New Certified Passive House Designer 22/11/2024Douglas BodellOur Sustainability Team Grows with a New Certified Passive House Designer.
We’re delighted to announce that Jane Balnave, Architect in our Dumfries Studio has achieved Certified Passive House Designer status from the Passive House Institute. This prestigious qualification further enhances our practice’s expertise, bringing the total number of Certified Passive House Designers in our team to five.
Our newly certified designer brings valuable experience to this role, having previously contributed to delivering a Passive House development in Dalbeattie for Loreburn Housing Association. This project demonstrated how sustainable, low-energy designs can provide comfortable, affordable homes while dramatically reducing energy consumption.
Adding another Certified Passive House Designer to our team reaffirms our commitment to sustainable design and energy-efficient solutions.
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Scheduled Monument Consent for Seagate Castle 20/11/2024Douglas BodellWe are delighted to have obtained Scheduled Monument Consent for stabilisation and conservation works to Seagate Castle.
We are delighted to have obtained Scheduled Monument Consent for stabilisation and conservation works to Seagate Castle.
Seagate Castle is a Scheduled Monument and a hidden jewel located on the oldest street in Irvine. It is of great local, regional, and national importance and we are delighted that funding has been approved for the project.
The castle has a rich heritage and it is recorded that Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in the castle in 1563. The treaty of Irvine, between Scotland & England was signed at Seagate Castle on 9th July 1297.
Our input has involved carrying out Condition Surveys, LiDAR monitoring, overseeing a series of careful investigations such as archaeological test pitting, GPR surveys, structural investigations and preparing a scheme of full fabric repairs including stonework repairs, re-pointing, access improvements, stabilisation, drainage works and vegetation removal.
The project aligns with the Council’s priorities of Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy by ensuring places and public spaces are well maintained and accessible, and also by respecting North Ayrshire’s local environment and cultural heritage.
As Conservation Architects, it is a privilege to work on some of our nation’s most important heritage, safeguarding historic structures for the benefit of future generations.
Works are due to commence on site in 2025.
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Construction Begins on Johnstonebridge Affordable Housing 15/11/2024Douglas BodellWorks are now underway on our affordable housing development in Johnstonebridge, Dumfries and Galloway.
Works are now underway on our affordable housing development in Johnstonebridge, Dumfries and Galloway for Wheatley Group / Wheatley Homes South.
The development will provide 33 affordable homes in total, with the designs based on Designing Streets principles which includes the realignment of the existing road network to the frontage to create new open space and landscaping to serve as an attractive and welcoming entrance to the development and village.
The development will be gas-free with each home heated by an air source heat pump and incorporates renewable technologies including PV panels and EV charging points to each dwelling.
The works are being carried out by Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd.
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Modular Housing Development Wins Prestigious Awards 14/11/2024Douglas BodellThe recently completed modular affordable housing development in Shortlees, Kilmarnock receives two CIH Awards.
We were delighted for our client Connect Modular who achieved success at the Chartered Institute of Housing, Scotland Housing Awards 2024, by receiving two prestigious awards completed the recently completed modular affordable housing development in Shortlees, Kilmarnock.
The 101-home development for Cunninghame Housing Association, received both the Excellence in Housing Innovation Award and the Excellence in Development for Affordable Housing award.
All homes were produced in Connect Modular’s manufacturing facility in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, where over 90% of construction work was completed, including the installation of kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics. By taking construction off-site and into a controlled factory environment, the overall programme of works was significantly condensed. The development was completed 18 weeks ahead of schedule, a testament to the efficiency of the modular construction process.
Robert Potter & Partners were involved in the project from the outset to advise and steer the project through Planning and Building Warrant stages for our client Connect Modular Ltd.
Involved in the project from the outset to advise and steer the project through Planning and Warrant stages, Robert Potter & Partners have been involved in a range of architectural service provision to include drawings, variations, and collateral warranty agreements. The service provision has been both timeous and professional and a good working relationship has been established. We hope to use Robert Potter and Partners for future projects.
Emma Robertson, Chief Financial Officer, Connect Modular
The project was also a finalist in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2024.
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Stratton-on-the-Fosse Care Home Completed 13/11/2024Douglas BodellWe’re pleased to announce the completion of our latest project—a carefully designed, 50-place care home located in the historic village of Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset.
We’re pleased to announce the completion of our latest project—a carefully designed, 50-place care home located in the historic village of Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset.
Located within the Mendip Hills and situated along the ancient Roman Fosse Way, this development offers residents a serene countryside setting, providing good opportunity for relatives to take residents on accompanied walks.
This project redeveloped a brownfield site to provide a 50-place care home with en-suite facilities and associated communal areas, to meet demand in the area for the provision of elderly care and accommodation for residents with varying degrees of dementia.
The design of the building aims to create a familiar environment to reduce the effects of these symptoms and provide a safe, domestic style place which residents can call “home”.
Key design features include:
– Orientation for Natural Light: Rooms are positioned to capture direct sunlight throughout the day, supporting the residents’ well-being.
– Passive Observation: Staff rooms, quiet areas, and lounges overlook entrances, gardens, and pathways, providing natural supervision for residents’ safety.
– Sustainable Design: Low-energy strategies include rooftop photovoltaic arrays to generate on-site energy.
– Warm, Domestic Aesthetic: Cotswold stone and Rosemary clay roof tiles create a tactile, visually warm appearance in harmony with the local setting.
– Connection to Nature: Inset roof terraces with glass balustrades allow residents to enjoy open views of surrounding fields and hills, and we preserved an existing mature tree on-site, subject to a Tree Preservation Order.
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Springholm Affordable Housing Completed 5/11/2024Douglas BodellOur latest affordable housing development in Springholm reach completion, providing 47 new, high-quality homes for Wheatley Group.
We are delighted to see our latest affordable housing development in Springholm reach completion, providing 47 new, high-quality homes for Wheatley Group!
This project brings together a range of single and two-storey semi-detached houses, thoughtfully designed to meet diverse needs, including general, family, and amenity housing.
Our design takes a fabric-first approach with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Each home is highly insulated, maximising natural daylight and reducing energy demands. Sustainable technologies such as air source heat pumps, solar thermal, PV panels, and rainwater harvesting further enhance environmental performance and comfort.
A key feature of the development is the new linear public open space, which links north-south through the site and connects with the surrounding protected green areas. This space provides recreational opportunities with incidental play features, but it also offers safe active travel links to the local school and wider community, creating a natural buffer between the adjacent trunk road and new development.
We wish all new residents a warm welcome into their new homes!
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DSDC Gold Accreditation 11/10/2024Robert Potter and PartnersSeaforth House Care Home at Goathill has received DSDC Gold Accreditation for its dementia friendly design.
Seaforth House at Goathill has received the prestigious DSDC Gold Accreditation for its dementia friendly design. This is the first building in the Western Isles to achieve DSDC Gold.
Comments from the University of Stirling Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) auditor include how quiet and calm the building is, and how it feels spacious and relaxing even though it accommodates 52 residents.
The Outer Hebrides is an exposed part of Scotland with strong weather conditions. The design complements and mediates between the provision of a safe and supportive care environment supporting residents to maximise their independence and enjoy the opportunities of this location.
This follows the project winning the Building Better Healthcare Special Award for biggest impact on the patient experience and outcomes, and the SURF Award for Housing and Regeneration.
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RIAS Accredited Architect in Sustainable Architecture 24/9/2024Douglas BodellDouglas Bodell has become an RIAS Accredited Architect in Sustainable Architecture.
We are proud to announce Douglas Bodell has achieved RIAS Accreditation in Sustainable Architecture, a recognition that highlights our ongoing commitment to creating environmentally responsible and energy-efficient buildings. This accreditation reflects the depth of expertise and dedication within our team to drive sustainable innovation in every project we undertake.
Accreditation is awarded to RIAS members who can demonstrate through a track record, that they have delivered Sustainable Architecture and have communicated and promoted their understanding of it.
Douglas is also one of 4 Certified European Passivhaus Designers we have within the practice and has also been Accredited in Conservation Architecture since 2014. These accreditations demonstrates his experience in working in both sustainable design and the historic built environment.
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MSP Visit Highlights Progress on New Orkney Nursery 20/9/2024Douglas BodellMSP Visit Highlights Progress on New Orkney Nursery
Our new nursery welcomed Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP earlier this month, showcasing significant progress on a project that will expand childcare provision in Orkney. The nursery, located in Kirkwall and set to accommodate up to 110 babies, toddlers, and pre-school infants, has received over £1.6 million in funding from the Scottish Government Islands Programme.
Designed with flexibility at its heart, the new nursery prioritises an adaptable layout to meet the changing needs of children and educators. Central to the design is an activity plaza, around which toddler and pre-school spaces are thoughtfully arranged, encouraging interaction and shared learning experiences. The facility has focused on creating a high-quality indoor learning and play environment with direct access to a safe, south-facing garden, promoting outdoor activities in a secure setting.
The project aims to increase early learning and childcare capacity in Orkney providing essential childcare services to local families
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