Award-winning, Durham-based architecture practice, Howarth Litchfield, is making good progress on a second education trust project for Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust (BBCET), at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School (St Cuthbert’s) in Newcastle.
Appointed by Thornton-Firkin, acting as project manager and quantity surveyor for the scheme, Howarth Litchfield underwent a competitive interview to be appointed to the works at St Cuthbert’s where the firm has responsibility for architecture and interior design. As before, the firm’s substantial experience in the education sector was a significant factor in its appointment.
The construction work, with an end value of around £2 million, will entail the infill of an existing courtyard and enlargement of the current catering facilities to cater for its 1200 + students.
Delighted with the firm’s further appointment, Howarth Litchfield director, Neil Turner, said:
“It’s great to be working as part of Thornton-Firkin’s team again. We have developed a good working relationship during our work on previous projects and we are able to transfer these skills and experience to our work at St Cuthbert’s.
“Planning permission for the project has recently been granted. The design features a new roof over the courtyard with the addition of a mezzanine inside to provide further space for additional facilities.”
Richard Quigley, partner at Thornton-Firkin’s Newcastle office, said:
“As this is a live site at the heart of the school, the work is being carefully phased and access to the site monitored at all times to ensure the utmost safety for students and teaching staff together with all visitors and site traffic while the construction work is ongoing.”
Daniel Murray, headmaster at St Cuthbert’s, is pleased to see that the trust’s plans are progressing with the project starting immediately following planning determination. He added:
"St Cuthbert's has a strong sense of community and excellent pastoral care. It is important that all members of the school community experience a 'sense of belonging'. An important part of any community is 'dining together' – that is why extending our dining facilities is an important phase in our continuing work to improve the facilities for the benefit of the boys. As well as improving our dining and catering facilities, this project will refresh and renew six classrooms and provide indoor social space for the boys."
Meldrum Group was appointed after a competitive tender to carry out the construction work. Commenting on the firm’s appointment, Meldrum Group’s CEO, Dave Meldrum, said:
“We were delighted to be awarded this contract. We have earned a strong reputation for our quality, innovation, and collaborative approach, particularly in the education sector. This project also provides us with the perfect opportunity to provide valuable work experience to some of the students at St Cuthberts, as well as to continue to enjoy some of our long-established relationships with the professional team appointed to this project.”
Other members of the professional team include JC Consulting – structural and civil engineering and Link M&E – mechanical and electrical engineering.
Project completion at St Cuthbert’s is scheduled for summer 2025.
· Howarth Litchfield is engaged on a second project as architect and interior designer, working with Thornton-Firkin on behalf of BBCET – a new sixth form block at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington.
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