Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, and founder of Powderject, officially opened Oxford Innovation’s new facility on 19 November 2009.

OI and MEPC hosted the event which attracted many of the region’s leading science entrepreneurs.  Lord Drayson spoke of the importance of science research to the UK and the conglomeration of high tech companies within the Oxford / Cambridge / London triangle.  His tour of the building included sampling the research work of some of the cutting edge companies who occupy the building.

Jo Willett of Oxford Innovation said,

‘The design and layout of the building provide an ideal Innovation Centre facility, with plenty of light and space to create opportunities for companies to interact.  Client companies particularly benefit from the flexibility of the space provided; it really provides a prestigious location for even the earliest stage company. Despite only being open since January 2009 there are already 31 companies in occupation or using the virtual offices and hot desk facilities.’

 

Nearly 70 people attended an early morning seminar at Komedia in Bath. Attracted by the venue, one of our projects, and the prospect of a River Cottage breakfast and entertainment from the Natural Theatre Company, they came to hear how Stubbs Rich had cut 40% off the cost of a new laboratory and offices project for Oxford University.  The project has just won a Value award and Project of the Year from Constructing Excellence.

This value-focused agenda is not some 2009 post-recession bandwagon, it is deeply embedded in the practice’s DNA.  Over the last 25 years, we have learnt how to cut costs and reduce risks and at the same time make buildings better and more client-focused.  We have done it for Oxford University, for developer MEPC, and retailer IKEA.  Having found out how to do it, we know we can do it again.

 

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in our OJEU bid to be appointed by the University of Bath to design the new Student Centre.

This exciting project will act as a major focus for the University campus and give the students much improved facilities.  It will also dramatically improve the approach to the parade level from the east.  The design of the building is to achieve BREEAM Excellent.

By working closely with this important client and an excellent design team on this challenging project, we believe that we will help the University begin to implement their long term masterplan for the campus.

We will be working with King Sturge, Gleeds and Mann Williams.

 

This former Art Deco super cinema, currently a dynamic church could, in addition, become a regional concert venue.

Stubbs Rich have completed a study into transforming the Grade II* listed Bath Forum into a regional concert hall.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with the building owners, Bath City Church, have commissioned Stubbs Rich to identify what could be done to help the Forum fulfil the dream for Bath to host concerts throughout the year.

Working with a team of specialists, we have identified a series of discreet improvements to the auditorium which include improving sight lines, increasing stage capacity and adjusting the acoustics to suit better unamplified performances.  In order to complement the auditorium capacity of 1,655 seats, we have proposed the ‘Projection Room’: a new roof level breakout space for 600 guests with views over the city (as illustrated).

Our proposals form the input to a business plan which will test the viability and funding options.

This is the latest project in a series we have undertaken since the purchase of the Forum by Bath City Church in the late 1980s.

 

Coulsdon Audi has opened for business after successfully achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating on the BREEAM assessment scale. A first for the UK, the dealership represents a flagship facility in south London, greatly increasing the brand’s presence and reinforcing its sustainable aspirations.

Contributing to this achievement is the approach to the use of and sources of energy. Considerate passive design reduces the energy load of the building, whilst approximately 15% of its energy consumption is generated from on-site renewable sources.

Large clear glazing to the double height showroom provides good quality display lighting and creates a healthy environment for staff and customers. In the workshop, polycarbonate cladding provides diffuse north light whilst preventing unnecessary solar gain, both reducing the energy load and improving the working environment for technicians.