Centre of Refurbishment Excellence
A new, sustainable life for a disused pottery works
- Location
- North West
- Client
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Awards
- RIBA West Midlands Award 2014
- RIBA West Midlands: Sustainability Award 2014
- LABC Building Excellence Awards 2014
- Shortlist
- RICS West Midlands: Building Conservation 2014
- RICS West Midlands: Regeneration 2014
- Building Awards: Project of the Year 2014
Purcell led the final two phases of the high profile regeneration of this Grade II listed former pottery works. Our brief was to transform the disused buildings into CoRE (Centre of Refurbishment Excellence), a national centre for low energy building retrofit, conference venue, exhibition zone for innovative products in the retrofit market and a construction training college.
The derelict buildings were upgraded to the highest standards, serving as an exemplar showcase for different technologies and construction methods and optimising onsite energy performance. Our approach to environmental control was crucial; following years of industrial use the four kilns were damp and salt laden and provided a significant challenge. The America Hotel pub had to be completely rebuilt.
We successfully introduced multiple sustainable technologies into the listed buildings. Repairs were like for like and new interventions designed to be reversible wherever possible, minimising the impact on the building fabric which ranges from Victorian brickwork to 20th century concrete and steel. A new-build entrance hub connects the Enson Works and America Hotel, now part of the conference centre. We achieved an air tightness which is higher than values required for new build, which at the time was a considerable achievement for a retrofit of an old industrial brick building. The completed facilities have an A-Rated EPC certificate and a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.
Purcell was appointed to lead the project team in adopting BIM Level 2 processes on this project. Collaboration is always a key component of any successful project, and adopting BIM Level 2 principles aligned to the clients brief has ensured a well-coordinated outcome for this project.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
Client: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Construction Value: £6m
Funding: European Regional Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund
