WS Atkins plc - Post-it Notes spell success for Atkins on Surestart scheme

A new children’s centre designed by the Warrington office of multidisciplinary design consultants, Atkins, has recently been completed for Cheshire County Council.
After carrying out an earlier feasibility study in May 2005, Atkins was awarded the multidisciplinary contract to design the new Children’s Centre on the site of Willow Wood Infants and Junior School, Wharton, providing architectural, structural engineering, interior and landscape design services.
Other project partners on the scheme were Cheshire County Council and building contractor, Willmott Dixon.
The centre offers many amenities for the local community, including baby and nursery facilities, a crèche, family rooms, health consultancy and sensory rooms. It also boasts multi-purpose rooms for the community and training facilities, such as an IT suite and kitchen.
The curved design of the building responds to the site’s location and the adjacent playing field, creating an imposing yet welcoming façade to the main entrance. The design has enabled the centre to become a focal point within the local community.
Sustainability is a key consideration of the design of the centre. The orientation of the building maximises the options for natural day lighting and ventilation, and the roof design with overhanging eaves avoids overheating from the sun. The building is constructed with a timber frame and incorporates a sustainable urban drainage system. The materials were carefully selected as either recycled or recyclable.
At a recent ‘open day’, centre staff, users and visitors were invited to comment on the design and facilities of the building, placing their comments on Post-It notes for display in the centre foyer. All comments congratulated the design, construction and management of the building and included such comments as, “What a fantastic building – a real opportunity for the neighbourhood”, “Lovely building, friendly and child focused”, ”Looking forward to supporting families who access the Centre” and “The Centre looks fantastic, it’s obviously well planned”.
Atkins project manager, Graham Hogan, commented on behalf of the design team: “Throughout the whole project development from the initial feasibility options to the opening of the centre, the project design team worked closely together. This has resulted in providing the client, the local community and end users with a very modern and successful building and judging by feedback, one that has delighted everyone.”
“We have an established and good working relationship with Cheshire County Council and the contractor Willmott Dixon and very much look forward to continuing the relationship on further projects.”

Email: Leigh.chelton@clothierlacey.co.uk