Provident Works, Nottingham

Williams-Architects were commissioned by Nottingham Regeneration Ltd in 2008 to restore and extend the small corner building to the Grade II Listed Provident Works. The brief was to provide much needed office accommodation and to enhance the rather dull main entrance and to provide a more inviting, modern interior to the main circulation space and stairway.

The feasibility study demonstrated that restoration was possible and together with a small extension would provide suitable accommodation within a sensible budget.  The corner building has been empty for around 20 years and had suffered over that time with water ingress, damp, failing plaster, damaged windows etc.

Following the study, a planning application was submitted for local authority consideration.  After in-depth consultation with Nottingham City and English Heritage, an acceptable scheme was approved in December 2009.

A simple single storey ground floor extension provided a new entrance and reception area to the new corner building office accommodation.

Originally there had only been an external timber stair access to the first floor of Provident Lodge.  Therefore we designed an elegant curved suspended first floor link, clad in bronze coloured metal which now gives easy to the first floor.

The refurbishment of Provident Works main entrance and circulation core involved the remodelling of the staircase with new glazed balustrading and stainless steel hand-railing, redecorations and new lighting with specific emphasis on better illumination of the entrance and landing areas.  A new reception area was created from a rather dark corridor and large graphic panels showing Provident Works previous history and bright seating help create a welcoming entrance.

Provident Lodge office space was let within days of completion and Williams-Architects are proud to have been part of such a successful team in restoring part of Nottingham’s built heritage.

Most recently we have been commissioned to prepare a 10 year planned maintenance report for both Provident and the nearby Newbrook House.  This involved a detailed survey of the buildings' existing condition and predicting future maintenance requirements and costs. 

Awards

• Nottingham Civic Society, Comendation for Conservation and Restoration, June 2010.
  
• Sign Excellence Awards, 2010 - Best Exterior Sign

In the Press

• Nottingham Evening Post

the bronze clad link

the award winning sign