INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE FROM HAMILTON ARCHITECTS
DECEMBER 2023
New London Offices
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Hamilton Architects move onwards and upwards with new London offices
It has been a great year for Hamilton Architects, one marked by the completion of some outstanding projects and official recognition for the excellence of several others – all of which is a huge source of pride for the practice. The past 12 month saw progress made on truly inspirational projects such as a masterplan for the redevelopment of Queen’s Quay in Belfast, a new theatre complex and civic hub for Newry, and fantastic new sports hubs for Civil Service in Belfast and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal. Energy and sustainability are playing an increasingly urgent role in the design of new buildings, and the refurbishment of old ones, and we were delighted to see our expertise in this area recognised with a Passivhaus Trust People’s Choice Award for Erne Campus of South West College. Other, smaller, but no less important projects continue to be a mainstay of the practice, as evidenced by the completion of a number of education projects, including the groundbreaking Limavady Shared Education Campus, and community health centres for North Down. A stand-out conservation project which opened to the public at the beginning of the year was Enniskillen Workhouse, repurposed as a business hub and heritage centre. In this, as well as other All photographs c Hamilton Architects 2023 unless otherwise stated
conservation projects, we remain firmly committed to preserving our architectural past as well as building for the future. 2023 also saw an increased momentum towards expanding our business in London and the southeast of England, reflected in the acquisition of new offices in London. We see further increasing our portfolio of projects in this geography as a prime goal in 2024. Overall, the next 12 months promise to be as exciting, and as busy, as the last. As we look forward to the holidays, it only remains for us to thank our clients, partners, stakeholders and staff for their input – and to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year! Click here to view our current brochures: Showcase Brochure Conservation Brochure Education Brochure Passive House Premium magazine
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Here are just some of the headline projects and special occasions the practice has enjoyed over the past 12 months
A fantastic new business hub and heritage centre opened with the redevelopment and extension of Enniskillen Workhouse in Co Fermanagh.
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh officially opened the Verena Holmes building, an ambitious 17,000m2 STEHM facility at Canterbury Christ Church University.
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Exciting times as we submitted planning applications for two premier projects in South Down – Newry Theatre Complex and Newry Civic & Regional Hub
McWhinney Hall, Newtownards – one of four health centres completed in 2023 and among the 300 new build and minor scheme refurbishments we have delivered for Health & Social Care Trusts.
SWC Erne Campus UK Passivhaus Awards 2023 People’s Choice Winner
Passive House Premium project Erne Campus of South West College won the People’s Choice Awards at the 2023 Passivhaus Trust Awards in London.
The new Victoria Terminal 2, offering first class passenger facilities at Belfast Port, had a fantastic first year!
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A ground-breaking education project offers a shared future for Limavady Limavady SEC is a ground-breaking project which created Northern Ireland’s first Shared Education Campus. This unique scheme sees Limavady High School and St Mary’s High School sharing new buildings accommodating science, technology, drama and media classrooms. The schools are located adjacent to each other on Irish Green Street in the town and were separated only by a public walkway called the Blackburn Path. While shared education existed between the schools for a number of years, the potential for a stronger collaborative relationship met the criteria for the NI Executive’s Shared Education Campuses Programme. Plans for shared campuses were initially part of the Northern Ireland Executive's Together: Building a United Community strategy, which aims to allow pupils from different backgrounds in separate schools to come together to share classes and new buildings. The project caters for the long-term enrolments of 750 pupils at St Mary’s HS and 770 pupils at Limavady HS while simultaneously addressing accommodation deficiencies at both schools. Phase I delivered a new single-storey building at Limavady HS to provide STEM teaching facilities. Phase 2 provided a drama, media and sixth form centre in a two-storey building at St Mary’s. Both buildings are accessible via a new shared pedestrian entrance at Irish Green Street. Ultimately, the project promotes excellence in shared educational provision, provides for future delivery of the 21st century curriculum in the Causeway Coast & Glens BCl area, and stimulates further development of shared facilities accessible to all members of the community.
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Is this the school with the best view in Ireland? Michael Houston, principal of Ulidia Integrated College, is on top of the world or, more precisely, the new school building!
The new school will offer spectacular views across the lough.
Construction is well under way at the new Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus, with Hamilton Architects leading the Integrated Consultant Team for this showstopping education project. The three-storey, 10,314m2 build will deliver a 700-pupil, 43-classroom school and games pitches with funding supported under the Fresh Start programme. Building at the school’s existing site at Victoria Road will take place over a number of phases and includes state-ofthe-art 3G pitches, a new Technology and Design suite, a dedicated study and wellbeing space for Sixth Form, and a new library with spectacular views over Belfast Lough.
Two schools – one elegant solution A new school, Our Lady of Fatima PS, formed from the CCMS amalgamation of Listress and Mullabuoy Primary Schools, was completed in time for the autumn term. Six classrooms cater for 175 pupils, providing them with the resources and facilities required to reach their full potential, while also catering to the demands of the changing demographics of the area. Facilities include a multi-purpose hall, dedicated junior and senior hard play areas, informal grass play space, and combined pedestrian/vehicular access with a drop-off/pick-up facility.
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A positive verdict for the €5m transformation of historic County Antrim court house
A new start for St Joseph’s in a traditional setting The students and teachers of St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen, are enjoying their first school year in their new facility, designed by Hamilton Architects. The 9,607m2 complex sensitively integrates into its rural surroundings through varietal rooflines and finishes which mimic the appearance of a cluster of rural buildings, along with colours and forms which reflect the local countryside. Design influences include the town square, the traditional Irish round tower, ancient local cairns and graves, local granite and basalt rock formations, Irish bog oak, and the strong local tradition for poetry. A landscaped court at the centre of the site is wrapped by circulation and social spaces featuring colourful multilevel floors connected on the entrance side. This approach has created a series of interconnected spaces illuminated by natural light which affords beautiful site views from many angles.
The refurbishment and redevelopment of the Grade B2 listed Bushmills Courthouse has developed apace over the past twelve months. Little more than muddy wasteland this time last year, the new extension is now close to weathertightness and is shaping up to be an exciting and vibrant contemporary addition to Bushmills Conservation Area. 1. The first floor ‘shared space’ promises to be a new focal point of the community of Bushmills, hosting workshops, performances, events and even a 'show kitchen' for cookery demonstrations.
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2. Brand new traditionally detailed sash windows will bring back authentic detailing to the listed building, reinstating some of the courthouse’s lost grandeur. 3. The newly slated courthouse roof, executed in beautiful, reclaimed Bangor Blues. Repairs to the old building have been carefully considered to protect and enhance the sensitive heritage of the listed structure. 4. The extension has been designed to replicate a vernacular north-coast cottage using modern materials.
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Words and pictures by Dr Andrew Molloy RIBA CA Conservation Architect
Practice News | Update
RUA 2023 Sculpture Award goes to ceramicist Lynsey-Erin Hamilton Architects were delighted to support the Royal Ulster Academy once more in 2023 by sponsoring the Sculpture Award at the 142nd Annual Exhibition. Paul Millar (right), Partner at Hamilton Architects, and Dan Dowling, President of the Royal Ulster Academy, congratulated ceramicist Lynsey-Erin Mercer on winning the award. “We have supported the RUA’s annual exhibition for many years now in a number of categories and we are always surprised and delighted by the talent on display,” said Paul. Lynsey-Erin’s work ‘Matrilineal – The Mother Line’ will be on show at the Ulster Museum until early in the new year, along with over 300 incredible works using a diverse range of materials by local and global artists. The exhibition is free, more information at: royalulsteracademy.org. More about the artist’s work at: www.lemercer.art.
Hamilton Conservation Architect leads walk down memory lane Hamilton Conservation Architect Dr Andrew Molloy (5th left) led a walk down memory lane as part of European Heritage Open Day, the annual event which celebrates local architecture, history and culture. EHOD is a once-a-year opportunity for architecture lovers and heritage enthusiasts to explore buildings and exclusive sites rarely open to the public. In Northern Ireland, the event is run by the Department for Communities with support from the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Andrew led a tour on behalf of the RSUA of the Queen’s Conservation Area, a unique 68-acre sector of the city which boasts one of the highest concentrations of high-quality Victorian buildings in Ireland, and the first Conservation Area designated in Belfast. He said that statutory listing came very late to Northern Ireland, with a lot of high-profile demolitions taking place in the lead-up to the introduction of legislation. “The walking tour emphasised statutory protection as a driver for high-quality development rather than a barrier to progress – and there is no better example of this locally than the Ulster Museum extension, designed by Hamilton Architects,” he added. Hamilton Architects have delivered several major projects inside QCA, including the award-winning Grade B1 listed School House at Methodist College (shown left), QUB School of Mathematics & Physics, QUB Institute of Lifelong Learning, the Grade A listed Ulster Museum and the Grade B+ listed Crescent Arts Centre.
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Saluting staff success...
A big well done to Project Architect Jonny Spence, who recently aced Module 2 of the ICE Law and contract management course. This qualification focuses on the full NEC4 suite of contracts and rigorously tests knowledge of correct contract management procedures. Not to rest on his laurels, Jonny is currently studying for Module 1 of the ICE Law and contract management, which covers Law of Contract, Law of Tort, and Law of Evidence. When he completes the course, he will have a solid understanding of the legal framework in which the Conditions of Contracts sit.
Congratulations go to Architectural Technology placement student Mark McCarron, who has just made the Dean’s List at Ulster University for his outstanding academic achievement in the past academic year.
Lois Chan is celebrating after graduating as a Master of Architecture (MArch) at QUB. Lois is a Part 2 Architectural Assistant with the practice and is currently working on an educational project, assisting in providing design and detail development.
Mark, along with fellow award winners, collected his certificate of recognition of excellence at a ceremony at the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment hosted by Executive Dean, Professor Colin Turner.
She also has a great interest in commercial, residential and sustainable projects, and is looking forward to working in other sectors to broaden her vision of the industry.
Welcome to new face Isabelle Welcome to Isabelle McCann, the newest addition to the Hamilton Architects staff team. Isabelle graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BA (Hons) in History and has previous experience working in hospitality and customer service roles. As a student of history, she is particularly interested in the conservation aspect of architecture and the preservation of older buildings of historical significance. She also enjoys art and design, and painting in her spare time. In her new role as Administrative Assistant, she will provide staff with administrative support, help organise events, and carry out research on behalf of colleagues, particularly in regard to project bids.
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