Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE), Stoke-on-Trent
Client: BRE, Stoke-on-Trent City Council & Stoke-on-Trent College
Role: Architects
PRP Architects has completed the overall design for a former Victorian pottery works in Stoke-on-Trent, to form a new demonstration and learning facility, the 'Centre of Refurbishment Excellence' (CoRE) for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the BRE and Stoke-on-Trent College.
PRP took the building design for CoRE to RIBA stage D, obtaining Listed Building Consent, Conservation Area consent and full Planning Permission for the whole site comprising the new build education building and entrance, conversion into conference and exhibition space of the retained pottery buildings and the existing America Hotel and PRP is presently delivering the Education Building with contractors Shaylor Construction.
The 6,000 sqm site will provide an integrated facility to bring together the UK's talent, training and technologies to demonstrate best practice in sustainable refurbishment and retrofitting. The CoRE project will provide a new build college, conference area and demonstration space and will be a virtual hub and knowledge platform bringing together all stakeholders in the retrofit community, including a UK skills alliance.
The Enson Works site in the Longton area of Stoke-on-Trent was selected as it is an architecturally impressive landmark setting, containing dilapidated grade II listed structures, which presents a unique refurbishment challenge, which will undoubtedly regenerate the surrounding area.
An integral part of PRP's design has been the retention of the three, grade II listed bottle kilns. In addition the CoRE provides:
- A 1,000 sqm BREEAM standard demonstration facility built over two floors and incorporating the kilns
- A vast exhibition space to showcase sustainable refurbishment products with demonstration space for large construction models allowing all stakeholders to fully engage and understand the products and processes involved
- A 1,350 sq new building which will comprise an education centre to undertake Stoke College's retrofit diploma course
- Conference rooms to host events and seminars
Work has now commenced onsite for the project, with the new build college anticipated to be finished later this year. The project will benefit from £3.5 million of European Union investment from the ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, managed by regional development agency One North East. The ERDF programme is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.
