Latest BACA News:

BACA architects are delighted to announce that ‘Hollybush Lakes’ in Hampshire has been submitted for full planning.

‍

The site houses six man-made lakes and will reconnect to the Blackwater Valley Footpath, its green space previously under-utilised and not open to the general public.

‍

The proposal offers the opportunity to restore the site back to nature for public enjoyment and ecological enhancement. The project aims to re-open the footpath for public use and encourage residents to enjoy the beauty of the lakeside with improved connectivity.

‍

The proposals include:

‍

An aquatic sports centre which offers water based activities such as kayaking, boating and a seasonal inflatable assault course alongside gym facilities and an elevated cafe.

‍

An equestrian centre, offers stabling, grazing and schooling facilities alongside overnight guest accommodation for a local riding school.

‍

Floating holiday accommodation within the site offers immersive lakeside holiday accommodation and fishing experiences for visiting guests and introduces ‘eco-tourism’ to the local area.​

Described by a local councilor as ‘The Ark’ waiting to be buoyed by rising waters, ‘Sea View’ villa visually floats above the landscape.

‍

With panoramic views afforded to its new owners, over the Blackwater Estuary.

‍

‘The Ark’ is now taking shape. Foundations are in and preliminary prefabrication steel drawings are underway.

‍

We can’t wait to see the huge cantilever soon!​

With no one in the office at the moment, now seems a good a time as any to make some refurbishments!

‍

New BACA office watercolour panel design by Creative Director: Robert Pattison.​

We were approached to design a luxury executive home, built to the highest environmental standards, and located deep within a mature woodland setting in Nottinghamshire

‍

Like local folklore of Robin Hood’s settlements, the dwelling will float above the riverbanks and nestle into the treetops.

‍

The buildings plan is divided into clusters of activity – formal, living, entertaining. The building form is a timber treehouse inspired structure.

‍

Shortlisted design proposal for the May 22 Terror Attack Memorial as selected by Manchester Council.

Collaboration between: Sheffield University Alumni of BACA architects and Ralph Gunson Parker

Marking 75 years since the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of all opposition forces, this VE-Day we remember those brave soldiers of the Second World War whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

‍

Though we cannot participate in parades and remember this day in the conventional ways of years before, we do our best to remember this historic day from our homes. ‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun in the morning, we will remember them.’

‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEavcsrMoMw

‍

Attached: Dover Commonwealth War Memorial, commemorating WW1 and WW2

‍

Project Credits: BACA architects + Craft: Pegg, Urban Council, WSP, Britton McGrath

‍

Client: Dover District Council

Today BACA remembers the late Major Malcolm Cavan OBE, an inspiring man whom shared some great stories with us during his time working as project leader on the Operation Frankton Memorial.

‍

He will be remembered in spirit by those he inspired and also by those who are yet to be inspired by his story and that of the heroic ‘cockshell heroes’.

‍

M.C OBE – Her Majesty’s Royal Marines

‍

In a not too distant memory, a few weeks ago BACA architects’ Director Richard Coutts attended ‘The Parliamentary Review 2019 Awards Ceremony’, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer. It was a fantastic evening and honour to be in attendance.

‍

You can view BACA’s ‘Best Practice’ Article on the The Parliamentary Review’s website at this URL:

‍

https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/baca-architects​

BACA architects have been featured in Dezeen as part of their x MINI Living video series. This retrospective explores the “Aquatecture” of BACA architects, which includes plans for floating houses, villages and even a Grand Prix track.

‍

This article highlights BACA’s interest in research and innovation which has driven the practice to its current position as one of the most innovative architectural practices in the UK.

‍

To watch the video, click on following link:

‍

‍https://www.dezeen.com/2017/06/09/video-baca-architects-floating-architecture-homes-movie/

‍

Plans have been submitted for a innovative new house in Nottinghamshire.

‍

The curvaceous house has been commissioned by an affluent couple seeking a new home that is “luxurious, environmentally-friendly and playful.”  It was a design challenge we relished.

‍

The client presented our office with a simple proposition:  ‘Why live in a box? Our cars are streamlined, soft in form and luxurious – why can’t our new house follow the same philosophy?’

‍

From this unusual brief grew an exuberant design for a 21st century country house: a hidden retreat, designed for entertaining, and set within and around a beautiful landscaped garden.  The vision is a sculptural property that stretches the boundaries of design, structure, and environmental thinking.  It achieves a combination often difficult to resolve: a home that is ultra low in energy use but also high in aesthetic aspiration and quality.

‍

BACA are hoping the house, titled Serenity, will push the boundaries of environmental and architectural design; develop technological innovations that will inform future buildings in the UK and produce a beautiful country house that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

‍

Dover District Council, in partnership with the Port of Dover and a number of local land and property owners, have appointed BACA architects, with an expert consultant team, to develop a planning and regeneration framework for the wider Dover Waterfront area.

‍

BACA architects are lead designer for the overall masterplan and are working in collaboration with the Olympic Park design team at LDA, who are leading the route corridor studies.

‍

A core objective is to improve the connections and the public realm from Dover Waterfront to the Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall) and Dover Priory railway station. Part of this strategy will be to propose solutions, which reduce the severance caused by the A20, already being enhanced by the Port Authority with junction and underpass improvements. Together with improving the existing connections, the new proposals will also enhance the connections between Dover’s main historic assets, Dover Castle and the Western Heights.

‍

Tim Ingleton, Head of Inward Investment at Dover District Council, stated that: “The vision for this key part of Dover is to create a more welcoming, contemporary image that better connects people and places whilst retaining the distinctiveness for which Dover is world renowned.”

‍

Barbara Buczek, Director of Corporate Development at Port of Dover, said: “The Port is committed to delivering Dover Western Docks Revival, that includes an exciting waterfront transformation that will be a catalyst for creating Destination Dover. Ensuring that the local benefits of this major opportunity are maximized through additional masterplanning, to improve connectivity, is a further demonstration of our commitment to deliver for Dover.”

‍

The core consultant team comprises WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, BACA architects and LDA Design, who are supported by Bilfinger GVA and Currie & Brown.

‍

BACA Director, Richard Coutts, said “ This is a great coup for the practice and we have some very exciting strategic and architectural propositions to help re-energize this historic and cultural frontline to Europe”

Planning permission has been granted for the development for a luxurious lakeside leisure resort in Hatfield, South Yorkshire, which will eventually include 200 eco lodges plus a boutique 110-bedroom spa hotel.

‍

Located in the heart of the Humberside Peatlands, Hatfield Moor and the National Nature Reserve, the Tyram Lakes Hotel, Spa & Resort will deliver a unique development of avant-garde floating architecture set within 65 acres of lakes and surrounded by 100 acres of natural woodlands.

‍

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council approved the application on 8th December 2016 to build the unique green resort; commencing with the first phase of 50 eco lodges, which will all be constructed from timber and incorporate the latest environmentally-friendly technologies providing a tranquil escape in a beautiful natural habitat.

‍

Daulton Byfield, managing director of Rothgen, says: “The Tyram Lakes Hotel, Spa & Resort will be the first of its type in the UK. We are planning to invest around £25 million to create a first class eco holiday village where visitors can relax amongst nature and enjoy a quiet break from hectic modern life”.

‍

BACA Associate, Andrew Scrace, adds: “The scale and ambitious nature of the plans will ensure the resort is one of the most luxurious, fun and relaxing holiday destinations in Europe. This green development will be as sustainable as its currently possible to build and be an exemplary case study for other developers. We are thrilled to be involved in such an exciting, forward looking, project.”

BACA architects have been appointed to design a flood resilient housing scheme of 12 units for a derelict flood prone site off the A3400 into Stratford-upon-Avon.

‍

Based loosely on our conceptual designs for a Flood Resilient Housing Scheme, commended by the Times Newspaper, the proposals bring together several strands of our flood mitigation research in a masterplan, using design and flood resilient house typologies, to create a unique, forward looking strategy, which will allow development to take place on this existing flood risk site.

‍

With views from the site across the river Avon, to the historic town centre conservation area, BACA architects propose that the scheme demonstrates sensitive and high-quality design. The development will create a collection of two and three storey town houses arranged in a series of terraces and mews settings.

‍

Having had positive initial conversations with both the Environment Agency and the town planners, BACA hope to develop the site in 2017 and create an exemplar, transferable model for housing schemes on other flood risk sites. In addition it will provide a solution to currently undevelopable, disused flood risk sites that can be found in towns and cities around the country.

‍

Director Richard Coutts said: “This is a great opportunity to demonstrate affordable flood resilience. The Straford-upon-Avon scheme will be an affordable and scalable template for developments on flood risk sites that can be replicated across the UK.”

Richard Coutts attended the inaugural meeting of the Floods Advisory Group at N° 10, Downing Street last week.

‍

Chaired by minster’s Andrew Percy MP, Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse and Dr Therese Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.

The National Flood Resilience Review sets out the Government’s commitment to develop and pilot a new model of self-financing investment, which is intended to increase local flood resilience and enhance urban regeneration.

‍

The Advisory Group will now establish a framework in order to establish these objectives and will report back to Government over the forthcoming months. Sheffield has been identified as the pilot scheme.

‍

BACA architects has been shortlisted for this year’s British Homes Awards.

‍

The shortlist was judged by a high-profile jury chaired by Robert Adam of ADAM Architecture. It included AJ editorial director Paul Finch, Jo McCafferty of Levitt Bernstein, BRE chief executive Peter Bonfield and architect Lynne Sullivan.

‍

The annual awards, is backed by the Sunday Times.

‍

Read more about it here https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/finalists-named-in-british-homes-awards-flood-resistant-house-contest/10009716.fullarticle

‍

In collaboration with GL Hearn, BACA were asked to investigate the potential for the future expansion opportunities to support the growth of the West Sussex town of Littlehampton.

‍

BACA carried out initial feasibility studies on over 30 sites to determine the most suitable opportunities. From the 30 sites 8 sites were considered potentially suitable to deliver the 1000 home strategic objective of the Littlehampton Economic Growth Area. Following identification of suitable sites a coordinated and integrated strategy was implemented to create sustainable development and infrastructure able to support the economic growth targets.

‍

Due to the potential for flooding in and around Littlehampton BACA architects strategic specialism in flood mitigation solutions to create safe new development was drawn on to provide a coherent and feasible framework for future development.

‍

The new development will not be fully defended and Makes Space for Water by retaining effective flood plain across the site where suitable. The proposals include flood resilient homes, flats over car parking that will be allowed to flood in extreme flood events and elevated mixed-use schemes.

‍

With their expertise in flood mitigation BACA architects have developed proposals for a new gateway tower building on a strategic development site near Wembley that currently suffers from flood risk issues.

‍

The under used site is directly opposite a mainline railway and underground station with a tributary of the Brent river running through the middle of the site. Currently there is no public access and proposals will look to provide strategic new public routes across the site and open up the landscape around the river for public enjoyment and create more sustainable natural habitats for local wildlife.

‍

To develop a scheme that puts both the development and the river flood plain on an equal weighting Baca Architects have employed innovative flood mitigation techniques to the landscape and suggested low-risk ground floor uses while protecting the most vulnerable residential uses above.

‍

Proposals explore a mixed-use scheme with car parking, commercial, public spaces and 60 residential units. Options explore several different ways to open up the site to create a unique conversation between the new towers and the river landscape below.

On a small garage site in a prime Lewisham location BACA architects have developed a sympathetic terrace of four new family homes. The design provides four high quality residential units with front and rear gardens perfect for young and growing families.

‍

Each dwelling is arranged over three floors and provides open plan kitchen, dining and living room that open up to the rear garden. Externally the houses provide a modern interpretation of the traditional London terrace typology.

‍

Taking inspiration from the local context and with the aim of respecting and enhancing the character of the local area the materials chosen are yellow brick and white render. The facade articulation is directly inspired by the design of the neighbouring victorian stock. The building will be environmentally sustainable through solar orientation and high performance insulation.

‍

This development is a high quality addition to this part of Lewisham and will be an exemplar and benchmark for future modern terraces around London.

‍