Art House, Worcester
GWP designed and successfully delivered the regeneration of the 1938–39 Grade II listed building, Austin House, into a new Design & Art facility for The University of Worcester. The former Art Deco-style car showroom and garage was transformed to provide the following improvements:
External Improvements:
Redesigned car parking area with 17 bays, including 4 accessible bays, and a bicycle parking area for 30 bicycles.
New refuse/recycling area, plant beds, and soft landscaping.
New level access to main entrance and exits.
Extensive restoration of existing brick and stonework.
Refurbishment of existing metal-framed Art Deco windows.
New composite insulated metal roof cladding and insulated flat roofing with double-glazed rooflights.
New aluminium double-glazed shopfront windows and doors.
New main entrance canopy.
New curved concrete wall and railings on the front elevation.
CCTV and other site security measures.
Internal Remodelling & Improvements:
Internal reconfiguration to create Art & Design learning studios, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, a tea room, offices, and toilet facilities.
New circular feature ramp providing wheelchair access to the upper level within the main learning space.
Infill extension to provide exhibition space on the front elevation.
Infill extension to create fire escape and storage on the side elevation.
New energy-efficient heating and lighting throughout.
First-floor mechanical and electrical plant rooms, including a new rooftop acoustic plant enclosure.