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John Port Spencer Academy Post 16 Centre

Percy Gee Building, Leicester University

William Morris Primary School, Oxfordshire

John Port Spencer Academy Science Expansion

John Port Spencer Academy Masterplan, Etwall, Derbyshire

Kingham Hill Sporting Centre, Kingham Hill School, Kingham

Christopher Rawlins CofE Primary, Adderbury, Oxfordshire

Fairford CE Primary, Gloucestershire

Ibstock Primary School, Leicestershire

Post-16 sixth form centre secondary education glazed brick zinc cladding buff brick colonnade

John Port Spencer Academy Post 16 Centre

full glass and metal fronted large building exposed red staircase Leicester University social hub

Percy Gee Building, Leicester University

architect designed primary school extension with timber cladding

William Morris Primary School, Oxfordshire

Derbyshire secondary school science building render pillars blue tile

John Port Spencer Academy Science Expansion

John Port Spencer Academy Masterplan, Etwall, Derbyshire

Kingham Hill Sporting Centre, Kingham Hill School, Kingham

Christopher Rawlins School Adderbury white render coloured cladding extension building

Christopher Rawlins CofE Primary, Adderbury, Oxfordshire

Fairford School Gloucestershire green and yellow striped cladding timber structure white guttering

Fairford CE Primary, Gloucestershire

primary school extension playground landscaping seating

Ibstock Primary School, Leicestershire

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It's not all Education at Thinking Buildings. Our

It's not all Education at Thinking Buildings. Our other main area of work is higher end Homes & Houses, often for private individuals or smaller luxury developers. These images are of a new build contemporary house that has gained planning consent in Cheltenham. The design provides 4 bedrooms, large open plan living area, separate sitting room in a desirable part of the Town. The design is a contemporary arrangement of interlocking geometric forms that are shaped to meet challenging site constraints and a restrictive covenant that limits the amount of 2 storey accommodation.

#thinkingbuildings #homesandhouses #architects #Oxfordshire #newhomes #granddesigns

Thinking Buildings continues to work with The de F

Thinking Buildings continues to work with The de Ferrers Trust to help them deliver changes and improvements across their schools.

We’re currently working with them at Granville Academy in Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Working with Davlyn Construction and SA Consulting, we’re helping to vastly improve the main external social space at the academy. The works comprise of external steps, ramps, and new surfacing which will help with flow of students, and further improve accessibility. The site slopes between a horseshoe of buildings, making the planning of surfacing, ramps, and steps vital.

Internal works are also progressing to form new offices and refurbish existing toilets, which should make a real positive impact for students. The de Ferrers Trust continue their investment in their family of schools.

Works are being overseen by Approved Inspectors Approved Building Control.

“I wanted to write on behalf of the School with

“I wanted to write on behalf of the School with sincere thanks for all your hard work and significant contribution towards the successful planning application submitted for Hatherop School.

We are all very grateful for your guidance, support, professional advice and final submission documents – working with us through this process and putting up with the many questions!

We won’t forget the contribution made by the Thinking Buildings team"

We were delighted to receive this lovely testimonial from the Governors at Hatherop, a Cotswold Primary school, where we have secured planning consent for a new hall and various other phases to improve school buildings. As architects, understandably, there is a lot of focus on design, but also a large part of our role is to successfully project manage and guide our clients through what can often be a complex and challenging process. It is always satisfying when clients speak kindly about both our design and professional skills.

#architects #thinkingbuildings #testimonial #eduction #project #planning #cotswolds

This is a project with some real vision behind it!

This is a project with some real vision behind it!

Our client owns an existing agricultural barn, and came to Thinking Buildings to help with the design to convert it under Part Q permitted development rights, into a new commercial building.

The proposed building will provide a new premises for an existing popular nursery, providing them the best quality of accommodation, and allowing them to expand the number of children they can offer places to. There will also be a new café on the site, open to the pubic and providing a community hub, along with a studio room for exercise classes, neo and post-natal services, and parent and baby groups.

Currently in planning for confirmation that it meets the required parameters for permitted development, we’re looking forward to seeing this project move towards site.

#preschool #thinkingbuildings #nursery #communityhub #cafe

A fantastic milestone has been achieved with the p

A fantastic milestone has been achieved with the planning application now submitted to expand Heyford Park School in Oxfordshire. This exciting project has been in development for the last 2 years, carefully working with the school, Eynsham Partnership Academy Trust, and Oxfordshire County Council to explore and develop solutions to increase secondary pupil places to meet the needs of the expanding community at the former air force base.

The proposed primary school will be formed from a substantial new extension including a new entrance, reception, administrative areas, and 8 new classrooms. The remainder of the primary accommodation is provided by repurposing space within the original building with a new activity studio, dining space, learning resources area, SEN rooms, and year 5 and 6 classrooms.

The contemporary design has been developed to complement the existing building on site, whilst also providing a strong sense of identity for the primary school. The raised roof and entrance canopy, coloured cladding, and new paved plaza create a legible and vibrant entrance to the school.

The project will also be highly sustainable, following the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide and standards, to deliver a building that will perform significantly beyond Building Regulations standards.

The technical design of the school will now begin with the aim to deliver and complete the new school for use in August 2027.

Our wonderful offices at Cromford Mills, featured

Our wonderful offices at Cromford Mills, featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow again this week.

Catch up on iPlayer at 15m 33secs you can hear all about The Arkwright Society, who saved the dilapidated site in the 70’s and who have recently finished working hard on the project to bring waterpower back to the site. You can also hear about Arkwright’s quest to find workers for the mill in the 1700’s, what life was like for them, and even how he created his own currency!

We love to work at such an iconic place every week, and have enjoyed seeing so many visitors come and learn all about Cromford Mills and it’s rich heritage.

#bbc #sssi #architects #cotton

🔎 Education Spotlight on the new 6th form and t

🔎 Education Spotlight on the new 6th form and teaching building at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy in Derbyshire that recently gained planning consent. This project provides a striking new focal point on the site for the School's Post 16 provision with a new social space, study areas and seminar rooms.

The project is currently in technical design with the aim for the building works to start in 2025. This project follows on from the recently completed Post 16 centre at at John Port Spencer Academy and the new sixth form building that started on site this week at Alexandra Park in London.

It is really busy times for our education team, and lets hope that this upward trend continues into 2025.

#education #educationbuildings #inspiringschools #post16 #sixthform #architects #architectsderbyshire #academyschools #schooldesign #architectsoxfordshire #thinkingbuildings

We're excited about a project in north London near

We're excited about a project in north London nearing completion after 8 years. It's a new family home that faced challenges with the local planning authority but eventually secured planning consent. The design combines traditional and modern elements, with a timber frame, brick, and zinc cladding. The house features underfloor heating from an air source heat pump and a mechanical ventilation system for energy efficiency. It's a great example of blending traditional and modern styles.

#thinkingbuildings #architect #dreamhome #london #traditionalvsmodern

This is the new science building at John Port Scho

This is the new science building at John Port School, in Etwall, Derbyshire. The project has recently started on site and this shows the main sequencing of how the science expansion will be built on the sloping site. The architecture reflects the recently completed Post 16 building, on the same site, as we continue to develop a new identify for the school’s expanding campus. This project will provide 6 new science labs and prep rooms, and is the 3rd phase of work at the school for the Spencer Academies Trust.

#schools #education #architects #schooldesign #derbyshire #thinkingbuildings #science

We are so pleased to share that our Associate, Gar

We are so pleased to share that our Associate, Gareth, has been a valuable member of our team here at Thinking Buildings for 10 years!

Gareth studied architecture at De Montfort University in Leicester and joined us in 2014. His wide portfolio of work spans the residential, community, commercial and educational sectors. His wide experience lends itself to any project and he places particular emphasis on technical delivery and project management.

Gareth has completed some great projects, the most recent of which being the Post 16 Building at John Port Spencer Academy in Derbyshire and the stunning Preston Cottage is also shown below. He is currently busy at Alexandra Park School in London, on a sixth form expansion underway there and Heanor Gate Spencer Academy which has recently gained planning permission.

Just a glimpse of Gareth’s impressive portfolio of work. We thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the last 10 years and eagerly await what the next 10 have in store.

#thankyou #architect #10years #thinkingbuildings

Today's education spotlight focuses on this fantas

Today's education spotlight focuses on this fantastic project to provide a new pre-school building alongside an existing village hall in Northamptonshire. This a complex project located in a conservation area with challenging topography and site constraints. The design approach is to provide a familiar and sensitive building form but with a number of contemporary touches to make the building more interesting and unique.

With planning approval now achieved, we are excited about working with the Village Trust to secure funding and to convert this virtual design into a built reality to provide a new pre-school facility at the heart of this village community.

#thinkingbuildings #schooldesign #inspiringschools #architects

At the beginning of September, the offices which o

At the beginning of September, the offices which our Derbyshire team use, were featured on the BBC Antiques Roadshow.

Constructed in 1771, and now a World Heritage Site, Cromford Mills in Cromford, Derbyshire, became the birthplace of a factory system which would change the way things were made around the world to this day. Richard Arkwright, a barber and wigmaker by trade, developed a machine which could spin raw cotton into thread, making the process faster than it had ever been before. In the space of 20 years he became one of the richest men in England.

The programme features some stunning aerial shots of the site and waterways. Our team feel lucky to frequent such a historically significant site on a regular basis.

You can learn more about Richard Arkwright at 17:40 on the video, and enjoy the antiques and surroundings of the lovely Cromford Mills.

https://buff.ly/3BdyL00

#architects #cotton #offices #factory #antiquesroadshow #bbc

What does your building say about your business id

What does your building say about your business identity?

The office refurbishment scheme for Brady Corporation's existing premises aims to refresh the corporate identity by re-orientating the building, improving the entrance for staff and customers, and upgrading the facility to modern standards in terms of performance and function. This collaboration between Thinking Buildings, @HawkinsProjects, and @BradyCorporation focuses on creating a more attractive environment to make a positive impression on clients and employees. #office #thinkingbuildings #architect #modern #corporateidentity

This project by @Barr.build in Oxfordshire involve

This project by @Barr.build in Oxfordshire involves building a contemporary garden room to replace a traditional conservatory. The new room will have slimline glazing and a bronze zinc roof, enhancing the connection between the house and garden. It will provide a modern dining and seating space, introducing elements of "broken plan" living. Contact us to discuss how we can enhance your living space with a similar addition.

#project #contemporary #architect #gardenroom #thinkingbuildings #brokenplan #oxfordshire

We’re excited to announce that our luxury car sa

We’re excited to announce that our luxury car sales site in Leicestershire is progressing well, with Thinking Buildings tasked to develop the detailed design and support the tendering process. The focus is on sustainability, with solar PV, EV vehicles, rainwater harvesting, and barn-inspired architecture. @Hillmoren specialises in high-value luxury cars, especially Tesla, operating as a private company with limited site visitors by appointment only. Stay tuned for more updates on this unique site development.

#leicestershire #luxurycars #tesla #solarpv #architect #sustainability.

5 Years For Jess! We are very pleased to say that

5 Years For Jess!

We are very pleased to say that our Architectural Technologist, Jessica Moore, is celebrating being with us here at Thinking Buildings for 5 years! Jess graduated from The University of Derby with a BSc in Architectural Technology and Practice, and joined us in 2019.

Based in our Derbyshire team, Jess was recently heavily involved in the design of the new Post 16 building at John Port Spencer Academy, where she opened the facility earlier in the year. This was a notable event, as Jess was previously a pupil at the school, exemplifying what is possible to the pupils.

Jess has also enjoyed working on the interesting timber framed office building we are designing in the Falklands for Consolidated Fisheries, and the luxury car showroom under development for Hillmoren. She is currently doing great work on another Spencer Academies project, Heanor Gate Spencer Academy.

Fabulous projects Jess, thank you, we look forward to the next five years!

#proud #thankyou #5years #architecturaltechnologist #derby #derbyshire #graduate #projects

Our Education project spotlight continues with the

Our Education project spotlight continues with the new sixth form building at Alexandra Park School in Haringey, London. Construction is set to begin this summer on the site, located in Metropolitan Open Land. Planning approval was obtained through a clear strategy and engagement with the authorities. The building will offer seminar rooms, study spaces, and a large social area, expected to be ready for use by September 2025.

The right time for heat pumps? We have another in

The right time for heat pumps? We have another interesting article for you this month about #heatpumps. Our in house #Passivhaus designer, Rachel, tackles some question and provides valuable information on this topic https://buff.ly/3L81mG5

#thinkingbuildings #architects #lowenergy

We’re excited to share our latest project update

We’re excited to share our latest project update on our collaboration with an existing client in the #carehome sector. Our work focuses on managing historic buildings in sensitive environments like care homes. The project includes alterations to doors for easier resident access, creating new staff spaces, converting an outbuilding into a kitchen and laundry, and improving residents' quality of life.

#thinkingbuildings #architects

New case study! #thinkingbuildings have been worki

New case study! #thinkingbuildings have been working with this client over a number of years, first to design a new farmhouse, which opened up the site for this development.

The farm already operates a number of #holidaylet cottages, and the new building works with these to form a courtyard arrangement working with agricultural forms to create a modern “farmyard” development.

#architects #project #farmdiversification

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