Centre of Refurbishment Excellence

Regeneration, Conservation and Retrofitting of Enson Works

Location
North West
Client
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Awards
  • RIBA West Midlands Award 2014
  • RIBA West Midlands: Sustainability Award 2014
  • LABC Building Excellence Awards 2014
Shortlist
  • RICS West Midlands: Building Conservation 2014
  • RICS West Midlands: Regeneration 2014
  • Building Awards: Project of the Year 2014

Purcell led the final two phases of the high profile regeneration of this Grade II listed former pottery works. Our brief was to transform the disused buildings into CoRE, a national centre of excellence for low energy building retrofit, conference venue, exhibition zone for innovative products in the retrofit market and a construction training college.

The derelict buildings had to be upgraded to the highest standards, showcasing different technologies and construction methods and optimising onsite energy performance. Our approach to environmental control was crucial as the four kilns were damp and salt laden, following years of industrial use. The America Hotel pub had to be completely rebuilt.

We successfully introduced multiple sustainable technologies into the listed buildings. Repairs were like for like and new interventions designed to be reversible wherever possible, minimising the impact on the building fabric which ranges from Victorian brickwork to 20th century concrete and steel. A new-build entrance hub connects the Enson Works and America Hotel, now part of the conference centre. The air tightness is higher than values required for new build. The completed facilities have an A-Rated EPC certificate and a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

Stoke-on-Trent's Centre for Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE), formerly the disused Enson Works and The America Hotel
Stoke-on-Trent's Centre for Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE), formerly the disused Enson Works and The America Hotel

Purcell was appointed to lead the project team in adopting BIM Level 2 processes on this project. Collaboration is always a key component of any successful project, and adopting BIM Level 2 principles aligned to the clients brief has ensured a well-coordinated outcome for this project.

CoRE, CGI visualisations
CoRE, CGI visualisations
Visualisation

Location: Stoke-on-Trent
Client: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Construction Value: £6m
Funding: European Regional Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund