Thank you to everyone who has supported GSA over the last year. We wish you a merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
With best wishes from the new Directors – Graham, Christine, Manoher and Ruth; and all the staff at GSA.
December 2015
Two of our projects – Grange Walk, Bermondsey and Kidbrooke Village Phase 6 have been selected to appear in NLA’s forthcoming exhibition - New Ideas for Housing. This exhibition explores what needs to happen in the capital to improve the speed, scale and quality of housing.
The exhibition will run from 15 October to 17 December 2015 at the Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT. Entry is free.
December 2015
The first phase of the Arborfield Green development was unanimously granted planning approval this month. The Committee was impressed with the positive public consultation process and the layout and design of the dwellings, all designed using ‘Garden Village Principles’.
The proposals include 113 dwellings – 65 houses and 48 apartments – within a beautifully landscaped lakeside setting, setting the benchmark for other phases moving forward. The striking lakeside houses have generous balconies and roof terraces, maximising views towards the lake through the trees.
November 2015
Central Plaza, Birmingham has been shortlisted as a regional finalist for the 2016 Civic Trust Awards. This richly landscaped scheme provides 132 new homes in a pair of residential buildings.
Over the last 16 years – since we started work on this estate regeneration project – we have seen such a transformation. The parks have been such an important part of the new character of the area. This design allows the park to flow uninterrupted right through the middle.
November 2015
Oakgrove Village, Milton Keynes has been shortlisted for the category of ‘Planning for Housing Growth – 1250 homes or fewer’ in the Planning Awards. This award celebrates outstanding achievement in planning work by all the key players in the planning system.
GSA has created a popular new community within Milton Keynes incorporating 1100 residential dwellings, a neighbourhood centre containing shops, a cafe and bank, a community facility and school, all within a generous landscaped setting.
October 2015
We are delighted to announce that Oakgrove Village, Milton Keynes has won a Sunday Times British Homes Award – Best House Design in the 50+ units category. The award, which champions best practice in design, specification and craftsmanship in house design was awarded to GSA with developer Crest Nicholson.
Oakgrove Village features a wide range of contemporary house types from 1 and 2 bedroom apartments to 5 bedroom detached houses. The ‘Ouzel Island’ features distinctive bespoke house designs set within a landscaped setting, with extensive views over the beautiful Ouzel Valley.
October 2015
We hosted a successful WISH event (Women in Social Housing) on 7th October at our office, where guest speaker, Teresa Borsuk gave an insightful speech on ‘Women in Leadership’. This was one of many informative and engaging events that WISH host throughout the year and provided an opportunity to network with women who operate in this sector.
It was a pleasure to invite fellow WISH members to our office – the Sons of Temperance Friendly Society, a Grade II Listed building. The conference room was the perfect venue to host this event with its double height space and hipped clerestory roof. We’re not sure that the 'teetotalist’ society would approve of the amount of wine consumed!
October 2015
Our design for Kidbrooke Village Phase 6 (a regeneration project in South London) was selected to appear in the prestigious AJ Architecture Tomorrow Exhibition.
The exhibition ran at London Olympia from the 21st – 23rd October 2015, as part of MIPIM UK.
October 2015
Park Central, Birmingham has been shortlisted for the category of Regeneration Scheme of the Year at the Inside Housing Top Sixty Developments awards.
Over the last 15 years an incredible transformation has taken place at the former Lee Bank Estate. The Park Central mixed-use regeneration scheme provides attractive new homes set around half a kilometre of high quality urban parkland.
September 2015
Oakgrove Village, Milton Keynes has been nominated for the category of Best House Design in the Sunday Times British Homes Awards. This award champions best practice in design, specification and craftsmanship in house design.
Oakgrove Village features a wide range of contemporary house types from 2 bedroom mews and courtyard houses to 5 bedroom detached houses. The Ouzel Island features distinctive bespoke house designs set within a landscaped setting, with extensive views over the beautiful Ouzel Valley.
September 2015
Work is progressing rapidly at Oakgrove Village in Milton Keynes and the next phase has just been launched. ‘Ouzel Island’ is an iconic collection of 18 exclusive 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes with views across the Ouzel Valley.
Generous balconies and roof terraces accompany large floor-to-ceiling windows offering spacious rooms that are bathed with natural light.
September 2015
A pioneering residential scheme of 102 new homes in Redhill, Surrey, which will integrate community housing for blind and partially sighted people with homes for private sale, has been granted planning consent. This joint venture between Countryside and the RNIB is the first of its kind in the UK.
The development includes a wide range of community facilities within ‘The Hub’ and a sensory garden, which was a Gold Award winner at the Chelsea Flower Show. High quality placemaking, legible design and landscaping replace traditional wayfinding tools such as handrails.
August 2015
We are delighted to be selected for inclusion on L&Q’s new Architectural Services Framework. We have worked together before on exciting and innovative London projects including Westway Beacons in Acton and the mixed-use Dairy Close scheme in Parsons Green.
We look forward to working together on many more successful projects.
August 2015
GSA’s design for the regeneration of the BAC housing estate in Harlow has just gained unanimous approval from the planning committee. The proposal will completely transform the estate, which has become run down, currently suffering from ‘rat runs’ and lacking natural surveillance.
The new layout will provide 343 new homes in a series of attractive streets. Two public squares will form the centrepiece of the regeneration. Gareth Crawford, Home Group’s head of development, said: “This project will transform the area, and enable residents to move from outdated 1960s homes into modern well designed energy efficient properties.”
August 2015
We are delighted to announce that we have 4 new Directors at GSA. The long-standing management team: Graham Kime, Manoher Matharu and Christine Goldsmith, joined by Ruth Stanesby, are perfectly placed to continue the success of the practice.
The new Directors have over 60 years of combined experience between them and George Gardner will continue to be involved as a consultant. This is an exciting and energising time for GSA as we continue to provide an excellent service to our loyal clients whilst diversifying our portfolio and embracing new opportunities. Here’s to the future!
August 2015
Central Plaza, Birmingham has just won a Built in Quality Award. The 132 apartment scheme set in high quality parkland was nominated by Acivico Building Consultancy; recognising the high quality work and co-ordination of the construction stage team.
The project was described as West Midlands’ most inspiring apartment construction project for 2015.
July 2015
A stunning shot of GSA’s Park Central development fills the front cover of the new RIBA Publication ‘Design – The Key to a Better Place’. This book highlights award winners in the 2014 British Homes Awards, in which Park Central won Development of the Year. This is the latest in a string of awards for Park Central since its conception 15 years ago.
This mixed-use regeneration project containing nearly 2000 homes, shops, offices, a health centre and a school together with 8 acres of parkland provides a quiet urban oasis in the heart of central Birmingham.
June 2015
The planning application for the regeneration of the BAC estate in Harlow has been submitted. The scheme replaces 218 temporary bungalows with 343 attractive new homes in a traditional network of streets, squares and courtyards.
The scheme creates a series of distinctive character areas. This will support a balanced community and promote a townscape that is inspiring and beautiful, yet functional and safe.
June 2015
Plans to regenerate South Oxhey, near Watford, are moving forward apace. It has been announced that Countryside Properties, Home Group and GSA have won a competition for the design of a vibrant mixed-use scheme comprising 500 new homes, and 36,000 sqm of community facilities and retail space; and a new market square.
“In marked contrast to the existing development, our introduction of conventional, popular street layouts and urban block sizes brings to the townscape a compelling logic. It is at once safe, vibrant, urban, intimate and sustainable.” - Graham Kime (Associate Director). CGI by Future Realities.
May 2015
We are pleased to find out that our Kidbrooke Village Phase 6 scheme, for 713 new houses and apartments, has been shortlisted for a Housing Design Award. These awards recognise excellence and best practice in residential design.
At Kidbrooke, in South East London, we have produced a contemporary design that sensitively deals with transitions in scale and building next to a Conservation Area; whilst providing a wide range of modern and exciting dwelling types.
May 2015
Our regeneration project – Oakgrove Phase 2 in Milton Keynes, is being featured as one of the best practice case studies by Building for Life. Building for Life 12 currently uses a ‘traffic light scheme’ to assess design quality and sustainability issues.
Oakgrove Phase 2 achieved 11 greens and 1 amber – a really exceptional score and just a whisker off the ultimate ‘Diamond Status’!
April 2015
What a month – three major projects receiving planning approval in rapid succession! Our design for Phase 6 at Kidbrooke Village, South London delivers a fantastic mixture of family homes.
From generous apartments overlooking the new park, to 5 bedroom townhouses in landscaped streets and squares, this scheme offers real choice of high quality new homes.
March 2015
Our design for the Bath Whispa Rail, monorail and cable car system, has made it into the RIBA Imagine Bath Exhibition. A modern intervention to the historic cityscape, it directly links between Combe Down and The Circus. Gliding along in near silent glazed pods, users would benefit from a unique perspective of the city and reduced car dependency.
A new ‘Avon Exchange’ at the centre of the route would transform the area adjacent to the Railway Station and River Avon into a transport hub. New mixed-use development and a Riverside Square would bring activity and life to the waterfront with opportunities for employment and revenue generation. The exhibition runs until 22nd March 2015.
March 2015
We are delighted to announce another planning success at Beaulieu Park in Chelmsford. Beaulieu Square neighbourhood centre in Chelmsford has just received planning approval. This is a truly mixed-use development delivering 1,355 sqm of retail and restaurant space, including an anchor foodstore.
Plus a nursery, community centre, health centre and 34 apartments, all set around a landscaped square and events space.
March 2015
Permission has been granted for 184 new homes, ranging in size from 1 bedroom flats to spacious 5 bedroom houses.
These bold, contemporary homes enjoy a beautiful parkland setting, and will help to set a high quality benchmark at Beaulieu.
February 2015