THE NORTH REGION
TEAM ENERGY QUALITY RESPECT EVOLUTION
We work as one community of many experts: masterplanners, architects and heritage consultants. Placing the end-user at the heart of what we do, we deliver exciting and innovative projects across a range of sectors, public and private.
For over seven decades we have been making sure that our clients’ buildings and places are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable – designed for use today and for tomorrow.
Working in the spirit of our founder, Donovan Purcell, we are proud to present this selection of our work by our Northern Region which spans England, Scotland and north Wales.
WE STRIVE TO WORK FOR THE BEST CLIENTS ON THE BEST BUILDINGS FOR THE BEST OUTCOMES
With every project we thoughtfully match skills, personalities and experience to achieve the best result, combining international expertise with local knowledge. When our clients need a broader response, we draw on our many experts within the practice.
That way, clients get the best from us, whatever the size or scale of their project, wherever they are located, in the UK or overseas.
OUR RANGE OF SERVICES ARCHITECTURE MASTERPLANNING HERITAGE CONSULTANCY
Incorporating:
• Conservation Accredited Architects
• Sustainable New-Build Design
• Placemaking
• RetroFit, BREEAM & Passivhaus
• Regeneration and Adaptive Re-use
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Heritage Planning & Consents Services
• Social Value Commitments
• Building Condition Surveys
• CGIs & Visualisation
• Principal Designer
• Contract Administration Including NEC
• Interior Design
• Funding Advice
• Expert Witness
• Archaeology and Geographical Mapping
• Views Assessments
• Environmental Impact Assessments
OUR SECTORS
• Commercial
Cultural
Education
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Hospitality
Places of Worship
Public
• Residential
Transport
St George’s Hall, Liverpool
NO SOLUTION IS EVER THE SAME. AN OPEN MIND ALLOWS US TO CREATIVELY RESPOND WITH UNIQUE, CONTEXTUAL PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE PLACEMAKING.
Taking the time to learn about our clients, their sites and end-users ensures that our designs are underpinned by an appreciation of meeting their needs and aspirations. Presenting our work in an accessible and engaging manner helps our clients understand our ideas. Listening to their feedback, we fine-tune our suggestions to provide bespoke, high quality design proposals.
Manchester Town Hall
WORLD-LEADERS IN ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION
Our conservation accredited architects, surveyors and heritage consultants are experts in the understanding of historic building systems and materials, ensuring that the best and most sustainable methods are used for conservation and repair. We also collaborate closely with a wide network of specialists and stakeholders to develop trusted solutions to conservation challenges.
CARE AND CREATIVITY FOR WORLD HERITAGE
As the conservation accredited architects to Durham Cathedral and consultants to Durham University Estates, we have carried out major conservation projects and cultural enterprise developments on the Durham Peninsula since 2012. This is helping to maintain the upkeep of this outstanding example of UNESCO World Heritage alongside the improvement and sustainable management of the site, and its connection with an ever-broadening audience from the UK and abroad.
Durham World Heritage Site
OPEN TREASURE
At Durham Cathedral we combined our expertise in architecture, masterplanning and heritage consultancy to overlay a new 21st-century visitor experience over one of the world’s most siginificant heritage places. This has included meticulous fabric conservation and repair, new entrance lobbies and welcome areas, together with modern retail facilities and the stunning re-presentation of significant spaces and the cathedral’s breathtaking collections.
The project secured an array of regional and national awards, including RIBA North East Conservation Award 2018, RIBA North East Building of the Year 2018, RIBA National Award 2018 and the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award 2019.
Durham Cathedral, Open Treasure
ADAPTIVE RE-USE OF DORMANT ASSETS
Making underutilised or derelict assets work again can be very challenging, but ultimately very rewarding. In collaboration with our clients and stakeholders we overcome the challenges that these sites present – often finance, fabric and planning-related. We establish sustainable solutions which result in positive, peopleled outcomes. Cromford Mills, Derbyshire (pictured), is an award-winning mixed-use scheme that has breathed new life into a significant industrial complex.
INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE NEW DESIGN
Our team of talented design architects provide intelligent new-build solutions to meet exacting needs in challenging contexts. The fundamentals of sustainability - optimising environmental, social and economic benefit - underpin and motivate our thinking as we deliver to the fresh expectations of the 21st century. Our contemporary Passivhaus visitor centre in the North End Shipyard of Hull Maritime Museum (opposite) gives a flavour of our expertise.
Hull Maritime Museum
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF HISTORIC SITES
Heritage assets pose their own inherent challenges for development: our heritage consultancy team can unlock this potential. Our expertise of the historic environment and planning policy have guided development for some of the most challenging heritage assets. By understanding why a place is important and the needs of current and future users, we enable clients to achieve their vision for their historic sites.
We work closely with our clients and design teams to establish design and development opportunities, for example, at the Castlefield Viaduct where our work on behalf of the National Trust informed the creation of a new high-line urban park for Manchester City Centre.
BY INTELLIGENTLY EXPLORING THE HISTORY, CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH SITE, WE HELP TO POSITIVELY INFORM OUR CLIENTS’ DECISIONS.
As heritage consultants, we understand what may be important to protect, and what may be desirable to change. Using our heritage expertise, we creatively unlock opportunities within the most complex historic contexts, translating challenges into added value for our clients.
At the Florence Institute in Liverpool we revived this Grade-II listed asset into beneficial community and commercial mixed-use in order to absorb the conservation deficit and establish a long-term sustainable future for the site.
MANAGING CHANGE
By understanding why a place is important and the needs of current and future users, we help clients find new uses for historic sites. Reshaping and reusing our built heritage is vital to creating a more sustainable future and contributing to healthy, beautiful places. By intelligently exploring the history, context and significance of each site, we help to positively inform our clients’ decisions. We understand what makes a site special and significant, and what may be desirable to change. We creatively unlock opportunities within the most complex historic contexts.
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANNING
We help owners and custodians of heritage assets to understand their properties, how they can care for them and how they can make sensitive changes to achieve successful and sustainable places. With expertise across a range of heritage types; from archaeological assets to twentieth century buildings, we combine rigorous research with thoughtful analysis to find collaborative solutions for our client’s evolving needs. By understanding how places have developed, why they are significant and to whom, we provide expert and bespoke advice to sustain the key values of the site and ensure their use by future generations.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
APPRAISALS AND MANAGEMENT PLANS IN HISTORIC CONTEXTS
Local distinctiveness can provide a catalyst for regeneration and inspire well designed new development. We work with local authorities to both understand the unique characteristics of their conservation areas and provided clear and targeted actions and recommendations on their future management and use. We have recently produced an appraisal and management for Mabgate, Leeds, with its thriving education and independent arts scene our work has led to the designation of the area as a new conservation area for the city.
WE HELP OUR CLIENTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR BUILDINGS AND PLACES THEY WANT TO SECURE.
Actively engaging with clients, communities and stakeholders helps us gain consensus for future conservation and development. Our thoughtful and informed negotiation style has allowed us to establish trusting relationships with local and national government bodies, amenity groups and heritage organisations.
Clients seek our unrivalled understanding and intimate knowledge of working with historic places. Reflecting Donovan Purcell’s legacy, we remain leaders within the built environment sector and actively share our expertise with all those involved in a project’s journey.
Manchester Town Hall
INTEGRATED AND COLLABORATIVE DELIVERY THROUGH BIM
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative way of working underpinned by digital technologies. These technologies allow for more efficient methods of designing, delivering and maintaining physical built assets throughout their entire lifecycle.
Purcell has the expertise to be able to deliver projects to demanding BIM specifications. We have developed our own specialised processes to address the challenges that adopting BIM into Heritage projects (HBIM) can bring. Recent applications include Ledston Hall, Castleford (pictured) which has involved the integrated modelling and management of detailed heritage and planning data alongside architectural, building services and end-user information.
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” MARTYN EVANS, ESTATE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, THE DARLINGTON HALL TRUST We appointed the Purcell team because they are simply the best heritage architects in the country.
CARING FOR HISTORIC ESTATES
We have proudly supported private and third -sector clients across the Northern Region to care for their estates for over 30 years. Providing a discreet and dedicated service, we assist with the full spectrum of needs, from daily care and maintenance to significant interventions. For example, at Blair Castle, Purcell repaired and rebuilt the Clock Tower using historic materials and modern sustainable alternatives, where appropriate, to safeguard this landmark well into the future.
Blair Castle, Perthshire
REDESIGN FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
The National Trust recognised the visitor arrival experience at Culzean Castle was in need of an overhaul. Purcell were appointed to design a dramatic and exciting new estate entrance to welcome visitors to the expansive heritage site. We also removed inappropriate interventions, to reinstate the stunning original landscape.
Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire
COLLABORATIVE DESIGN PARTNERSHIPS FOR REGENERATION AND CHANGE
Built in the 12th century, Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland began life as the rural palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham. In 2012 it passed into the hands of Auckland Castle Trust, who embarked on a grand ambition to transform the site as a catalyst for local social and economic regeneration. Following a collaborative masterplanning exercise with Niall McLaughlin Architects, Purcell continue to lead on the transformation of the estate. Working with its Grade I listing we have been able to fully re-present the castle, ensure access for all and implement new energy infrastructure.
New build extensions and developments are also being delivered to enhance the beneficial impacts that the scheme will provide.
Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland© The Auckland Project 2020
NIALL MCLAUGHLIN, NIALL MCLAUGHLIN ARCHITECTS
We were lucky to work with brilliant individuals from Purcell, who helped frame arguments in favour of new proposals at Auckland Castle. It gave us confidence to use history, not as an obstacle, but as a spur to original and ambitious new architecture.
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DISPOSAL AND ACQUISITION: FACILITIATING REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS AND OPTIMISING VALUE
Our architects, surveyors, masterplanners and heritage consultants advise a range of clients – public and private – in the transaction of land and property. This can include the preparation of marketing and concept brochures to attract investors, feasibility studies and design briefs to optimise development potential and value, and specialist building condition surveys to support valuation or enabling requirements.
Bootham Park Hospital, York
OPTIMISING VIABILITY IN HERITAGE CONTEXTS
At Purcell we know that to add the necessary value to land to bring development forward we need to offset conservation and maintenance burdens. Informed change and intervention will often be needed. When this concerns complex heritage assets or settings we combine our attention to context, high-quality design skills and agility through planning to meet the ambitious requirements of our clients and the needs of their end-users.
This example at Burderop Park was able to maximise the number of new enabling units to address the conservation deficit and meet client expectations on returns. Careful contextual design and creating a new sense of place and community were key ingredients that ensured the scheme was developed in line with planning policy and did not harm the Grade II* status of the site.
Burderop Park, Wiltshire
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF A HERITAGE CONTEXT IN MASTERPLANNING
At Purcell, we endeavor to understand individual heritage assets within both their geographical and historical context, to transform a site to its reach its utmost potential.
For example, at Elsecar Heritage Centre we have delivered a scheme of wide-ranging improvements, to increase the area’s establishment as a major heritage attraction and international visitor destination. Over ten years, isolated projects such as the refurbishment of the old Beam Engine, and a new visitors centre have linked together to create a place that inspires, makes sense of people and places, and drives business growth to create an exciting new future for this heritage hub.
PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR A NET-ZERO CARBON FUTURE
Our thinking typically begins with how we can best keep and re-use existing assets – not only because these buildings might be of cultural or social value, but more simply because retention avoids the waste of tonnes of embodied energy and carbon caused by demolition, thereby reducing human impact. We optimise lowcarbon performance in use with intelligent servicing strategies. With quality and flexibility of design we minimise future depreciation and life-cycle cost, creating resilient buildings that can adapt to societal needs within an increasingly climate-conscious world.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS
• Purcell has measuring and reducing the carbon impact of our buisnesses operations for 14 years and offset all our calculated emmissions.
• We are official signatories of Architects’ Declare, Heritage Declares and the RIBA 2030 climate challenge.
• We have staff with specialisms in Passivhaus, BREEAM and RIBA EnerPHit design codes.
• We consistently achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Excellent ratings for refurbishment and new buildings in the most sensitive of historic settings.
• We hold ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Accreditation.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Our new visitor centre at the North End Shipyard in Hull has been designed to exacting Passivhaus standards to create a Net Zero Carbon solution. This pioneering project is the first cultural project in the UK to take Passivhaus out of its typical residential context.
Hull Maritime Museum
BUILDING SOCIAL VALUE WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Our public projects facilitate new sustainable solutions to optimise assets for the communities they serve.
At Manchester Town Hall, for example, we have captured an equivalent £1.5million in Social Value in RIBA Stages 3 and 4 alone*, revealing fresh benefits far beyond the traditional bottom line.
Architectural training also contributes significantly to social value. This initiative includes employing an array of talented apprentices (pictured) in partnership with Gateshead College’s #PlanBEE programme. Our training programme teaches our up-and-coming architects, emphasising the development of building construction and its changing craft techniques over time which complements design-focused architectural schools.
More specifically, the town-hall scheme will bring this Victorian Grade-I listed site into alignment with 21st century civic needs, including major fabric repairs and public realm improvements, extensive MEP upgrades and enhanced accessibility for all. A new visitor centre plus improved events and workspace facilities will also be provided.
NEW FUTURES FOR HISTORIC HIGHSTREETS
Historic town centres have huge potential to be enriching places to live, work and explore. We are dedicated to rejuvenating our historic high streets through an expert knowledge of historical character, significance, condition and conservation. Working in partnership with local authorities, Historic England and other government agencies, we have injected vitality into areas and restored local confidence by using heritage-led regeneration as a catalyst for change. This change is led from Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, Supplementary Planning Notes, Design Guides and architectural interventions to historic buildings and public realms
Manchester Town Hall
BROADENING AUDIENCES FOR LEARNING AND WELLBEING
Purcell has a startling portfolio of cultural projects, many of which have been delivered through the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s grants system and includes museums, galleries and historic properties open to the public. The benefits are wide-ranging, from roadening audiences and access to cultural heritage through to high-end conservation of fabric and the powerful re-presentation of collections.
Our inclusion on the National Museums Scotland Framework demonstrates our proven track record on delivering high-quality schemes and our compliance as a company in terms of quality assurance and business continuity. Through a framework we are able to establish long-lasting relationships which enables us to guide clients through complex projects. communities and craftspeople to transform admired buildings and places for the benefit of tomorrow.
Purcell played an important role in supporting the museum in its Heritage Lottery Fund Round
2 bid, which was successful in securing a HLF grant of £12m.
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CHALLENGING CONVENTION IN THE CULTURAL SECTOR
As part of a transformative £13 million project at the Manchester Museum, Purcell were commissioned to design the museum’s new gallery and exhibition space in addition to improving the museum’s accessibility and circulation through the introduction of a new main entrance foyer and visitor facilities located on one of Manchester’s busiest roads. The new gallery extension sits within the museum’s historic courtyard of grade II and II* listed buildings which form part of the University of Manchester.
REJUVENTATING CULTURAL ASSETS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE AUDIENCES
Originally serving Hull’s extensive maritime trade, the Grade-II* Listed, 1860s dock office was converted into a museum in the 1970s. The museum is held in high regard by the local community, deserving of refurbishment that meets modern visitor expectations within the museum sector and enhances its connection with the community. Our work rationalises the functionality and adjacency of spaces, visitor flow and access whilst opening up previously private areas of the building to the public, linked by a central atrium that provides a nodal orientation point. The conservation management plans we produced were instrumental in shaping the approach to design and unlocking the consents process.
A beautifully designed, well-delivered new build and refurbishment project which provides important tourism and leisure facilities with both regional and local impact.
“ ” JUDGES’ CITATION RICS NE RENAISSANCE AWARD, HEXHAM ABBEY
CELEBRATING GREAT PEOPLE OF THE NATION
Reimagining Wordsworth is an ambitious project that brings William Wordsworth’s poetry and legacy alive for new and existing audiences. Completed in 2020, the 250th anniversary of the poet’s birth, the project has transformed Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum and strengthened the connection between Wordsworth ‘s poetry and the luscious Cumbrian landscape., whilst celebrating Wordsworth’s significance in fresh new ways.
TRANSFORMING HERITAGE FOR THE MODERN FAMILY
Negotiations with key conservation authorities made for a smooth approval process to internally and externally upgrade this listed residence in the centre of York. Through the removal of inappropriate later additions, we were able to integrate new design features while revealing the building’s original form and character.
Precentors Court, York
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Purcell listened and worked with us to develop a a family home with a distinct ‘wow factor’. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CLIENT, EDINBURGHMunro Drive, Edinburgh
REINVENTING BROWNFIELD URBAN SITES
For our clients in Salford we have designed a successful Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme in a conservation area context, which also combines commercial and leisure workspace to meet modern demands of living and wellbeing.
Ordsall Lane, Salford
BUILDING CAPACITY FOR EDUCATION TO THRIVE
We help our education-sector clients ensure their facilities and capacity maintain pace with market expectations. This includes the RetroFit and upgrade of existing assets as well as the development of new, such as the Richardson Road site on behalf of Newcastle University.
Richardson Road, Newcastle
CREATING SMARTER AND HEALTHIER PLACES TO WORK, SHOP AND ENJOY
The expectations placed on the quality and performance of our places of work are rapidly evolving and are now even higher in a post-Covid-19 world. A shift away from soulless production centres towards vibrant and flexible places to do business and other functions continues. Mental and physical well-being, collaborative working, the flexibility of tenure, smart technologies, and sustainable operations all have to be factored in. Our proposed design at St Andrew’s Hall encapsulates this and provides workplace, retail, and hospitality spaces within a bold and contemporary setting,
REINVENTING AN URBAN ICON
Our plans to convert Manchester’s Grade II*-listed London Road Fire Station will transform the site into a hive of activity. The former Engine Room will be converted for hospitality use, retaining the historic interior of glazed-brick walls. Workspace will be geared towards the creative and tech industries. The former police station will be converted into a gym and wellness facility, while the Coroners Court will be preserved and fitted to host functions and events. Elsewhere, a 42-bed boutique hotel will provide accommodation in the north and east wings of the building, focused around the ground-floor entrance on Whitworth Street.
A reinvigorated central courtyard will ‘form the social heart’ of the development, with retail, leisure and wide-ranging food and beverage options occupying the perimeter.
ENHANCING ASSETS TO MEET NEED
At Radley College in Oxford Purcell have designed and implemented a new extension to the Grade II* chapel. This has greatly enhanced its capacity and now enables its continued use as a dedicated and vibrant place of worship.
Radley College, OxfordCGI impression of extended nave and chancel
RE-PURPOSING HERITAGE ASSETS IN A CHANGING WORLD
We work with clients in urban cores to transform under-utilised properties into viable hospitality and leisure outlets, residential units or community facilities. In this example within a vacant B- listed print works in Glasgow we delivered a 104-bedroom hotel for a national brand that has turned this derelict building into a vibrant and successful new hospitality offer. This project succesfully celebrated original features of the property including a Pencheck staricase and central atrium.
DECADES OF SUPPORTING PLACES OF WORSHIP
We are proud of our close connection with places of worship, one of the founding roots of Donovan Purcell’s early Practice. Through care, conservation and creativity we work with our clients on a range of project types, from masterplanning and feasibility studies to repair and conservation and the creation of new enterprising facilities. This helps to keep these institutions relevant in a dynamic world, while maintaining some of the UK’s most prized heritage buildings. Over the span of ten years, we led the landmark restoration and renewal of Newcastle Cathedral. Through a series of fundamental changes the project delivered a civic space fit fo the 21st Century, whilst celebrating its historical significance and elegance.
