“BBM designed the Bridge Community Centre, Hastings, East Sussex which was completed at the end of 2005. It is a fully accessible, environmentally sound flagship building which is located in one of the most deprived wards in Hastings and the South East. BBM worked extremely well with community representatives as well as the funders (English Partnerships at the time, now Homes & Communities Agency; Surestart and European Partners) and statutory agencies such as local training providers and Hastings Borough Council. BBM also responded well to changes in the design as the Project progressed and some savings had to be made.”
“Romney Marsh Visitor Centre opened in September 2004 and since then the building has been run by Kent Wildlife Trust. It is a timber framed building with in-filled walls consisting of straw bales. The charitable trust which commissioned the build required a sustainable construction involving locally sourced materials. Given the limited budget, the visitor centre has more than lived up to expectations.
With heat provided by a wood burning stove and the thermal insulating properties of the straw bales, heating costs are virtually nil with wood being supplied from coppicing activities on our reserves. The use of natural materials throughout gives the building a remarkably pleasant atmosphere and this is frequently commented on by our visitors. The design fully serves the original functions of the building, providing a flexible space for visitors including shop, tourist information and café.
“The new village hall at Hamsey was completed in four years from the writing of the business plan, to the raising of the funds and the completion of the building. We were fortunate when we chose BBM to draw up the plans and to project manage the building programme. We were determined to use sustainable energy and materials. BBM brought considerable experience and expertise to the project. They have ensured that the building is an outstanding example of how sustainability can underpin a community building. The local Rural Community Council (Airs) use the building for their meetings. They have also held seminars on sustainable village halls for other villages in the region. South East Region Development Association also use the building for similar purposes. The building has now been open for two years. It is very successful and greatly appreciated by the community.
I have no hesitation in recommending BBM as a firm experienced in working on community buildings. They must take a good deal of the credit for the success of Beechwood Hall, the village hall for the parish of Hamsey. ”
“In 2003 Hastings and Bexhill Renaissance Ltd (t/a Sea Space) appointed BBM Sustainable Design as designers of its proposed new Creative Media Centre in Hastings town centre.
Sea Space’s remit was to deliver economic regeneration in Hastings and Bexhill using funding initially provided by Central Government through the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). As part of its programme of Physical Regeneration, Sea Space wished to create business space in the town centre which would be attractive to the Creative sector. For this purpose it had acquired three Victorian period buildings in a terrace. As this was Sea Space’s first build project and thus of relatively high profile for the new organisation at the time, Sea Space sought a designer who could within tightly defined cost parameters design an eye catching building incorporating sustainable features that sat comfortably with the existing streetscape which was also part of a conservation area.
BBM Sustainable Design was selected in competitive tender to fulfil this brief. They have succeeded in producing a design which had both satisfied the concerns of the local planners and produced a building that local people take notice of. At the same time they have generated a pleasant business environment which provides the level of flexibility required by Sea Space and is well liked by those who occupy it. Presently three years into its operation the Centre is 85% occupied which indicates a good level of satisfaction from the tenants.
“I have known Duncan Baker-Brown for over 12 years and he and his practice designed two extensions on our last house near Alfriston. The second of these, which was partially underground, was particularly successful in its use of light and space. We are now nearing the end of construction of a new house in Lewes, designed by BBM. We are living in it although it is not yet finished.
We are extremely pleased with the design and quality of the house. It is a relatively complex siting and design (built into a slope and incorporating heat recovery ventilation, integrated photovoltaic & solar thermal roof and so forth). BBM have been assiduous in their attention during the build phase in supervising a building contractor chosen by us. I have no hesitation in recommending BBM. If your clients would like to talk to me I would be happy to discuss our experience with them. If they would like to visit the house, they would be welcome. ”
“We have no hesitation in recommending BBM Sustainable Design.
Chalmers and Co. were chosen as the building contractor especially as they have a firm grounding in ‘green’ building practice – the works included solar water heating, photovoltaic electricity generation and a biomass boiler. It is a tribute to James Chalmers’s organisational skills that materials arrived perfectly in time for when they were needed. All the work was completed on time.
