Bourn, Coventry
Location
Sherbourne House, Coventry
Value
£10 Million
Size
11,500sqft
Developer
IM Properties
BREEAM
Very Good
The refurbishment of Bourn provided a number of significant improvements to the site integration and user experience of the building. Access was prioritised, addressing the balance between vehicular and pedestrian links to create a safer, more unified and better connected environment.
Site access was available on foot from three sides of site and directly address both of the new student accommodation buildings, making Bourn ideal to become a hub for both commercial and educational functions. The connectivity and orientation of the building was reinforced through the refurbishment, establishing a dual entrance format that respects the developing context and the local transport infrastructure.
External plazas to the front and rear of the building were created which provide greater activation to both primary elevations. These areas act as external breakout spaces, with seating areas and feature landscaping included, and extend directly from the internal amenity for shared use by all occupiers of the building.
Significant vehicular parking was located to the building frontage via a decked car park, containing an allocation of electric car chargers with capacity for future expansion. This existing provision was in excess of the current standards, offering ample numbers to suit both education and commercial use, limiting the impact of new occupancy on the immediate surroundings.
A dedicated smoking shelter was located on the top deck of the car park, with direct and dedicated pedestrian access from the main building entrance. All cycle storage is highly secure and located within the basement.
Basement
The original basement arrangement was unchanged through the change of use proposals, with the entire storey being dedicated for shared use by all occupiers.
The refurbishment placed significant emphasis on increasing the wellbeing and amenity provisions that respond directly to the environmental aspirations of the building. In particular, a dedicated cycle hub was created, with c.56 semi-vertical cycle racks, a bike repair stand and folding bike lockers being available for use. Unisex shower facilities and banks of lockers were provided, which can be subdivided on a per floor or whole building basis to suit a variety tenancy splits.
Ground Floor
The ground floor refurbishment created an enhanced reception presence and core amenity to expand the building functionality and meet the demands of modern multi-tenancy buildings. In turn, this had led to a large entrance atrium with feature waiting area, reception desk and security office serving the building. The scale of the reception assisted in enhancing the impact of entering the building, providing an adaptable canvass that provides maximum flexibility to incorporate a tenant specific identity.
A central core corridor linked through to the vertical circulation and the primary occupation spaces, for a consolidated and highly legible connection to all areas. The corridor culminated in a secondary reception which serves the external bridge link addressing Friar Gate, while offering flexible meeting spaces for use by the entire building and supported by communal wifi and refreshment facilities.
The open plan spaces on either side of the building were subject to the change of use, offering large flexible areas for easy subdivision to suit a variety of commercial or educational requirements. The large structural span and the designed sub-divisibility of the M&E systems created an ideal canvass for future adaptation.
Upper Floors
The upper floors consisted of a central welfare core, reconfigured to suit a flexible ‘superloo’ format that can be adapted to suit a gendered or unisex split. Circulation spaces shared the same aesthetic as the ground floor for design consistency throughout.
The open plan spaces were again subject to the change of use. These areas contained high ceilings throughout, with an exposed services arrangement which enhance the perception of space. The large windows to the front and rear of the building combined to create a bright working environment suitable for a variety of uses.
As with the ground floor, the M&E solution was arranged around the structural grid and is adaptable to suit any fit out requirements. The relatively column free environment enhanced the feeling of space, while still being sub-divisible if required.
At either end of the building dedicated escape stairs were provided, which act in conjunction with the central stair to provide three means of escape from each floor.
