OUR WORK
C.A.S.P.A.R APARTMENTS – LEEDS: CITY CENTRE APARTMENTS FOR SINGLE PEOPLE AT AFFORDABLE RENTS
This Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s scheme in Leeds was set to prove that it is possible to develop an award-winning apartment block for the private-rented sector, then let it at below market rents and still make an attractive return on investment without any subsidy. The Leeds scheme was the second in a development blueprint programme called CASPAR – City-Centre Apartments for Single People at Affordable Rents. Architects Levitt Bernstein designed structure would boast larger than average 50m2 one-bedroom modular flats, comprised of some volumetric units, pre-fabricated by Potton Group offsite and semi-volumetric elements delivered flatpacked for assembly onsite by contractor Kajima, right in the centre of Leeds.
Following a super fast 36 week completion of the project, Atom Consultants’ Structural Engineers were called in to investigate signs of movement due to initial shrinkage of the timber in the pre-fabricated pods. The striking wood-framed curved building, which had won awards for sustainable design and innovation in low-cost urban housing, consisted of wooden walkways tilting towards the inner courtyard, suspended between a steel frame and the prefabricated apartment units. Due to the shrinkage of the timber in the pods the walkways begun to tilt towards the bedroom units. Our structural engineers were tasked with establishing whether the timber had stopped moving, hence we took 6 monthly readings and were able to confirm that the movement had substantially completed by end of year 1.
Meanwhile, further defects in the prefabricated pods were flagged up, namely leakages in the pipework and baths, leading to “spongy” floors. A few vacant flats were opened up for investigation, which led to further problems being discovered, such as inappropriate grade of flooring being used in the bedrooms, which was not in line with design requirement, as well as the stronger wall panels, intended for lower levels being used for upper floors.
All those issues could have been corrected, if only enough goodwill would have been applied. Let this case study be a force for good to remind people that good things can emerge from innovation, but it requires a mindset of unconditional nobility to persist in the face of adversity to develop excellence for all without financial advancement for a few only.
RESIDENTIAL:
” Atom Consultants have exhibited exceptional knowledge in the field of Modular Construction and this has been an immense assistance to Kajima in resolving many of the construction issues on CASPAR a venture into new methods of project delivery. “
Roy Marshall
Director
Kajima Construction
OTHER PROJECTS
Sidi Krir 3 & 4 Power Plant, Alexandria, Egypt
Sidi Krir 3&4 power plant, a 685 MW natural gas-fired power complex, located 30 km west of Alexandria, is Egypt’s first BOOT (Build-Operate-Own-Transfer) power project and is one of the largest private power stations in the Middle East.
Trinity Walk Shopping Centre- Wakefield
The 46,000 m2, £59 million Trinity Walk Shopping Centre in Wakefield West Yorkshire, described by Wakefield Council as “the most important City Centre development for more than 20 years”, boasts more than 40 stores and 1000 car parking spaces right in the heart of Wakefield, transforming the city into a sub-regional shopping destination.
ASDA Eco Stores- Shaw and Bootle
ASDA (part of the Wal-Mart Stores Inc.) has long strived to become 100% energy efficient, hence they were the first in UK to build a sustainable timber -framed store, which is 20% more energy efficient than their traditional stores, as well as lowers the store’s carbon footprint by as much as 50 per cent. We developed the designs for the prototype, which were to become a blueprint for all ASDA’s future eco-stores.
1 Spinningfields Square, Manchester, RBS regional headoffice
Creating a perfect canvas for the Royal Bank of Scotland brand, their 11.431 m2 customer-facing facility is a landmark building on the edge of the Spinningfields development in Manchester. Referred to as the Canary Wharf of Manchester, the unashamedly modern grade A office accommodation creates a real presence on to Deansgate and the Spinningfields Square.
SPINNINGFIELDS – MANCHESTER: PLOT 202- GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL BUILDING
Over the last decade Spinningfields has evolved to become the home for over 165 commercial organisations.The commercial building on No. 3 Hardman Street houses offices for General Medical Council, Deloite and DMF, as well as retail outlets and ground floor underground parking. Atom Consultants lent their hand with BIM co-ordination
Ark All Saints Academy & Highshore School, Southwark, London
Ark All Saints Academy and the adjoining Highshore complex mixed needs special secondary school situated in Camberwell
Bombardier Transportation – Wakefield
Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Their vast offering of products includes trains, rail equipment and control solutions for all market segments, as well as category-defining business jets and commercial aircraft. Atom Consultants were commissioned to design the extension and redevelopment of their Bombardier Prorail site in Horbury near Wakefield, where their class 220 Voyagers were built.
DAVID LLOYD LEISURE CLUBS
Atom Consultants has designed 3 of the Next Generation Clubs, now known as David Lloyd Leisure Clubs. David Lloyd Leisure is synonymous with high quality fitness facilities, employing some 6,000 staff, including an expert health and fitness team of over 1,800 and the contracted services of over 450 tennis professionals. Their racquets facilities are second to none with 800 tennis courts, 180 badminton courts and 140 squash courts across the UK.
Chill Factore – Manchester:
The Faulkner Browns Architects’ designed indoor ski centre Chill Factore is home to the UK’s longest (180m) indoor skiing and snowboarding slope and the coolest family day out in the North West. The development of an Alternative Design Scheme for the primary structure by Atom Consultants helped to bring this project within budget for the main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine.