Numatic Manufacturing Facility Update
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Our project for Numatic in Chard is developing rapidly, with significant progress to key work packages such as the external envelope, preparations to pour the concrete slab, and the external works.
The roof is nearing completion, and work has begun on the adjoining Assembly building roof, with preparations underway for the Biodiverse roof installation. The extensive steel frame is now enclosed with Kingspan Micro Rib cladding in Umber Grey, which looks striking in the autumn sunlight. The top 4 meters of cladding around the distribution building is translucent polycarbonate and as this is combined with roof lights across the 5,500m² roof, the interior is filled with natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
The sprinkler tank has now been installed, ready to hold one million litres of water, while the pump house building has been erected, fully fitted with pumps and pipework to ensure facility safety. Around the site, external work is progressing steadily, including concrete retaining walls, the now hidden surface water attenuation tanks, and perimeter road construction.
Apex Media’s drone footage captures the rapid changes in development between flights, showcasing the impressive progress made by CG Fry and their subcontractors, which can be seen across this 30,000m² site.
Since this footage was shot, the subfloor piling structures have been exposed, reinforcement for the FM1 super-flat floor has been installed, and the first of eight massive concrete pours has begun. We look forward to seeing more updates from Apex Media as it is an excellent way of documenting progress throughout the development of the project.
Credits
Architect & Contract Administrators
BoonBrown
Client
Numatic
Main Contractor
CG Fry & Sons
Media Creator
Apex Media
Views on the refurbished Dorset Museum
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Interviewed by
We are proud to revisit the beautifully refurbished Dorset Museum & Art Gallery!
Founded in 1846, this iconic museum now features a blend of Victorian charm and modern enhancements, following a carefully planned restoration and extension. We were honoured to serve as the project architect and principal designer, working alongside contractors Acheson, guiding this transformation following the grant of planning permission through to completion.
Since reopening in May 2021, the museum showcases 250 million years of Dorset’s history, with highlights including the Fordington mosaic, a new wing, subterranean stores, and revamped spaces like the 50-seat restaurant and members’ library.
Recently, we returned to capture the voices of staff and visitors in our latest vox pop. Hear what they have to say about the revitalised museum!
For the Love of Books
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Happy Book Lovers Day! To celebrate, we asked our team of architects to share their favourite books on architecture, and their recommendations were truly inspiring!
Whether you’re looking to revisit a classic or discover something new, today is the perfect day to dive into a good book. What’s your favourite?’
My favourite architect, Peter Zumthor, has written books that are mostly very expensive. This one, however, is affordable, and it changed the way I consider the experience of the user within architecture while I was at university. It showed me how scale, materiality, and mass can be used to create powerful experiences within a building and elevate architecture to another level. It’s my favourite architecture book, and one that I will read and re-read throughout my career!
Taras Mandziuk | Part 1 Architectural Assistant
Master plantsmen Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen offer invaluable advice for landscape architects and garden designers alike in this book. It’s my go-to resource for advice on tough, resilient planting. In an age where maintenance budgets for landscape design are often limited, the book provides advice regarding the selection of tough planting from an expert’s perspective, ensuring that planting schemes can still be beautiful with minimal maintenance in public spaces.
People will know Piet for his work on the Highline in New York and, more recently, for designing the gardens at Hauser & Wirth. He is a great inspiration for the naturalistic planting movement.
Elizabeth Malone | Senior Landscape Architect
So many to choose from, but I think this one is the best. I appreciate companion books—a reference to accompany me, as Pevsner would say, on a perambulation. I also enjoy books about the architectural interest of what, at first sight, might be considered everyday and mundane. This book highlights the delight of the humble terraced row and brings that delight to the fore. Take a bow, Stefan Muthesius.
Simon Sharp | Associate Planner
It’s not a glitzy coffee table tome filled with glossy pictures and inspiring architectural content, but it is a must-have item containing useful information on everything from anthropometric data to zinc roofing. This book has been with me throughout my career, sitting quietly in the background, always within arm’s reach and ready to save the day—especially when it comes to paper sizes!
Jeff Martin | Associate Architect
This book is not exclusive to architecture but prompts a re-evaluation of material choices. It emphasizes that materials should be used continuously and reused without harming the environment. While most environmental debates focus on emissions, this book highlights the equally important issue of waste. It has inspired me to design with a building’s end of life in mind and to consider how the space and materials can be repurposed.
Martin Bignell | Part I Architectural Assistant
As an Architectural Technologist, this is a must-have. This book guides you on architectural detailing elements to use and avoid, and it highlights the common mistakes many people make today when trying to replicate traditional architectural styles. It has proven very useful when working on traditional detailing.
Matt Gray | Architectural Technologist
During my university days, Architects’ Sketchbooks was a constant source of inspiration. The book collates examples of architectural presentation—from sketches to montages to models—and demonstrates the variety of ways you can present your ideas as an architect. I have always found representation and infographics fascinating (another great book being Information is Beautiful by David McCandless!), as I believe great architecture can never reach its full potential if it’s not communicated in beautiful and inspiring ways throughout the design process.
Abigail Baggley | Architectural Director | Architect
This was the architecture bible when I was studying architecture at the University of Greenwich back in 1997.
Form, Space, and Order’, is wonderfully illustrated, and continues to be a go-to for anyone getting started with architectural design. It delves into the core aspects of space and form, all to fuel your thought process and make architecture more relatable. It simplifies complex design ideas and brings abstract concepts to life. It explains form and space in relation to light, view, openings, and enclosures. It also explores how space is organised, the elements of circulation, and the importance of proportion and scale. I loved the detailed illustrations that show the evolution of fundamental architectural elements through ages and across cultures.
Beryl Chung | Marketing Manager
I appreciate Neufert Architects’ Data for its thoroughness and practicality. This book is an essential tool that provides precise and comprehensive information, greatly assisting in the design and construction process. Its detailed illustrations and organized layout make it easy to find the necessary data quickly and efficiently.
Ven Bekyarov | Architectural Technician
A multi-faceted novel and captivating read, Invisible Cities transports you to a series of imagined cities. Although a work of fiction, Calvino’s poetic prose and vivid imagery explore themes such as culture, memory, time, and human experience through the descriptions of each fictional city and its architecture. The short chapters make it an easy book to dip into, and it’s one I will return to again and again!
Lucy Edwards | Architect
Rasmussen argues that architecture has historically been a collective effort, rather than just an individual endeavor. Homes were built with an innate sense of place, materials, and function, leading to what he described as “a remarkably suitable comeliness.” While we cannot return to past practices, Rasmussen suggests that we can still create spaces that are both beautiful and functional by embracing architecture as an experiential art form. A true understanding of good design comes not only from professional expertise but also from the shared, everyday experience of architecture.
Yousef Bouzid | Part II Architectural Assistant
Weather Architecture by the late Jonathan Hill explores designing with environmental conditions rather than sealing them out. All of Jonathan’s books are worth a read, but the way our urban relationship is discussed here as a parallel to both the cultural history and creativity of weather itself is fantastic.
Charles Rose | Architect
Unveiling Reimagined Local Streets
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As part of this years London Festival of Architecture exhibition we have been collaborating with the Tunstall Road Residents Group, developing a series of proposals to improve our local streets in line with this year’s festival theme ‘reimagine’. On the 27th June we hosted a community event at our Brixton Studio, where local residents, businesses, and the Brixton BID joined us to give feedback on ideas and discuss next steps to move the initial ideas forward. Watch this space for updates as we support the local community in their applications for funding and check out our first thoughts on proposals below…
The Artist's Map
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After countless hours of meticulous sketching, ‘The Artists’ Map,’ a centrepiece of our LFA exhibition, is finally complete! Measuring approximately 2m x 2m with 289 individual squares, this monumental project has surpassed our expectations, beautifully capturing the essence of our original vision.
Each square has been thoughtfully placed, showcasing various aspects of London, including buildings, landscapes, memorials, roads, and, of course, the river. This arrangement invites viewers to guess the locations depicted, adding an element of discovery. Embracing the theme ‘Reimagine,’ we encouraged our team and collaborators to experiment with their artistic interpretations, posing questions such as: How would this detail look if altered? Can it be drawn from a different perspective? Or simply, how would it appear in your unique style? This collaborative approach has resulted in a diverse and captivating piece of art, reflecting our distinct perceptions of the world.
The experience of nurturing everyone’s drawing skills and playing a game of identifying individual styles has been immensely rewarding. The vast number of drawings ensures that even after multiple viewings, new details continue to emerge. Personally, this journey has bolstered my confidence and taught me the value of embracing my unique abilities without comparison.
Here are a few reflections from those who participated in the process:
I’ve always found free-hand sketching to be an incredibly powerful tool for analysis. It requires breaking down scenes into shapes, proportions, tones, and textures. Sketching various places and buildings has allowed me to discover new areas of London and see familiar ones in a fresh light.
Returning to sketching was not only fun but also an educational experience, revealing many parts of London I hadn’t seen. This office project united us, fostering teamwork and skill-sharing. It was a fantastic collective effort!
Collaborating on the collective drawing map with the team was a dynamic and enjoyable experience. It blended our diverse perspectives on London into a vibrant visual that both we and our visitors can appreciate.
Our exhibition will remain on display in the coming weeks, and ‘The Artists’ Map’ will have a permanent place on our wall. We warmly invite you to visit and explore our work. Please drop by and see us!
Location
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Time
10am – 4pm
Tickets are available here:
RE-IMAGINING BRIXTON EXHIBITION
BoonBrown has incorporated The Landscape Practice
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BoonBrown are delighted to announce that we have recently incorporated The Landscape Practice as part of our continuing diversification. The Landscape Practice are an award-winning design studio and have produced some fantastic work over the past 35 years, we share the same values of enhancing and protecting our environment and improving life around us for all to experience and enjoy.
We are extremely excited to carry on The Landscape Practice’s legacy and we wish Philip Hanson all of the best with his retirement. We have a lot of opportunities ahead of us and as a team we are thrilled to be working on some fantastic new schemes.
For any new or historic enquiries, please get in touch with our Director of Landscape Architecture, Oliver Clark, we would be happy to assist you with all of your project requirements:
Email
oliver.clark@boonbrown.com
Telephone
01935 420 803
Numatic Manufacturing Facility Update
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The new manufacturing facility for Numatic International in Chard is progressing well, especially now that the sun has finally appeared after a long, wet winter. We are a year into the build phase, and there’s plenty to see above ground after extensive work on the substructure and piling. The drone footage by Apex Media excellently documents the construction process, capturing this fantastic building project as it comes to life.
The substantial steel frame is complete on the 20m tall high-bay distribution building, and the frame team has moved on to erecting the adjoining assembly building. Following the appearance of the tower crane, the roofing team is making great progress despite the challenges posed by an unusually windy April. We eagerly anticipate the start of the wall cladding installation in the coming weeks and months, which will give the building its shape.
Significant progress has also been made on the external works around the development site, particularly the perimeter road, extensive drainage works, and the installation of the circular sprinkler tank base and foundations.
This new facility will streamline the production of the ever-popular Henry vacuum cleaner and wider range by providing 23,828m² of commercial floor space within a single dedicated building.
Credits
Architect & Contract Administrators
BoonBrown
Client
Numatic
Main Contractor
CG Fry & Sons
Media Creator
Apex Media
BoonBrown welcomes Dave Norris to the Town Planning Team
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BoonBrown are pleased to announce that Dave Norris has joined our Planning Team.
Dave is well known in the southwest, having worked in Dorset and Mendip, before spending six years as the Development Manager at South Somerset District Council.
Dave then spent the last 5 years working at a planning consultancy in Bristol and most recently as a planning manager in Hampshire.
Dave’s in depth knowledge of the planning system and the development process will further strengthen our existing team and his experience of how councils operate will be a huge benefit, helping us to achieve positive outcomes in a timely manner. BoonBrown’s capabilities have now expanded to include 3 in-house Chartered Town Planners with 90 years of experience at Development Control Manager level.
During his career, Dave has led on a huge variety of projects, including large-scale public inquiries and regeneration projects across the south and west of England. Dave’s role in Hampshire required him to be the Planning expert for the council, advising elected members on decision making and strategies, whilst also managing a large team of Planners, Conservation Officers, Ecologists, Enforcement and Regeneration staff. Dave has also more recently been responsible for advising on complex S106 agreements and developing nutrient and BNG mitigation projects enabling development to be delivered.
Dave enjoys pretty much all sports and is a keen supporter of the ‘Glovers’ since being dragged along by his dad to the ‘old’ Huish (now a Tesco!) over 45 years ago. However, Dave is happiest whiling away the hours on the riverbank.
I started my planning career in South Somerset 30+ years ago working with both Shaun and Simon (both Town Planners at BoonBrown) at different times. I then embarked upon a ‘tour’ of various planning authorities in the southwest before returning to South Somerset as Planning Manager 10 or so years ago. In 2017 I left local authority and joined a planning /urban design consultancy in Bristol for a couple of years. In mid-2020 I moved on from Bristol, and took on a role running a planning service in Hampshire. I really enjoyed my time in Hampshire, working with a great group of people and was successful in creating a planning department that was focused on securing high quality, but deliverable developments.
On a more personal note, I am Yeovil born and bred. My wife and I together with our 2 ‘boys’ (now 27 and 29) made the huge decision to move to Sherborne (7 miles and a different county was a big thing for a Yeovilian!) approximately 20 years ago, and have lived there happily ever since.
I have now been with BoonBrown for a month, and I am really enjoying the challenge of the role and working with such a skilled and committed team. They are also all really friendly bunch – and I’m not just saying that.”
– Dave Norris
West London Home Completes!
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Welcome to the final stage of the construction journey for this remarkable new build home in West London. This particular site presented us with an amazing opportunity to embrace the timeless C.F.A Voysey style architecture, merging elegant architectural detailing with contemporary functional layouts, whilst meeting the needs of the modern 21st century family.
Originally appointed by a private developer, we undertook a review of the former care site, and concluded that a new build home alongside the renovation of the historic parts of the former care home, would deliver the most appropriate and sensitive scheme, ensuring that the site was not overdeveloped. The existing street was interesting to analyse, as contextually the buildings have varied materiality, style and shape, which enabled us to approach the new build home with a unique design proposition. Locally, we recognised some ‘voysey-style’ building features (for example, stone window surrounds) which led us to explore the architectural style and building forms, and within a short space of time, we felt that we had a strong design inspiration, and a clear vision for the front façade.
We successfully obtained planning permission in January 2021, at which point, our client decided to split the sites in two and sell each parcel. The new build parcel was bought by our now clients, and they decided to continue working with us to develop interior concepts and to produce the working drawings for construction.
To our delight, our clients loved and respected the vision and wished to execute the project with the care and attention it deserved. We worked together and made minor adjustments to the layouts to suit their exact needs, which included balancing bedroom sizes for their children and utilising an unused roof void to create a ‘den’ with feature hanging net. Additionally, we developed a series of 3D visuals for key rooms, to help our clients develop their ideas for the interior design, which included the feature staircase and balustrade design to wrap the triple height hallway.
Founding Partner Richard Boon Retires
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After years of dedicated leadership and strategic guidance, we announce the retirement of one of our founding partners, Richard Boon. Richard was not only an exceptional architect but also a cherished mentor. His guidance has inspired and shaped the talents of many in our team during the 38 years he has been a part of BoonBrown. As we bid farewell to an inspiring architect, we honour his legacy and commit to carrying forward the lessons learned under his mentorship.
As Richard embarks on the next chapter of his journey, we extend our warmest wishes for a fulfilling and joyous retirement. May this new phase be filled with endless opportunities for growth, exploration and well-deserved relaxation. Though he may be retiring from our team, his impact and wisdom will continue to inspire us for years to come.
“The greatest use of life is to spend it on something which outlasts it”
Richard Boon