Views on the refurbished Dorset Museum
Southwest
Interviewed by
Sydney Wheeler
Sydney is currently studying at the University of the West of England in Bristol and is in her 2nd year of the Level 7 Architectural Apprenticeship.
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!
Numatic Manufacturing Facility Update
Southwest
Written by
Jeff Martin
Jeff is an experienced Architect, he specialises in the design concept and planning stages of large scale commercial projects.
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
New Numatic production and distribution facility gets the go ahead
Southwest
Our planning application has been approved for a new production and distribution facility in Chard, Somerset for Numatic International!
The new building will provide circa 24,000m2 of new floor space dedicated to the production of the much-loved Henry family of vacuum cleaners. The aim of the development is to streamline the process into one facility incorporating raw material storage, manufacture, assembly, storage and distribution, to ultimately improve sustainability and increase productivity.
We’re so pleased by this fantastic news and want to congratulate everyone involved including Hydrock, Coreus Group, Such Salinger Peters Ltd, ENCOMPASS ECOLOGY LTD, Fairhurst, James Fox, and Helis.
For more information on the development, please see the below articles featured on the BBC and Chard & Ilminster News!
Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023 | Shortlisted for Best Innovative New Build
Southwest
We are pleased to announce that the Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023 has shortlisted our affordable housing scheme, Mendip View in Axbridge for Best Innovative New Build!
These 20 affordable homes are the first of their kind to include the ‘Wondrwall’ system. In partnership with our client Stonewater and building contractor Fisher & Dean Construction Ltd, we were able to deliver a sustainable development fitted with an intelligent living system that automatically controls heating, lighting and security. The project demonstrates that sustainable net-zero energy technologies can be applied to affordable schemes to support low-income families.
Planning permission secured for 67 apartments
Southwest
BoonBrown are delighted to announce that alongside clients Allerton, we have now secured planning permission for 67 apartments across three blocks on the Cherry Tree Pub site in Peterborough.
Our application was recommended for approval by the Planning Officer, and later approved under delegated powers without going to Planning Committee.
The team really enjoyed evolving this design, which included some challenging constraints, such as retention and the sensitive conversion and extension of the locally listed Cherry Tree Pub. The site also offered an opportunity to bridge between larger five story apartments to the east, and two story housing to the west, allowing for the creation of hybrid typologies with front facing gables and flat roofs.
Insider SW Property Awards 2022 | Sustainable Project of the Year
Southwest
BoonBrown’s recently completed scheme for 20 new affordable homes at Mendip View, Axbridge, has won ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ at the Insider South West Property Awards!!
The ceremony in Bristol on Thursday evening was overwhelmed by cheer and applause by the great news. To be given recognition for all the hard work through this prestigious regional award was a great delight.
In partnership with our client Stonewater and building contractor Fisher & Dean Construction Ltd, we were able to deliver a sustainable development fitted with Wondrwall Group’s home energy management technology. The project demonstrates that sustainable net-zero energy technologies can be applied to affordable schemes to support low-income families.
LABC Building Excellence Awards 2022 | Regional winner of Best Small Social Housing Development
Southwest
We are delighted that our Elderton Fields project has been selected as regional winner for the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2022 in the category Best Small Social Housing Development.
Working with our client Stonewater and contractors Winsley White Ltd, we have delivered fourteen new affordable homes within a wider landscaped scheme including school parking, wildlife corridors and public art.
South West Tourism Awards 2022 | Bronze Award
Southwest
We are delighted to announce that one of our technical projects, The Dorset Museum, has won bronze in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category for the South West Tourism Awards!
Congratulations to the Dorset Museum, the design team and contractors Acheson Construction Limited !