41GSSreview

GSSArchitecture are delighted to have been appointed by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as Project Managers, Architects, Lead Consultants, Quantity Surveyors and Principal Designers to create an exciting Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) at their Clifton Campus.

The primary objective of the MTIF project is to enable the University to carry out advanced research in convergent medical systems to reduce both the time to market and the costs associated with the creation and commercialisation of innovative health technologies, medical devices and therapeutics.

The success of an innovation centre relies on the relationship and locations of different space types and the routes that users take to get from one space to the next. The design of the building aims to form a sense of community by creating a transparent and flexible working environment.

By combining a highly specialist scientific space with office and break-out areas, hot desk spaces, meeting rooms, presentation areas and social spaces, the design will enable integrated research and promote collaboration between scientists, engineers, clinicians and MedTech entrepreneurs.

The developing design solution is part of a wider campus masterplanning exercise targeting BREEAM Excellent. In addition, GSS are currently designing Phase 2 of the MTIF project which will deliver a new build Commercialisation Facility.

£22m Scientific Research Centre

Welcome to the latest edition of the GSS Review. In this issue we will highlight a cross-section of our current projects, which cover the whole of the UK.

All of our offices are working on a wide range of exciting and varied projects across most sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, education and healthcare. We have recently been awarded several new commissions and have achieved significant completions for the practice in the industrial and commercial sectors, some of national importance.

The stories we have chosen to highlight in this issue include: Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, exciting developments to Northampton Museum and an overview of our most recent masterplanning projects.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our team of 20 who successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, raising over £11,000 for Ewing’s Sarcoma Research. This was a brilliant achievement for everyone involved and thank you to all those who donated.

Additionally, I would like to thank our clients, who continue to entrust us with projects covering most sectors across the country, and look forward to an exciting body of work for the future. I would also like to thank all our teams for their continuous hard work, without whom we would not be able to deliver our service.

Our website is regularly updated with information on the practice, sectors and our projects. Also, please pay a visit to our LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages for updates and our latest news.

David Allsop

From the Editor

Staff Update

New Standards for GSS

The practice would like to welcome Olivia Morton, our newly appointed Business Development Co-ordinator, together with Jenna Campbell-Butcher as PR and Marketing Assistant. Magdalena Hincu has joined the Graphics Department as a 3D Artist and Interior Designer; Dave Roberts is the latest member of our Quantity Surveying and Project Management Team and Teo Lall has joined us as an Architect at the Kettering Office. The Newcastle Studio welcomes Architectural Assistant, Shannon Langley and Jane Try has joined our Milton Keynes team as an Architect.

Congratulations are extended to Heather Murgatroyd for qualifying as a Chartered Architectural Technologist, becoming a Member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (MCIAT), and to Chris Loj in our Quantity Surveying Team who, supported by GSS, graduated with a BSc(Hons) in Building Surveying from Leeds Beckett University.

David Allsop said, “It’s fantastic to, once again, take on highly successful people, who will be essential to the practice and will be an important part of our continued growth.”

At GSS we believe that our staff are the greatest contributors to the delivery of our goal: to produce creative design and provide cost-effective results that often exceed our clients’ expectations. As recognised Investors in People, GSS are continuing to offer educational and training opportunities to all staff.

We currently have 9 staff members undertaking year-out placements, studying part-time to become fully qualified or on apprenticeship schemes or work experience, working within Architecture, Architectural Technology, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Graphics Design, ICT and Business Administration.

Row 1 (L-R): Olivia Morton, Jenna Campbell-ButcherRow 2 (L-R): Dave Roberts, Magdalena HincuRow 3 (L-R): Shannon Langley, Teo LallRow 4 (L-R): Jane Try, Chris Loj

As one of the first architectural practices to be awarded the accolade of ISO 14001, GSSArchitecture are pleased to announce our recent transition from the 2004 to the 2015 standard of this certification. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of all areas of our business and implementing an effective Environmental Management System (EMS).

The newly revised standard puts additional emphasis on life-cycle, considering each stage of a product or service from development to end-of-life, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable success.

In order to gain this certification, a commitment to stronger integration between environmental issues and the organisation’s strategic thinking, planning and action had to be displayed. All processes are now compliant with the most recent environmental management standard, including changes from the previous certification such as: improving resource efficiency and waste reduction.

In addition to attaining this certification, we have also made the transition to the 2015 standard for ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS).

Significant changes to the ISO standards place an increased focus on continuous improvement and establish an ethical and responsible approach towards both the environment and business operations.

Together these certifications complement the practice’s Integrated Management System (IMS), which also includes Investors in People, Occupational Health and Safety Management System, and the recently achieved Cyber Essentials PLUS certification.

David Allsop, Senior Partner commented, “While our early commitment to the British and International standards was to allow us access to government-funded projects, the effects on the practice have been transformational and a journey well worth undertaking.”

Congratulations to our intrepid team of 20 who took on the National Three Peaks Challenge, achieving a time of 23 hours and 3 minutes!

On Sunday, 10th September 2017, the team successfully completed the challenge in aid of Ewing’s Sarcoma Research.

Often described as one of the toughest feats in the UK, the team conquered three of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Ben Nevis (1,345m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m).

We are delighted to have raised over £11,000 and would like to thank everyone for their generous donations and support. All of us at GSS and the Ewing’s Sarcoma Research Trust are extremely grateful.

GSSArchitecture are able to offer a wide range of Architectural Visualisation services for our projects. Visualisations are a great resource for engaging with our clients and allowing them to have an understanding of a design scheme that may not be clear from standard architectural or technical drawings.

In addition to our more recent virtual reality work, we have expanded our capabilities to include the production of 3D printed models. We introduced these models to allow for a new way of thinking for one of our latest student accommodation projects, that will provide a new approach to student living.

All models are printed in-house by our Graphics Team to provide a better idea of the spaces we design and how they can be tailored to meet specific needs.

GSSArchitecture Three Peaks Challenge Success

Annual Milton Keynes Drinks ReceptionAs part of the continuing expansion of our Milton Keynes Office, we invited our ever-growing number of clients to join us for drinks at the end of last year.

The Milton Keynes Office is headed up by Associate Chris Chapman, who has worked at the practice for 27 years. Chris has a thorough and detailed knowledge of construction, as well as contracting processes and procedures.

Chris and his team are currently working on an increasing number of projects secured in Milton Keynes and the surrounding region, including an Innovation Centre for Moulton College and new commercial developments, as well as many of the practice’s London schemes.

Innovative Visualisation Services

GSSArchitecture have recently facilitated the delivery of two new schools and an extension to an existing building to provide over 1000 new school places. The first of these is Pineham Barns Primary School, located in Northampton. The development involved the provision of fifteen classrooms and three double height halls, two of which can be combined to create one large school hall. The School offers a series of spaces, varying in size, to facilitate personalised teaching and the best possible learning experience.

Forming part of the Preston Hedge’s Trust, the School is designed to serve the members of the new Pineham Grove residential area, taking into account their needs and those of the local community. The two-form entry primary school will eventually offer a total of 420 places and a community centre.

Purple Oaks Academy, also located in Northampton, recently welcomed pupils to their new academy building. The Academy has been built to provide 100 places for students, aged 3 to 18, with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Severe Learning Difficulties. Age-specific group rooms and specialist areas are arranged appropriately to suit the needs of each age group. The development is sponsored by the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT) and funded by the ESFA, who made the provision of the state-of-the-art buildings and facilities possible. Purple Oaks will provide long-term benefits to the community, providing much needed specialist school places and creating a bespoke learning environment to support students.

Corby Technical School recently celebrated the opening of a new extension to their existing school. The project has doubled the size of the School to provide flexible space for immediate and future needs. The £6.7m project included a two-storey extension, internal remodelling of classrooms, expansion of the car park, and landscaping of the external surroundings, and was completed on time and on budget, ready for the return of the students after October Half Term.

The GSS Education Team are currently working on the delivery of more new schools across the country.

Trio of New School Openings

Work at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland is now complete. GSSArchitecture were appointed as Architects, Contract Administrators and Principal Designers to provide an open, flexible gallery space for the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA). The space provides facilities to exhibit works previously located in the City Library and Arts Centre on Fawcett Street. The National Glass Centre is a celebration of the heritage of glass-making in Sunderland, and is home to a wide array of academic facilities, as well as public exhibition halls and demonstration spaces. The new gallery flows from the public café and houses nationally significant art works, as well as works by local artists. The prominence of the National Glass Centre in Sunderland was recently showcased as part of Sunderland’s Bid for Capital of Culture status.

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Now Open

Moulton Church Refurbishment Work Complete The congregation at Moulton Church recently celebrated the completion of an extensive refurbishment programme, including an inviting entrance, removal of the pews, a new floor with underfloor heating, adjustable lighting and audio visual facilities.

Our specialist Conservation Team have rejuvenated and updated the historic building, making it appropriate for 21st century worship, with open spaces allowing flexible layouts of furniture. Having been closed during weekdays in recent years, the Church is now open to visitors throughout the day to enjoy a hot drink and socialise within a newly provided servery area.

Andy Byfield, Vicar at the Church since 2012, said, “The work has exceeded our expectations and we look forward to welcoming the community back to the Church to enjoy the fantastic new facilities.”

Planning Permission for Northampton MuseumPermission has been granted for a significant expansion and extension to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. GSSArchitecture were appointed by Northampton Borough Council as Architects, Lead Consultants and Principal Designers to lead the transformation.

The proposals are part of the GSS Cultural Quarter masterplan and add a major extension to create a new shoe gallery to showcase the museum’s world-renowned collection. In addition, a temporary exhibition gallery, events space, café and link space are to be created.

Associate Tom Jagger said, “the project will transform the role of the museum in the area by providing an enriched and improved museum offer and will contribute to the regeneration of Northampton Town Centre, enhancing the entertainment, learning and leisure aspects of the community.”

GSS have worked collaboratively to respect and incorporate the existing architecture. The project is the latest in the practice’s growing portfolio of regional and national museums, galleries and exhibition spaces.

Alistair Robinson, the Programme Director for NGCA, said: “The generous spaces of our new gallery allow us to show artists’ ambitious projects from around the world in optimal conditions.

The flexibility allows us to work with a range of media, from painting, drawing and sculpture to film, video, and digitally born work. We are now looking forward to sharing our new home with the public after GSS have brought it to life with superb attention to detail.”

Simon Rennison-Rae, Associate at our Newcastle Studio said: ‘It’s been a pleasure to deal with the University, the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and the National Glass Centre to create the new gallery space. The project adds vibrancy to the building, as well as continuing to promote Sunderland on a national level’.

New Boarding House for Rugby SchoolWork began in November 2017 on the construction of a new boarding house development at Rugby School. The £5.5m project is part of an eight-phase refurbishment of the School’s existing boarding facilities.

GSSArchitecture have been appointed as Architects, Lead Consultants, Principal Designers and Quantity Surveyors by Rugby School.

The new development will provide bedrooms for 60 pupils, large communal rooms and a main dining room on the ground floor that caters for both students and staff.

The facilities have been designed to include a secluded rooftop terrace and a double-height atrium, within the heart of the building, providing flexible spaces for socialising and study.

The sustainable boarding house will incorporate the use of advanced off-site manufactured bathroom pods to provide en-suite facilities, reducing construction time and ensuring premium quality. The move away from shared facilities to prepare the students for university life will be setting a very high standard of accommodation for the future.

GSS Partner, David Allsop, commented: “The new development will be the first purpose-built boarding house since 1938 and an emphasis has been placed on creating high quality spaces using robust, long-lasting materials to encapsulate the changing needs of society.”

Judith Robinson, Director of Estates at Rugby School said, “It is incredibly exciting to finally be starting on site with the new boarding house after all the work and planning that has gone before. GSS have designed a stunning building that is fitting for Rugby School’s first purpose-built building in over 70 years.”

Oakham School Opens Faculty of Social SciencesThe recent opening of the new Faculty of Social Sciences at Oakham School marked another successful project completion for GSSArchitecture. The completion is the second phase of a major development to provide state-of-the-art teaching facilities for all pupils and is the most recent project to be completed for the School by the practice.

As an addition to the Merton classroom block, originally designed by GSS 25 years ago, the three-storey building provides a central hub for the School’s language and humanities subjects. Break-out spaces and presentation rooms are designed to create a university environment, preparing students for the future.

Founded in 1584, Oakham School is an independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 10-18. GSS’s portfolio of buildings designed for the School extends to the library, classrooms and boarding houses. Work has also recently begun to develop teaching facilities for the lower school, Jerwoods.

Masterplanning Team News

The main masterplan will include a detailed analysis of the use of existing college spaces against their aspirations, in order to deliver a 10-15 year phased development strategy and provide a modern and re-imagined teaching facility in the heart of Bath that will deliver the new curriculum agenda.

With the overall vision to become the country’s most enterprising college, focusing on collaboration and innovation, an Innovation Centre will be built to bring together commercial tenants and college academics.

To help link these two user groups, the design will create a stimulating setting for creative interactions and integrations, allowing the space and support necessary to both accelerate start-up businesses and assist student learning.

GSSArchitecture have been appointed as Architects and Lead Consultants to provide specialist building and urban design expertise as part of a large-scale residential development, New Lubbesthorpe, in North West Leicestershire.

New Lubbesthorpe is proposed to be entirely ‘green’ and the emerging masterplan has retained and protected existing landscape, ecology and heritage assets. These will become the basis of a new green infrastructure framework which will encompass the built development.

The development will include 4250 dwellings, a mixed use district centre and two mixed use local centres, featuring retail, commercial, employment, leisure, health, community and residential uses. The provision of nursery, primary and secondary schools, including a new two-form entry primary school for 420 pupils, is to be delivered by GSS.

Additionally, a Strategic Employment Site of 21 hectares, including a Gateway Business Centre, will be included in the development. Open spaces, woodlands and an infrastructure integrating the sustainable urban extension into the existing community are all integral to the plan.

Major Residential Urban Expansion Underway

The GSSArchitecture Masterplanning Team have the wide range of skills and experience required to cover the significant number of sectors and scale of projects undertaken by the practice.

GSS have been appointed to provide Bath College with a concept masterplan for their Avon Street Campus. The plan will provide a vision to illustrate the College’s role and future within the World Heritage Site of Bath and its integration within the Council’s wider scale masterplan development. The creation of a new Centre of Excellence will reflect and deliver the immediate needs, future ambitions and objectives of Bath College.

Bath College

New Lubbesthorpe School

Newcastle United Manager Rafa Benítez officially opened the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Durham University’s Collingwood College in November last year. The MUGA provides an all-weather surface to accommodate a variety of sporting activities and has been designed to allow multiple, concurrent sporting activities to take place.

David Allsop BA DipArch RIBAWilliam Assheton BA(Hons) BArch RIBA AABC Ian Bray BSc(Hons) MRICSJonathan Hunter BA(Hons) ArchTech MCIAT MCIOB FFBThomas Lyons BA DipArch DipAP RIBAMichael Magri BA(Hons) DipArch RIBAAnna McTaggart MA MArch DipArch RIBA

Practice AdministratorMary Lally BA(Hons) FInstAM

AssociatesBen Asbury BA(Hons) MArch PGDip RIBAChris Chapman MCIATTom Jagger BArch MArch PGDip RIBA

Simon Rennison-Rae BA(Hons) DipArch RIBAPaul Vega BSc(Hons) CEnv FCIOB

35 HeadlandsKetteringNorthamptonshireNN15 7EST: 01536 513 165

North WarehouseGloucester DocksGloucester GL1 2EPT: 01452 525 019

Hoults YardWalker RoadNewcastleNE6 2HLT: 0191 389 8917

The Tower StudioFourth Avenue, Hornbeam Park Harrogate HG2 8QTT: 01423 815 121

Exchange House494 Midsummer BoulevardMilton Keynes MK9 2EAT: 01908 255 620

www.gssarchitecture.comgss@gotch.co.uk@gssarchitecturePublished: February 2018

Partners Offices

• Chartered Architects• Quantity Surveyors• Lead Consultant

The design of New Lubbesthorpe School has evolved from the development masterplan. The School will be built in the first phase of the development, alongside the first residential area.

Designed by GSSArchitecture, the two-form entry school will be a key landmark of the central square of the development, providing an additional element of community use, including a main hall that can be operated independently from the School.

The entire masterplanning scheme is based on a green building philosophy that encourages wide avenues of trees and green spaces, and the School design has been developed with this in mind. The design features numerous glazed areas to maximise daylight and openable windows to provide a pleasant learning environment that is also highly sustainable, limiting the use of artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation.

The School has been designed in a contemporary style akin to the surrounding residential development. The facade will provide an attractive street frontage, complementing adjacent residential developments, which will include a mixture of housing styles, from three storey neo-Georgian homes to more contemporary town houses.

New Lubbesthorpe School will provide a key building within the new community, offering purpose-built amenities that can facilitate the delivery of excellent learning opportunities for local children and benefit the wider community.

Hoults Yard, a dynamic business village in which our Newcastle Studio is located, has recently been ranked Number 6 out of 32 Inspired Spaces of the North. Originally home to one of the most famous pottery factories in the world, an increasing number of businesses and creative firms now occupy the converted spaces, creating a stimulating environment in which GSSArchitecture can continue to thrive.

Planning permission has been granted for a project involving the conversion and extension of a former council building to create student accommodation, retail units and a new restaurant on Fish Street, Northampton. This is the latest in a number of developments GSSArchitecture are working on to enhance vibrancy in the centre of Northampton.

News in Brief