Rose Hill Community Centre and Sacrewell Farm recognised in European Built Environment Awards

Clarkson Alliance’s project delivery expertise has been recognised by 2017 Civic Trust Awards, the longest running independent built environment awards scheme in Europe.

New build Rose Hill Community Centre in Oxford and Heritage Lottery funded restoration project, Sacrewell Mill in Peterborough, beat over 100 other projects to go forward to the national finals.  Clarkson Alliance provided project management and cost management services for both projects.

Established in 1959, the awards honour projects that significantly benefit the community, considers inclusive and accessible design and are also sustainable.

Rose Hill Community Centre, Oxford

Clarkson Alliance took Oxford City Council’s objectives of combining three community services under one roof and developed them into tangible outcomes.  OCC’s aim was to galvanise the community around the new centre as a cornerstone of the estate’s regeneration.

  • Clarkson Alliance introduced 3D digital modelling to the project making it easier for stakeholders to visualise the scheme. With a clear understanding of the proposals, the project benefitted from the community’s input to tailor the design to closely meet their needs.
  • We took an active role in leading the complex stakeholder discussions to encourage a large number of the local community to feel really engaged in the project and consequently vote for a new building to be constructed, compared to refurbishing the existing centre.
  • The final building is an open and welcoming environment which encourages integration and makes efficient use of space.  Our post contract control expertise enabled the objectives to be achieved within budget. The usage of the centre grew by 1000 fold within the first 6 months of opening to 13,945 visitors each month by June 2016.  The youth service that now operates from the centre has also grown by 200%.

This is the second recent accolade for Rose Hill Community Centre after winning the New Building Award at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards on 1st November.

Sacrewell Farm, Peterborough
Clarkson Alliance was instrumental in conserving the Grade II listed Watermill at Sacrewell Farm and saving it from the At Risk register.

  • We used our Heritage Lottery Fund experience to support and lead clients William Scott Abbott Trust in successfully gaining Stage 1 and 2 funding.
  • With this funding secured, we brought together and led a strong team to restore the Grade II listed 18th Century Watermill. A solid partnership is crucial when meeting multiple goals and facing the myriad of challenges a heritage project presents.  In addition to conservation objectives, separate targets for the interpretation and educational aspects of the project had to be met.
  • This collaborative working enabled WSAT’s ambitions, of returning the mill to a prominent feature at the visitor attraction, to be realised on time and within budget and be fully compliant with the project aims. The Watermill has seen a marked increase in revenue and visitor numbers since reopening.
  • This has been a successful year for Sacrewell Farm having also won Project of the Year, Conservation and also Tourism & Leisure categories at the RICS East of England 2016 Awards.

    Winners of 2017 Civic Trust Awards will be notified on Thursday 15th December.

    It is our vision that buildings should work excellently for those who use them. We are proud to have two projects acknowledged for the value they play in bringing a community together, their environmental credentials and ultimately delivering the value we promise our clients.