construction

Student Mentoring & Site Visit to 227 Winchester Road!

For the second year in a row we are hosting students from Bath University and UWE as part of the innovative RIBA Student Mentoring scheme organised by the team at RIBA South West Forge Design Studio. Following two office based sessions we visited site this week at 227 Winchester Road.

Having recently received planning permission for the comprehensive re-design and re-building of the original house, our client has made a meaningful start on site. The demolition of a substantial part of the original house has been completed and the reduced dig is underway in preparation for the piling rig.

Proposed Ground Floor Plan

Proposed First Floor Plan

The new design will create approx. 5,000sqft of accommodation, providing 6 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms and a large multi-function kitchen/dining/lounge area in a split level arrangement which takes advantage of the subtle change in level on the site.

The house follows an inter-locking, cranked plan which wraps around the generous garden with excellent orientation to capture the evening sun. The house will be served by an air source heat pump, underfloor heating and solar pv arrays on the roof.

We are excited to see the proposals for this innovative, contemporary design emerge from the excavations, stand by for a major transformation in 2020!!

Essoldo House, Kings Road, Chelsea

Forge Design Studio have been commissioned by Volker Fitzpatrick to assist them with the detailed design and development of 11 luxury apartments on the upper levels of Essoldo House. This mixed-use scheme is being constructed on an extremely tight site, fronting onto the Kings Road in Chelsea. A complex, layered development it has basement car parking, ground floor retail and commercial space, a multi-screen arts cinema complex at first floor with three floors of apartments above.

FDS are pleased to be joining the established team on the procurement and design of the apartment interiors. Co-ordinating and liaising with the information flow and picking up the existing BIM models have been challenging but has been successfully undertaken with positive results.

Progress is proceeding with the superstructure and work is due to start on the apartment fit-out in the next few weeks. The technical challenges are many and varied including very demanding acoustic criteria both to protect against outside noise but also structure and air-borne sound from the cinema below.

The original client architects have set out the detailed design for 3 typical units which have formed the design template for the complete package. FDS have developed the detailed information and co-ordinated with the specialist building services sub-contractors through-out the process.

Work will start on the fit-out of the apartments in October with completion due for Spring 2020.

Project Handover, Cambridge

Forge Design Studio have been working with Volker Fitzpatrick on a major re-modelling and refurbishment project for a higher education client in Cambridge.

The project required an extensive de-cant programme to vacate the occupied spaces. This involved working closely with the Estates Team and the Contractor’s Site Team to gain an appreciation and understanding of the whole campus. The main campus has been an operational live environment through-out the process which has entailed out-of-hours working and a great deal of flexibility on the part of the Contractor.

It has been a highly technical project involving retro-fitting steelwork and FDS have been involved in all aspects of the project – from strategic accommodation studies to detailed surveys of existing furniture, fittings and equipment within existing spaces. We have produced sketch options, g.a’s, specifications, detailed schedules and working drawings. We also carried out monthly site visits and spot checks to review progress and assist with quality control.

Volker Fitzpatrick made great progress on the major re-modelling and refurbishment and kept ahead of schedule. We carried out our final site visits as the end of June, and the project is due for handover shortly.

Progress on Site in Hertford

Sites at the Former Waters Garage and 66-68 St Andrew Street

Recent site photographs on a very sunny day in Hertford. Construction of two of our projects are well underway on site.

Located in the St Andrew Street Conservation Area, the restrictions of the site are plain to see and have given rise to quite different design solutions. Both schemes are heavily constrained but demonstrate how effective use can be made of even the trickiest of sites to facilitate regeneration and successful development.

The Former Waters Garage site creates two distinct areas – the first has utilised and restored the original coachworks to create a unique frontage with a discreet mews development to the rear which has echoes of the workshop building that it replaced. Secondly the rendered terraced villas pick-up on the original, distinctive semi-detached buildings along North Street.

Diagonally opposite is the site of 66-68 St Andrew Street which immediately abuts a pair of historic grade II listed cottages. By re-forming an original historic street pattern, we have created 4 unique, residential units around a shared courtyard.

Our clients, the new site owners, Leary Developments Ltd, have recently purchased the cottage next door which has given us an excellent opportunity to open up the rear area and will create a great shared private space for the mix of units which surround it.

The close proximity of the busy roads has imposed constraints on the construction process which we helped address within the building methods. As can be seen, good progress is being made on both sites with a number of sales being secured off-plan at Carriage Court (Former Waters Garage) and a great deal of interest being expressed at 66-68.

We look forward to seeing the successful completion of both projects before the end of the year.

St Silas, Cheltenham YMCA

Work is well underway on the conversion of the former St Silas Church Centre to create 21no new units of accommodation for the young people of Cheltenham. Forge Design Studio have worked with the Contractor, Somerset Carpenters Ltd to develop the final design proposals. Experience has shown that the building fabric will need to be capable of withstanding some robust treatment. Operating within the constraints of the existing building we have created the most cost effective, long-lasting detailing possible within the budget.

Externally, the building is being given a new ‘overcoat’ with cladding to the upper section and render to the base, new windows and doors through-out will complete the work.

The building will provide move-on accommodation for the residents of the main at Vittoria Walk, Cheltenham who have progressed with the support and help of the YMCA. Funding for the project is being provided by the Borough Council, Homes and Community Agency and the YMCA.

The Contractor is making good progress and is on programme to complete in summer 2017.

Forge Design Studio’s Year in Review!

Living Spaces

After a great deal of fund-raising effort on the part of the YMCA, work has started on site at the former St Silas Church Centre in Cheltenham. The scheme will provide 21 living spaces in a comprehensively re-modelled existing building. There will be a range of unit sizes from small studios to 1-bed apartments.

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Forge Design Studio are working with the appointed Main Contractor to develop detailed working drawings and schedules to support the construction (see examples below). The constraints of the existing building has created challenges which the team have worked together to overcome. Work is continuing at full pace on site and is due for completion in the summer.

Ground Floor Plan:

201410A_A_L(2-)001C

First Floor Plan:

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We have also been involved in a series of local residential projects which range from the Cedardore project in Wellow – a complete new build dwelling, to Remenham House in Whiteparish – an interior design project, through to Cowesfield Lodge – a comprehensive
re-modelling and extension under permitted development, which is located within walking distance of the office!

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All of our projects are treated with the same level of professional service and respect. They are greatly valued, providing us with a varied and interesting series of opportunities.

We look forward to 2017 with eager anticipation.

66-68 St Andrews Street, Hertford

ST ANDREW_EXPLODED AXO

Having been retained on the project by the new site owners, Leary Developments Ltd., work is underway on the working drawings for 66-68 St Andrew Street.

The surveyors have been on site to check the setting out and discussions are underway with the planners regarding some minor alterations to the permission. The client is planning a start on site in September this year.

We are developing the project as a BIM test case and are working closely with the Structural Engineers and Energy Consultants to develop a fully integrated 3d model of project. This can be tested and manipulated as the optimum construction methodology is developed.

Looking forward to seeing another project starting on site.

Forge Design’s ‘Open Studio’

We are looking forward to holding an ‘Open Studio’ event on Saturday 17th September.

Over the last three years we have been lucky enough to have worked on a great variety of projects including schemes for a number of our neighbours! The ‘Open Studio’ will be an opportunity for us to meet a wider cross-section of the local community, whilst inviting them into the office to see, and learn more about, what we do.

Further details will be released shortly. Watch local press for details

Please see our contact page for our address and other details.

Progress On Site…

Forge Design Studio has a number of projects currently under construction on site

Cedardore, West Wellow

Setting-out and the below ground sub-structure has been completed at Cedardore for Mayflower Homes. The concrete beam and block floor is in and the first lift of masonary is well underway. Progress should be good as the better weather arrives!!

Cowesfield Lodge

Site clearance and excavations have been dug and foundations poured at Cowesfield Lodge. The beam and block floor has been installed, and, as you can see, all the preparations have taken place ready for the mini-steel frame to arrive.

Steel has been required to suit the light, open and airy extension. Almost 50sqm of new space is being created, as well the re-organisation of the existing house. This has been achieved under permitted development.

Richard Stanton at RFS is the Main Contractor.

North Brook End Stud

The first phase of development is well underway at North Brook End Stud. The first floor staff apartment is being dry-lined, rooflights are in, the original exposed trusses have been cleaned. The contractors, Overton Builders, have got the first fix installations in place and are getting ready for the fit-out and all second fix joinery.