In 2013 GM Design Associates were commissioned by the Department for Social Development to prepare a development framework for the area in and around Shaftesbury Square, Belfast. This is an inner city area on the edge of the City Centre, which had largely missed out on the wider urban regeneration of the centre of Belfast. This framework is a response to and a basis for resolving the area's existing weaknesses, building on its strengths, harnessing its people’s energies, healing its gaps and blemishes and moving forward so that it once again plays a full part in a re-energised city.
Our talented Architectural team includes RIBA & RIAI Chartered Architects, as well as CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologists – delivering everything from small residential extensions through to major commercial & industrial schemes, with a core focus on sustainability, innovation & providing our clients with service of the highest quality from inception to completion.
Our Architectural Services include but are not limited to:
· Site selection & appraisal
· Feasibility studies
· Residential & commercial development planning
· Procurement
· Historic buildings consent
· Funding Applications
· Statutory approvals
· Construction & contract management
· Design & build delivery
· Major & cyclical works programmes
· Condition surveys
· New build
· Refurbishment
· External works
· BIM (Building Information Modelling)
Our sectors:
·Hospitality
·Infrastructure/Commercial/Offices
·Community/Sport + Leisure
·Education
·Housing
As a Landscape Institute Registered Practice, the Practice offers a full landscape architecture design service from initial site analysis and concept design through to detailed design and construction information. Adopting a sustainable design approach, we incorporate the principles of biodiversity and ecological design in the implementation of all projects. Our landscape architectural services include but are not limited to:
· Landscape Architecture / Urban Design
· Landscape Masterplanning
· Public Realm
· Residential, commercial and mixed-use Landscapes
· Green / Blue Infrastructure / Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
· Active travel, public greenways, paths, trails & parks
· Education, Hospital and University campuses
· Recreational Landscapes, Golf courses, sports facilities & children’s play areas
· Parking & access arrangements
· Wayfinding and public art
· Historic and Coastal Landscapes
· Bespoke Private gardens.
· Landscape & Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)
· Expert witness for planning appeals / public enquiries
· Caravan, holiday parks & marinas
· Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
· Planting schedules, management & maintenance plans
The Practice has extensive expertise and exceptional experience in all areas of planning practice including:
Planning Appraisals & Site Feasibility
Planning Applications
Enforcement, provision of advice on regularising unauthorised development
Planning Appeals, Public Inquires and Area Plan. Preparation of written evidence and oral presentation at Appeals and Inquiries
Expert witness and licensing for legal hearings, appeals and public inquiries
Environmental impact assessment
Retail impact assessments
Renewable energy proposals including wind turbines, photovoltaics, etc
Brown field redevelopment & consideration of land contamination
Urban realm and regeneration
Strategic planning and master planning – for the co-ordinated and comprehensive development of large scale sites for residential,commercial and mixed-use developments
With over 30 years’ involvement in successfully leading construction projects from single dwellings to multi-million pound developments in all sections, the Practice has considerable project management experience in consistently delivering a wide range of high quality public, private and commercial developments.
Backed by an experienced administration team, the Practice achieves timely decision making, monitoring and feedback from projects such as busy primary schools to fast track commercial developments, all in accordance with our accredited office procedures and methods of working. Our Quality, Environment and Health & Safety Management Systems are all externally certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 respectively. These accreditations are annually audited to ensure company compliance.
We use the Government’s Achieving Excellence in Construction along with the NEC Philosophy of Risk Management as tools to best ensure projects are completed safely to the client’s brief, on time, on budget and with measured performance standards.
As Principal Designers, our services provide clients with a key project advisor for the management of Health and Safety on notifiable projects from inception to completion. We ensure there is co-operation between all duty holders to enable projects to be delivered on time and to budget through good health and safety practice.
Advise and assist the client with their duties under the new CDM 2016 N.I. Regulations
Assist in the appointment of competent Consultants
Facilitate communication
Pre-Construction Information
Notify the HSENI
Executive Design
Risk Registers
Chair CDM design review meetings with all duty holders
Health & Safety File
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