PROJECTS

Shipley Community Hub

This flagship project formed part of the Shipley Towns Fund in order refurbish and extend the Sustainable Community Hub. A total of four new extensions were constructed to maximise the space within the site for its users and create two new eye-catching entrances into the ground and first floor. An issue for the building users previously, was that there was no link between each floor. This project eradicated this issue by installing a new bespoke staircase and platform lift. The original features were kept with innovative design ideas between our project team and the architect, such as, the Victorian window shapes around the external envelope of the building. Extensive refurbishments were undertaken within the building itself with new walls, ceilings, decorations, floor coverings, kitchen and M&E system installed.

The project involved the extensive refurbishment and extension of an ageing historic school building to create a new community hub.

The new community hub in Shipley enabled two charitable organisations; the Hive and the Kirkgate Centre to work in partnership. The refurbishment was designed to be a cost-efficient and sustainable community hub, operating on a reduced carbon footprint, where both charities were able to thrive whilst offering creative pursuits in dedicated spaces.

AWARD WINNER

Shipley Community Hub won Best Public or Community Building at the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025 for the Yorkshire region. The award was shared by the whole project team: Rance Booth Smith Architects, Whitaker & Leach, Furness Partnership, Michael Eyers Partnership and Thornley & Lumb, together with the Kirkgate Centre and the Hive.

The LABC awards celebrate outstanding construction and workmanship. For our building services team, the project meant designing a new mechanical and electrical installation for a historic school building and its four new extensions. That design had to keep the original Victorian features intact and give both charities a cost-efficient building with a reduced carbon footprint.