Jonathan Smith presented with lifetime achievement award
Our Director, Jonathan Smith was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent ProCon Awards Ceremony 2011. This award reflects Jonathan's, and JSPArchitecture's, architectural contribution in delivering innovative and sustainable design locally and nationally, for now and the future. Jonathan responded to the ProCon Committee:-
ProCon Award Winner - 2011
JSPArchitecture are delighted to announce that a scheme for which they have provided architectural services has won a coveted ProCon award for Regeneration 2011. Edinburgh House Market Harborough, was the former headquarters of the Golden Wonder Crisp Company, having been long empty and verging on derelict. The property was purchased by Hazelton Commercial Ltd and developed into what now houses a hotel, offices, prestigious retail fashion shops and has extensive restaurant space available. JSPArchitecture worked with the client and together working closely with Harborough District Council allowed a building lying idle to be bought back to economic life, and breath life back into what had been dead space in the market town. (At the time winning unanimous support from the planning committee) The development also boasts high sustainability credentials as the roof is covered with solar panels that generate electricity offsetting the majority of the development energy consumption. Where once demolition was the most likely outcome for the building, a new mixed use era has enabled a sustainable future for this characteristically 1960s construction, and resulted in the ProCon juding panel awarding Edinburgh House with the award of Regeneration Project of the Year.
Horsemarket Kettering
JSPArchitecture are working closely with Kettering Borough Council and Tykes Developments in the renovation of the Horsemarket area of Kettering Town Centre.Initial infrastructure works have been completed and deliver an improved and enhanced town centre focal point for pedestrians and visitors. Further redevelopment works are to continue with the progress of a landmark mixed-use schemeto support the overall improvement of this area.
Bristol - Eclipse Tower Sales Office Opens
The sales office for Eclipse Tower has opened in the centre of Bristol. The residential development consists of 76 apartments located in an 18 storey tower with Harvey Nichols in the retail unit at the base of the tower. The tower forms part of the recently completed regeneration of Bristol City Centre , Cabot’s Circus was developed in Partnership between the Bristol Alliance and Hammersons.
Solar PV Farm - Permission Granted
Hazelton Commercial Ltd has just been granted permission for a solar PV farm in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. JSPArchitecture has worked extensively with the local authority and county conservation officer to ensure that planning was granted within the conservation area of the town, and is the first of it kind within the Borough. The installation consists of 512 panels and is located on top of the mixed use redevelopment of Edinburgh House in the town centre. Work is to start on site immediately.
Wheatsheaf Development - Update
Works commence on Wheatsheaf Scheme. Works have commenced on site with the first stage of the massive regeneration project of the Grade II Listed Buildings now at Wheatsheaf Works in Leicester . This involves demolition of the Britannia building to make way for the first phase, which is construction of 31 contemporary houses built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 3. Construction work is expected to start on site in July and continue for 60 weeks, the houses will go on sale shortly.
De Montfort University - Update
Bosworth house begins to show its final form. The refurbishment of De Montfort University's Bosworth House is nearing completion and the form of the new support core is taking shape. The new stair tower incorporates striking glazing which incoporates a 'shadow of a tree' as a back drop to the historic Magazine building. The imprint in the glass will effectively reverse with day to night lighting conditions and provides DMU with a landmark wayfinding piece of architecture that demarks the a limit of the overall campus. This project has been built by a contractor from the region and is supported by a series of local suppliers and tradesmen, and as the building nears completion, the public square is extended and book-marked with the newly built Hugh Aston Building. The building will be occupied by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Faculty Administration.
The Wheatsheaf Leicester
JSPArchitecture are delighted to be working with developers Urban Rhythm having successfully achieved a Planning Permission - the following Press Release has just been issued:- NEW HOMES TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO LEICESTER SHOE FACTORY REGENERATION specialist, Urban Rhythm has been granted planning permission for the £20 million redevelopment of the former Wheatsheaf Works Boot and Shoe Factory, on Knighton Fields Road East, Leicester. When it was built in 1891, Wheatsheaf Works was one of the largest footwear factories in the world. Owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, it supplied a wealth of employment opportunities in the south east of Leicester. The landmark site, with its two Grade II listed factory buildings and clock tower, will now be transformed into 172 high quality homes to meet the housing needs of the local community. Plans for the development, which comprises a mixture of brand new townhouses and converted homes in the original buildings, have been devised by Leicester architects JSP Architecture. The project will be developed by Urban Rhythm - the specialist regeneration arm of luxury local housebuilder The Hazelton Group. Richard Hazelton, Commercial Director at The Hazelton Group said, “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for this stunning new development. “We’re sure our refurbishment of the Grade II listed buildings, which have been left derelict for the past 10 years, and development of the surrounding site will act as a catalyst to draw homeowners to the area and help to regenerate the local community. “The scheme will breathe new life back into a building steeped in history so that it may be appreciated as an integral part of the community once again.” Justin Fox, Design Architect at JSP Architecture said, “We are pleased to be working with Urban Rhythm on such a landmark site in the city of Leicester and deliver a scheme of this quality and magnitude in the current economic climate. “We will continue to liaise closely with Leicester City Council to ensure that our desire to score very highly on the Building for Life criteria, which is a new integral part of the City Council’s core strategy, is achieved.” The ornate, Neo-Jacobean main factory building will be converted into a series of townhouses using contemporary interventions into the existing fabric of the building. The homes will be located around an extensive landscaped courtyard. This layout will help ensure the development has a real sense of community. The design of the new build houses will contrast the beautiful historic façade of the listed buildings and help to further create this new community drawing on the founding principles of the Co-operative philosophy of community living. Urban Rhythm will work to ensure that these homes reach either Eco Homes Level ‘Very Good’ or Code Sustainable Homes Level 3.
The JSP Team - News and Events
Ashley Watts has not only recently graduated from Demontfort University with his Part 1 Architectural degree - he is now involved with us independently working within our KTP Agreement - see other news story for more information on this interesting new project. Ash started working with JSP in excess of five years ago with no previous architectural experience, but a great desire to succeed and progress. Since undertaking his degree on a part time basis, his path has diversified into more graphical illustration of the built environment - with many exciting and ground breaking innovations of how this can be achieved. We look forward to many years of working with Ash down this route! Nicola Pettman continues her education and development here with JSPArchitecture, and having gained her BA in sustainability, has recently completed her MA in design. This further enhances her abilities and knowledge base for JSP, and our client offer. Gareth Jenkins, who had been with us for some years, has taken his leave of us to explore opportunities on the other side of the world! Whilst sorry that he has left us, we applaud his initiative and desire to spread his wings! We wish him all the best for the future, and the hope and knowledge that we will retain links with him! We look forward to the possibility of JSPA - Australia at some time in the future! Having lost Gareth to sunnier climes, we are very pleased to welcome back Matt Bentley to our team. Matt returns to the Practice after a three year period during which time he has successfully managed his own company. We maintained links with Matt during this time and worked together on projects as and when required. Following many discussions Matt agreed to rejoin us on a permanent basis, linking his own workload with ours. Matt now successfully acts as a Project Leader for us, adding strength to our core team.
JSP - DMU - Knowledge Transfer Protocol (KTP)
JSPArchitecture are delighted that following intense preparation, discussion and collaboration, we are now formally involved in a GTP agreement between ourselves, De Montfort University, and an Associate - a former JSP Staff Member - Ashley Watts. The KTP brings together Commerce, Education and Innovation to ultimately deliver a product to the market. We will bring more news of this very exciting diversification for JSP as it developts. This again demonstrates JSPArchitecture's innovative and proactive approach in seeking ways to develop the business to the benefit of our existing clients, and to offer new solutions to the Construction Industry as a whole - and beyond! Being accepted on such a prestigious programme underlines our commitment and desire with regard to development and education.
JSPArchitecture
We have weathered the recent recession storm, and are still here to tell the tale! This is a feat in itself bearing in mind the dire state of the construction industry as a whole, and the architectural profession particularly! We believe this is a tribute to our practice management, core team and financial planning. We now look to the future, and our aspirations and desires! To this end, we are developing the Practice, including a soon to be launched new branding. We look forward to increased profitability, enhanced service offer for our clients, delivery of iconic buildings, and developing and training future architects to enhance the profession. We will keep you updated on our progress and achievements!
Welland Quarter
JSPArchitecture have been involved with this project since the original discussions between the landowners on St Marys Road and a potential developer - to the completion of three of the potential five blocks of this large prestigious development in the centre of Market Harborough. Welland Quarter now boasts a residential development offering Affordable Housing, Private Apartments - from one bed to penthouse suites - and Assisted Living - all in great style! We have nurtured this project through difficult and lengthy planning processes, worked with different end users to deliver the Affordable and Assisted Living elements of the project, and managed Consultant Teams and D&B contracts as necessary.
Edinburgh House
Continuing our growing involvement in a variety of projects in Market Harborough, we are delighted to have won a Planning Permission for an area of the High Street that has been left left unused for some years. Edinburgh House (the former Golden Wonder Headquarters) is now complete and occupied, including a 60 bed Travelodge Hotel, a restaurant, prestigious retailers such as Phase Eight, and the development has an enclosed Piazza.
Leicestershire and Rutland Society of Architects
Kanti Chhapi has now completed his term as President of the Society. He hands over to Tom Hart who will undoubtedly continue Kanti's excellent work for the Society and particularly working with the local Architectural Schools.
JSP Exchange - update
The JSP Exchange - information exchange channel / extranet - grows in useage and favour by many of our existing clients. Currently the system is in use now on many new projects from bespoke private houses to multi million pound inner city residential developments, commercial and industrial projects. The Exchange has evolved since its introduction increasing its ease of use and functionality. Future roll-outs and developments will offer the facility further afield and ultimately become a further profit centre for the Practice. Please contact us if you would like more information on this facility - ajm@jsparchitecture.com