Sector: Heal

Designing buildings is a privilege. Knowing that this can make a difference to someone’s quality of life is an essential facet of architecture. Health and well-being is at the forefront of modern society, our architectural work looks at the holistic environmental impact of a building on people. Interaction with materials; importance of views and vistas; natural light, warmth and sense of direction. All basics of design and even more critical in modern health care buildings. This sector is highly complex and involved but one we have made a contribution too backed up with peer assessed awards.

Sunbeams Music Centre

‘To provide a sustainable legacy for people with disabilities…’ the client’s mantra driving the Sunbeams Music Centre - a bespoke music therapy facility designed on a site overlooking the Lake District in Cumbria. Established in 1992, Sunbeams Music Trust deliver their 'Music For Life' programme to tens of thousands of needing members of society each year and were eager for a home.

The building is designed as a home and advert for the amazing work Sunbeams do working with disadvantaged members of society. Bringing music into the centre was a key driver also harmonising the building with the natural surroundings and wider environment.

Sunbeams Music Centre exemplifies what we believe good design to embody; passive environmental principles, contextual connection utilising Cumbrian materials and techniques with innovation in form and layout. The centre is predominantly naturally ventilated, naturally lit and the heating provided by ground source heat pump. U-values are to passivhaus standards with a large amount of locally sourced sheep wool and carefully designed south facing elevation to limit overheating. All materials are sustainably sourced and from as local a source as possible. Reducing carbon was a key part of the design development through to the final built centre.

Awards

Architects Journal Awards - Healthcare and Wellbeing Project of the Year
Structural Timber Awards - Architect of the Year
RIBA MacEwen Award –Shortlisted
Civic Trust - Selwyn Goldsmith for Accessibility Shortlisted
Civic Trust - Civic Trust Commendation
Buildings Awards - Small Project of the Year finalist
LABC Northern - Small Commercial project of the year
LABC National - Small Commercial project of the year Finalist
Northern Architectural Association - Community Project of the Year
Offsite Awards - Healthcare Project of the Year Shortlisted
Offsite Awards - Best Use of Timber Technology Shortlisted
RICS North West - Community Benefit Award Finalist
Structural Timber Awards - Healthcare Project of the year Shortlisted

Castle Eden Crematorium

The design of Castle Eden Crematorium incorporates an earth covered entrance canopy and generally looks to blend the building into the surrounding landscape. Utilising natural materials such as local stone and timber with sunken levels to minimise visual impact. The natural stone walls are employed throughout to give a tactile natural feel to the external appearance.

We were appointed to work on a private Crematorium in County Durham to take the information from initial concept through to construction. This includes full coordination and a traditional tender exercise prior to a start on site.

 

 

Internally the design focussed on a sense of calm with muted palette of materials including timber linings to a number of the key spaces such as the chapel. Here natural light and careful views out are carefully thought out to give a sense of tranquillity and privacy. Landscaping was a key part of the design with the transition through the site.

We worked with the client team in Birmingham and developed all technical information including details, specification and schedules for this specialist typology prior to assisting in engagement of local contractors. During the process we assisted the project management team in a number of design exercises creating simpler details and reducing cost of the build while keeping the integrity of the original design. Castle Eden Crematorium is due on site imminently.