Wayfinding - DLA Research

Who is designing the new build?

DLA DESIGN:

DLA Design is an award winning architectural practice which embraces the creative energies of its Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Technologists and Graphic Designers to produce intelligent and inspirational building designs.

With 120 staff in three offices in Leeds, London and Manchester, DLA have been delivering high profile projects for almost 40 years throughout the UK and overseas.

The realisation of our creative concept designs are delivered to the highest standards of quality, technical compliance and client satisfaction.

We work across a diverse array of work sector specialisms, including Learning, Sport, Industry, Care, Workplace, Homes, Retail, Conservation and Re-use.

With a desire to make a difference to all projects, and seek out what is important to our clients, DLA’s creative people are what makes the difference.

Ethos: Design

"A commitment to high quality and innovative design is at the very heart of the projects we create and deliver. Our working method begins with a study of the wider contexts; social, economic and environmental, that have both given rise to and will also inform the task. We then work collaboratively and creatively with our clients and stakeholders to assemble the detailed brief. It is here that ideas emerge, both practical and aspirational, which act as key design drivers later on. It is also here that true innovation and design quality begins. By addressing the very particular needs of our clients and by being responsive to the issues of our time, we believe it is possible for our projects to play a transformational role within the wider community that we serve."

Ethos: Community

"DLA Design is committed to the long-term viability of the communities with whom we work. Our challenge is to create places where people want to live, work, play and importantly stay. This means working collaboratively with local authorities, communities and our developer clients to help create neighbourhoods with a life/work balance, which offer job opportunities, affordable housing, good public transport and a safe and attractive public realm. In addition to a focus on environmental responsibility, we are also committed to public involvement and charitable support."

New Build Images:

Other Clients:

Client: University of Leeds

DLA have worked at the University of Leeds Students Union on a number of projects spanning over 10 years. The most recent and most ambitious to date is a complete £15 m internal reorganisation masterplan of their key spaces and circulation areas to improve accessibility, legibility & wayfinding along with improving student social space and unlocking the commercial potential of some of their less popular retail spaces.

This project includes a new build 3 storey southern entrance space and the opening up of an existing light well to provide a central atrium focal point along with a rationalisation of the accessibility strategy, the complete refurbishment of 3 cafes & bars, 2 theatre spaces (130 seat & 200 seat spaces), 3 new dance studios, multifunctional ‘Market Square’ for various student led enterprises with tenanted food and retail outlets around the edge. A newly refurbished main entrance foyer links into the new central atrium which taps into the refectory entrance increasing potential footfall into the Union and visually connects the facilities on offer on upper and lower floors that were previously hidden. 

After a long consultation process with the student societies and user groups, and development of a robust phasing strategy to keep the building operational throughout, two of the three phases are now complete with the third phase completed in August 2017.

Client: Boultbee Brooks Real Estate 

St Paul’s House is a breathtaking Grade II listed Moorish-Venetian building overlooking Park Square in Leeds city centre. Originally designed by Thomas Ambler in the Hispano Moorish style, it is widely regarded as one of the city’s architectural highlights. 

Bought by new owners in 2014, DLA Design was instructed to undertake its extensive refurbishment into contemporary Grade A office space across five floors.

With a focus on tenant appeal and sustainability, the sensitive refurbishment covered every inch of the building.

Entry on the ground floor is to a minimalist reception area, leading to new stairs, lobbies, lifts and toilets. To the office floors, a full strip out allowed the installation of new air conditioning, LED lighting with intelligent controls, new raised floors, and new tenant facilities including security card swipe access, cycle storage, showers and lockers.

Up on the fifth floor, the mansard was replaced in its entirety with a new glazed façade offering spectacular views of the city. The building’s energy efficiency is topped off by brise soliel and a newly insulated roof.