Sheffield Architecture Firm Gains RIBA Chartered Status
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has recognised Sheffield’s Planning & Design Practice as a RIBA Chartered architectural practice.
The RIBA is considered one of the world’s most prestigious and influential architecture organisations and recognises about 3,800 UK-based practices. Its objective is to champion excellence, as the independent body for architecture. RIBA Chartered practices are the only architectural practices endorsed and promoted by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
The accreditation signifies to clients, employees and the wider industry that Planning and Design Practice is committed to excellence. The team is led by Lindsay Cruddas, a RIBA accredited Specialist Conservation Architect, of which there are currently only 141 in the country. Joining Lindsay are Senior Architect Siegfried Doering (Dipl.-Ing. Architecture, AKH, ARB, RIBA) and Project Architect Manik Karunaratne (BA (Hons), MArch (Leicester), ARB).
Since being founded in 2002 Planning & Design Practice Ltd has earnt an excellent reputation for winning approvals and for creating attractive and viable proposals. Comprising RTPI Chartered town planners and RIBA Chartered Architects the company has generated over £200m of uplift in land values for clients through its consents and proposals. The architectural side of the business boasts true international expertise having worked on large scale projects across Europe and the United States as well as in the UK. The company can design award-winning proposals for a wide range of clients across the country.
Two-storey Extensions Could Help to Tackle UK’s Housing Crisis
Extending buildings upwards could help to tackle the UK’s housing crisis and meet net-zero commitments, according to new research from the University of Sheffield.
A study led by Charles Gillott, a Grantham Scholar in the University’s Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, has revealed how the strategy could provide an extra 175,000 homes in one city alone - a plan that could be rolled out across the country to help bring down house prices, reduce carbon emissions and meet government housing targets.
With house prices rising to a record high during the pandemic and the demand for housing growing rapidly, the government has increased housing targets for England’s 20 biggest cities by 35 per cent.
In Sheffield, the 35 per cent uplift has increased housing targets to 55,000 homes, with the local council planning to create 20,000 of these within the city centre. They hope that this will meet housing demand whilst boosting high street trade and supporting city-centre businesses.
The study from the University of Sheffield analysed building data from a geographic information system. It was found that vertically extending suitable premises by just one or two storeys could provide 175,000 new homes in Sheffield alone.
Extending buildings vertically would help to cut carbon emissions as more buildings would be redeveloped, rather than demolished and replaced with new ones.
HLM Supports University of Sheffield with New Social Sciences Building
HLM Architects, who this year are celebrating 40 years in Sheffield, are supporting the University of Sheffield’s agenda as a sustainable, world-class organisation.
The university’s flagship 17,000m² Social Sciences building on Whitham Road aims to meet the future growth demands of the faculty up to 2035, through creating a world class, sustainable building that reflects the faculty’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research.
Once complete, the new building will provide shared facilities for the whole faculty as well as bespoke accommodation for the departments of sociological studies, economics and politics. This will bring together major research centres across the faculty to encourage collaborative working and help address key global challenges.
Achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the building design includes ground source heating, photovoltaic panels, low water fittings and high thermal mass to reduce its energy use. It has blue roofs and rain gardens as part of a sustainable drainage scheme which will also enhance the biodiversity of the site. It has been praised for its positive contribution to both economic and social sustainability which includes the creation of a neighbourhood pocket park, cafe and flexible facilities that can be used by the local community.
Ben Carrack (right), project associate at HLM Architects said: “I have been fortunate to be involved with a number of significant projects for the University such as The Arts Tower and The Transformer projects, with the current Social Sciences building being the latest in our ongoing relationship.
“Not only does the project fulfil a major element of the University's overall masterplan, the completed building and surrounding landscape works will become a real asset to the wider Sheffield community. It’s a privilege to be involved in such a prestigious project, right on our doorstep.”
