SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Introduction Founded in 1879, making us one of the longest established architectural practices in the country, GSSArchitecture have developed into a national practice, with offices in Kettering, Harrogate, Gloucester, Milton Keynes and Newcastle. We are Chartered Architects, Lead Consultants, Quantity Surveyors and Principal Designers, and can also provide an all-encompassing design team solution for our clients. We are a dynamic, forward thinking practice that delivers innovative solutions from initial concepts and masterplanning through to delivery and completion. GSSArchitecture understands the importance of putting children at the heart of the design and build process when creating new spaces for educational use. This is especially significant when designing spaces for disabled children and children with special educational needs. Our ethos is to consider the users needs at the inception of a project as we aim to promote inclusion, participation and inspiration in all our SEN schemes. Our approach to designing educational environments, whether new build or refurbishment, is to conduct extensive stakeholder consultation. We have developed our method though experience of working closely with teachers, specialists, parents, carers and pupils. Only when we understand the true needs of the users can we design and build inclusive, inspirational learning environments.

Architectural Services We offer a full Architectural Design service from the preparation of initial feasibility studies through to undertaking the role of Contract Administrator whilst works are on site. This includes the preparation of outline and detailed planning applications, together with supporting applications for Listed Building Consent, etc, and developing designs through working drawings and specification preparation in order for tenders to be obtained. We are not wedded to one architectural style, designing to each brief, whether this is to suit a vernacular, a function or a budget; every one of our designs is individually developed to the needs of a specific client. Masterplanning A well considered masterplan is the key to creating and maintaining a dynamic and inspiring campus environment which reinforces the client s position in an ever-increasing competitive market. It also demonstrates an efficient use of the site and resources, providing a robust case for funding and planning. GSS has significant experience in masterplanning for education, including universities. The critical first step in our role is acquiring an understanding of the existing environment, together with an in-depth awareness of the client s needs and aspirations. This has included how a new building or space integrates with an existing campus and infrastructure, through to the development of a whole new university campus masterplan. Quantity Surveying We are able to offer a Quantity Surveying service in addition to our Architectural service or as a stand-alone service, including offering the preparation of traditional Bills of Quantities. Our surveyors are experienced in preparing indicative budget estimates on limited information at an early stage in the project process, and they are able to develop these estimates into detailed cost plans as the design evolves. We also work with our clients in preparing business plans to test the viability of a project at an early stage, whether this relates solely to the building or working with our clients on a holistic business case issue. We also work proactively with clients in the development of Risk Registers, Value Management Strategies and Change Management Procedures.

Lead Consultant Having in-house Project Managers, we are also able to fulfil the role of Lead Consultant. With a strategic supply chain network in place, we can readily appoint and manage a full design team on behalf of any client, and have a significant successful track record of delivering buildings as a team. Alternatively, we can lead and manage a team appointed direct by any client, establishing communication streams to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Employer s Agent As Employer s Agents, we work with our clients to ensure Contractor s Proposals are developed in accordance with the Client s Requirements. Our Employer s Agent service combines all of our Architectural, Lead Consultant and Quantity Surveying services to provide our clients with a full Design and Build Management service, including assistance with Housing Quality Indicators and various grant applications. Heritage and Conservation Architect We have a great deal of experience of repairing, conserving, altering and adding to historic buildings of varying ages, ranging from medieval to twentieth century and we are on the Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC). Projects vary from schools, castles, churches, palaces, court houses and hospitals to private dwellings, and changes of use are often also involved. The works range from very minimal, in the form of repairs to parts of historic fabric, to multi million pound refurbishments and remodelling with significant modern interventions. Discussion with the various conservation bodies is a key part of the process and we have experience of dealing with many different authorities. We start with feasibility options and finish on completion of the construction work.

Maplefields School (BESD) GSSArchitecture developed a national brief for a new build behavioural,emotional and social difficulties (BESD) all through special school with specailists and constructed a BREEAM very good facility catering for 7 19 year old students. The final scheme included a range of design innovations, standard specification items and environmental features such as sedum roof, grey water recycling, solar thermal and biomass boilers. Sports and vocational facilities, including car maintenance, construction workshops, gardening areas, climbing wall and media studios, were also created as part of the project. Client: Lend Lease Projects Value: 16,775,000

PMLD Centre Designed on a tight urban site in Leicester city centre, the profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) centre is a combination of remodelling and extention of an existing building. The project is the result of extensive consultation with specialists, stakeholders and students, including visits to many similar facilities. Accommodation includes sensory gardens, teaching kitchens, hygiene rooms, specialist music, drama and art therapy rooms, sensory rooms and soft areas. Client: Leicester College Value: 2,000,000

Abington High School Abington High School is an existing school that received funding for a new centre for young people on the Autistic Spectrum. Through an extensive site masterplanning process, GSSArchitecture identified that the gymnasium building was an over-provision and developed a design to convert it to a new Autism Centre. The solution included a training kitchen, training room, therapy rooms and a community café space, together with music, art and drama therapy zones. Client: Abington High School Value: 500,000

Richmond Hill Special Primary School Richmond Hill School in Luton is a purpose built primary school for children with severe learning difficulties. GSSArchitecture were commissioned to replan the existing school and extend their accommodation. GSSArchitecture has designed a major extension and alterations, providing new internal and external learning spaces, staff accommodation and therapy spaces. Client: Richmond Hill Special Primary School Value: 700,000 Corby Community College The existing secondary school received funding to develop a new regional centre for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). The centre is a stand-alone facility on the main school campus and incorporates soft play areas, external learning court, water therapy, sensory room, consulting rooms and office accommodation for a dedicated team of specialists and consultants. Client: Corby Community College Value: 3,500,000 Backwell Secondary School The new Maths and SEN building at Backwell School in North Somerset was designed as part of a whole campus re-design and planning, and creates a new focus on arrival on the site. The three storey building has a curved cedar clad rain screen and is topped with a multi-coloured ten metre high translucent canopy which is also used to connect the new centre back into the main school. Client: Backwell Secondary School Value: 3,000,000 RNIB, Rushton Hall GSSArchitecture restored Grade I listed Rushton Hall and stables to provide specialist teaching and residential accommodation for blind students and students with learning difficulties. This included therapy pools, treatment rooms, hygiene rooms, sensory rooms and gardens and training kitchens as well as general teaching and sports spaces. Client: Royal National Institute of Blind People Value: 3,000,000 Ashcombe Children s Centre The new children s centre built for North Somerset Council combines early education integrated with childcare, family support (including outreach to parents), child and family health services and SEN facilities through Springboard. The SEN facilities include internal and external play areas, observation room, sensory room, a hygiene room and staff facilities. Client: North Somerset Council Value: 1,500,000 SEN Centre & Accommodation, Moulton College As part of the 45m masterplan constructed to date by GSSArchitecture, SEN teaching, learning and living facilities were also developed as an integral part of the main stream learning and residential facility at Moulton College. The specialist SEN accommodation includes general learning spaces, therapy facilities, external learning spaces, teaching flats and purpose designed warden controlled ensuite accommodation and catering kitchens. Client: Moulton College Value: 1,000,000

TL: Backwell Secondary School TC: Abington High School TR: Maplefields Academy ML: PMLD Soft Play, Leicester College MC: Maplefields Academy MR: Soft Play area BC: Ashcombe Children s Centre BR: RNIB, Rushton Hall

35 HEADLANDS KETTERING NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN15 7ES T: 01536 513 165 THE TOWER STUDIO FOURTH AVENUE, HORNBEAM PARK HARROGATE HG2 8QT T: 01423 815 121 NORTH WAREHOUSE GLOUCESTER DOCKS GLOUCESTER GL1 2EP T: 01452 525 019 STUDIO B/2 314 WITAN GATE WEST CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES MK9 1EJ T: 01908 010 030 SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS HOULTS YARD WALKER ROAD NEWCASTLE NE6 2HL T: 0191 389 8917 E: GSS@GOTCH.CO.UK GSSARCHITECTURE.COM @GSSARCHITECTURE