West + Machell are a medium size Leeds based architectural practice, which works throughout the country, with a commitment to design, delivery and listening to our clients. Formed 21 years ago, we successfully focus on four major areas of design and delivery, as listed below, and have received a variety of architectural awards reflecting our ability in these fields: • RESIDENTIAL AND SOCIAL HOUSING - in particular housing for people at risk such as the elderly. • HEALTH CARE - with a special focus on the emerging importance of conglomerate service groups for clinical and mental care. • REGENERATION - West + Machell transform failing inner city areas. • COMMERCIAL - focusing on multi service provision within major towns and cities.
75% of our work is residential, Housing Associations being our main clients. By focusing on a limited number of areas we have been able to build our expertise and so can input at all design stages to create a successful project. Working with both Public and Private Partners, current projects range from masterplanners for a housing PFI through to the preparation of proposals for renewing a failing district centre for a local authority and a major retailer. These projects involve both a community led approach to the planning and design issues and a longer term strategic and economic overview. The housing PFI contracts for example will run over 30 years. Our range of clients reflects our varied portfolio; from over 20 housing associations, local authorities through to national developers our approach has to embrace the varied expectations and operational styles of these often disparate organisations.
Practice Profile
Professional Membership
Following the establishment in 2008 of the HCA and their inheritance of differing design standard requirements, in Spring 2010 they consulted on a potential set of core future design and sustainability standards. Unfortunately in November 2010, the Housing Minister confirmed that the HCA would not progress these new standards, but retain the existing ones. We are therefore still designing to the Housing Corporation ‘Design and Quality Standards 2007.’ Working with over 20 RP’s and many Local Authorities, we have extensive knowledge and expertise with regard to achieving HCA standards. We were involved in the pilot study to develop the current standards with Joseph Rowntree and Leeds Federated Housing Association. The ‘Design and Quality Standards’ encompass a number of different standards, which include:
Housing Quality Indicators, HQI’s This is the tool used to measure whether the design achieves the HCA standards. The HQI assessment contains information on the ten indicators that measure quality. We have assisted many RP’s in completing their HQI assessment, especially with regard to Indicator 5 Unit Size and Indicator 6 Unit Layout. In most cases we are also designing to Lifetime Homes, we therefore find that it is very easy to achieve the minimum standard for these indicators. More of an issue is Indicator 1 Site Location, as we have no control over the distance of the site to such facilities as the GP Practice, bus stop, post office, etc. Wheelchair Housing Design Guide Included in the HQI assessment is Indicator 8, Accessibility Within The Unit. Item 3 of Indicator 8 requires wheelchair designed units to be in full compliance to the latest Wheelchair Design Guide. Now on its second edition, the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide explains how to design and detail a home that is fully manageable by wheelchair users and maximises their independence. As 75% of our work is residential, in particular housing for people at risk, such as the elderly, we have a vast experience of designing to these standards.
Design Standards
Lifetime Homes This is also included in HQI assessment under Indicator 8 Accessibility Within The Unit. Lifetime Homes are ordinary homes incorporating 16 Design Criteria, which add to the comfort and convenience of the home and supports the changing needs of individuals and families at different stages of life. These Design Criteria were revised from 5 July 2010.
Code for Sustainable Homes Indicator 9 Sustainability, of the HQI assessment, covers Code for Sustainable Homes. West + Machell have staff in-house who are accredited Code for Sustainable Homes and SAP assessors. This benefits the practice and our clients immensely, for we have a greater understanding of the code. This enables us to consider all the sustainable design options to determine the most cost effective solution, building them into the design at a very early stage in the project as oppose to trying to bolt on expensive solutions at the end. This has enabled us to achieve higher levels of the code at an affordable price to our clients. Building for Life The HQI assessment also includes Indicator 10 Building for Life. Good quality housing can improve social wellbeing and quality of life. Building for Life, introduced by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, CABE, promotes design excellence. After some uncertainty, following withdrawal of government funding, CABE has now merged with the Design Council, so Building for Life looks set to continue. The HCA asks for a commitment to score 12 or more for developments they fund. To ensure that we achieve this we have a member of staff who is a CABE Enabler.
Design Standards
As well as all the standards required by the HCA, there are many other standards that we design to, such as Secured by Design as well as standards specific to individual local authorities, such as Sheffield City Council’s Mobility Standards or Manchester City Council’s Design for Access 2 guide. As the majority of our work is residential, Housing Associations being our main clients, we have a wealth of experience in implementing these standards. To keep up to date with changes we have a comprehensive staff training programme. As we have a particular interest in housing for the elderly, our staff are Housing LIN network members. Housing LIN is a professional network supporting people who work in housing, health and social care to provide the latest policy, practice, research and innovation in housing with care for older and vulnerable people.
Design Standards
Working with a range of RP’s and being closely allied with the HCA, we have had to meet and surpass the high standards of carbon reduction and sustainability issues demanded by central government and our conscience. West + Machell therefore have staff in-house who are accredited Code for Sustainable Homes and SAP assessors. So when it comes to sustainable design, we are able to ensure that fundamental issues that have low or no impact on cost, such as layout and orientation are considered at the design stage, as oppose to bolting on expensive solutions with high life cycle/maintenance costs at the end of the project in a desperate attempt to obtain the required points. This has enabled us to achieve higher levels of Code at an affordable price for our Clients In line with best practice, our energy strategy is based on the widely accepted ‘energy hierarchy,’ which directs developers towards the most efficient route to preventing greenhouse gas emissions and will reduce the cost of fuel bills to the end user, avoiding fuel poverty: • REDUCE THE NEED FOR ENERGY - We are focusing on developing high performance buildings with exceptional air-tightness as a priority. User behaviour will be of utmost importance. • MAXIMISE ENERGY EFFICIENCY - We are focusing on efficient solutions for space heating and hot water. • SUPPLY ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES - This is our third priority. This strategy means that financial and environmental investments are made in minimising overall energy used rather than to enable more profligate use of energy from renewables.
Sustainability
Our expertise and commitment to sustainability led us to being appointed as architects for ‘Greenhouse,’ the award winning mixed use eco-development in South Leeds. This major project, with its zero carbon aspiration, has helped inform thinking within the office, for it allowed us to experiment with carbon reducing construction approaches and technologies. Since it’s completion Greenhouse has gone on to be a great success, not only has it won over 30 awards, including the RIBA White Rose Awards 2010 Sustainability Award, more importantly the energy saving measures will save the average resident around £600 a year on their energy bills.
We currently do not have any in-house staff who are BREEAM assessors, but our knowledge of ‘green issues’ helped our client, South Yorkshire Housing Association, achieve their aspiration to take their current level of design of Extra Care Housing schemes to a new level. Their White Willows Extra Care scheme in Sheffield was awarded a BREEAM MR Excellent rating. The first extra care scheme in England to do so.
Sustainability
We feel the people best placed, (and often the most forthright,) to steer design development at the early stages, are the local residents/stakeholders. Well considered community involvement can: • Ensure that local knowledge adds to an understanding of how the place works now and how it could be made to work better in the future. • Build skills, confidence and ambition. • Enable people to take a constructive role in the project. • Help identify potential conflicts and ways in which they can be resolved. • Lead to clear agreement around opportunities, constraints and objectives. • Support a focus on the benefits of the project, not just time and cost. • Add credibility to proposals and prevent expensive delays later in the project development and approval. • Give people ownership of something they have been part of creating.
Our approach to local consultation is: • THEIR VIEW MATTERS - residents need to be assured that, if they give up their time, they will have a real part to play in the decisions that are made about the place. • COMMUNICATE EARLY – consultation is more effective when there is plenty of time for residents to influence the proposals and it’s not considered already a done deal. • MAKE IT EASY TO GET INVOLVED – by offering a variety of consultation methods in which people can engage. This may include: email; social networking web sites; community meetings; newsletters. • ALL INCLUSIVE - by ensuring that consultation materials do not use technical jargon but are written in plain English or other languages as relevant to the area. Arrangements should be made to include blind and partially sighted people, deaf people and people on the neuro-diverse spectrum. There should be an increased emphasis on participative methods of consultation where literacy standards are less of a barrier to participation.
Community Consultation
• TAKE CONSULTATION TO THE PEOPLE – it is surprising how many consultation events are organised in church halls when Eastenders is on. Instead hold the event at the local school at home time; before bingo night in the community centre; or put up a tent outside the Co-op on a Saturday morning. • LISTEN – it’s their ideas not yours. • DON’T PROMISE WHAT CAN’T BE DELIVERED – and raise community expectations beyond what can be achieved. • SHARE INFORMATION – it is essential that feedback is provided to residents on the consultation so that they can see the impact that they have had. This can take the form of a report listing comments made and action taken. If changes cannot be made to the proposals to suit their comments then reasons should be given. • INVOLVE COUNCILLORS - elected members play an important part in making decisions about community priorities and in approving or rejecting development applications. 3 examples of projects where we have put the above into practice follow over the next page.
Community Consultation
Hawksworth Estate, Leeds Client: Leeds City Council Dates of Involvement: 2004-2005
Appointed by Leeds City Council to prepare a master plan for a ‘city rim’ inter war estate, we were aware there were many hard to reach groups. We overcame this by taking our consultation events to unusual places, not the draughty church hall on a weekday evening, but outside a school at going home time, to the co-op on a Saturday morning and a bingo evening at the working mens club. Using this method we were able to produce proposals for the regeneration of the estate in which all had a voice, not just the vocal few.
Queenswood Drive, Leeds Client: Leeds West Homes Dates of Involvement: 2006-2007
Appointed by Leeds West homes to prepare a master plan this was a more challenging project. The area was a system built estate but with about 50% privately owned. There was also no community group to engage with. Our first task was to hold public meetings to establish a community group to help steer us through local aspirations. Our second task was to engage with the home owners who had very different aspirations to those of the tenants.
Fairfield Estate Regeneration, Leeds Client: Accent Group Dates of Involvement: 2006-present
We were initially appointed by North West Homes, a local Leeds ALMO, to prepare a master plan for a ‘city rim’ inter war estate we worked with the local community group FIG, (Fairfield improvement group.) We supported them to formulate an action plan for the estate by holding a ‘planning for real’ exercise over a couple of days. The master plan and action plan evolved together and resulted in proposals for better linkages, selective demolition and the opportunity to change both the tenure and perception within the estate. The involvement of FIG gave the community ownership of the proposals.
Community Consultation
AWARDS 2000 White Rose Award Short-List West Leeds Boys School Conversion, Leeds 2001 Leeds Award for Architecture Hannah House, Copice Hill, Rothwell 2001 White Rose Award Hannah House, Copice Hill, Rothwell 2001 National Civic Trust Commendation Hannah House, Copice Hill, Rothwell 2003 Public Private Finance Award Becklin Centre, St James’ Hospital, Leeds 2003 RICS Pro Yorkshire Award Becklin Centre, St James’ Hospital, Leeds 2004 Public Private Finance Award Becklin Centre, St James’ Hospital, Leeds 2004 RTPI Regional Award Whittons Mill, Gainsborough 2004 National Home Improvement Council Guilford Grange, Norfolk Park, Sheffield 2005 The Mail on Sunday National Home Builder Design Award Best Retirement Development, Whittons Mill, Gainsborough 2007 RICS pro Yorkshire Awards Shortlisted Westborne Green community health centre 2007 The Leeds Architecture Awards Outside city centre award, Elmete Hall 2008 Yorkshire Residential Property Awards Best Residential Architects 2009 Estate Gazette awards Best Green Development, Greenhouse Leeds 2010 Whire Rose Award for Architecture Greenhouse Leeds 2010 White Rose Sustainability Award Greenhouse Leeds 2011 LABC Building Excellence Awards Highly Commended Norfolk Park Sheffield 2012 The Leeds Architecture Awards Best Altered Building, Greenhouse Leeds
Selected Awards
PFI experience : 1 West and Machell work on a range of partnered projects, which can range from Contractual Partnering for building contracts (utilising such contracts as PPC 2000 or the ICE,) through to Strategic Partnering with a range of clients for delivering a range of major projects where we have been selected for our ability to provide a rapid response either for presentations, consultations or a developing market brief. Our ability to utilise computer management and intranet systems has ensured that clients, contractors and fellow consultants are always provided with the most up to date information. Our liaison protocol with any planning department is to engage them as soon as possible in the development process. In true partnering they are part of the delivery team. Our liaison with the planning department in Leeds is recognised by one of our directors, Robin Machell sitting on the Planning Forum, which advises the planning department and his involvement with ‘concourse,’ which has been running design courses for Elected members who sit on planning committees Examples of working in partnership on major projects:
Swarcliffe Housing PFI Leeds Client: The Phoenix Consortium with London Financial/Gleesons/ Powerminster/Gleeds/Whitelaw Turkington Landscape Contract value:£ Involvement: 2001/2002
We undertook the master planning and architectural role on this major refurbishment and new build housing project, integrating new housing into the existing and creating a sense of place and identifiable public realm out of an extensive radburn layout. We worked in partnership with both the private housing element of Gleesons , the refurbishment contractor and a raft of subcontractors to produce a credible bid. Short-listed to the final 3 at ITN stage we did not make preferred bidder.
Practice Profile
PFI experience : 1
PFI experience : 2 Leeds Community Mental Health Reprovision Client: Bradford and Northerns team with Carillion/Faithful and Gould Contract value: Involvement: 2000/2002
Our role was the initial masterplanning of the various re-provision sites, which ranged from supported housing through to major facilities. We worked with 3 other architectural practices , Carrilion Construction , Shepards Engineering Services and both Legal and Financial teams. When the Housing association won the project we undertook the detailed design of one Mental Health Acute Unit at St James Hospital Leeds, (the Becklin centre.) We approached this project as planning a small village with clearly identifiable places and routes rather than a traditional medical building. This was one of the first fully partnered projects with the IEC form of contract being used. A dedicated intranet system, ‘Eproject,’ was utilised to share information with all parties.
Cheshire Extra Care Housing PFI Client: Places for Peoples with Wates construction Contract value: £50m Involvement: 2003/2004
We undertook the design and development of 6 major extra care sites across the county, with well received and innovative designs each of which responded to the individual sites We were short-listed to the final 3 at ITN stage but did not make preferred bidder.
Kirkleess Housing PFI Client: South Yorkshire Housing Association with Bramall Construction. Contract value: Involvement: 2007/2008
We were responsible for designing the extra care element of this project and working to develop a range of building types that are an innovative approach to the issues of housing for the elderly. We worked in partnership with another firm of architects to produce a major housing regeneration project across the kirklees area. We were short-listed to the final 2 at ITN stage but did not make preferred bidder.
Practice Profile
PFI experience : 2
PFI experience : 3 Leeds Little London,Beeston Hill and Holbeck Housing PFI 2008 Client: Regenter with ROK Contract value: £150m Involvement: 2008 onwards
We have undertaken the master planning and design across these major regeneration areas with our associated consultants. Originally appointed by Leeds City Council to prepare a master plan for the Little London Area we have been preparing proposals for major refurbishment of system built Radburn Layout estates together with a range of new build projects, which range from comprehensive redevelopment sites of 450 units through to new build infill sites, which help repair a fractured neighbourhood. A major master planning exercise ensured these ‘city rim’ locations achieved degrees of connection with both the city centre and surrounding communities. As part of the competitive dialogue approach being adopted by Leeds our consortium and 2 others have had a summer of positive ‘continuous dialogue’ with the planning department and their design champions. During this project we worked with EDAW, PRP and DPP Shape. However their services were terminated and we took full control of the project. We are waiting to hear whether we have been selected as prefferred bidder.
Bradford and Airedale LIFT 2002 /2008 Client: Accent Contract value: Involvement: 2002 - 2010
Working with Accent we have delivered 2 projects so far in Bradford; Westbourne Green health centre in Manningham, which has both doctors surgeries, outpatients department, dentists, community health facilities and a ‘cottage hospital’ ward. Hillside Bridge health centre, Otley road which has doctors surgeries, community health facilities and minor surgeries suite.
Practice Profile
PFI experience : 3
PFI experience : 4 Pendleton HRA PFI, Salford Client: Irwell Valley Housing Association with Bovis Lend Lease Contract Value: £238 million Involvement: 2009
The project was for improving, maintaining and managing 1250 existing properties, but also developing new build homes for sale and rent on identified cleared sites and through opportunities created by targeted demolition, for Salford City Council. Working closeley with Whitelaw Turkington landscape architects and Gleeds we were shortlisted to 1 of 6 bidders, but didn’t make it to the next stage.
Billingham Extra Care Client: Stockton Borough Council with Carillion Dates of Involvement: 2009 - Current
We have designed an extra care scheme and Integrated Health Facilities building in Billingham town centre as part of a PFI business case which is currently being prepared.
Practice Profile
PFI experience : 4
Woodview Extra Care, Swarcliffe, Leeds Client: Anchor Housing Contract Value: £8 million Completed: 2002
Won following a Local Authority sponsored competition, the scheme provides 82 apartments and 10 bungalows for the frail elderly together with communal facilities, which include a restaurant, lounge, cafe, treatment rooms and health spa. The scheme provides secure affordable housing and care that is accessible and barrier free to residents in an environment that is enabling and maximises independence even where high levels of frailty and sensory problems present themselves. Baisley House, Milton Keynes Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £4 million Completed: 2004
The scheme provided 31 apartments for the elderly and includes facilities such as a shared lounge. A mix of tenure types were offered with apartments for rent, shared ownership and outright sale.
Cramner Bank Extra Care and Day Centre, Leeds Client: Methodist Homes Contract Value: £5 million Completed: 2004
The scheme provided 70 extra care apartments with associated communal facilities and a day care centre with services for people with dementia.
Extra Care Experience : 1
Whittons Mill Extra Care, Gainsborough Client: Anchor Housing & Gainsborough Development Trust Contract Value: £5 million Completed: 2004
Flagship scheme for riverside regeneration project. Conversion of a Grade II listed mill to provide 54 extra care flats with associated communal facilities. RTPI regeneration award winner 2005. 2005 The Mail on Sunday / Architect’s Journal National Homebuilder Award for Best Retirement Development. Norfolk Park Extra Care, Sheffield Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £5 million Completed: 2004
This scheme involved the demolition and relocation of tenants from The Grange tower block. The residents of The Grange were offered accommodation at the new development and therefore provided an immediately accessible group, who were able to contribute to the design brief for the project. The scheme overcame issues of an extensively sloping site by utilising a split level design to create 50 extra care flats and 30 category 1 flats. South Tyneside Extra Care, Hebburn Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £4.5 million Completed: 2005
Replacement of an existing redundant residential care home to provide 42 extra care flats and associated communal facilities.
Extra Care Experience : 2
Cheshire PFI Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £20 million Dates of involvement: 2006
We undertook the design and development of 6 major extra care schemes across the county, with well received and innovative designs each of which responded to the individual sites. We were short-listed to the final 3 at ITN stage, but didn’t make preferred bidder.
Waltham House Extra Care, Wirksworth Client: Housing 21 Contract Value: £5.5 million Completed: 2008
Refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed building Waltham House, plus a large element of new build to provide 43 extra care flats. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, there was significant interest from English Heritage and local residents. We therefore worked closely with the Planner and Conservation Officer to ensure that the proposals were in-keeping with the character of Waltham House and Wirksworth. North and South Tyneside Extra Care ITT Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £15 million Dates of involvement: 2007
Following the success of Hebburn, PfP asked us to help prepare their bid for extra care sites in North and South Tyneside. 3 unique schemes were developed in a very limited time period. Unfortunately PfP were unsuccessful with their bid.
Extra Care Experience : 3
Kirklees Housing PFI Client: Kirklees Metropolitan Council Contract Value: £15 million Dates of involvement: 2007-09
As part of South Yorkshire Housing and Bramall Constructions team, we developed the extra care element of this bid, which comprised of the provision of 140 extra care and 10 dementia apartments across 3 sites. We produced 3 unique schemes, which utilise a mix of atriums, internal courtyards and clusters, the site and design response being totally different in character to suit the constraints and context of 3 very different sites. We were 1 of 2 bidders to reach BAFO stage but did not make preferred bidder. Hampton Crescent Extra Care, Leeds Client: Anchor Housing Contract Value: £4 million Dates of involvement: 2007
This scheme was developed with funding from the Department of Health. The need for extra care was identified by Leeds City Council and East Leeds PCT. The scheme provides 41 extra care apartments with associated communal facilities.
Fairthorn Retirement Flats, Sheffield Client: Methodist Homes Ltd. Contract Value: £3.5 million Completed: 2008
Provision of 30 retirement flats on the same footprint as an existing building in the green-belt.
Extra Care Experience : 4
Hough Fold Way, Bolton Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £4.1 million Completed: 2009
Provision of 36 extra care flats to replace the existing sub standard care home. Due to local opposition, to minimise the impact of the scheme, dormers and roof windows have been introduced, which keep the building height as low as possible. Balconies, set-backs and changes in material help break down the elevation and give interest to the streetscape. White Willows Extra Care, Sheffield Client: South Yorkshire Housing Association Contract Value: £5.5 million Completed: 2010
Working with South Yorkshire Housing Association, we won a design competition run by Sheffield City Council to provide an extra care scheme comprising of 60 flats. Hinged around a central atrium, the 4storey curved design with renewable energy, grass roof and stepped sun decks is a step change in the provision of extra care accommodation. The project was the first extra care scheme in England to achieve BREEAM MR Excellent rating. Berwick Grange, Harrogate Client: Methodist Homes Contract Value: £5 million Completed: 2011
Part new build and part refurbishment of a listed building in a conservation area to provide class C2 retirement accommodation.
Extra Care Experience : 5
Madeley Extra Care & Community Development Client: Housing 21 & Madeley Project Group Contract Value: £10 million Completed: 2011
The proposal was to demolish the existing residential care home, Madeley Village Hall and the scout hut, which have all reached the end of their useful life, to provide 63 extra care flats and a multi-use community building. The community building was lottery funded and provides a wide range of services to both the extra care residents, Madeley village and the wider rural communities. Whitebeck Court Extra Care, Manchester Client: Manchester City Council and Northwards Housing Contract Value: £10 million Completed: 2011
Refurbishment of a 16-storey tower block to provide bespoke extra care accommodation with communal and day care facilities. The scheme received the second largest DOH grant in the 2008 bidding round and is the product of a partnership between Northwards Housing, (an ALMO,) Manchester City Council and Great Places. The design is innovative and organic and has changed the image of the area. Phase 1 & 2 Altona Extra Care, Stone Client: Housing 21 Contract Value: Phase 1 £5 million, Phase 2 £4 million Completed: 2011
Phase 1 was completed 2008 and provided 8 bungalows, 34 extra care apartments and a day centre for Staffordshire County Council. During construction of phase 1 the adjacent residential care home, Roseneath, was closed down. Phase 2 was built on the site of the now redundant care home and provides 10 learning disability and 29 extra care apartments along with communal facilities.
Extra Care Experience : 6
The Grove, Walton Client: Bramall Construction Dates of involvement: 2009 - Present
Outline planning approval has been granted for a 130 unit retirement community on a rural exception site, (zoned as industrial in the LDF.) The scheme will benefit the local community by providing affordable housing, facilitates the release under occupied family housing and relieve pressure on nursing facilities. It will also fill the gap in housing provision for the wider community of Wakefield’s older population. Various Extra Care Schemes, Staffordshire Client: Staffordshire County Council Dates of Involvement: 2009 - Present
We have been asked by Staffordshire County Council to look at providing Extra Care schemes on various sites across Staffordshire. The proposals will allow the Council to open discussions with RSL’s to develop the sites.
Neville Sadler Court Extra Care, Nottingham Client: Housing 21 Dates of Involvement: 2005 - Present
We were originally asked to look at this scheme back in 2005. Part of Housing 21’s existing care home needed to be demolished to accommodate the route of the proposed Supertram. Various proposals were produced to provide a new extra care development on the site. The current scheme was designed to be built in phases to allow residents to decant from the existing blocks. The project is currently on hold due to uncertainties with the Supertram.
Extra Care Experience : 7
Hunslet Hall Road Extra Care, Leeds Client: Westward Care Ltd. Dates of Involvement: 2009
We were asked by Westward Care to look at developing the site adjacent to their existing nursing home, Pennington Court in Beeston, Leeds. As well 39 extra care flats, the scheme will provide a Learning and Development Centre for Health and Social Care, known as The Hub. Facilities, such as the cafe / restaurant and shop will be shared by the Extra Care and The Hub. Billingham Extra Care Client: Stockten Borough Council Dates of Involvement: 2009 - 2010
We were asked to look at designing an extra care scheme as part of a wider development to provide Integrated Health Facilities in Billingham town centre. The PFI business case was completed but unfortunately it was unsuccessful in obtaining PFI credits.
Derbyshire Extra Care Client: Derbyshire County Council Dates of Involvement: 2011 - Present
Working with FHm, Housing 21 and Equity Solutions, we are currently 1 of 2 teams shortlisted to develop extra care housing across 4 sites in Derbyshire without grant funding.
Extra Care Experience : 8
Kniveden & Springhill Development, Leek Client: Staffordshire County Council Dates of Involvement: 2011
The site currently houses the redundant and unused buildings of Kniveden Hall, a former residential care home for the elderly, and Springhill residential care home for adults with learning difficulties. We developed proposals that will regenerate the site to deliver an innovative exemplar project that will provide extra care, intermediate care and learning disability accommodation along with flexible communal spaces and a community cafe. South Parkway Retirement Village, Leeds Client: Frank Haslam milan Dates of Involvement: 2011
Working in partnership with Frank Haslam milan we presented proposals to Leeds City Council detailing how we can deliver extra care and retirement housing with nil grant. The proposed site islocated in the East Leeds Regeneration Area. The project will deliver 199 extra care apartments and 88 retirement bungalows with associated communal facilities.
Throstle Road Extra Care, Leeds Client: Sanctuary Housing Dates of Involvement: 2011
As part of Leeds City Council’s masterplan for the regeneration of Middleton, we are looking at developing the Throstle Road site to provide 202 extra care apartments with associated communal facilities.
Extra Care Experience : 9
Redmire Court, Leeds Client: Sanctuary Housing North Contract Value: £1 million Completed: 2008
Provision of wheelchair accessible bungalows for the elderly.
Argie Avenue, Leeds Client: Home Housing Association Contract Value: £1.3 million Completed: 2009
As architects on Home Housing’s framework, we were commissioned to produce a scheme that provided 17 general needs dwellings for sale on a steeply sloping site.
Site 11 Norfolk Park, Sheffield Client: Places for People Developments Ltd. Contract Value: £5 million Completed: 2010
As architects on Places for People’s framework, we were asked to look at this scheme to provide 42 new dwellings on a steeply sloping site as part of Norfolk Park’s masterplan. The project was Highly Commended at the South Yorkshire & Humber Building Excellence Awards 2011.
Social Housing Experience : 1
Pendleton HRA PFI, Salford Client: Bovis Catalyst Lend Lease Contract Value: £238 million Dates of Involvement: 2009
The project was for improving, maintaining and managing 1250 existing properties and developing new build homes for sale and rent on identified cleared sites and through opportunities created by targeted demolition for Salford City Council. We were 1 of 6 bidders to be shortlisted but did not make the next stage.
Harrogate Affordable Housing Initiative Client: Accent Group Contract Value: £2.8 million Completed: 2010
The project provides 30 new affordable homes across 8 different sites in rural locations spread across North Yorkshire. Although each site was relatively small, they were all the centre of intense public interest, being set in the heart of small rural communities. Many public consultation events were therefore held to ensure that the locals were on side. Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck PFI Client: Regenter Contract Value: £185 million Dates of Involvement: 2008 - 2010
As part of Regenter’s consortium, we undertook the masterplanning and design across these major regeneration areas for Leeds city Council. We were 1 of 2 teams to be shortlisted.
Social Housing Experience : 2
The Shearings, Liversedge Client: Mark Oliver Homes Contract Value: £1.5 million Completed: 2011
The project provides a mix of 2 bedroom 3 person and 3 bedroom 5 person affordable dwellings, comprising of 22 units in total, all to Lifetime Homes Standards.
Fairfield, Leeds Client: Accent Group Contract Value: £13.5 million Completed: 2011
We were initially appointed by the ALMO, North West Homes, to prepare a masterplan for this city-rim inter-war estate. We supported local community groups to develop a vision for their estate to inform the masterplan, which establishes better linkages, selective demolition creating new build infill sites for 132 dwellings and public realm works. Strategic Housing Sites, Leeds Client: Accent Group Contract Value: £16 million Due for Completion: 2012
As part of Accent Housing Association’s team, we won the competition ran by Leeds City Council to find a partner to develop 7 sites across South Leeds to provide a total of 154 lifetime homes split into 2 phases.
Social Housing Experience : 3
Scott Hall Square Client: Unity Housing Association Ltd. Contract Value: £3 million Due for Completion: 2012
Provision of 32 new general needs dwellings ranging from 2 bedroom bungalows to 4 bedroom family homes. The dwellings will all be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and Lifetime Homes standards.
Forge Lane, Dewsbury Client: Janak Patel Dates of Involvement: 2006 - Present
Redevelopment of a former canal side industrial estate to provide 197 new dwellings, ranging from 1 bed 2 person flats to 4 bed 6 person houses. There were a number of constraints to overcome in the layout, which included a significant number services and drainage easements and the requirement for swales as part of the sustainable drainage scheme to prevent flooding. The project has recently secured planning approval. Elmete Estate, Leeds Client: Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association Dates of Involvement: 2010 - Present
Elmete is a post war estate with garage courts that are underused and therefore attract anti-social behaviour. We were asked to provide a range of different options for how the garage courts could be converted to overcome this issue and provide additional dwellings.
Social Housing Experience : 4
Town Planning Architects Framework, Bradford Client: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Dates of Involvement: 2009 - Present
We were 1 of 3 successful bidders to be appointed to this framework to raise the value of sites owned by Bradford Council by obtaining outline planning approval. We have so far looked at 17 sites that range in size from 1 to 14 dwellings.
Middleton Estate Regeneration, Leeds Client: Sanctuary Housing North Contract Value: £8 million Dates of Involvement: 2009 - Present
To aid Leeds City Council with their Local Authority social housing grand bid, we were commissioned to develop layouts for sites identified in their masterplan, to provide new dwellings ranging from bungalows to large family dwellings. Unfortunately Leeds City Council were unsuccessful with their bid, but the project is now being progressed by Sanctuary Housing who have secured HCA funding for 129 new dwellings. Sandwell Partnering & Development Framework Client: Housing 21 Dates of Involvement: 2010
As part of Housing 21’s team, we developed a proposal for a site in Sandwell to provide 10 Learning Disability Units and 47 general needs dwellings. The proposal used a mix of home zones and parking courts to maintain street frontage without a sea of parking. Housing 21’s bid was successful and we are now part of the framework.
Social Housing Experience : 5
Rarey Farm, Weaverthorpe Client: Accent Group Contract Value: £2 million Dates of Involvement: 2009 - Present
Being a rural site, we developed proposals that were sympathetic, without being a twee pastiche, to the character and appearance of the locality in terms of scale, proportions, layout, materials, design and density. The project is currently in for planning.
Doncaster Garage Sites Client: Jephson Homes Housing Association Dates of Involvement: 2010 - Present
Following our successful appointment onto Jephson’s Consultants Framework, we were asked to produce sketch schemes to assess the potential development opportunities of 19 garage sites owned by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Fieldway, Ilkley Client: Incommunities Contract Value: £2.3 million Dates of Involvement: 2008 - Present
This scheme of 25 houses for sale in Ilkley forms part of Incommunities strategy for unblocking stalled developments. By developing this scheme in a high value area, sufficient funds will be released to support several otherwise un-viable schemes.
Social Housing Experience : 6
Commercial residential : 1
Blue - Little Neville Street, Leeds This sweeping residential tower is perched precariously close to the River Aire at the point where it emerges from the dark arches under the Leeds Train Station. A robust white circulation column to the rear anchors the apartments firmly back. The curved façade addresses both the river and the top end of Sovereign Street; the junction of which provides the starting point for a new equally curvy bridge which spans the river and lands on Granary Wharf. The lower two levels of the building houses a new café bar with a mezzanine floor while double height glazing enabling ‘punters’ to fully connect with the river. At the top of each building ‘step’ which falls away from the station is a series of double height mezzanine penthouses that sit like a weir of lighthouses, below which are 67 further apartments, all at the very heart of the Leeds business district. Blocks of coloured render break up the otherwise smooth curved façade emphasising the building’s verticality.
Brodrick Court - Millenium Square, Leeds This apartment building and café bar was conceived to terminate the northern end of Millennium Square, Leeds and act as a visual link between Leeds Civic Hall and the Civic Theatre. On a master planning level, the form grew from working closely with the Civic Architect and the Royal Fine Art Commission. The main façade is a stone sheet punctuated by deep rhythmic openings which stands on a raised terrace to provide a vantage point across the square.
Practice Profile
Commercial residential : 1
Commercial residential : 2
The Old School Lofts - West Leeds Boys School This conversion of a Listed Edwardian Grammar School in Armley, Leeds into 62 lofts and apartments for private rent is one of a hand full of innovative schemes that is within financial reach of social housing market. The scheme’s unobtrusive detailing and execution counterbalances the original Edwardian brick and stone ornament; a stance which has become a practice trademark. The two bedded apartments have decks suspended by steel rods to provide the second bedroom. When the building was offered to our Client for £1, it was roofless, rot ridden and fire damaged. Despite the city centre hype these were the first true loft apartments to be offered in Leeds.
Practice Profile
Commercial residential : 2
Robin Machell BA DipArch ARB RIBA AoU
Position: Director
Robin formed West + Machell in 1990 with Andrew West. Since the practice was formed, Robin has developed an expertise in housing, masterplanning and regeneration projects. Working with over twenty local and national registered social landlords and many more private developers, his experience straddles the private and public sector. He has worked on a range of successful PFI and LIFT projects nationally. Extensive experience has been gained in developing briefs with client user groups and residents to ensure the strength of original visions are carried through to reality on the ground. He has regularly won a variety of local and national design and technical awards in his professional career and is regularly an invited RIBA awards assessor. Robin’s commitment to housing, tenant involvement and innovative forms of investment was reflected in his appointment as independent director of East Leeds Homes, a local ALMO. As chair of the capital programme he was responsible for investment of over £20 million per year and had input into the EASEL programme. As a trustee of Public Arts in Wakefield, he has a commitment to art and community based projects. Robin was an appointed CABE Enabler in 2009 and selected in 2010 to be a member of the Yorkshire and Humberside Design Review Panel. He was elected to the Academy of Urbanism in 2010 and has contributed to the public debate around housing and regeneration in the region. He has been the invited chair of Barnsley Urban Renaissance Design Review Panel. He also sits as an invited member of the Leeds Planning Department Major Developers Forum, working with Concourse in Leeds to provide training to elected members who sit on planning committees. Currently Robin is working on unblocking housing proposals, which look at innovative ways to deliver affordable housing without the use of central government funds. This includes the forming of charitable housing companies with institutional funds. Within the practice Robin is responsible for practice development, masterplanning and urbanism.
Andrew West BA(Hons) DipArch ARB RIBA
Position: Director
Andrew formed West + Machell in 1990 with Robin Machell. Since the Practice was formed, commissions have ranged from Master Planning schemes for both the public and private sector, through to a range of health care and social housing initiatives. Within the Practice, Andrew has specific experience in working with Local Authorities to undertake opportunities for private development and the design of usable public and civic spaces. He has also specialised in residential architecture with experience of large scale student housing schemes as well as city centre apartment and mix use projects. He is accomplished in preparing development appraisals and has led the commercial developments the practice has undertaken on its own behalf. He is involved with projects on a day to day basis and has won a variety of design and technical awards in his professional career. Being partially sighted and registered blind, Andrew has a special interest in designing for disabled particularly for people with vision difficulties. Within the practice Andrew is responsible for cash management.
Christian Sanders BA DipArch ARB RIBA
Position: Director
Christian joined West + Machell in 1992 as a Part III student. On becoming a fully qualified architect in 1993, Christian has progressed through the firm from Project Architect to Associate to Director in 2005. Christian’s particular areas of expertise are social housing, masterplanning and PFI work. He has been an active participant in numerous public consultation events ranging from small scale meetings to ‘Planning for Real’ exercises involving whole communities. He is familiar with the design review process as advocated by CABE. Christian’s ability to present ideas in a persuasive manner has led to a proven track record of obtaining planning approvals on challenging sites. Christian is experienced in Computer Aided Design (CAD,) visualisation and computer modelling, which he uses from the earliest stages of the design process through to final presentation material. He has a strong understanding of the design and technical issues that arise during the construction process and has used BIM on a number of projects to streamline the project workflow, while minimising risk and maximising co-ordination. Within the practice Christian has the responsibility for developing the skills and capability of our staff.
Significant projects: Brodrick Court, Leeds
£3.5 million apartment building and café bar, Millennium Square in Leeds City Centre. Completed 2002. Leeds Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck PFI
The project involves a mixture of refurbishment and demolition of non-decent Council stock combined with the provision of replacement new build housing. As part of Regenter’s consortium, working as masterplanners and architects, we were 1 of 2 teams to be shortlisted. Derbyshire Extra Care Housing Tender
Working with FHm, Housing 21 and Equity Solutions, we are currently 1 of 2 teams shortlisted to develop extra care housing across 4 sites in Derbyshire without grant funding.
Janet Keenan BA(Hons) DipArch ARB RIBA
Position: Director
Janet joined West + Machell in 2001 as Project Architect. After completing a number of successful projects she went on to become Associate in 2004 and Director in 2006. During her time at West + Machell, Janet has become an expert in social housing, in particular Extra Care housing for the elderly. She has delivered numerous projects, spread across the country from Milton Keynes to Newcastle, for a number of housing associations and local authorities. She is involved in projects from inception to completion, ensuring that there is a continuous thread throughout the life of the project. She therefore not only has a wealth of experience in design, community consultation and securing planning approvals, but also has a wealth of technical experience from dealing with the gritty, day to day, on-site issues. Due to her conscientious and meticulous approach to all the tasks that she undertakes, Janet is responsible for systems and risk management within the practice. She also has the role of Quality Manager, carrying out internal audits to ensure the effectiveness of our accredited Quality Assurance system. Significant projects: Whittons Mill, Gainsborough
£4million, conversion of a 7-storey Grade II listed mill for Anchor Trust to provide 45 extra care apartments. The mill is the centrepiece of Gainsborough’s Riverside Renewal Area and was the winner of the 2005 The Mail on Sunday and Architect’s Journal, National Homebuilder Design Award for Best Retirement Development. Kirklees Housing PFI
As part of South Yorkshire Housing and Bramall Constructions team, we developed the extra care element of this bid, which comprised of 140 extra care and 10 dementia apartments across 3 sites. We were 1 of 2 bidders to reach BAFO stage in 2009. Madeley Extra Care and Community Development
£8.2 million development for Housing 21 and Madeley Project Group, completed 2011. The project provides 63 extra care apartments and a lottery funded multi-use community building.
