A £3m development on a historic site in a

Moseley conservation area will showcase

ultra modern energy-saving living for the

future.

The four houses and 22 apartments,

being built in the grounds of a listed

building, feature sustainable, low embodied

energy products that will slash running

costs and environmental impact.

Sympathetically designed so that they

complement the 1930s Grade II mansion,

the new Kingerlee homes will achieve an

airtightness of 2, compared to the current

building regulations’ requirement for 10.

The desirable residences will reach

energy efficiency levels undreamt of when

Birmingham architect Holland W Hobbis’

grand neo-Georgian building was

constructed.

The Pitmaston project prompted new

ways of designing and building for

Greswolde Construction and architects

Daniel Hurd Associates.

The Greswolde team has taught its

bricklayers the techniques to use the high

performance NBT ThermoPlan blocks.

“We’re also using a different system for

the roofs. Everyone is seizing the

opportunity of being at the forefront of

something of a UK building revolution,”

says Contracts Manager Jason Taplin.

Architect, and Daniel Hurd Associates

Partner, Ian Allerston RIBA has relished the

experience too.

“You have to throw traditional ideas out

of the window,” he says.

“It has been very interesting finding out

ways to make the most of the products, and

good to be at the sharp end of cutting edge

development.”

Greswolde’s Jason and Lead Site

Manager Ray Hewson were flown out to

Germany by developers Kingerlee Homes

to see the blocks being made and used in

construction.

Kingerlee has been using the blocks,

and other products imported by the Natural

Building Technologies (NBT) company it

also owns, for some time. But Pitmaston,

says Managing Director Tony Woodward, is

the largest development to date.The blocks (below) combine fast build

times with excellent levels of thermal and

acoustic insulation and overheating control,

within a breathable fabric. Plaster is added

on the inside, and render on the outside.

n Continued on page 2.

IT has been all systems go on a scheme

that will see a mock court room being

created as a showpiece facility at

Coventry University.

Greswolde teams have put collective

shoulders to the wheel to ensure the

£800,000 scheme remains on programme -

at times loading skips by hand because of

limited access.

“It’s a fast track project, which has to be

completed by August 30 for the new

autumn term intake,” says Contracts

Manager Jason Taplin.

“Site Manager Gary Kefford has done

an excellent job starting it all up and, along

with our QS Dan Roberston, everyone’s

pulling together.”

The project involves creating a new

large reception area and ‘crush space’ for

students waiting to enter adjoining lecture

theatres, together with adjacent staff

offices, toilets and two lifts, all within the

University’s George Eliot building and

surrounding campus buildings.

There will also be a lecture theatre that

can be converted into a moot court - a

mock training court in which hypothetical

cases are tried by law students.

The former rotunda cafe is being

converted into an interview area and office

accommodation.

Chris Lovelock, of the University's

Estates Department, explains that the work

is a refurbishment, forming part of the

Faculty of Business Environment and

Society’s initiative to improve facilities and

attract new students.

“The moot court is a showpiece

structure for this Faculty,” he adds.

“Each of the University’s Faculties tries

to create its own particular facilities to

attract students to Coventry. I'm confident

this will have that effect and the Faculty is

really looking forward to it opening.”

Chris says everyone’s very happy with

how things are going, and his view is

shared by Jon Moore of Robothams

Architects in Warwick, who says he is very

impressed by Greswolde.

Robothams and Greswolde have

worked together before, with previous

clients including Bupa Care Homes and St

Paul’s Church in Leamington Spa. But the

Coventry project broke new ground for the

architects.

“We haven’t built a moot court before. It

was an interesting design challenge,”

explains Jon.

“We needed to establish exactly what

the University was looking for in terms of

flexibility of space, by achieving a room that

can function as a normal lecture theatre

which can then revert to being suitable for

mooting.

“The other key thing we’ve done is

realign a principal route through the

building, to link directly with the Hub

building. The rotunda space will be

converted into a consultation area, with

one-to-one booths and fitted furniture

designed to follow the shape of the space

and the profile of the roof.

“It has been an interesting design

challenge to respond to the circular space

and find a solution which works well.”

For Gary Kefford the challenge was the

first part of the project.

“It was such a big strip out and there

was limited access in the middle of a live

University with no site parking,” he says.

“We could only get one little skip in, so it

was all very tight.

“We had to take out all the mechanical

equipment and electrics in the old cafe

area, and full height block walls and

ceilings, which were all loaded into skips by

hand. However, we're on programme and

everyone is happy with our approach to the

complexities of the project. It was a

challenge, but Greswolde always rises to

challenges.”

n Professional Team: Architect: Robothams;

CDM Co-ordinator & Surveyor: The Eliot

Partnership; SE: Couch Consulting

Engineers

GRESWOLDE CONSTRUCTION

Tel: 01564 776271www.greswoldeconstruction.com

Issue 43 Summer 2013

5 6

The Big DebateGRESWOLDE NEWS FOCUS

SEEING STARS

School’s shining gift to the community. See

page 2

Right at the forefront ofa UK building revolution

Enjoying the challenge - Greswolde Site Manager Ray Hewson and Contracts Manager Jason

Taplin.

ARRIVING on site at Coventry University was like coming home

for Greswolde Contracts Manager Jason Taplin.

Jason spent four years on various projects there in his

previous job.

“We carried out many major new build and refurbishment

projects, including converting the old library into the nursing and

midwifery college and the vehicle design building,” says Jason,

who was then working with Herbert Baggaley Construction, first

as Site Manager and then Contracts Manager. “There are still

many familiar faces there and it’s great to be back on campus

with Greswolde, which is expert in educational projects.”

Jason joined Greswolde last November and is also heading up

the Company’s project at Keele University, where the team is

currently completing a £2.8m extension to enlarge the School of

Medicine’s Anatomy Skills Facility.

He began his construction career as a carpenter, and moved

through the ranks, gaining valuable experience with major

contractors, including Costain.

Outside work, Jason enjoys a sporting outdoor life, which

includes playing hockey for Nuneaton Hockey Club, and helps

out at his partner Mary’s Leamington Spa’s café.

Inside work, he’s relishing the Greswolde challenge. “It’s a

great company to work for, with some very interesting and varied

projects,” he adds.

Fast trackfor Universityshowpiece

Jason’s glad to be back on campus

CRUCIAL work carried out by Greswolde,

to complete Ambulance Service Hubs to

bring efficiencies and improvements to

services across five counties, has been

successfully completed.

The projects involved building three

multi-million pound Hubs at Electrium Point

in Willenhall, Ibstock Road in Coventry and

Hollymoor Point in Rubery and the

£700,000 refurbishment of a station at

Bromsgrove.

Simon Lewis, Head of Estates for West

Midlands Ambulance Service, says: “The

feedback we have had from staff has been

very positive.

“Greswolde has completed each of the

buildings to a high standard of

workmanship, which has been appreciated

by the staff.

“We are coming to the closing stages of

a journey which began two years ago,

when we set out to transform the way we

provide patient care through 15 hubs

throughout the West Midlands, together

with a network of over 120 community

ambulance stations and response points.

“The new Hubs will ensure ambulances

will be kept stocked with equipment and

well maintained by specially trained staff.

Once clinical staff start their shift, they will

move out to the community stations and be

ready to respond,” adds Simon.

Greswolde has worked closely on the

project with client Hortons Estate Limited.

“Greswolde has been very flexible in its

approach and accommodated our

suggestions for last minute changes in

design during this important project,” says

Project Manager, James Slater.

“They have been great contractors to

work with and we would hope to continue

our relationship with them on any future

projects.”

THE contemporary and the historic will sit

beautifully side by side when Greswolde

completes work on the Pitmaston homes.

“We have aimed to complement the old,

while celebrating the exciting new,” says

Architect Ian Allerston RIBA, who worked

closely with the conservation officer during

the design stage.

“The windows in the apartment block next

to the listed building are designed with a

sympathetic rhythm of fenestration and

proportions to its neighbour, without aping

them.”

The development is on land that was

originally landscaped in 1870 for the Holder

family.

The project includes the conversion of the

listed former stable block and engine house.

Ian has echoed its history by leaving some of

the glazed Victorian bricks on show in the

lobby.

Kingerlee will ensure their homes live up

to their Energy Performance Certificate

claims, by closely monitoring the

performance of a selection of households for

up to 18 months.

Celebrating old and new

It was a challenge, but Greswoldealways rises to challenges‘ ‘

30 yEARS AND BUILDING

BUILDING WITh CARE

THE inclusion of an arboricultural

consultant within the client design

team is not common practice.

However, the benefits to be

gained from involving an expert

on trees can lead to cost savings

and improved site operational

efficiency.

British Standard 5837 (2012)

Recommendations for Trees in

Relation to Design Demolition and

Construction is current best practice and

advises this approach. There are financial advantages of getting

an expert on board early on in the project. Having that knowledge

about the constraints of trees before preparing design information

avoids abortive design costs later in the programme.

In addition, your expert can ensure that the information

delivered to councils is exactly what they require to discharge

planning conditions relating to trees, avoiding unnecessary

delays.

A tree expert can also streamline site operations, since they can

review planning consented drawings, work with the contractor to

amend tree protection details to improve operational efficiency and

then negotiate those changes for approval with the council.

Planning approval for development often requires the safe

retention of trees, secured by specific planning conditions, which

may include prior agreement of clear working methods around

trees to demonstrate that the development can be implemented

without harm.

The LA will expect that the roots, stem and branches of trees

are properly considered during design of site features and during

demolition and construction. Trees clearly take up space above

and below the ground and their safe retention requires a

combination of professionals to work together on all aspects of the

project, including the installation of services and drainage runs.

For example, the design of foundation or footpaths to

accommodate tree roots can only be achieved by a structural

engineer working closely with the arboricultural consultant.

The consultant will be able to advise architects and construction

companies on trees' specialist requirements and ideally should be

an integral part of the design team to ensure swift and successful

resolution of any issues.

Conflicts with trees can be avoided and creative design

solutions can often overcome what seem like insurmountable

construction problems.

MOST artist impressions of new developments will include a tree

or two, but they don't just make for a pretty picture. Trees are

important for the environment, and the history of an area, as well

as providing a greener setting for the site's eventual inhabitants.

Tracy Clarke, Director of Essex-based Tim Moya Associates,

explains why it's vital to consider trees and get an expert on

board during detailed design development and construction.

Expert input istreemendous

JOIN THE DEBATE: What are your

experiences? Join the Big Debate by emailing

your views to crucialpr@btinternet.com

Ambulance hubs project complete

n DELIGHTED Bromsgrove Ambulance staff are settling into their newly refurbished

Station —(left) after coping with months of running operations from Portacabins while

the essential work was being carried out.

“This was a difficult and challenging operation, which meant working closely with

Greswolde to co-ordinate work to ensure the service wasn’t affected,” says West

Mercia Transformation Project Leader Debbie Small.

“Bromsgrove is now a hugely improved site and staff are very happy with the way it

is operating.”

GN43p156_Gres 24/07/2013 07:48 Page 1

THE completion of a bright airy modern building, with

the very latest teaching facilities, adds up to a great

new learning environment for students at King

Edward VI College in Stourbridge.

Greswolde has completed work on the £1m project

designed by Bryant Priest Newman Architects, which

will allow maths students, who were previously in

different locations on the campus, to come together in

one purpose-built block.

“It’s very exciting. This is a great building, really

light, airy and modern, with excellent facilities.” says

proud College Principal Sharon Phillips.

“We’re looking forward to an official opening in

October, but students will begin using it in

September.”

One of the highlights of the two-storey building,

which has seven classrooms and a staff room, is the

multi IT provision, including a smart board in student

social areas and a flexible entrance lobby area.

Larry Priest, Director of architects Bryant Priest

Newman said: “We have aimed for a slightly more

contemporary building, with good light and space,

where we have begun to explore ideas of social

spaces, which can be used as teaching spaces.

“The entrance hall is not just a lobby but will double

as a teaching area and the staircase becomes a place

where people can meet and interact.

“This is a good value building, which has been very

well built by Greswolde and fits in with the wider

campus.”

Bryant Priest Newman is currently working on the

design of a Phase Two building, which will comprise a

student refectory twice the size of the current one,

together with new dance, drama, computing and

graphic design facilities.

The College caters for 16 to 19 year

olds who can choose from a range

of more than 40

A Level courses. From September the College will be

offering degree level courses.

There has been a seat of learning on the site since

1430 when it was known as The Chantry School of

Holy Trinity.

n Professional Team: Architects: Bryant Priest Newman;

QS: PMP Consultants Ltd; SE: Couch Consulting

Engineers; M&E: Bennett Williams.

2 3 4

WORK has started on a scheme

that will bring a coffee revolution

and a little bit of the high street

into Halesowen College.

The £2.3m teaching block will

include a Starbucks-linked cafe -

a grand place to toast a highly

successful five year relationship

with Greswolde, which has been

helping to transform the

Whittingham campus since 2008.

“There are some very familiar

Greswolde faces now. We’ll miss

them,” says Jacquie Carman, the

college’s Director of Finance and

Corporate Services.

The teaching block now

underway is the fourth phase of a

massive programme of a series

of new buildings boasting bold

contemporary architecture.

The new block incorporates

teaching accommodation, coffee

shop and a social learning zone,

with internet access.

The café, an additional facility

to the canteen, will also break

new ground for the College by

linking to the Starbucks chain.

“The coffee revolution has taken

off,” smiles Jacquie.

“Our students really wanted a

high street brand and

everybody’s very excited about

next January’s opening.”

That date will mark the

completion of the College’s five

year metamorphosis, in which

the Greswolde teams have

played a vital role.

The first development was a

block housing a refectory and

health and social care suite. It

was followed, in 2010, by a

£4.2m centre providing science

laboratories, IT suites, animal

care facilities and a Learning

Resource Centre. Then there

was an interactive learning

centre with travel and tourism

classrooms.

“The campus has the concept

of a learning village, so we have

a number of individual blocks

rather than one large building.

But the architect very much

incorporated the feel and style of

the existing College into the new

buildings while cleverly putting a

21st century spin on them,” adds

Jacquie.

Jason Carpenter, of BM3

Architecture, says it has been

extremely interesting to work on

all four phases. “A good

relationship has developed

between the practice, the

College and Greswolde,” he

comments.

“Halesowen knew exactly

what it wanted and Greswolde

has satisfied those requirements

in the quality of the buildings,

which have all turned out really

well. We're very pleased.”

Jacquie also praises

Greswolde for the “excellent”

building work which had caused

very little disruption to teaching

and learning over the years.

“We have built up a very good

working relationship, and it has

been good to have the team on

site. But it will also be excellent

to have it all completed,” she

smiles.

Project Manager and

Associate Director Chris

Harrison says running a major

construction project alongside a

4,000 pupil establishment

naturally presents challenges,

but Greswolde is well-versed in

dealing with them.

“It has been nice to have four

jobs in succession, and a good

experience working with the

College and Jason,” he adds.

Site Manager Dave

Cheatham jokes that each

morning he just ‘drops his car’

into the groove on the road to the

College. “Our main challenge is

getting materials to the site,

which involves travelling through

the campus. We try to ensure

any of the big deliveries have

been and gone before 8am when

the rush starts,” he says.

n Professional team: Architects:

BM3 Architecture; QS: PMP

Consultants; SE: Couch

Consulting Engineers.

Have we gotbrews for you

New learning environment for King Edward VI College

Light, airy facilities and

social areas, which can

be used as teaching

spaces, are part of the

new development.

Building makes light work of teaching

The much-praised new building will be officially opened

in the autumn.

THE expansion of oversubscribed

Alcester Grammar School will be very

good news for the local community too.

A new three storey teaching block will

be crowned by a rooftop observatory,

which will be made available to

townspeople, as well as enabling the

school to broaden its educational use of

the powerful telescope.

“It is currently used by the extra-

curricular astronomy club, whose

members have to carry it outside when

they meet,” explains Paul Kelly, the

school’s Finance Director.

“Having the telescope permanently

sited in the observatory, and linked to a

classroom, will give us the opportunity to

integrate its use into the curriculum.”

Greswolde is building the £1.9m

Education Funding Agency-backed

Spencer Building, which has been

designed by Baily Garner LLP Associate

Marcus Lewis RIBA.

It will enable the school to

accommodate 30 extra Year 7 pupils this

September, and for the following four

years, adding a total of 150 to the current

1,000 students.

Alcester Grammar, which includes a

sixth form of 500 plus, is continuously

rated as outstanding by Ofsted and has

over 400 students chasing the 90 places

in Year 7 every year.

The new building, with a striking

smokey blue cladding feature, will house

five language classrooms and two

chemistry and food technology labs, as

well as the observatory.

The school will also have a new multi

use sports area behind the recently built

sports hall.

Architect Marcus worked very closely

with the school, including the faculty

teams that will use the new building.

“It’s unusual for schools to get their

staff so involved in the design, and

Alcester’s pro-active consultation made

this a very interesting project indeed,” he

says.

“We have enjoyed helping them to get

the very best out of their building, which

will be a pleasure in which to teach and

learn. The observatory gives the design a

unique quality, which is also a nice gift to

the community.”

Each faculty had its own special

needs, including prep rooms and special

acoustics for the language floor.

The building design is eye-catching.

“Each of our buildings complements the

whole, but has its own identity,” explains

Paul.

The blue-decorated building is also

very green, in accordance with the

school’s wishes.

Solar panels, insulation, water saving

devices and the sensor controlled lighting

will ensure it will boast a 10% reduction

on current building regulations on

emissions.

The school is revising its green travel

policy to minimise disruption to residents,

both during construction and when the

new intake arrives.

The Greswolde team will have its own

access on to the site, but it will be

working close to other buildings at the

busy school.

“We chose Greswolde because it has

a good track record of delivering similar

projects in an educational environment,

which is really important to us as we need

to operate fully as a school during

construction,” says Paul

“The team is keen that we use the

experience to educate the students. We

are looking at ways to make curricular

links to their work.”

Greswolde will relish the experience

too.

“We have an excellent track record of

working on live sites and students are

always very interested in what we’re

doing. Our teams are happy to turn that

into an educational advantage,” says MD

Malcolm Priest.

“We are pleased to be part of a

prestigious project that will deliver a

development which will enhance the

school’s facilities and environment.”

One of the previous developments at Halesowen College.

n Continued from page 1

Other NBT products being used include

Pavaclad and Diffutherm woodfibre

insulation.

“The materials are not new - 85% of

residential construction in Germany is built

in exactly the same way we are building at

Pitmaston,” says Tony.

“In this country we have been besotted

by the cavity wall, which is inefficient

because of the materials and the

complexity, and therefore opportunity for

failings. Our system is very simple, and

thereby more efficient.”

Each product also gets the energy

saving tick before it arrives on site.

“Many of the products being used in this

country have very high embodied energy -

the energy required to manufacture it,” Tony

explains.

“The most common form of insulation is

mineral wool, and by the time that arrives on

site, it has already eaten up more energy

than it will ever save in its use.”

Tony and architect Ian have praised

Greswolde’s Site Management Ray

Hewson and Steve Harrison for their work

so far, which has included ensuring

everyone who comes on site understands,

and takes responsibility for, airtightness in

every facet of work.

“We are very pleased with how

Greswolde’s site team has bought in to the

systems we are using,” says Tony.

Greswolde MD Malcolm Priest, whose

team is also undertaking LABC training

aimed at cutting the performance gap

between on-paper projections and actual

delivery, is also pleased with the progress.

“The sloping site has presented some

challenges, but it’s a beautiful setting which

will give the residents some wonderful

views from the higher levels,” he says.

“Certainly they will be getting remarkable

new homes, built from materials that will,

I’m sure, be more widely used as the UK

fully embraces zero carbon housing.”

n Professional team: Architects, CDM &

Project Co-ordinator: Daniel Hurd Associates;

QS: Graham Hale & Company; SE: Copeland

Wedge Associates

School’s starry starry nights...

Remarkable homes in the making

GN43p234_Gres 29/07/2013 12:57 Page 1