotels) Daventry District Council Docklands Light Railway Ltd East Midlands Development Agency Emco EstatesFairmont Hotels Gleeson MCL Ltd Gordon Ramsay Holdings GVA Grimley

Ipswich Borough Council Jarvis Construction Plc Jones Lang LaSalle Knight Frank LaSalle Investment Management Leaside Regeneration Ltd London Borough of Barking & Dagenham London Borough of Brent McKinsey & Company Network Rail North West Estates The Oriental Club Persimmon (City Developments) Ltd Rocco Forte Hotels

Number of press:

Number of news: 6

Bidwells

Construction work has commenced on the refurbishment and extension of the Cambridge headquarters for Bidwells LLP, one of the UK’s leading property consultancies. We have been involved on the project from the start providing a range of integrated specialist services. As Workplace Consultants, we worked very closely with the client and Bidwells staff to develop a workplace strategy tailored to their specific needs, implementing agile working and facilitating cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Crawley

Crawley Borough Council

We have recently completed the brief for Crawley Borough Council’s new accommodation within the redevelopment of the Council’s Town Hall site. Born out of intensive consultation with Councillors and the Town Hall group, the document achieved cabinet approval and will be used as the basis of the council accommodation fit-out within a brand-new building.

New HQ for NCC

New HQ for Northamptonshire County Council

New HQ for Northamptonshire County Council in the heart of Northampton is nearing completion. Consarc were appointed Client Advisors to the council and Lendlease in 2012. We were involved from the very early stages of the project. One of our roles was to manage the production of an animation, to form part of the chief executive’s change management – 1 year to move – roadshow to the 2000+ staff who will commence working at the site. Please go to >Services >Public Sector >Northamptonshire County Council >Play Video.

Stoneleigh Park

HS2 impact

Consarc are have been involved in assessing the impact of the HS2 construction on Stoneleigh Park and developing mitigation strategies for affected businesses on the park. We have been evaluating relocation options and undertaking land-use studies to assist our client LaSalle in securing agreement and appropriate funding in very complex multi-lateral negotiations and planning permissions.

Westminster City Hall

We are assisting Westminster City Council with the comprehensive refurbishment works of Westminster City Hall in Victoria, Central London. We have recently been appointed Technical Advisor and are currently collaborating closely with the client, the main contractor and their novated architect. We have been evaluating contractor’s proposals and are contributing to value engineering processes, to enable informed client decisions.

Birkenhead

Birkenhead Town Centre Regeneration

We are currently facilitating the regeneration plan for Birkenhead Town Centre with Wirral Council. Through a number of collaborative workshops with our client, private landlord of a local shopping centre, we are developing the strategic thinking to inform a set of “next steps” to unlock the area’s potential.

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Number of project: 74

The Oriental Members Club 4*

The Oriental Club approached Consarc to look at the possibility of extending their current premises, Stratford House - a Grade I listed building, to occupy an existing courtyard site. The proposal was to re-develop the existing courtyard site with a new 5 storey building to contain new members facilities and 8 members bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms/shower rooms. The brief also provided for the relocation/upgrading of any back of house services compromised by the installation of the new accommodation. As well as the relocation of staff accommodation at the basement level compromised by the removal of an existing two-storey cottage.

Northampton University

Consarc won an international competition organised by the RIBA to deliver a new build project for the University of Northampton. The University has described the building as a “beacon for environmental innovation in the UK and beyond, offering a high profile, supportive environment for companies at the forefront of the low carbon sector”. Working very closely to the client form the very early stages of the project, we were able to understand the client’s requirements and offered professional advice throughout the project. The client’s brief had 5 essential requirements: To provide a supportive environment for small business, alongside a public space for the local community; to act as the “kick-start” development to a larger social and economic planning policy masterplan; to achieve environmental performance of BREEAM “Excellent” and to minimise its carbon use. The design responds to the site orientation and level changes providing a variety of amenity spaces and acts as a “kick start” development for the larger area as identified in the Regional Economic Strategy.

Docklands Light Railway

We have been strategic advisors to Docklands Light Railway (DLR) for many years and have completed detailed studies for many of their railway stations. We have been commissioned to complete many feasibility reports and have delivered strategic solutions, detailed design analysis and have been responsible for significant area regenerations, like the regeneration of the Poplar area following our new build Langdon Park Station. In addition to our architectural services, we have provided extensive public consultations on behalf of our clients to ensure the public’s opinion was heard and implemented in our designs. As a result, our refurbishment projects and new built stations have been successfully completed, have met our clients’ and the public expectations and won several awards including important regeneration awards.

Northamptonshire County Council

Consarc are currently working as lead architectural advisors and evaluators for Northamptonshire County Council with regard to their new headquarters, called ‘Project Angel’. Guiding the Director of Property, Chief Executive and Councillors, Consarc delivered the full brief for this strategic public asset for over 2,000 staff and other public sector users. The council were shortlisted as finalists for the national Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards for this project. We have assisted the Project Manager and Programme Director on the selection of an integrated design team including the main architect of the project. We now work closely with the design team supervising all the information produced and acting as a “helping hand” to the client. Acting as the client’s advisor, we are currently supervising the design process, offering the client independent professional advice and ensuring they make informed decision throughout the process.

Knight Frank Global HQ

With over 900 staff located in over 7 different buildings, Consarc worked for property consultants Knight Frank to create an open plan working philosophy in a new central headquarters building. Knight Frank expressed a need for their new office to have a clear sense of unity, to ensure that each of their 50+ departments were easily connected and could achieve greater communication/collaboration. All of this despite being spread over three floors. This challenge was overcome by designing a helical staircase within the working floorplan to link the floors, encouraging cross departmental interaction. Acting as a focal point, and highlighted by an adjacent three-storey ‘light wall’, the staircase visually links the three floors together. The fit out was managed effectively over 3 weekends with the total project duration being just 20 months from start to finish. The project went on to be awarded BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status and was a finalist in the BCO Awards 2010 for the Best Fit-Out Category.

RF Hotels: The Lowry 5*

The Lowry Hotel was Manchester’s first ever five-star hotel. An intimate understanding of the hotel market and Rocco Forte Hotels’ brief enabled an uncompromising contemporary approach to the creative challenge of recreating a perception of ‘five-star quality’ into a new architecture. Consarc acted as lead consultant, architect and interior designer. The £30 million project opened successfully having been fully designed and constructed within its original programme of 28 months.

Langdon Park DLR Station

DLR’s latest flagship station, Langdon Park, will regenerate Poplar. By creating an open bridge and transparent ‘beacon’ lift towers the £7.5M station provides a permanent visual connection from the track crossing to lifts and station platforms. Integrating several unique materials, careful consideration was made in the choice of ETFE for Trackside Canopies and structurally integral Fibre Reinforced Composite in the Bridge Roof. This project won a regeneration award from the British Construction Industry 2008.

Chengdu Towers 5*

This proposal, developed in collaboration with Cartwright Pickard, is for a twin tower design above a 5 storey retail complex in the equivalent central crossroads location in Chengdu - the largest city in the world, to Oxford Circus in London. The towers contain residences, 2 major hotels, spas and offices. Consarc provided a detailed proposal for the 2 hotels within the overall project.

Bankside Bikeshed, London

The Ellington Hotel 4*

Designing on a brownfield infill site within a Georgian terrace, we have developed a new-build 36-bed boutique hotel in the heart of Leeds. The scheme incorporates a double-height restaurant and a range of bedroom and suite types centred around a full-height atrium, which acts as the social hub of the hotel. At ground floor level, the entrance, reception and lounge space flows into the breakfast room at the base of the atrium. This project won the Best Altered Building Award at the Leeds Architecture awards 2009.

Andrew Brownsword Hotels 4*

Consarc have been commissioned to complete several hotel designs for Abode hotels. Having completed the dramatic conversion of their Sydney House Hotel in Chelsea, we were appointed to design their new 56-room boutique hotel in Salisbury. The concept for the new hotel, has been developed on the site of an old post office, where the upper office floors were converted into hotel rooms. At ground floor level, the period features would add character and charm to the hotel reception, lounge, bars and the restaurant and perfectly complement the Abode brand. Following its dramatic conversion, the 21-room Sydney House Hotel offers sleek modern accommodation within the atmosphere of a private house. The new designs physically open up and modernise the existing layouts and feel of the Listed Building located in the heart of Chelsea. All furniture and fittings were designed bespoke for the bedrooms and innovative technologies give guests a high degree of control over their hotel environment.

Abode Hotel, Salisbury

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Consarc have been commissioned by hotelier Andrew Brownsword to design their next hotel, a new build 56-room boutique hotel in Salisbury. Incorporating two listed buildings to one side and a facade retention on the other, a new build link will add retail space at ground level and hotel rooms above. Consarc’s experience in hotel design combined with sensitivity to the site specifics led to a solution that both respects the historic building whilst maximising the value to the client.

Savoy Group, London

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Consarc have had an ongoing relationship over many years with the Savoy Group and associated companies. We have completed a refurbishment of the restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in collaborating with US interior designers Barbara Barry Inc, and refurbished the Savoy Grill. We have worked on over 40 projects at the hotel consistently updating and improving design and space utilisation. The latest project involved developing detailed designs for 270 suites and rooms to update and reconfigure original 1930’s room layouts.

AHDB HQ

This new build 36,000 sq ft headquarters is due for completion in 2014 and will form the new home of the Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board. The project follows the successful delivery of the approved masterplan development of Stoneleigh park into an agri-science specialist business park. Consarc was appointed by the landlord to design the shell and core as architects and the building has recently been completed. We have been appointed by the AHDB, the incoming tenant to undertake the full fit-out. Services include full architecture, workplace design and consultancy and furniture selection and procurement.

Willesden Green Library

A commission for a multi-faceted strategic brief and feasibility study for an existing library and neighbouring land, but with a wide remit. This covered assessment of the building, its’ operational relationship to the nearby Civic Centre, its’ purpose within the community and its’ funding as part of a business plan/model. Mltiple options and sub-options were provided that ranged from minimal intervention (limited to asset repair) up to mixed use new build redevelopment of the whole site. The report identified key opportunities and strengths in the existing building – both intrinsically and in the community – and focussed on how these could be maximised – while minimising the weaknesses – to the benefit of the community and the Council within a considered business plan/strategy.

LB Barking and Dagenham

Following a successful OJEU bid, Consarc were appointed to design a new extension to the existing Grade II listed Dagenham Civic Centre which lies at the heart of the community and adjacent to the green belt. The scheme achieves a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, providing 50,000 sqft of new civic building to include workspace for 600 staff, registry, central auditorium space, cafes and exhibitions zones. Consarc were further commissioned to develop and fully refurbish the existing three-floor 1960’s annex building. The open plan working space embraces new ways of working and pilots culture change.

Langdon Park

The Bridge Apartments

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Super Kingdom

Working in collaboration with artists London Fieldworks Consarc designed three unique animal residencies based on despots’ palaces in part of an ancient forest in King’s Wood. The artists’ brief was extended to develop installations providing shelter for a number of animal species. This was done through analysis of despotic architecture to create these unique installations consisting of water catchers, bird boxes and moss-growing crevasses. The exhibit is designed to change and wear over time as the pieces slowly age with the woodland.

Consarc Studio

Environmental Policy

Consarc is committed to the protection of the environment and to achieving high standards of environmental and sustainable design. We view this not as a limitation, but as a global objective that can deliver real added for project and client alike. As a part of Consarc’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of environmental management, it is the intention that we follow the systems prescribed in ISO 14001.

Sustainability in Practice

Project Case Study

SYPTE

Bankside Bikeshed Competition

The competition called for innovative solutions to bicycle storage for the Bankside area in London. Our response to the brief was one of reinvention. Like the red pillar box or phone box we sought to develop a proposal that would add to the lexicon of a new generation of signature street furniture, synonymous with Bankside and it’s cycling agenda. The simplicity of our design is intended to work with and enhance the public realm. Using a series of versatile interlocking modules our proposal can be configured to respond to any number of sites, varying bike capacities and natural environments. Each module is proportioned by the urban parameters in which it’s placed: the parking bay, the dimensions of a flat bed truck, the depth of a typical curb edge. The exact configuration of each installation could be directly affected by its context. A module could be propped against a wall when undercover which in turn could be used as a skate ramp. A configuration placed at the entrance to the Tate Modern might be fashioned from a number of interlocking modules to create a more sculptural form, providing shelter from the rain and incorporating seating for passers by.

Lasalle Investment Management HQ

Consarc worked with LaSalle Investment Management on the relocation of 165 staff to a new office located in the heart of Mayfair, London. Our workplace services improved not only the aesthetics of their new Headquarters, but also dramatically changed their working practices, efficiency and culture. The brief required consolidation of all staff onto one floor, improved internal communication and a strong brand and identity. Consarc responded by incorporating extensive collaborative breakout spaces, supported by a dedicated set of booths for concentration space. The fit out utilises variable density desking between work teams for an efficient use of space, enabling the furniture to ‘flex’ ensures all users have workstations only as they require. Consarc fused a classic palette of colour, materials and furniture with a bold and witty use of graphics to deliver an environment that is stylish, functional and integral with the identity of the company.

Chengdu Towers

Consarc were invited by Cartwright Pickard Architects to collaborate on the submission for an international competition in Chendu, China. The brief was to provide a vibrant and land-marking mixed-used urban complex to include retail, entertainment, serviced apartment and luxury hotel facilities, in the centre of Chengdu.

The Savoy Group 5*

Low Carbon Design

As architects, we understand our responsibility with the environment and the impact of our work. Consarc is committed to the protection of the environment and to achieving high standards of environmental and sustainable design in every project. Please download this article from Building, which clearly explains how we did this in one of our recent projects.

Eco-hotel & Leisure Resort 5*

Consarc Architects have developed the detail design for an innovative 4 star eco-hotel and leisure resort; to be situated at the foot of a rocky mountain range. The proposal provides across two floors, 53 double rooms, 3 wheelchair accessible double rooms, 3 family suites and 1 presidential suite. The hotel acts as a base from which the surrounding desert can be enjoyed and explored.The building is designed to be a focus of leisure activities in the surrounding desert including desert excursions, ballooning, stargazing/astronomy and visits to cave engravings.

New Pylon Design

Consarc worked collaboratively with leading consultants to develop a proposal for the RIBA pylon international competition. The design reduces the visual effect of the pylon against the landscape, whilst bridging the gap between engineering and nature by developing a design that is not only functional and economically efficient but one that is also sculptural and sympathetic to its natural context. The base of each pylon is designed to afford an opportunity to create a series of wildlife nodes within either urban or rural landscapes. These nodes can provide sanctuary, shelter and support for some of Britain’s most endangered wildlife.

Amberley Castle, SAM, Grade 1

Working with longstanding clients, Consarc have successfully secured over 12 separate approvals for adaptation and enhancement projects for the long term refurbishment of this grade 1 listed Ancient Scheduled monument. The works will be progressively phased over the next 3 years as sequential listed building approvals are established. Consarc acted as client advisor and architect to the hotel group and undertook extensive liaison with English Heritage and the South Downs planning team to maximise the success rate of interventions into the historic fabric and this nationally important monument which is over 900 years old.

Oriental Club, Grade 1

The Oriental Club, London

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A long established member’s club in Stratford House, a grade 1 listed Georgian building in the central of London requires additional bedroom accommodation to a 5 star hotel standard. These will be located in an existing courtyard on 3 levels of a new build extension and will also require the demolition of an existing cottage at the rear of the building. Although modest the project is a complex one requiring careful consideration of a number of issues; planning/listed building consent, historical impact, adjoining owners, very restricted access as well as fire, acoustics and structural issues.

The iCon Centre

Consarc won an open competition organised by the RIBA and the BRE to design this multi-award-winning Innovation Centre in Daventry. The iCon houses The Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet) and provides 54 incubator spaces for innovative start-up companies in the field of environmentally focused construction, public exhibition space, conferencing facilities for 300 people and a cafe. The 4000m2 building was awarded BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status. This exemplar project uses only 12.2 kg of CO2/m2 per year and showcases the feasibility of achieving maximum energy efficiency and zero carbon status via sustainable design and construction techniques and integration of renewable energy technologies. The building has full environmental monitoring equipment installed and is undergoing a two-year post occupancy evaluation analysis.

Amberley Castle, Sussex

Amberley Castle is a unique luxury hotel located in the picturesque village of Amberley at the foot of the South Downs. The castle is a Grade I listed building and a schedule ancient monument. The 900 year old castle is enclosed by a 60 foot curtain wall and working portcullis behind which operates an award winning luxury hotel offering the highest standards of food and service. Consarc are acting in a design and advisory capacity on a number of sensitive refurbishments to upgrade the existing hotel rooms as well as key improvements to the back of house areas. Consarc are also advising on a number of new-build interventions and heritage regulatory considerations.

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The Carlton Club, London

In addition to restoration work to this Grade I listed civic building following terrorist bombing in 1990, extensive alterations to the basement area were made, adding library, billiards room and members’ changing facilities. Consarc liaised with an architectural historian, the Museum of London and archaeologists to support the production of accurate specification of details whilst considering refurbishment of doors and walls to meet contemporary fire safety standards for a public building. The RICS awarded Consarc “The Crafts in Building Conservation” Award for this project.

Hanley Bus Station, Stoke

Consarc developed design proposals for a new bus station in Stoke city centre with a view to regenerating the surrounding area. Consarc's proposal sought to establish a high quality benchmark ito form part of the cities wider development projects and public realm improvments in order to create a strong positive brand for the City Centre as a place to visit and invest.

Canon Street Station, London

Consarc was appointed by Network Rail to undertake extensive refurbishment of Cannon Street Station in the City of London. The client’s aspirations for the Cannon Street Station refurbishment were clear: to transform the station into one belonging to that of its ‘major station’ portfolio; to greatly improve the retail opportunity offered by the concourse; to enhance the customer experience of the station; to develop a clear and consistent branding message through architecture and signage; and finally to carry out all of the essential repairs identified, including the removal of asbestos. The intention was to achieve all of the above with minimum disruption to the daily passenger flow through the station. Consarc’s design solution was to deliver the client’s requirement through identification of various areas for potential improvement throughout the existing facility. The aim was to bring a cohesion and consistency to what was a visually cluttered environment and to enhance the station’s connection to the surrounding urban context. Initial proposals looked at giving the main entrance facade a distinctive identity with a large-scale ‘supagrahic’ frieze using overlay mesh cladding.

DEFRA Departments

Consarc designed the new build and provided full workplace consultancy services for the new headquarters for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The AHDB is one of DEFRA’s executive and not departmental public bodies. DEFRA is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The key aspect of the workplace brief is to consolidate the many sectors of the AHDB into a more integrated and interactive working environment. Supported by great communal facilities and alternative work settings. A central flexible eat, work and meet space on each floor encourages breakdown of the traditional hierarchies and promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange.

East Midlands Development Agency

Multi-award-winning Innovation Centre designed for the University of Northampton in Daventry. The iCon houses The Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet) and provides 54 incubator spaces for innovative start-up companies in the field of environmentally focused construction, public exhibition space, conferencing facilities for 300 people and a cafe. The 4000m2 building was awarded BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status. This exemplar project uses only 12.2 kg of CO2/m2 per year and showcases the feasibility of achieving maximum energy efficiency and zero carbon status via sustainable design and construction techniques and integration of renewable energy technologies. The building has full environmental monitoring equipment installed and is undergoing a two-year post occupancy evaluation analysis.

Leeds Station, Leeds

The objective of this feasibility design was to respond to and identify specific interventions that can be implemented in the near future at Leeds Station. In addition, the project also identified some larger scale interventions that would serve to maximise the commercial potential of the existing station, as well as proposing new development areas of the station. These outputs combine as a new Station Masterplan. The team developed the design of a unique retail pod that could be modified to suit the various conditions within the station areas. A planning application was granted for development of the pods in the listed hall of the station.

Brent Council, London

Consarc worked as Joint Lead Client (Architectural) Advisor to the London Borough of Brent on the development of their new Civic Centre in the regenerated Wembley masterplan. Initially appointed to produce a comprehensive brief for the new centre, site finding analysis, technical advisory and a feasibility study for the existing Listed Town Hall site, the role evolved into a key advisory role in establishing the criteria and the procurement of the delivery design team and main contractor for the entire scheme. Services encompassed procurement advice, tender evaluation, detailed brief writing, consultancy and planning services. The Civic Centre was delivered by Hopkins and Skanska to Consarc's Building Brief and was successfully completed in 2013. The vision for this complex public development was for a new typology of 'Civic' building that combines flagship public services and modernised working practices into one fully accessible multi-functional civic hub.

BCO Awards

Our projects have won several prestigious British Council for Offices Awards. We have selected a number of quotes from the BCO magazine regarding some of our winning projects: “The University of Northampton’s iCon Innovation Centre is an excellent example of the public sector delivering a sustainable building, the quality of which goes some way to delivering a step change in how the local area is perceived.” “The building has achieved a BREEAM “Excellent” rating and was a winner of a Green Apple Award for the Built Environment. It uses natural ventilation, exhaust air heat pumps and phase change materials in the ceiling.”

Collaboration & Innovation

Consarc use consulation and collaboration to inform design solutions. Our approach ensures that innovation and diversity is built into the projects. At DLR Langdon Park Station the over-all direction of the bridge was based on the responses of the first public consultation with the local users. The floating fibre reinfoced composite bridge roof was developed in close collaboration of engineers and the manufaturer. This created a striking feature for a new local landmark as well as an innovative application of the material. The choice for the trackside canopy material was taken in close consultation with the DLR and Serco, based on their experience with breakages from falling objects, which on these ETFE cushions, just bounce off. It was the first such application of ETFE for the DLR and has probably contributed to the rising popularity of ETFE in infrastructure projects around London since its opening in 2007. This project won a regeneration award from the British Construction Industry.

M3 Capital Partners

Consarc were appointed by this international real estate investment and advisory firm to assist them to find suitable office space for their Central London team. Our range of services included client management and the analysis of different possible sites in London. We visited several suitable office buildings with this client and advised them on the posibilities and challenges of each one. Using previous similar experience and completed projects as examples, we worked closely with the client to analyse their needs and deliver suitable solutions. We produced a detailed brief for the incoming designers and were in charge of the management of the specialist fit out contractors. We presented a ‘concept’ for several members of this international organisation and visited furniture and materials showrooms. We helped this organisation to analyse the way they work and manage their office space efficiently (private space V public areas).

The Oriental Club Redevelopment

The Oriental Club approached Consarc to look at the possibility of extending their current premises, Stratford House - a Grade I listed building, to occupy an existing courtyard site. The proposal was to re-develop the existing courtyard site with a new 5 storey building to contain new members facilities and 8 members bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms/shower rooms. The brief which Consarc formed also provided for the relocation/upgrading of any back of house services compromised by the installation of the new accommodation. As well as the relocation of staff accommodation at the basement level compromised by the removal of an existing two-storey cottage.

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

Stoneleigh Park is currently a dedicated site for agricultural and equestrian based businesses and facilities. As part of the proposal masterplan, the park is set to become the “Home of Rural Excellence” and a central hub for the transfer of knowledge, communication of information, initiatives and best practice. Stoneleigh Park is unique – in terms of its scale, its central location, its long history, its focus and the range of activities taking place. It is at the heart of England’s rural economy. Consarc's proposal looks to reaffirm Stoneleigh Park as a powerful draw for any business interacting with the agricultural or equine sectors.

Global Gourmet, London

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Consarc developed a series of evocative visualisations as part of a proposal for a new signature restaurant for an internationally renowned chef. In order to create a visceral and unique dining experience, the proposal aimed to celebrate the richness of raw ingredients used in the meals served at the restaurant.

Docklands Light Railway

Consarc have completed many intervention projects for Docklands Light Railways. We were successfully selected through an OJEU bid to provide designs for a new landmark bridge in Langdon Park, and also to co-ordinate and implement the community consultation process in the area. Then, through the competitive system, Consarc won the opportunity to deliver DLR’s latest flagship station and replacement pedestrian bridge of landmark quality in the Langdon Park area. By creating an open bridge and transparent ‘beacon’ lift towers the £7.5M station provides a permanent visual connection from the track crossing to lifts and station platforms. Integrating several unique materials, careful consideration was made in the choice of ETFE for Trackside Canopies and structurally integral Fibre Reinforced Composite in the Bridge Roof. This project won a regeneration award from the British Construction Industry 2008.

Bristows HQ

Consarc are currently working with a firm of leading UK solicitors to assist with the reconfiguration of their Central London office, with a view to moving to an open plan office layout. Through a series of interviews with all the legal partners, we were able to produce a detailed report on culture change and new ways of working, alongside design studies of the existing workplace to identify the potential challenges and solutions for the re-design of the office.

M3 Capital Partners

Desert Retreat

AHDB HQ

Having designed the new build 36,000 sq ft headquarters for the AHDB, Consarc were tasked with providing full workplace consultancy services. The key aspect of the workplace brief is to consolidate the many sectors of the AHDB into a more integrated and interactive working environment. Supported by great communal facilities and alternative work settings. A central flexible eat, work and meet space on each floor encourages breakdown of the traditional hierarchies and promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange. We have been involved since the very early stages of this project. At the concept design stage, we proposed several options for the client, we have interviewed future users of the building to implement their views in the design of the building and to ensure the client’s requirements are met. The way the AHDB work and their structure have been analysed in order to propose office fit outs and environments that can bring savings to the organisation whilst boosting staff morale improving staff efficiency.

Brent Council Civic Centre

Brent Council needed a radical new approach to their property portfolio. Commending work in 2008 with the Chief Executive, Head of Property and a nucleus of key officers, Consarc undertook extensive consultation with the officers and staff and ultimately completed the following services: - Lead Architectural Advisor (pre-construction) - Extension staff consultation. - Detailed brief writing. - Procurement advice (design and technical teams). - Extension staff consultation - Detailed brief writing. - Procurement advice (design and technical teams) - Lead design evaluator (OJEU procurement) - Design advice and input (stages 1 – 4 RIBA design). The building was awarded the highest outstanding score under BREEAM on completion and has won numerous awards.

LB Barking & Dagenham

Following a successful OJEU bid, Consarc were appointed to design a new extension to the existing Grade II listed Dagenham Civic Centre which lies at the heart of the community and adjacent to the green belt. Consarc were further commissioned to develop and fully refurbish the existing three-floor 1960’s annex building. The open plan working space embraces new ways of working and pilots culture change. The project has come back to life in 2014 and Consarc have taken the New Ways of Working initiative to a new level. Staff members will be relocated and new offices delivered in order to improve staff efficiency and reduce costs for the council. The main objective of our latest role was to analyse the council’s ways of working and propose solutions to maximise their working space efficiency and improve their working environments whilst relocating staff in order to maximise staff accommodation savings.

Northamptonshire County Council

The Carlton Club, Grade 1

In addition to major restoration work to this Grade I listed civic building following a terrorist bombing extensive alterations to the basement area were made, adding library, billiards room and members’ changing facilities. Consarc liaised with architectural historians, the Museum of London and archaeologists to support the production of accurate specification of details whilst considering refurbishment of doors and walls to meet contemporary fire safety standards for a public building. The RICS awarded Consarc “The Crafts in Building Conservation” Award for this project.

Wans Barn, World heritage site

As part of the Dorset farm diversification scheme this barn shelter formed part of a pair of hay storage barns. Located in the jurassic coast world heritage site the original construction of the barn was dilapidated concrete portal frames with asbestos sheet cladding. This structure was, on one of the barns adjacent to an original stone and brick wall. Using this wall as a key device in the re-imagining of the barn we maintained the original openings and key open walls but infilled the inside of the barn to create a four bedroom, four bathroom dwelling with dramatic full height living and hall spaces. It employs air source heat pumps and whole house ventilation as part of its environmental strategy. The external conditions of planning required the building to look exactly as it had as a barn shelter to maintain this ‘essential character’ of the landscape. The sustainable location, the sensitivity to the landscape and the use of high quality local materials and workmanship were all important elements which contributed to the successful completion of a contemporary solution in a highly sensitive rural context.

Abode Hotel Salisbury

Consarc Architects have recently completed a feasibility study with options for a 36 room boutique hotel refurbishment and conversion in Salisbury for hotelier Andrew Brownsword. Incorporating a Grade 2 and two Grade 2* listed buildings, the proposal consolidates the current floor levels of all the buildings and links them together on several floors, maximising the use of space whist preserving and enhancing the original features of the listed buildings. We have completed several design proposals and been granted planning permission and listed building consent in the past for refurbishment works at this sensitive area. Consarc’s sensitivity to the site specifics combined with our experience in hotel design led to a solution that both respects the historic building whilst maximising the value to the client.

Ipswich Borough Council

Consarc have delivered a sustainability-led mixed use building in the heart of Ipswich Village for Ipswich Borough Council. The client wished to achieve excellence in design by exceeding benchmark standards of the British Council of Offices UK (BCO) office specification and respond to the accredited BRE Environmental Assessment Method standards to achieve a ‘very good’ level of performance. Wherever possible environmentally-friendly systems, materials and methods of construction were employed. Throughout the development and construction process the architectural philosophy has been one of subtlety, restraint and composure. The project was completed for £9 million, including new build shell and core, cat A and B inclusive. This project won the Regional BCO Award for Best Corporate Workplace in 2007.

Willesden Community Hub

Superkingdom

Consarc Architects collaborated with artists London Fieldworks to design these unique woodland animal residencies. The installations are based on despots’ palaces, offering a somewhat startling imposition on this patch of ancient forest in King’s Wood, Kent. The original artists’ brief of a film-set was extended to develop installations providing shelter for a number of animal species. Consarc developed the dominant characteristics of buildings associated with dictatorshiip into a hybrid architecture – a progeny of imposing, regimented structures and the organic context of the forest that take form through the analogy of clamping, enveloping, suspending and parasitic growth. The result is these unique installations consisting of water catchers, bird boxes and moss-growing crevasses. This exhibit is designed to change and wear over time as the pieces slowly age with the woodland.

Wood Architecture now!

The iCon Innovation Centre in Daventry has been selected by architectural editor, Philip Jodidio, as a good example of a sustainable project built mainly out of wood. Please download the article from the book using the link provided.

LaSalle Investment Management

Consarc have a long-standing relationship with Lasalle Investment Management, providing assistance in realising investment potential for this client over many years. The various projects included the masterplanning for Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire and the Kent Science Park, as well as many feasibilities and realised office projects. Consarc also worked with LaSalle Investment Management on the relocation of 165 staff to a new office located in the heart of Mayfair, London. Our workplace services improved not only the aesthetics of their new Headquarters, but also dramatically changed their working practices, efficiency and culture.

Sydney House, Chelsea, Grade 2

The Sydney House Hotel houses 21 bedrooms within a Grade II listed townhouse. Behind its Georgian exterior, the hotel offers sleek modern accommodation within the atmosphere of a private house. We were appointed alongside a fit out contractor to carry out the dramatic conversion of this listed building and brighten, physically open up and modernise the existing layouts and feel of Sydney House. All furniture and fittings were designed bespoke for the bedrooms and innovative technologies give guests a high degree of control over their hotel environment. Consarc worked to achieve the brief within strict planning constraints and in under 26 weeks.

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We are at the forefront of sustainable design, specialising in cutting edge environmental thinking, with expert knowledge in the green specification of materials and construction techniques. Our expertise in environmental and social architecture has been developed over 20 years of innovation, practical experience and rigorous research. Talented designers, experienced contract administrators, and effective managers work together collaboratively in a vibrant atmosphere designed to encourage lateral thinking and promote creativity. This collaborative approach is extended throughout the design process. We create positive and dynamic working relationships with our clients and fellow consultants. We listen and encourage user and community participation to ensure inclusivity and a sense of ownership. Our work is primarily in the social sector encompassing education, community, cultural, housing and health buildings, with particular expertise in Early Years, and Progressive Learning Environments. Current projects range in size from £1m to £18 million. We currently employ 37 people, and operate throughout the UK from two offices, located in London and the west of England.