Alterations to Canolfan Arad Goch

Descriptions

MODIFICATIONS TO THE ARAD GOCH CENTRE – BATH STREET, ABERYSTWYTH DESIGN DEVELOPMENTINVITATION TO TENDERWe invite tenders from architects to undertake design development work for the Arad Goch Centre based on a feasibility study already conducted by Featherstone Young Architects. That study is enclosed with this information.We shall invite tenders from visual artists to collaborate with the architect/s appointed (see below)The design will form the basis for funding applications for a capital project to undertake the modifications and further changes to the centre.The CentreArad Goch Theatre Company has a unique centre in Aberystwyth town centre. The centre was developed in 2006-2008 with substantial backing of over £3million from several sources, including lottery funding through the Arts Council of Wales.It houses a theatre, rehearsal studio, exhibition gallery, art rooms/workshops, sound and video editing facilities, meeting rooms, performers’ changing rooms and the company archive.The inside of the building is of a very high standard of design and architecture; it is a pleasant working environment and creates a very favourable impression on visitors.The centre has a ‘triangular’ ethos: it is used by Arad Goch Theatre Company itself, by other professional artists and members of the community, particularly children and young people; the centre is a meeting place for these cohorts and we describe it as a ‘creative community’ that encourages discussion, provides support and enables the exchange of ideas. In addition, the centre is a source of income as rooms and resources are hired by a variety of clients.Over the coming years we aim to increase the use made of the centre, especially by young people (i) in events organised by Arad Goch and (ii) by attracting more young people to use the centre to organise their own events; in addition we aim to increase income (iii) by hiring out the centre’s spaces and resources to organisations, artistic institutions and other artists and commercial bodies.Building frontageThe Arad Goch Centre is located in part of an old chapel. When it was developed ten years ago, the inside of the building was altered substantially; however, the external face remained unchanged. In recent consultations, we have been told that the front of the building is unwelcoming – particularly to young people – and appears old-fashioned. It does not reflect the contemporary nature of the work and activities within the building; this needs to be altered.The foyerThis space acts as a ‘wind foyer’ between a sliding door to the outside and a second sliding door into the reception area. The floor is sloped to allow access for wheelchairs and prams. It is a dark and rather unwelcoming space; young people in particular have told us that this area stops them from venturing into the building; this space needs to be altered.Reception areaThe reception area is used as a ticket and information office and as a waiting area to go into the theatre and other spaces; it is also used for art and photography exhibitions. Currently the path from the outside into the rest of the building cuts through the foyer and prevents us from holding events there. The reception area needs modifications to enable this.In addition the company intends to hold more public activities for young people with snacks and drinks provided. The reception space needs to provide for this.AccessibilityWe are grateful to ACW for commissioning an accessibility audit of the Arad Goch Centre recently. The audit has revealed that a number of small modifications are needed as well as a few more substantial modifications. These have been considered as part of the feasibility study and in creating plans to develop the building.The requirements1.Modify the front of the building to make the building more contemporary, attractive and prominent from the outside.2.Modify or redesign the foyer to make it more contemporary and attractive, and more open in appearance, maintaining access for wheelchairs and prams; in addition it should be noted that the foyer is often used when carrying large heavy equipment out of the building from the theatre.3.Modify the reception area to enable the provision of snacks and drinks and make it a more flexible and ‘younger’ looking space.4.Consider the recommendations of the accessibility study and plan to implement it as part of the full package.ObjectivesThe plan’s main objectives are:•to improve the external image of the centre and make it more contemporary;•to promote and encourage more participation by young people in the centre;•to increase use of the centre and the ensuing income;•to improve the centre’s accessibility.With the valuable assistance ofINVITATIONS TO TENDER – ARCHITECT/SWe invite tenders from architects to undertake the work of developing the concepts and costs in the Feasibility Study and to create designs.The work will include:•collaborating with Arad Goch Theatre Company directors to select a visual artist to work as part of the team;•incorporating the recommendations of the ACW accessibility report for the Arad Goch Centre as part of this plan; drawing up detailed project costs;•discussing the concepts within the feasibility study with the Artistic Director and others in the company, in order to develop the concepts into practical and exciting visual ideas and come to final decisions regarding the plan and designs for it;•creating a design up to completing Stage 3 of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2013 Plan of Work (Developed Design);•creating a prospective timetable for implementation;•discussing considerations of planning permission, building regulations and external modifications with the local authority; commissioning a structural survey.The Feasibility Study offers two options; for practical reasons we fav our OPTION 2In appointing the architect/s we wish to ensure high standards, technical and financial viability and exciting and relevant work.To ensure a combination of high architectural standard, contemporary visual initiative and work that will reflect the company and its vision we will expect the architectural team to collaborate with a visual artist, selected jointly by the company and the architects once the architects have been appointed. The architect and artist will collaborate in the design of the building’s frontage, the foyer, reception space and other visual features in the public areas of the centre. Preferably the visual artist will be from Wales, progressive in his/her field and knowledgeable about the arts in Wales, both contemporary and traditional. We shall expect the architectural team to secure opinions and ideas from members of the public who use the Arad Goch Centre – both staff and the general public, particularly young people.At the same time, we will be commissioning an independent business consultant to draw up a business plan for the project and its impact on the company’s work in future. The team of architects and the business consultant will be expected to collaborate. Their work will be used to draw up a capital bid for the Arts Council of Wales and possibly other financers. The commissioned work will be the property of Arad Goch Theatre Company.When the Arad Goch Centre was designed 12 years ago, specific consideration was given to environmental issues: for instance the main performance space is ventilated by zero-energy wind towers and extensive use is made of natural light in the ‘administrative’ areas as well as the building’s public areas. This element will need to be considered as the design is developed.(Prospective) timescale for the Design DevelopmentDeadline for architect applications05/02/2018Architect interviews15/02/2018First meeting (company and architect); discussion of initial ideas 26/02/2018Tender for artist28/02/2018Deadline for artist applications13/03/2018Artist interviews23/03/2018Team meeting (company, architect and artist)28/03/2018Consultation, ideas developmentApril – JuneProgress meetingw/c 14/05/2018Progress meetingw/c 11/06/2018Final designs and costs09/07/2018Bid to WAC01/08/2018In March 2019 the company will host the AGOR DRYSAU-OPENING DOORS Wales International Festival of Performing Arts for Young Audiences. At that time we will also be celebrating the company’s thirtieth anniversary.The aim is to reopen the Arad Goch Centre to coincide with these two events. This drives the timetable for this part of the project.Tendering informationTenders should include information on:•experience and previous projects;•team members;•action plan;•your ability to deliver within the timescale;•fees;•to what level you can operate in Welsh (the ability to operate in Welsh is not essential but could be advantageous: Welsh is the working language of the company and its documents).We will not necessarily accept the lowest price but will decide on the basis of the whole bid and the price will be considered as one element.FeesThe maximum fee payable is £11,800.There is an additional fee of up to a maximum of £2,400 for the visual artist working with the architect.Arad Goch Theatre Company will own the study and commissioned work.Applications should be sent to Jeremy Turner, Artistic Director Arad Goch Theatre Company.ContactsJeremy Turner – Artistic Director jeremy@aradgoch.orgNia Wyn Evans - Administrative Manager nia@aradgoch.orgArad Goch Centre, Bath Street, Aberystwyth SY23 2NN www.aradgoch.orgINVITATIONS TO TENDER – ARTIST.We have invited tenders from architects to undertake design development work for modifications to the Arad Goch Centre based on the concepts and costs in the Feasibility Study conducted by Featherstone Young Architects. The work will include creating a design up to completing Stage 3 of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2013 Plan of Work (Developed Design).We are also inviting tenders from visual artists to collaborate with the architect.To ensure a combination of high architectural standard, contemporary visual initiative and work that will reflect the company and its vision, we will appoint a visual artist to collaborate with the architectural team; the artist will be selected jointly by the company and the architects once the architects have been appointed. The architect and artist will collaborate in the design of the building’s frontage, the foyer, reception space and other visual features in the public areas of the centre. Preferably the visual artist will be from Wales, progressive in his/her field and knowledgeable about the arts in Wales, both contemporary and traditional. We shall expect the team to secure opinions and ideas from members of the public who use the Arad Goch Centre – both staff and general public, particularly young people.Tenders should include information on:•your work;•experience and previous projects;•team members (unless an individual is tendering);•action plan;•your ability to deliver within the timescale;•daily fee or project fee;•to what level you can operate in Welsh (the ability to operate in Welsh is not essential but could be advantageous: Welsh is the working language of the company and its documents).We will not necessarily accept the lowest price but will decide on the basis of the whole bid and the price will be considered as one element.FeesThe maximum fee payable is £2,400.Arad Goch Theatre Company will own the study and commissioned work.(Prospective) timescale for the Design Development workDeadline for artist applications13/03/2018Artist interviews23/03/2018Team meeting (company, architect and artist)28/03/2018Consultation, ideas developmentApril – JuneProgress meetingw/c 14/05/2018Progress meetingw/c 11/06/2018Final designs and costs09/07/2018ContactsJeremy Turner – Artistic Director jeremy@aradgoch.orgNia Wyn Evans - Administrative Manager nia@aradgoch.orgArad Goch Centre, Bath Street, Aberystwyth SY23 2NN www.aradgoch.orgNOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=75635.