Development Information
A world class architectural solution that unites old and new
The Bluecoat is developing the oldest building in Liverpool city centre as an exciting arts, heritage, cultural business and retail complex for the 21st Century. This £12.5 million scheme will secure the future of one of the city's best-loved buildings, retaining its special qualities whilst addressing its much-needed access and accommodation problems.
The Development will restore the historic fabric of this Grade One listed building, create a new wing housing an art gallery and performance space and re-organise existing spaces to create better access throughout.
New, enlarged facilities will present the best in contemporary visual and performing arts, and community events. Connect, our pioneering arts participation programme for local communities, will have a permanent base. Retail spaces, cultural business offices and artists' studios will be improved. New and improved function and meeting rooms will be available for hire. The Bluecoat's unique history will be brought to life through a heritage display. The garden will be enhanced, retaining its special quality as a place to relax in the heart of the city. Access, including lifts to the upper floors, will be dramatically improved.
Architects BIQ Architecten from Rotterdam were chosen from an open competition to deliver a world class architectural solution that unites old and new and are leading a design team that includes one of the UK’s leading architecture practices, Austin Smith Lord and Chester-based architects Donald Insall Associates, who will carry out the conservation work.
BIQ Architecten
BIQ Architecten is a Rotterdam based practice of architects founded by Hans van der Heijden and Rick Wessels in 1994. BIQ’s founding members have a wide range of experience working in young Dutch offices like Mecanoo and Roelf Steenhuis Architecten on both public and private sector projects, including urban redevelopment design, housing schemes, cultural and technical buildings and public spaces.
One of BIQ’s first projects was an award-winning scheme in the bi-annual Europan-4 competition for young European architects. This design for the conversion of domestic buildings and landscape works in Liverpool in 1996 led to their first design commission outside the Netherlands. New commissions, teaching posts, publications, lectures and research contributions in the UK, Spain and Switzerland followed. BIQ were invited to take part in the Culture Castles? manifestation in Liverpool organised by FACT in 2001. The same year they were awarded first prize for a design of a mixed-use development in Birkenhead and the Bluecoat commission.
Since completion of their first buildings in the Netherlands, BIQ have been recognised for their contemporary and contextual approach towards urban space. Balancing new build and renovation is increasingly appreciated as a major skill of the BIQ office, and most new commissions demand responses towards both disciplines. Currently the practice is working on several large-scale urban regeneration projects in Rotterdam and other Dutch cities, as well as theoretical and research projects.
Work by BIQ has been published in a wide range of international magazines including De Architect, Archis, Oase, Arq, Bouw, Architecture Today and A+T.
Of the Bluecoat project Hans van der Heijden said, “Our design restores the symmetry of the original composition. A new wing overlooking the garden responds to a number of highly different requirements: it gives the Bluecoat a greater presence in the new urban realm of College Lane/Hanover Street; it contributes to street life; it contains a sequence of dynamic modern art spaces, some of them intriguingly visible from the street; it clearly announces its contemporary nature; but most of all it expresses that it is an organic part of the building.
“The desired ‘flagship’ will, we believe, be the entire building, achieved by the juxtaposition of a bold modern extension that will lift the existing structure, as well as having a dignified presence in its own right.
“The design responds to the brief to create solutions that we believe will successfully bring together of old and new. It will make explicit the navigation and function of the building. To the first time visitor it will be a lively, inviting and intriguing building. Those familiar with the Bluecoat will delight in its re-articulation of known spaces and addition of new ones”.
Further information: www.biqstad.nl
AUSTIN SMITH LORD
Austin Smith Lord is one of the UK’s top architectural practices; who have maintained this position over many years due to their commitment to architectural innovation, environmentally responsible design and by providing clients with a level of design excellence that strives to be beyond expectations. They operate as a multi-disciplinary practice and their diverse portfolio includes many award winning projects across a wide range of sectors throughout the UK and the World.
“We believe that our awareness of the value of design results in architecture which is shaped by both economic forces and creative concerns. We have a reputation for producing elegant and practical design solutions and the Practice has consistently received public recognition of the environmental quality which it achieves through its work for clients.
Central to the philosophy of the Practice is a belief in the creation of architecture, which does not reflect a house style but is influenced by a sensitive response to context and place our work is rooted in a thorough understanding of client requirements, content and programme. The practice rejects the need for centralised and homogenised ideologies, which gloss over the real qualities of architecture. Instead we focus upon a principle of informed local practice.
Architecture is, for us, the successful resolution of client aspirations, financial implications and user requirements into aesthetic, functional and practical design solutions. In all that we do, we continually strive to improve the quality of our work through innovative use of form, materials and technologies. Understanding how people use buildings and the capability to translate the implications of a complex brief into built form is our hallmark and has resulted in our receiving national recognition for many of our projects.”
Awards 1999 Construction Industry Award Mersey Valley Processing Centre 1999 FX International Design Award Benfield Greig, London 1998 RIBA Award for Architecture Avril Robart Learning Centre, JMU Liverpool 1998 RIBA Award for Architecture Warrington Rail Terminal 1998 RIAS Regeneration of Scotland Irvine Harbour, Irvine Housing Association 1998 LIF National Lighting Irvine Harbour, Irvine Housing Association 1997 RIBA Award for Architecture The Peter Jost Enterprise Centre, JMU Liverpool 1997 Civic Trust Award New Hall and Kaetsu Education & Cultural Centre Cambridge 1997 Saltire Saltire Society Abbeygate Kilwinning Development Corporation Founded 1949.
DONALD INSALL ASSOCIATES
Donald Insall Associates has over 40 years' experience in all aspects of care for historic buildings and towns and design of new buildings in historic areas. With a staff of over 80, we offer a comprehensive range of skills with a flexible internal organisation, which has been the key to our success. Our service is personal and tailor-made and responsive both to changing conditions and differing client requirements for projects, large and small.
Clients include private owners, estates, trusts, universities, schools, hospitals, churches, museums, hotels, developers, local authorities and central government. Work is undertaken world-wide.
The practice has now received over 120 awards for excellence in design, conservation and craftsmanship.
