Member Article

Durham architects appointed to NETPark scheme

A Durham-based architectural practice has announced its latest contract win on a £9 million scheme at NETPark , Durham. Award-winning Howarth Litchfield Partnership (Howarth Litchfield), has recently been appointed by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) as lead consultant on the design and construction of a new 4,500 sqm two-storey facility at Durham’s NETPark.

This latest design consortium appointment follows on the back of contract wins by rapidly expanding car dealer, Vertu Motors who appointed Howarth Litchfield to significantly remodel its head office on Team Valley Trading Estate and new office space for the ESH Group in Durham.

The new building will comprise of specialist leading edge incubation laboratory space and product formulation capability, as well as office accommodation space. It has also been designed to include multiple HVAC zones with dust and fume collection capabilities in some areas.

Speaking about the win, Howarth Litchfield director, Neil Turner, said: “We are currently enjoying a higher level of enquiries from clients in the commercial property sector for both new build and refurbishment projects which, I believe, reflects the greater level of positivity there is in the sector at the moment. “ Director, Dave Pickersgill who specialises in the technical aspects of project delivering with the practice added:

“I was delighted to get the opportunity to design and create a multifunction building. On this occasion, apart from being designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, CPI’s Formulation Centre has also been designed to have a high profile creating a visual impact on the science park. It’s design will also complement existing buildings on the park. With an impressive level of finish both internally and externally, thanks to our innovative design approach, the building also represents real value for money.”

The formulation centre, which has received funding from the Northeast LEP Local Growth Fund is currently at planning stage with Durham County Council. Howarth Litchfield expects to gain planning consent in October 2015, with an anticipated start on site in 2016.

Other project partners who make up the design consortium include consulting civil and structural engineers, Fairhurst and building services consultant CAD 21.

This development is part of a wider 10-year plan to expand facilities at NETPark, as Durham continues to attract international organisations working at the forefront of science and technology.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .