Build Architecture Awards 2016

Build 2016 Architecture Awards 30 Company: Acres Architecture Ltd Name: Edward Acres Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.acresarchitecture.com Telephone: 0115 8592784 cres Architecture not only produces exceptional design but also offers a wide range of supporting services and products that can help clients understand the complex world of construction. Ed- ward talks us through the firm’ s service offering in more detail and outlines how offering such a wide range of solutions ensures clients get the outcome they need from their project. “Our offering encompasses the full spectrum of architectural solutions to ensure that clients receive the exact outcome they require. In addition to the usual drawings, visuals and contract administration duties we also offer full project management, CDM – Lead Designer Roles, 3D Visualisation and 4D animation production. “Alongside this we also offer services such as development appraisals to help assess the viability of speculative site for clients before they buy, as standalone products. Land sales and acquisitions negotiations are offered as part of our full rounded approach. We also Source land for developers and take the sites to them for consideration rather than letting them come to us.” One of the firm’s most recent and ongoing complex challenges is that of the extension and creation of eight new build apartments over and existing Miners Welfare Centre in Nottinghamshire, which Edward discusses eagerly. “Our work at the Miners Welfare Centre has been exciting and challenging. The client was keen to maximise the potential yield of the site and with lots of single storey ground floor only based buildings on site it made sense to go up. The challenges involved producing a design that was lightweight enough to sit on top of the existing structure whilst providing the correct amount of acoustic performance required to shield the activities of the Welfare Centre below. The project is now in the final stage of developed design and will be submitted for a planning application very soon, which will be an exciting phase which we look forward to.” Overall Edward is keen to express the firm’s focus on quality, and the tech- niques which it employs to ensure that every project is completed to the very highest of standards. “Here at Acres Architecture we always aim for the highest possible design outputs. Achieving ‘Exceptional Design’ has been our motto from the word go. With our already multi award winning service, we now have so many retained repeat clients that we know we are doing something differently and better than other Architects that our Clients have dealt with. We believe it is down to our use of contemporary technologies in the design process such as augmented reality and animations that can really capture people imagina- tion. Whilst our drawings are of course necessary they often take a backseat in displaying or presenting our designs. “This focus on quality begins right at the very start of every project. We ensure that we confirm with the client what their key desires for success are before we even begin the process. We will not begin design works until the Client knows exactly what they want (in a theoretical sense), as we can then tailor Briefs, and Conceptual design around this. We then take control of the process of achieving that goal. Right the way through the full eight stage of the RIBA plan of works 2013. We never shy away and assume it is someone else’s responsibility, we just get done what needs to be done and aim for a quality end result.” Moving forward, Edward emphasises that the firm’s focus will be firmly on growing and expanding in order to build upon its current success. “In the future we will be exploring further diversification and expansion as our work load continues to increase. We are already working on many Joint Ventures with existing and returning clients throughout sister company Acres Architecture (Developments) ltd as we strive to produce the highest quality housing stock we can. We are also keen to delve deeper into the commercial and education sectors of work, as these large new commissions take shape and increase our publicity. “Within the wider industry we anticipate that there will be a big shift into BIM level 2 and 3 over the next few years as clients come to understand the ben- efits of this and we look forward to taking advantage of the various benefits this development will bring.” Full-Service Architecture Firm of the Year - UK & Best UK Domestic Residential Project: Martindale Close Gamston Acres Architecture is a full service architects practice providing a wide range of services to clients. We invited Edward Acres to tell us more. A AR160120