Transformations Brochure
Together we can...
GSSArchitecture is a national, award-winning architectural practice with a dynamic and forward-thinking approach. Operating across the whole of the UK with offices located in Kettering, Gloucester, Harrogate, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Newcastle, we specialise in projects where a collaborative approach is required.
We design tailored value for money architectural solutions and place sustainability and inclusivity at the heart of our design ethos. Our project experience includes a diverse range of public and private sectors from inception to completion all of which are supported by in-house specialist divisions including Graphics and Heritage and Conservation.
We work extensively with existing buildings, from large scale internal remodelling, external envelope improvements and extensions, to smaller scale internal works. We work with our clients to reimagine and transform buildings to meet their needs, applying our indepth knowledge of sustainable design and zero carbon initiatives, to create aspirational environments that delivers long term environmental benefits and future flexibility.
Together, we can bring your vision to life.
Durham University, Business School
Durham University’s Business School facilities were in need of expansion and modernisation.
The building accommodates a full range of academic operations from undergraduate and postgraduate study to corporate functions and management training. The development includes an iconic, fullyglazed extension which enhanced the façade and improved circulation flow. The curved nature of the extension provides informal areas, allowing users to interact, and the circulation routes help to create engaging spaces which promote movement and activity.
A holistic approach to sustainability was at the heart of this project, with the target set at BREEAM “Excellent”. This was a challenge, given the established nature of the site, but the team took a very proactive approach to achieve the available credits through a range of design features, including significant inclusion of various low or zero carbon technologies.
University of Sunderland, Hope Street Xchange
This development for the University of Sunderland was highly complex, comprising a large new building but also involved the sensitive refurbishment of an existing Grade II listed building.
A careful balance between the requirement of the building regulation and maintaining and upgrading a building of special interest was essential to it success.
The state-of-the-art centre now provides bespoke, cutting edge research facilities to support the development of new business ideas and improvements to industrial processes. The ground floor of the hub was designed to include a combination of social spaces and innovation laboratories, to be used for prototyping workshops and 3D printing, whilst the remainder of the four-storey building includes a mix of conference facilities, meeting rooms and flexible office space.
University of Leeds, Houldsworth Engineering Centre
The University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences is one of the largest in the UK, grouping together five teaching and research schools, with an excess of 700 staff and 3,500 students. We were responsible for delivering all architectural detail design requirements from RIBA Stage 3 onwards.
The development was created to house new faculty, teaching and research facilities on the upper floors, and a range of key facilities on the lower floors, including lecture theatres, a 24-hour IT drop-in cluster for students, additional teaching spaces, and new research laboratories.
On this project, we have been able to utilise our specific expertise in the delivery of complex higher education projects to deliver firstclass facilities for the end users, whilst also demonstrating our ability to deliver complicated technical refurbishments in an effective manner, maintaining design integrity and working within defined cost constraints.
Newcastle University, King George VI Building
Originally built in 1936, the Grade II listed King George VI building currently houses Newcastle University’s School of Education, Language Sciences and Pharmacy.
We have undertaken a decarbonisation study to understand how the building can be transformed into a much more sustainable part of the Newcastle University campus.
The building will undergo a number of structural remediation works, in parallel with a ‘fabric first’ approach to reduce energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions, supporting the university’s aspirations in their journey towards Net Zero.
University of Leeds, School of Geography & Biological Sciences
The scheme centred on the complex refurbishment and remodelling of an existing 1960s Grade II listed building, using a design and build procurement method.
The project involved remodelling and extending five floors across five connected buildings to accommodate and link three separate schools and academic departments, including the School of Geography, the Faculty of Environment and the Faculty of Biological Sciences - a total building area of 7,500m².
The interior redevelopment included flexible and collaborative spaces, including laboratories and traditional teaching space all designed to be future-proofed to adapt to future demands. Opening up the buildings helped to create a bright and welcoming building with professional and sophisticated facilities which maximised the use of the building footprint – a concept referred to as the ‘Third Space’ and the use of glass and large open plan areas increased flexibility and visibility.
Durham University, Barker Research Library
We were appointed by Durham University to undertake a major phased conservation, regeneration and refurbishment of the listed Palace Green Library Site, located at the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site. A significant part of the project included conservation works to the highly regarded Pace Building, designed by the architect George Pace.
Located within the Pace Building, the Barker Research Library has been transformed to create a purpose-built space for readers to study archives and special collections. The library offers full Search Room services and houses a wide range of archive material, early printed books and other special collections, including 70,000+ books printed before 1850, with 300 incunables; over 1,000 medieval manuscripts; 3,400 metres of archives and artefacts; over 30,000 maps and prints, and 100,000 photographs.
Oxford Brookes University, Enterprise Centre
The Enterprise Centre at Oxford Brookes University involved the internal refurbishment of the existing International Centre, located on the Gipsy Lane Campus.
Funded by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OXLEP), the modern and dynamic spaces include incubator accommodation, co-working facilities, meeting rooms and a multi-purpose enterprise space, supporting high-growth businesses and entrepreneur startups in a multitude of sectors including health and life sciences and digital technologies.
University of Leicester, Worksmart Initiative
Worksmart is a cross campus initiative by the University to provide activity based, agile working space for professional services staff. This creates a wider range of choices on where and how they can work when on campus. The initiative is in response to the shift to home working following the Covid-19 pandemic, and the drive to reduce the number of dedicated staff offices, releasing space for learning and other student centred activities.
GSS provided architectural and interior designer services to deliver three Worksmart locations, working with the University to create a range of different space types, atmospheres and styles of furniture to support different work tasks and preferences of working style.
After Before
University of Sunderland, Student Gateways
We were appointed to design two projects to enhance the Student Gateways at City Campus and St Peter’s Campus, aimed at realigning and improving the Gateway service across Sunderland University.
The main objective for the Student Gateways was to provide a one stop shop where students could access guidance and advice. This includes student support, careers and informal study areas, with a focus on the university’s careers employability service, Sunderland Futures.
The Gateway has been developed based around modern principles of Nordic architecture. The use of timber, natural materials and pastel colours have been included within the design to create a modern, yet calming and welcoming environment.
Durham University, Teaching & Learning Refurbishment
Durham University is in the process of refurbishing its Teaching & Learning spaces with an aim to deliver excellence in Research and Education. As part of this ongoing process, the University has identified areas of opportunity where improvements to existing faculty buildings can support overarching aims to continue to stimulate scholarship, innovation, and collaborative study.
We were appointed to provide multi-disciplinary services to deliver a 5-year refurbishment programme which comprised improvements to the Arthur Holmes, Elvet Riverside, Chemistry, and Psychology buildings. The main intentions of the scheme were to provide fresh and interactive teaching spaces, improving comfortability and bringing them up to current standards.
Durham University, James Barber House Student Accommodation
James Barber House, a former a residential care home that now forms part of Durham University Hatfield College’s postgraduate accommodation, has undergone extensive renovations to fully transform the existing 45 single bedrooms and shared bathrooms to create en-suite accommodation as well as improved kitchen and dining space and common room.
As well as the internal renovations, the externals received new insulation, roof, render, windows and doors which were all updated to improve the thermal performance of the fabric. PV panels have been introduced alongside a student herb garden that is located in the internal courtyard, providing opportunities for students to grow their own food, whilst improving the biodiversity of the site and the building’s sustainable credentials.
University of York, Yorkshire House Research Centre for Social Sciences
We were appointed to lead the designs for the refurbishments of Yorkshire House Research Centre for Social Science for the University of York.
The remodelling included a new reception, office spaces and meeting rooms to create an inclusive and accessible workplace that incorporates modern methods of working, including hot desking and virtual collaboration pods.
Milton Keynes College, South Central Institute of Technology, Bletchley
We were appointed by Milton Keynes College to undertake Architect and Lead Consultant Services for The Bletchley South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) scheme, which is one of three projects that GSS have delivered to improve Milton Keynes College’s technical and digital education offering, located in Bletchley, Reading and Oxford.
The challenging remodelling and refurbishment works have created welcoming and inspirational learning environments in the form of high tech facilities, such as immersive learning and robotic labs, a pitching room, and inviting breakout and collaboration spaces that support the curriculum delivery model.
The SCIoT was born of a unique partnership between Milton Keynes College Group and a number of anchor partners, including global brands like Microsoft and KPMG.
Milton Keynes College, South Central Institute of Technology, Oxford
The Oxford South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) scheme is one of three that have we have delivered to improve Milton Keynes College’s technical and digital education offering, with the Reading and Bletchley SCIoT hubs opening their doors in 2021 and 2023 respectively. The challenging remodelling and refurbishment works have created welcoming and inspirational learning environments in the form of high tech facilities, such as immersive learning and robotic labs, a pitching room, and inviting breakout and collaboration spaces that support the curriculum delivery model.
The project included transforming the original 1960s building into a sustainable, modern education destination that will attract learners and improve the Blackbird Leys Campus. The SCIoT specialises in delivering technical and digital education, focusing on the specific skills required in the local area through collaboration with business partners. By bridging skills gaps, this exciting scheme aims to help drive growth and widen opportunities for local communities.
Milton Keynes College, Business Centre
The new business engagement and training facility at the Chaffron Way Campus is a hub for local companies and educators. The centre provides evening and weekend courses in digital skills and artificial intelligence, designed to address the needs of local businesses, and create opportunities for local people to advance their professional development.
The project involved the extensive internal refurbishment of a wing of the operational College to deliver a high-quality environment that supports collaboration and learning, benefitting the local area.
New and experimental work and learning environments, technologies and techniques have been incorporated into the designs. Through careful and detailed engagement and collaboration with students, staff and businesses. The project is an ongoing live research facility exploring learning and work environments.
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
We were appointed by West Northamptonshire Council to lead a significant expansion and extension to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.
These refurbishments formed part of our masterplan for the Cultural Quarter, extending the museum into the former Gaol Block on Angel Street, which was initially part of the museum until being sold off and, until recently, was used as Council offices. Showcasing the museum’s world renowned collection, the reclaimed space now houses a shoe gallery. The location of the gallery allows it to flow into parts of the vaulted structures which formed the original Gaol, more than doubling the space on offer to the public.
In addition, a new link space extends into the adjacent Guildhall Road Block, a building designed by our founder, John Alfred Gotch, in 1937. A courtyard extension, designed using glass and sandstone, also provides additional gallery space, a café and a roof terrace.
Silbury House
GSS led the designs for the refurbishment of what is now the most sustainable office building in Milton Keynes to create a modern and flexible working environment that meets sustainability credentials.
Designed to meet Fitwel and BREEAM standards, the works to Silbury House have improved the energy efficiency of the building through thermal upgrades and the introduction of renewable energy solutions to assist in meeting carbon reduction targets.
Features include a new ground floor business lounge, modern shower facilities, secure bicycle storage, as well as eight EV charging points, in addition to the installation of 116 solar panels, providing up to 20% of the building’s energy requirements. The flooring has been substantially completed through the recovery and reuse of the original floor, and the furniture has also been sourced sustainably and presented in an ultra modern and attractive way.
Rugby School, Whitelaw Boarding House
We were appointed as Architects on the significant extension and alteration work on the collection of Grade II listed buildings that form Whitelaw, a boarding house at Rugby School.
The works included thermal upgrades to the building envelope to reduce heating demand and improve its sustainability credentials. The scheme also involved an extension within the courtyard which provides a new common room space and has a modern aesthetic to contrast with the existing structures, allowing both the historical and modern architecture to be appreciated together.
The Tynemouth Castle Inn
The Tynemouth Castle Inn is an iconic structure in the North East and now benefits from a refurbishment and extension.
The designs pay homage to the original architect by restoring the hotel’s art deco heritage including uncompromised views of the seafront with Juliette balconies to the new bedrooms. The flagship hotel sits within the Cullercoats Conservation Area and has been sensitively extended and upgraded to bring the venue back to its former glory whilst offering more varied and higher quality hospitality.
A two-storey extension has added an additional 20 bedrooms, together with additional extensions to house Oswin’s a new fish and chip takeaway and Cones ice cream parlour fronting onto Grand Parade.
After Before
The Knaresborough Inn
The Knaresborough Inn is located in the picturesque location on the cliffs above the River Nidd. We were appointed as Architects to lead the refurbishment works to the hotel, which included upgrades to the bar, restaurant and bedrooms to allow for a greater guest experience.
The works have retained the character of the Inn and are sympathetic to its surroundings, providing the building with a sustainable longterm future whilst keeping and reinstating its original features.
The Angel Inn
The Angel Inn is a Grade II listed inn located within the English Lake District World Heritage Site that underwent a refurbishment to enhance visitor experience, with internal improvements throughout, including to the bar and restaurant. New terraces and landscaping externally now allow the Inn to be a destination at all times of the year.
The Angel Inn is ideally placed in the stunning Lake District and, with the new and improved renovations now complete, is set to attract many people.
We were appointed as Lead Consultant and Architects to carry out extensive refurbishment and internal alterations at the Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton. The scheme addressed the Academy’s inherent issues with the building and also included the demolition of disused buildings and remodelling of the external grounds.
Our scheme transformed the school, creating a dynamic and inspiring space within the existing atrium. The space has now become a multiuse facility, creating areas for break-out teaching, exhibition, and dining for the whole Academy.
The Sixth Form and Learning Resource Centre were also remodelled to provide dedicated facilities for students and presents a showcase for the Academy to encourage pupils into further education.
The external alterations have provided the Academy with new sports pitches, trim trail and wildlife/horticultural teaching areas.
After Before
Logic Studio School
Studio Schools operate a new approach to learning, which include teaching through industry-led enterprise projects and work placements to offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications, and we were commissioned to design a modern and unique extension for Logic Studio School. Specialising in Computer Technologies and International Business, the School accommodates 300 students, aged 14-19, and is part of the Tudor Park Education Trust.
Funded by the Education Funding Agency via the Free School Programme, the development includes a vibrant front extension, new main entrance, contemporary workspaces and circulation areas, as well as traditional teaching spaces in which to prepare students for their professional careers.
services, specialist teams & procurement
Our work includes the full range of services covering architectural design, feasibilities, 3D graphics and animation, interior design, estate strategies, heritage and conservation, principal designer and one-stop-shop.
Our specialist in-house teams are collaborating with industry leaders to research and develop the latest technologies and processes that can be incorporated into our designs.
Professional services frameworks have become increasingly important over recent years as a method to engage construction professionals in a way that ensures compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and that promote a more streamlined way of partnering in the longer term.
As a practice, we have secured positions on a range of established, UK compliant frameworks, which enables easier, quicker and cheaper procurement routes for our clients.
Architectural Services Feasibilities
As experienced Architects we can work with you to explore your options and realise your vision.
We can bring a wide range of innovations and best practice from our different sectors to meet your specific needs and aspirations. This experience includes masterplanning, new builds, remodelling and extensions and specialist heritage advice.
We will work with you in a collaborative way to develop a workable brief to explore design concepts and options, to manage your project through the planning process, the development of detailed design proposals, details and specifications, together with preparing all necessary statutory approval processes.
Feasibility studies are an extremely important part of the development process. By carefully mapping out your options, risks, constraints, and opportunities we can present creative proposals and scheme appraisals that are deliverable, viable and fit for purpose. Developing your brief is fundamental to this process.
Our highly experienced teams work on a wide variety of projects, ranging in both sector and size. This means that the knowledge, experience and ‘lessons learnt’ can be brought to benefit your feasibility brief and our experience allows your dedicated project team to explore all the options quickly and effectively to arrive at an appropriate project delivery strategy.
Masterplanning
A good masterplan is not just about the distribution of land use, it should provide you with a sound starting point to create healthy communities and well-planned development strategies. A masterplan should give you a carefully considered and well thought out long-term planning document that serves as a conceptual plan to guide future growth and development.
Masterplanning is all about setting the standard that creates an appropriate sense of place, connecting buildings with social, public and cultural spaces to create environments that help communities to thrive.
3D Graphics & Animation
As a streamlined part of our service offering, 3DLABS is our in-house digital design studio that specialises in CGI visualisations, 3D printing and people flow modelling. They offer these services to communicate our clients’ designs, concepts, products or services to a wider audience, allowing them to be represented in the most visually appealing medium.
They have been offering these services for nearly a decade, gathering a diverse client base with their own unique needs and requirements.
The studio is made up of a highly skilled team, led by their Studio Manager who has over 15 years of industry experience. He is supported by a team who each bring their own passions and specialisms, with photorealistic renders, interior design, and graphic design to name a few.
Interior Design
In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of how the built environment can impact health and productivity, and its added benefits to help institutions flourish. Organisations are now focusing their efforts on how to use the built environment for mental health and wellbeing by encouraging choice, movement and relaxation, controlling temperature, noise levels and air quality, ergonomic furniture, plants, and adding breakout areas. These are all fundamental components of good interior design.
Our interior design services include interior layouts and drawings, internal elevations, room data sheets, space planning and interior architecture, furniture selection and accessories, custom furniture and textile design and colour palette consultation.
Estates Strategies
Estate Strategies are critically important documents to have in place to provide a framework and direction for how an estate needs to grow and evolve to support you in delivering your strategic objectives. Estate strategies are important to a number of our higher education clients for example, and we have worked with a number of UK based universities to help them define their strategies.
Good Estate Strategies can add value to other large estates, such as landed estates or multi-academy trusts. Our teams have the depth of skills and experience inhouse to work with you and your estates teams to consider whole estate strategies and how individual projects might fit into the ‘bigger picture.’
Heritage
If you are an owner or custodian of buildings with historical significance, we can help to understand your properties, advise on the best techniques to care for them and make sensitive changes that will mean your heritage assets are both successful and sustainable.
Whether a simple Grade II* Listed House or a complex World Heritage Site, all heritage assets have their own story and unique value and getting the right advice from a well-qualified, specialist team can really make the difference.
Principal Designer - CDM
The importance of the Principal Designer - Construction Design and Management (CDM) role should not be underestimated and the skills that make a good Principal Designer should never be omitted from a development project. Fundamentally, a good Principal Designer helps to ensure that everyone involved in construction stays safe during the course of their work and complies with the statutory duties and we often provide this service on schemes where we have also been appointed as Architect and/or Lead Consultant.
GSS can give you the confidence of knowing that our organisational approach to Health and Safety is led from partner level, ensuring that all our teams receive regular training, making certain that processes are in place to plan and manage health and safety throughout the project and helping to protect everyone’s health and safety.
Principal Designer - BR
The appointment of a Principal Designer – Building Regulations (BR) is required for all construction projects, from small domestic extensions to complex multimillion-pound developments. If your project is classed as a ‘Higher-Risk Building’ under the Building Safety Act 2022, then additional requirements apply.
Our Principal Designers have undergone competency assessments in line with PAS 8671 requirements and will be able to assist and guide you in navigating your legal duties under the Building Safety Act 2022. They will ensure that you fully understand your duties before any design work commences.
One Stop Shop
Successful construction projects rely on the right balance between design and project control, including project and cost management. We can offer you a streamlined consulting service bringing together all of the design team partners that you need from across our network of supply chain partners.
Using a one stop shop service is not right for everyone, but it can mean that you benefit from a single point of contact for your integrated design team. Our teams will use their construction knowledge and cost planning experience to offer expert advice on construction approaches and procurement options. This begins from the initial feasibility testing of a project, right through until the handover of the completed building.
All successful partnerships are founded on taking a truly collaborative approach to achieving common aims and objectives. Clear communication is therefore an essential part of collaboration, alongside developing and nurturing a culture of working together as one team. GSS have a successful track record of achieving excellent outcomes through working collaboratively and we can draw on our experience and lessons learnt over the years to encourage and drive collaboration.
Sustainability
With climate change being one of the biggest challenges we face in our lifetime, GSS are committed to ensuring their projects are designed to incorporate innovative, sustainable solutions that not only benefit the building user, but the wider environment.
Our in-house Sustainability Innovation Group are collaborating with industry leaders to research and develop the latest technologies and sustainable processes that can be incorporated into our designs. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Artificial Intelligence
GSS’s in-house Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Group is responsible for providing comprehensive guidance and assistance, ensuring the safe and appropriate utilisation of AI within our work.
This dedicated team from across the UK actively explores both the limitations and opportunities of AI, striving to enhance quality and efficiency. We have implemented a structured plan that is aimed at identifying opportunities through harnessing the latest advancements in AI technology and the team will research and assess these to ensure that they align with our moral and ethical standards.
Fostering a collaborative environment, the group encourages innovation and integration of AI technologies that can add value to our clients. Their efforts include developing customised AI solutions, training for wider GSS team members, and overseeing a robust framework for AI governance.
Our in-house AI Innovation Group plays a crucial role in driving GSS’s commitment to leveraging the benefits of AI and maintaining our competitive edge in the industry.
Net Zero Carbon
Many of our clients have set Net Zero Carbon or Carbon Neutral targets for their buildings and estates through either decarbonisation of their current estate, or through targeting Net Zero Carbon in new buildings or investments.
We are also on our own route to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2030, a target which, although complex and challenging, we believe to be realistic and genuine.
Health and Wellbeing
There is an increasing awareness of how our environment can affect our physical and mental health and the impact that this has on our productivity and wellbeing. The Covid pandemic has reinforced the importance of good mental and physical health for everyone in society and there is an increased focus on the need for more human-centred, sustainable environments that support the people who work and live in them.
We understand that good design is at the centre of this and has real power to improve peoples’ lives and support organisations, delivering places that support health, comfort, and happiness. The quality of environment can help to reduce staff turnover, improve outputs, and attract new people to an organisation.
Our designers are trained to look at how new and existing buildings, and external spaces, can deliver high quality places that is not only functional, adaptable, and efficient but is also welcoming, inclusive and supportive.
Procurement
Professional services frameworks have become increasingly important over recent years as a method to engage construction professionals in a way that ensures compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR15) and that promotes a more streamlined way of partnering in the longer term.
As a practice, we have secured positions on a range of established, UK compliant frameworks, which enables easier, quicker and cheaper procurement routes for our clients. In addition to our national and regional frameworks, GSS have also secured places on a number of university frameworks across the country.
For more information on our frameworks and how you can appoint GSSArchitecture for your project, please visit our website via the below QR code:
Scan for more information on our frameworks.
Architects Lead Consultants Masterplanners