Architectural Practice Lawrence McPherson Associates has been selected for a framework agreement with Shire Housing Association.
The Ayr-headquartered company is leading one of two design teams which will roll-out Shire's new build programme in East Ayrshire over the next four years.
The Practice submitted a joint proposal with cost consultants Neilson Binnie-McKenzie and engineering firm URS to provide design services for Shire, which could see them working on £7m worth of projects.
The team's first project for Shire is to build a new £2.5m retirement complex at Cessnock Gardens in Hurlford in Ayrshire. It has submitted plans to East Ayrshire Council for 26 secure retirement homes built round an attractive courtyard garden area.
The development will include single and two bedroom single storey houses and four wheelchair standard properties. Construction work is scheduled to start in April pending receipt of planning permission.
Stephen McGhee, Partner with Lawrence McPherson Associates, said: "It is great to have been chosen for this framework agreement with Shire Housing Association particularly when we were competing against more than 20 other design teams at the initial stages of the bid. We can now build on the relationship that we have built up over the last two years.
"The Cessnock Gardens project is a challenging way to start the development programme as retirement complex housing is a bit different from other forms of social housing as it is aimed at older people who are not ready for sheltered housing but want to feel they are living in a safe and secure environment. The development programme is extremely tight and in order to meet the timescales set, McTaggart Construction was brought into the project team from the outset to negotiate the construction works."
Lawrence McPherson Associates is looking at highly insulating the houses in an attempt to drastically reduce fuel bills for residents and is also looking at installing heating systems powered from renewable energy resources to reduce the impact on the environment and to meet Shire Housing Association's aspirations to reduce their carbon footprint.
The company has been working with Shire on a project-to-project basis for the last two years and is currently on site with a development of 47 mainstream homes at Kings Way in Cumnock.
Shire Housing Association Ltd was formed in March 1997 as a result of the transfer of some 1100 houses from Scottish Homes to the Association's ownership.
The organisation operates within East Ayrshire and provides a wide range of customers across East Ayrshire.
A not for profit organisation, Shire Housing Association is run by a voluntary board of up to 15 people that includes tenants, owner occupiers and a number of other interested volunteers who bring a variety of specialist experience to the board.
Founded in 1994, Lawrence McPherson Associates is the largest architectural and town planning practice in Ayrshire and has recently opened an office in the Musselburgh. The company has grown by 50% over the past four years thanks to major clients like Whitbread plc, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Shire Housing Association, Ayrshire Housing and Stewart Milne Holdings.
The Practice enjoys Investors in People status and positively encourages and facilitates the attainment of additional skills and qualifications by members of staff. The Practice is also currently recruiting staff for its development programme and encourages fresh talent to join the firm during this period of expansion.
Issued by BRIGHT Public Relations Ltd
On behalf of ARCHITECTS, Lawrence McPherson Associates
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