January 31, 2014

No 9 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

The new Wallscourt Farm Academy is nearing completion.  This innovative open plan school was an exciting partnership for NVB with Balfour Beatty, South Gloucestershire Council and the Cabot Learning Federation.  The first phase is already in use and the children seem to be settling in well.  As an added bonus the fame of Noodle the school dog seems to be spreading

For more details and images click here.

January 30, 2014

No 8 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

Working with CRASH – the construction Industry charity – the refurbishment of existing stables on the farm site of Pilsdon Community in Dorset has proved to be one of the more rewarding projects of recent months. The refurbishment of the existing listed farm buildings into bedrooms, activity and food preparation rooms whilst still maintaining the stables has proved a different challenge from the normal schemes.

As a charitable project NVB worked with project partners BAM Construction, ARUP Consulting and EC Harris in providing the expertise and skills necessary in designing, developing and delivering the scheme as part of a charitable project.

With the ‘topping out’ and completion of the first phase just before Christmas, the client was delighted to be able to confirm the project has secured sufficient funds to be completed.  The final fit-out of the habitable areas and completion of the bedrooms are on track for a completion in March.

January 29, 2014

No 7 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

We are delighted to be working on an options study and consultation for improvements to public spaces in Frome. We have also been doing our bit at the office with new planting in front of our old chapel to improve the outlook and encourage wildlife.

Our landscape team is currently working on a number of exciting projects and has recent experience of amongst other things, landscape masterplanning for a school in South Korea, a new pump track and play area here in Frome, and the creation of new gardens in a sensitive historic setting at Well’s Cathedral School .

We will shortly be completing new school grounds at Wallscourt Farm Academy (Balfour Beatty are doing a great job with the mud!) Come back later in the year for completed photographs:

January 28, 2014

No 6 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

We have recently completed an extension to St Margaret’s school to allow the establishment of a proper space for the library to thrive.  The work includes extended IT space and is modelled specifically for the young children who will use the facility.  The window reading booth and low level slit windows are all carefully proportioned for the younger clients.

The timber frame construction allowed completion in a matter of months with minimal disruption to the school. The scheme involved the reintroduction of the external play space and realigning of the landscape to ensure that the new library sat carefully and respectfully within the school environment.

The design also incorporated furniture design to create a carefully tailored library for this young age group.  The playful design of the shelving and strong colours invigorate the space and create an atmosphere designed to engage and encourage the pupils.  This is the latest in a series of NVB projects which have had a significant furniture element to them.  We see the seamless integration of furniture and fittings with the architectural fabric as an important component in maximising the potential of a building.

January 27, 2014

No 5 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

The conversion of a 1970s Gym into a new performance venue for St Helen’s School has just been completed.  The existing hall has been transformed into a flexible space complete with retractable seating, stage drapes and side tabs and state of the art performance lights, sound and IT all controlled from a new central control room.

The space also includes a brand new café with mezzanine floor and a new recording suite with control room and studio to further enhance the school’s facilities.  The refurbishment of the existing building has brought an underused facility into the 21^st century and made it the focal point for performance and seminars as well as a café facility that the sixth form can call their own.

From an old gym to new performance studio, NVB are delighted to have had a part in breathing new life into this building.  See more details here.

January 24, 2014

No 4 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

Dean Close Prep School moved into their new building in the Autumn.  NVB are delighted to have been involved with the creation of this state of the art teaching facility.  We enjoyed the challenge of creating a building fit for the twenty first century but which also sits happily in a Cheltenham Conservation area and retains a link to the school’s historic identity.

You can see some preliminary photographs here.

January 23, 2014

No 3 in a series of 9: 2014 – New Beginnings

After a hectic year, the staff of NVB and Rook Lane celebrated Christmas in style with a candle lit dinner in the chapel. 2014 is set to be one of the best years yet for Rook Lane. The programme at the chapel is now managed by NVB Architects, with Rook Lane Arts Trust retaining a base at the chapel to continue their charitable activities.  The venue is now known simply as “Rook Lane”, and 2014 will see the start of an ambitious new programme, incorporating contemporary visual arts, architecture events and exhibitions, and education and outreach programmes.  This will run alongside the usual programme of music, performance and community events. The chapel is also now available for private hire – and continues to be a popular venue for wedding ceremonies, elegant banquets and parties.

The arts programme for the New Year has kicked off with a sell-out run of classical concerts, and will continue in February with Free the Words, an exhibition about recent adventures in outdoor literacy with school groups.  There is also new series of Architecture Club talks, featuring Ed Hollis, Hugh Broughton and Tom Dykhoff, plus some rather interesting visual arts on the horizon for this summer.

We’re looking forward to 2014 – why not come and join us…?

January 22, 2014

No 2 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

The soft opening of the new Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre took place just before Christmas.  The project combines an existing thatched barn with a new straw bale walled extension to create a new centre for the many and diverse people who visit Hengistbury Head.  During January the shop is being fitted out ready for a spring permanent opening.  Go and visit.  It is a beautiful place.

For more details of the project click here.

January 21, 2014

No 1 in a series of 9 from our New Year Postcard

The Infants and Nursery Department of The Cathedral School, Llandaff moved into their new home.  Click here for details

We look forward to completing the next exciting project at The Cathedral School in 2014, with a new classroom building which completes the school’s expansion to provide a new 6th Form.

January 20, 2014

Our New Year postcard has just been sent out giving a small glimpse of 2014 at NVB.

For the next nine days we will be posting one of the pictures on the front, with a little story explaining what it is all about.

We have quite a lot of interesting things on the go which our postcard only hints at. So please come back and visit us (for at least the next nine days).