Charles Wells Ltd, rebranded as Wells & Co., commissioned the practice to design a new microbrewery and visitor centre and estate offices, following the purchase of the historic Charles Wells Bedford Brewery by Marston’s plc in June 2017.
The new Brewery is located on a 4 acre Greenfield site which forms part of a 16 acre mixed use development being led by Bedford Borough Council.
The practice acted as both Architects to Wells & Co., leading the design of the Brewery, and also providing master planners services on behalf of the Local Authority, in order to develop the greenfield site cohesively as a whole.
The Brewery was granted detailed planning approval in Spring 2018, along with outline permission for the remaining development site. The new Brewery, Brewpoint, was completed in Autumn 2020.
The new Brewery now forms the UK base for Wells & Co., providing a home for its retail operations. The development provides the company with the ability to create new beer products continuing Charles Wells’ 150 year old tradition of brewing in Bedford. This new operation has become the focal point of a new visitor attraction, with bar and dining offers provided in close proximity of the brewery manufacturing process. Significant new office facilities for the developing retail operations were also included in the works. The practice had design responsibility for both the main building envelope in conjunction with specialist brewery equipment installers and the undertaking of the interior design.
The Master’s House, St John’s Hosptial, Lichfield.
Assessment of historic fabric to ensure a secure understanding of the historic fabric, and how appropriate breathable insulat ions and secondary glazing could be sympathetically installed.
Solution: A breathable IWI Sheep Wool Insulation and lime mortar on wood wool. Sympathetic interiors following the completed installation of secondary glazing, breathable insulation, lime plaster and breathable decorations. The property has reduced its winter energy costs and enjoys a more comfortable thermal environment.
Arca, Birmingham
CAT A fitout Office project located in Birmingham City Centre which achieved Excellent under the BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fitout criteria. Careful design decisions chosen alongside consulting with BREEAM Professionals allowed us to achieve the required Excellent BREEAM Rating and achieve a modern, flexible and focus driven working space interior fitout.
Our design teams can identify when thermal modelling software, daylight assessment or building fabric analysis is required for U-value calculation or other aspects of building performance.
St Peters Church, Maney Hill.
Works undertaken to provide solar panels to the south facing pitch of the nave, to reduce operational running costs.
The role of a building and site in supporting and enhancing ecosystems and native species.
The greenhouse gas emissions from the lifecycle of building materials, including extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction, maintenance, and disposal. The conservation team has an especially thorough understanding of how different building materials respond to climate and weather in the short and long term. This expertise helps us to avoid costly errors when specifying building materials.
The greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption required to operate a building (e.g., heating, cooling, lighting, appliances). The engagement of Services and Energy consultants from the feasibility stage onwards helps our clients to explore lifetime energy consumption and improve efficiency.
The amount of water consumed during a building's operation and its broader impact on water resources.
The impact of building design and materials on occupants' physical and mental health. We guide clients through all their options when it comes to occupant well being and technology.
BHB Architects
Georgian House
24 Bird Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6PT
Tel: +44 (0) 1543 254 357
mail@bhbarchitects.co.uk
BHB Architects
1 St Margaret's Terrace
Cheltenham
GL50 4DT
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 521 608
mail@bhbarchitects.co.uk
