Numatic Manufacturing Facility Phase 1 Completion
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We’re extremely happy to announce the completion and handover of Phase 1 of the new industrial distribution facility and offices for Numatic International in Chard.
This phase delivers a state-of-the-art building that has now been passed over to Numatic to complete a bespoke storage solution tailored to their operational needs.
Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone!
Credits
Architect & Contract Administrators
BoonBrown
Client
Numatic
Main Contractor
CG Fry & Sons
Media Creator
Apex Media
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…
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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.
Details
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.
Details
For any new or historic enquiries, please get in touch with our Director of Landscape Architecture, Oliver Clark, to discuss how BoonBrown can support your project.
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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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
Join us for our 2024 London Festival of Architecture event!
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BoonBrown is proud to be part of the London Festival of Architecture again this year, and we’re excited to invite you to our immersive exhibition in the heart of Brixton.
Location:
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Save the Date:
Mark your calendars for June 14th as we unveil a transformative exploration of ideas, artistry, and community.
Event Highlights:
- RETROSPECT | A Salute to Heroes: Explore the untold tales of local heroes, revealing their remarkable deeds and honouring their impact.
- REDESIGN | Brixton Exploration: Envision the future of Brixton streets through visionary sketches and renders.
- REINTERPRET | The Artists’ Map: Discover a collaborative arrangement of artwork depicting London through different spheres.
- REFLECT | The BoonBrown Experience: Gain insight into our ethos and projects.
Stay Tuned for Booking Information:
Further details and a booking link will be made available soon. Keep an eye on our socials to reserve your spot!
Don’t Miss Out:
Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating creativity, community, and the power of architecture.
More details to come!
Penny for your thoughts – Views on the loos
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So what is the public’s response? When the newly formed Crystal Palace Park Trust took on ownership of the park, they asked the public what their first priority should be… and they overwhelmingly replied; “the toilets!”
After years in poor condition, the visitors to Crystal Palace Park now have well-designed, easy to maintain facilities. This is captured in our short vox pop, where we had the opportunity to speak with the local community, to find out what they think of the newly refurbished toilets…
Small project, big impact.