WS Atkins plc - Atkins appointed to Adidas project

Working on behalf of sports wear and equipment giant, adidas, multidisciplinary engineering and design consultant, Atkins, has been appointed to provide a full design service on a £5.5million construction project in Stockport.
Atkins started its involvement on the scheme in June 2006 by carrying out an initial feasibility study and submitting a planning application for a three-storey extension to adidas’ northern European headquarters.
With this additional commission Atkins has been called upon to provide multidisciplinary design services including architectural, engineering, traffic and transport planning as well as environmental.
The project is being carried out as part of a consolidation programme put into place since the adidas acquisition of Reebok last year. The brief from adidas was to design an extension that would provide extra accommodation including office space to cater for an additional 200 employees, some of which will be relocated from an adjacent site.
With its location at the end of an industrial estate, this provided the opportunity to create a landmark feature, which will act as a visual focus whilst also accommodating a gym and wellness centre, staff catering facilities, retail displays and showrooms.
The design team has met the brief by incorporating a central atrium featuring a curved stair and open lift, reflecting adidas’ aspirations for visual profile and forming a backdrop in keeping with the stylish promotion and marketing associated with the company.
Atkins’ architect on the prestigious scheme, Owen Beacock, said: “With European-wide operations Adidas has experience of high profile locations and as such wanted something striking and original as well as affordable. I believe our design meets all of these requirements and more”.
Andy Hackett, finance director at adidas, added: “This project is of major importance to us and is quite critical in its timing as we require the building to be ready for occupation later this year. Atkins has been able to apply creativity and a full understanding of our needs to produce a design and build scheme which fits the bill on delivery and impact.”

Email: leigh.chelton@clothierlacey.co.uk