The Fire Surgery

On the banks of the River Lea, a new, angular, brick building has arrived in Hertford. 'BEAM' as the building is known, is a new multi-functional arts venue for East Herts District Council by Bennetts Associates and Citizens Design Bureau that brings together theatre, film, and community spaces. Learn more about the project and hear from Simon Erridge, director at Bennetts Associates, Katy Marks, director, Citizens Design Bureau and Councillor Sarah Hopewell, executive member for wellbeing at East Herts District Council in the link below! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eGupudQQ Structural engineer: Integral Engineering Design Services engineer: Max Fordham LLP Main contractor: GPF Lewis plc Theatre and acoustics consultants: Sound Space Vision (to Stage 3), Charcoalblue (Stage 4 onwards) Inclusive design: David Bonnett Associates Fire engineering consultants: The Fire Surgery Landscape architecture: fabrik Landscape Architects Cost consultant and employer’s agent: Bristow Consulting

September, for many, has that ‘back to school’ feel, and so it felt like a fitting time to share our film about Rotherhithe Primary School in Southwark. Open now for just over a year, the children and staff have well and truly bedded in as much as the landscaping and planting. And the needs of the children and staff, alongside the natural setting of the school buildings, drive the narrative of this short film. FCBStudios design for the new building was part of an ambitious school rebuilding programme by the London Borough of Southwark, replacing a dated ‘temporary’ single story pre-fab from 1971, and the vision for the school was developed in close collaboration with the council, the school staff and children. The result is a building set within extensive landscaping and outdoor learning spaces, and with connectivity to nature from every internal space. Light brick and timber finishes framing large windows and views in and out provide a calming backdrop but also a feeling of community and cohesion which echoes the ethos of the school. This is a building that has been designed to nurture and support. It isn’t loud and brash and full of bright colours, but rather the natural landscaping provides learning environments that are safe, vibrant and stimulating. Unexpected intimate areas have been carved out for small group learning, intervention and play and a large foyer area welcomes you in and provides space for informal meetings, learning and play. It is as much about the community as it is about the design. A beacon for the local area and the families who use it, the two come together to play a valuable role in shaping the lives the children who will pass through it. With many thanks to the children and staff of Rotherhithe Primary School for helping us make the film. And to Southwark Council, fabrik and AtkinsRéalis for their support. To learn more about our work on Rotherhithe Primary School visit: https://lnkd.in/erHPM-UX Ramboll Farrans Construction The Fire Surgery Luke Gilbert Helen Roberts Jo Gimenez #schooldesign #sustainablearchitecture #natureandeducation

We were requested by Stuart Fanti to support the refurbishment of Lords View One with our friends Stiff + Trevillion Architects for LandCap Limited. Really pleased with this project which involved considerable fire safety upgrades to an existing building.