Design
consultants property development designer
WS Atkins plc - Post-it Notes spell success for Atkins on Surestart scheme
A new children’s centre designed by the Warrington office of
multidisciplinary design consultants, Atkins, has recently been
completed for Cheshire County Council.
After carrying out an earlier feasibility study in May 2005,
Atkins was awarded the multidisciplinary contract to design the
new Children’s Centre on the site of Willow Wood Infants and
Junior School, Wharton, providing architectural, structural
engineering, interior and landscape design services.
Other project partners on the scheme were Cheshire County
Council and building contractor, Willmott Dixon.
The centre offers many amenities for the local community,
including baby and nursery facilities, a crèche, family rooms,
health consultancy and sensory rooms. It also boasts
multi-purpose rooms for the community and training facilities,
such as an IT suite and kitchen.
The curved design of the building responds to the site’s
location and the adjacent playing field, creating an imposing
yet welcoming façade to the main entrance. The design has
enabled the centre to become a focal point within the local
community.
Sustainability is a key consideration of the design of the
centre. The orientation of the building maximises the options
for natural day lighting and ventilation, and the roof design
with overhanging eaves avoids overheating from the sun. The
building is constructed with a timber frame and incorporates a
sustainable urban drainage system. The materials were carefully
selected as either recycled or recyclable.
At a recent ‘open day’, centre staff, users and visitors were
invited to comment on the design and facilities of the building,
placing their comments on Post-It notes for display in the
centre foyer. All comments congratulated the design,
construction and management of the building and included such
comments as, “What a fantastic building – a real opportunity for
the neighbourhood”, “Lovely building, friendly and child
focused”, ”Looking forward to supporting families who access the
Centre” and “The Centre looks fantastic, it’s obviously well
planned”.
Atkins project manager, Graham Hogan, commented on behalf of the
design team: “Throughout the whole project development from the
initial feasibility options to the opening of the centre, the
project design team worked closely together. This has resulted
in providing the client, the local community and end users with
a very modern and successful building and judging by feedback,
one that has delighted everyone.”
“We have an established and good working relationship with
Cheshire County Council and the contractor Willmott Dixon and
very much look forward to continuing the relationship on further
projects.”
Email:
Leigh.chelton@clothierlacey.co.uk