Tag: Project News

Work has commenced on the new East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) building which is located at the front of Derby College Group’s Stephenson Building at the Roundhouse Campus, expanding the current footprint by 1100 square meters to house the new facilities.

The facility is set to be net zero and will feature state-of-the art classrooms and collaborative workspaces, providing students with a hands-on and immersive learning experience.

In the initial stages, YMD Boon assisted the team with the process of securing the funding through the Department of Education (DfE).

Once the funding was approved, we were appointed as Lead Consultants and will provide multi-disciplinary services such as Architecture and Principal Designer.

YMD Boon designed the facility with a distinctive and prominent identity to raise the profile of the IoT initiative and assist in attracting learners and employer partners. The design of the new centre therefore not only had to be sympathetic to its surroundings, being located next to a Grade II* listed building, but also had to be striking to create the visual impact required by the DfE.

Other consultants on the scheme include Project Managers Armsons Barlow, M&E Engineers HBa Consulting, Quantity Surveyors Thornton Firkin and Contractors Davlyn Construction.

The EMIoT is due to open in August 2024, ready for the new academic year. 

About the EMIoT Initiative

Located across England, Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a national network bringing together experienced education providers and leading industry employers to deliver world-class technical education and training.

Specifically, the East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) is a partnership between Derby College Group, the University of Derby, Loughborough College, and Loughborough University, with the aim to deliver world-class learning facilities across three sites in the East Midlands.

So far, the partnership has seen the renovation of an existing building at the University of Derby to form a new EMIoT facility. In collaboration with the University, YMD Boon played a pivotal role in securing funding from the DfE. Once funding was secured, we expanded our role and were further appointed to provide architectural and principal designer services.

The third site will see a new EMIoT building at Loughborough College, due to complete in Spring 2025.

YMD Boon’s Role in Shaping the Stephenson Building

The delivery of the EMIoT scheme will run alongside the construction of Derby College Group’s new purpose-built automotive industry training facilities, which will be located at the back of the Stephenson Building at the Roundhouse Campus.

Earlier this year, YMD Boon assisted Derby College Group in securing £3.5m of funding through the Department of Education’s Post 16 Capacity Fund. Once the funding was approved, YMD Boon was appointed as Lead Consultants and will provide multi-disciplinary services to design and deliver the scheme.

The Automotive Industry Training Facility will be ready to open in October 2024.

Lutterworth Scout Hut, a non-profit organisation who work closely with the community, recently underwent fundamental soundproofing improvements to support those with sensory needs, carried out by Leicester-based firms YMD Boon, Oliveti Construction and Goodsound.

About the Community Project

Facing challenges with noise levels that particularly affected children with various sensory needs, the Scout Hut approached Architects and Construction Consultants, YMD Boon, to see if they could help. After various surveys were instructed and carried out, YMD Boon teamed up with Acoustic Specialists, Goodsound, and Contractors, Oliveti Construction, on the project.

Once thorough sound calculations were conducted, Goodsound generously provided 70m2 of acoustic panels free of charge. Oliveti Construction kindly installed the panels without charge over a three-day period, with access equipment provided without charge from Hireforce.

The Scout Hut, which serves 85 children aged 6-14 and several adults in weekly Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts sessions, has since experienced a significant improvement in noise reduction. Both Scout Leaders and children, along with their parents, have commented on how much of a difference the soundproofing has made to the sessions and the overall wellbeing of the children.

Kathryn Gutridge, Group Scout Leader, expressed gratitude:

“The 1st Lutterworth Scout Group would like to extend grateful thanks to YMD Boon, Oliveti Construction and Goodsound for their involvement in the soundproofing project for our Group Scout Hut.

It has made a phenomenal difference to the level of noise, which is highly appreciated by the children and leaders, especially those with various sensory needs. Going forward, the soundproofing will enable us to do more group activities in the hall, without noise negatively affecting the session.”

Read more here:

Harborough Mail – Lutterworth Scout Hut undergoes soundproofing transformation to support those with sensory needs

YMD Boon proudly attended to the grand opening of the new multi-purpose hall at Thrussington C of E Primary School in Leicestershire.

The school welcomed the Bishop of Loughborough, Rt Reverend Saju Muthulaly, to lead the ceremony. Bishop Saju was joined by Hannah Roddy (Headteacher), Patrick Rendall MBE (Chair of Governors), Anton Woods (YMD Boon), Ben Tomkinson (R1 Construction) and Andrew Evans (R1 Construction) and representatives from the Governing Body to mark the official opening of the new school hall.

About the Project

YMD Boon worked closely with the school to successfully obtain capital funding via the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). The works were competitively tendered, and R1 Construction were appointed as the successful Contractor to deliver the project.

The works comprised of the demolition of the existing dilapidated modular building and the construction of a new bespoke school hall with kitchen facilities, store rooms and toilet facilities.

Recognising the school’s significance within the local community, YMD Boon held public consultations with the local community prior to finalising the designs. We ensured the new hall was designed to be respectful of its surroundings within the conservation area. Consideration was given to the choice of materials and architectural style to seamlessly integrate the new structure into its environment.

Jonathan Warren, Director at YMD Boon, commented: “This has been a fantastic scheme to be involved in – from initially securing the CIF funding for the school, to designing the building and managing the works on site through to completion. Having worked with Thrussington C of E Primary School for many years, we are delighted that the new hall was delivered on time and within budget, ready to be enjoyed by the pupils and local community.”

Patrick Rendall, Chair of Governors, commented: “The hall will provide so much flexibility for events, break out classes and even a room for quiet reflection. It is the icing on the cake after the school was extended to take 105 pupils 5 years ago. All pupils and staff now have 21st century teaching and learning facilities throughout our village school and the final hurdle was crossed when Bishop Saju cut the ribbon and opened our new school hall!”

Previous Expansion to School by YMD Boon

In 2018, YMD Boon successfully secured funding through EFA for the total remodelling and major extension of Thrussington C of E Primary School. The extension provided pupils and staff with three classrooms, a library, ICT room, staff facilities, reception area, a group space and new ancillary facilities.

Together, the two projects provide the pupils, staff and local community with vibrant new teaching and hall facilities.

YMD Boon are pleased to announce the opening of University of Derby’s new state-of-the-art East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) facility which will support teaching in a range of digital and engineering subjects, such as computer games animation, design engineering and mechatronics.

Appointed by University of Derby, we provided architectural and principal designer services to transform their existing Enterprise Centre, previously a conference facility, into a cutting-edge IoT centre.

This comprehensive overhaul encompassed substantial remodelling and refurbishment to create state-of-the-art computer laboratories, teaching areas, collaborative zones, and informal learning spaces.

Read more about the project here.

About the EM IoT Initiative

The University of Derby is working with Further and Higher Education partners Derby College Group, the University of Loughborough and Loughborough College on the EMIoT initiative which will focus on levelling up the critical engineering, manufacturing and digital skills needed by

The development of the EMIoT is supported by the Department for Education, who have provided the capital funding and the strategic initiative of IoTs. The University of Derby Hub is the first of three hub sites, with others in development at Derby College Group and Loughborough College.

YMD Boon are proud to be supporting the University of Derby and Derby College Group with their IoT initiatives.

Go-ahead has been given for Derby College Group (DCG)’s purpose-built automotive industry training facilities, which will see an expansion to one of its main buildings.

Earlier this year, YMD Boon assisted DCG in securing £3.5m of funding through the Department of Education’s Post 16 capacity fund. This capital award will enable them to provide additional capacity for 16-19 learners and create a space that meets local and national requirements.

Once the funding was approved, YMD Boon were appointed as Lead Consultants and will provide multi-disciplinary services to design and deliver the scheme.

About the Scheme

The three-storey building, with associated high-quality classroom facilities, will be located at the back of the current Stephenson Building on the Roundhouse site in Derby.

The state-of-the-art facilities will ensure that DCG is equipped to provide training for the changing automotive technologies including the evolving requirements for electric vehicles.

In line with DCG’s sustainability aspirations, the facilities will be built in the most sustainable and efficient way, incorporating the latest building techniques and materials such as air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), thermal resistant materials and solar panels.

The building is anticipated to complete in Autumn 2024, ready for the new academic year.

This scheme is in collaboration with the new East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) Centre which will be located at the front of the Stephenson building on the Roundhouse site in Derby.

Read more here: Derby College Group – Automotive Vehicle Engineering Facilities

Warwickshire County Council have secured planning permission for the multi-million pound major expansion and refurbishment at Stratford upon Avon School, increasing the school’s capacity by one fifth (from 1,700 to 2,050 pupils) over five years.

About Stratford upon Avon School

Stratford upon Avon School and Sixth Form is a large sized, mixed sex secondary school and sixth form college located in Warwickshire. It is a successful non-selective school that offers a broad selection of GCSE and A level options. The school is the only comprehensive secondary school in Stratford.

The school currently has an age range of 11-18 and has a PAN for Years 7-11 of 290. The school currently has approximately 1700 pupils on role including approximately 250 post 16 students.

The proposed expansion plan will see an increased PAN of 350 for Years 7-11 and a Post 16 of approximately 300 pupils. Total pupil numbers would increase to approximately 2050.

About the Scheme

Under designs by YMD Boon, the project will include:

– The new build of 3 No three-storey extensions to the front of the school, allowing for additional teaching spaces and an enhanced SEN facility

– The new-build of a two-storey dance, drama and music studio

– Remodelling and refurbishment to existing spaces to form additional teaching spaces

– External works (primarily to front) to form a new access road for school and bus pick-up / drop-off point, as well as additional parking and cycle spaces

– Works to recently acquired land to the East (former Stratford upon Avon College bus / car parking area) to form new Muga pitch and external play area

The planning application, made in December 2022, will enable the school to accommodate for the projected increase in pupil numbers in Stratford upon Avon and the surrounding area. It follows on from the school’s dining extension, which was carried out by YMD Boon, in Autumn 2021.

Work onsite is expected to start this summer with completion anticipated in Autumn 2024.

The Wider Project Team

Warwickshire County Council, Willmott Dixon, Gleeds, CWA, ADC Infrastructure, Ecology Resources, FIRA, CPW, Acivico Approved Inspectors, Mott McDonald & Ashton Fire.

YMD Boon are pleased to announce the new study space and sports pavilion at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS) in Ashbourne, Derbyshire is now complete.

The project was joint funded by QEGS, Ashbourne Rugby Union Football Club (ARUFC) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and will provide modern learning and sports facilities for the students, rugby club members and wider community.

The new building features a ground-floor sports pavilion with four new changing rooms, match official and first aid areas, two classrooms, a new canteen and kitchen area as well as a new reception and office. The first floor comprises of seven new classrooms, study and break-out areas, office space, and an enclosed viewing area.

The new main entrance is clearly visible and easily accessible from the extended car park. The new multi-purpose area and viewing gallery provides panoramic views of the adjacent sports pitches.

YMD Boon were appointed as Architects and Principal Designers to design and deliver the scheme.

Our approach to the design of this facility was inspired by the school’s commmitment to sustainability. We avoided demolition of the existing building at Boothby Meadows and utilised both the existing foundations and the building shell, resulting in construction waste reduction and reduced need for extensive excavation.

The new extension maximises the use of natural light. Sustainable materials and products with lower embodied energy were specified where possible and priority was given to the use of locally produced natural materials.

Scott Garrity, Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS), commented:

“We are extremely pleased with our new building comprising of 10 classrooms, 4 changing rooms, new canteen, study space for sixth form and a new Boothby reception. This fantastic new facility ensures that QEGS can accommodate the growing population in the catchment area who choose QEGS as their local secondary school.”

Shari Setayesh, Director and Architect at YMD Boon, commented:

“We are proud to be part of the project team that delivered this fantastic scheme. The new facilities provide an iconic gateway to the school’s sixth form centre which will improve students’ educational experience and wellbeing for generations to come.

The scheme was designed and delivered through challenging times. Working closely with the stakeholders, we dealt with issues such as the pandemic, shortage of material and rising costs of materials. Despite this, we ensured the school and ARUFCs’ vision was delivered and not compromised. ”

Interested in working with YMD Boon? Get in touch to let us know about your current or upcoming project.

The new state-of-the-art Bingham Arena Leisure Centre and Bingham Enterprise Centre opened its doors to the public on the 20^th February 2023, offering a range of facilities to the local community of Bingham, Nottinghamshire.

The 550 sqm leisure centre boosts a new 25-metre six-lane swimming pool with a 330-seater swimming pool spectating area, a teaching pool, fitness centre, spin and exercise studios and a café. The development also includes a 260 sqm community hall, known as Bingham Jubilee Community Hall, which can accommodate 300 people and features a fixed stage area with dedicated changing facilities, a control room, kitchen area and storage.

Adjacent to this, Bingham Enterprise Centre includes 12 new self-contained office suites over two floors, ranging in size from 47 sqm to 108 sqm, with a breakout area, meeting room, shared working space and on-site parking.

YMD Boon Appointed as Architects

Working closely with Henry Riley and Willmott Dixon, YMD Boon were appointed to provide architectural services to design and deliver the new leisure centre and office facilities.

Shari Setayesh, Project Director & Architect at YMD Boon, commented: “We are delighted that Bingham Arena has reached practical completion and is now open to the public. It’s been a pleasure to work with Rushcliffe Borough Council and the wider project team to design and deliver the flagship scheme. The new facility is a fantastic addition for the community of Bingham and the surrounding area.”

Kevin Runcie, Project Lead at YMD Boon, added: “We are thrilled to be part of the team assisting Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver their vision. The Council’s commitment to sustainability and zero carbon inspired our approach to the design of this facility. It’s been incredible to see this project come to life.”

An Environmentally Conscious Facility

Built with carbon-clever, green technologies, the facility has 78% lower carbon emission rates than other leisure sites locally and 82% more than similar office developments.

Renewable energy sources were utilised throughout the design. The eco-friendly swimming pool was built using a stainless-steel frame rather than traditional concrete or welded steel, which alone reduces CO2 emissions by 45%. Air source heat pumps, combined heat and power technology, water efficiency measures, LED lighting and energy efficient building materials were all incorporated in the building’s new design.

Space for the community to thrive

The centre will provide the town and surrounding areas with an excellent community facility, helping to create jobs, promote healthier lifestyles and contribute to the growth of the area.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cllr Simon Robinson, said: “This is a wonderful new facility for the people of Bingham and Rushcliffe at a time investment in our growing communities is so important. This site has something for everybody from swimming to gym to an 80-station fitness studio with two group exercise studios and an indoor cycling studio and then there’s Bingham Jubilee Community Hall also providing a great space for events. The six-lane swimming pool looks terrific and features really good spectator seating for galas and competitions. It will attract a lot of talented athletes to practise and compete here.”

Project Team: Willmott Dixon (Contractor), Henry Riley LLP (Project Managers & Quantity Surveyors), YMD Boon (Architects), BSP Consulting (Structural & Civil Engineers), ESP Limited (M&E Engineers).

Boston Borough Council have granted funding for The Mayflower development, a flagship project that is set to significantly improve adult learning in Boston.

Under designs by YMD Boon, The Mayflower will boast a unique learning, business and community space. It will offer an improved sense of location and enhance the aspirations of all learners at the College.

Steve Day, Associate Architect at YMD Boon, commented:

“We’re delighted that The Mayflower has been granted planning approval. This will be a fantastic addition to Boston College’s local campus and a great asset for the town and local community. We look forward to the project progressing on site.”

Boston Town Deal

In 2021, Boston secured £21.9m in Town Deal funding from the government to deliver an ambitious vision that will level up Boston and bring transformational improvements.

The Mayflower is one of Boston Town Deal’s projects. Another project to be carried out by YMD Boon includes the redevelopment of the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex to provide additional facilities and transform the leisure provision, all under one roof.

You can find out more about the projects financed through the main towns fund deal here.

Read More

• Major projects given go ahead from Boston Town Deal Board and Boston Borough Council
• Boston Town Deal – The Mayflower

We are pleased to announce the completion of our 5^th expansion scheme at All Saints C of E Primary School, part of Inspiring Primaries Academies Trust (IPAT) in Sapcote, Leicestershire. This scheme marks the final phase of the major expansion which has doubled the size of the school.

Overview:

As a result of significant housing gain in the locality, we worked closely with the Trust, school and Leicestershire City Council to produce a multi phased masterplan in line with the projected pupil increase from 150 pupils to 420 pupils.

Initially we carried out a thorough area and net capacity assessment of the facilities and identified area deficiencies within the existing accommodation whilst considering options for expansion. The agreed plan proposed delivery in five phases over 6 years to match projected S106 receipts and ensure the primary school remained fully functional during the construction period.

The Five Phases of the Project:

Phase 1 – At the first stage of the expansion we extended the school to create an additional classroom for EYFS and an additional classroom for KS1 with wet areas, storage, toilet facilities and a cloakroom.

Phase 2 – Thereafter, we built an additional classroom for KS1, an additional classroom for KS2, and extended the existing KS2 playground.

Phase 3 – We further extended the school to create two new classrooms for KS2 as well as a staff room, small group rooms, a reception area with a lobby, a dedicated office for the headteacher and additional toilet facilities for pupils. In addition to this, we further extended the EYFS to create a new classroom, group room and cloakroom. The completion of this phase increased the capacity of the school to 1.5 FE (315 pupils).

Phase 4 – Next, we extended the main hall and created additional storage areas. Alongside this, we extended the KS1 area to create an additional classroom with wet area facilities, storage and a cloakroom as well as a small group room, cloak room and the addition of an outdoor play space outside of the Year 1 classrooms.

Phase 5 – In the final phase of work, we installed a new modular classroom block for Year 6 which consisted of two new classrooms, small group rooms, cloakrooms, storage and toilet facilities. The completion of this phase increased the capacity of the school to 2 FE (420 pupils).

Additional works carried out by YMD Boon:

In addition to the expansion schemes, and over the same period, we have carried out various condition works across the school buildings such as boiler replacements, replacement windows and doors and heating pipework repairs through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

To accomplish this, we assisted the school by preparing all the documentation for each CIF bid, including condition surveys, proposed plans, project programmes, risk registers, contractor quotations, cost plans and cashflow forecasts.

Once the bids were successful, we worked with the school to move the schemes forward and managed the works through to completion, in a timely manner and within budget.

Can we support your school with an upcoming expansion project? Get in touch today!

Planning permission has been secured for the construction of a new state-of-the-art hydrogen propulsion lab for the University of Nottingham on its Jubilee Campus, in partnership with Research England and industry partners.

YMD Boon is proud to act as the architect, lead designer and principal designer (building regulations) for this facility, which will advance research in sustainable transport technologies and play a key role in shaping the future of zero-carbon propulsion. Our involvement has been extensive, developing this project from concept and dedicating many hours to stakeholder engagement with university professionals to refine and define the project’s objectives.

With a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, we have developed a facility that meets the complex requirements of hydrogen research while prioritising safety and efficiency. Strategically integrated with the adjacent Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), the Hydrogen Propulsion Lab will provide an advanced environment for high-power propulsion system testing.

The lab will feature cutting-edge cryogenic test capabilities, environmental chambers for altitude simulation, and testing areas for gaseous hydrogen, ammonia, and other green fuels. These capabilities will enable the university’s world-leading researchers to push the boundaries of propulsion technology in a controlled and secure setting, supporting industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and power generation in their transition to clean energy solutions.

The Hydrogen Propulsion Lab is part of a wider initiative to establish Jubilee Campus as a hub for zero-carbon innovation. In parallel, the university is launching a new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, funded by East Midlands Freeport in partnership with Loughborough University. Together, these facilities will position the East Midlands as a leader in green technology and sustainable economic growth.

Shari Setayesh, Director of YMD Boon, said: “We are thrilled to be leading the design of this groundbreaking facility, which will drive innovation in sustainable propulsion technologies. Collaborating closely with the University of Nottingham and key stakeholders, we are creating a space that not only meets the complex demands of hydrogen research but also supports the transition to a cleaner, greener future. We are proud to continue our partnership with the University and look forward to the development of this project.”

Professor Chris Gerada, Professor of Electrical Machines and lead for strategic research and innovation initiatives at the University of Nottingham, said: “A new hydrogen lab for the East Midlands is a leap forward in establishing the region’s leadership in zero carbon innovation on the world stage. It is this region that has the right place, the right people, and the right technologies that industries need to achieve their decarbonisation ambitions.”

With construction set to be completed by mid-2026, the Hydrogen Propulsion Lab will soon stand as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and progress in the field of clean propulsion. The facility is designed in collaboration with Turner and Townsend, GF Tomlinson, CPW, Derry Building Services, and Price & Myers.

For further information about our role in this project, please contact us directly.

We are delighted to announce that our projects, Boston Leisure Centre and The Mayflower Centre, have received approval from Boston Town Deal’s Board and Boston Borough Council.

Following on from the vision and Town Investment Plan developed by the Boston Town Deal Board, which secured a Town Deal worth £21.9m of funding, the two projects are one step closer to development following on from approval by the Board and Boston Borough Council.

The Boston Leisure project, part funded by the Boston Town Deal, will see the redevelopment of the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex to provide additional facilities and transform the leisure provision, all under one roof.

The Mayflower Centre project will be sited opposite the Leisure Centre and will become a bespoke learning centre for adults. The building will offer a unique learning, business and community space and provide access for skills training.

Together the Mayflower Centre and Leisure Centre create a unique leisure and educational space, intrinsically designed to be linked together via a central public open space and will function as a single campus. It will offer an improved sense of location and enhance the aspirations of all learners at the College.

YMD Boon are thrilled to be part of the team alongside Price & Myers, CPW & Thornton-Firkin LLP working on this exciting project in Boston. We have been appointed as Architects to design and deliver the two schemes.

We are pleased to announce the completion of the £3.6 million Decarbonisation Scheme at Derby College’s Broomfield Hall Campus.

Derby College was awarded funding through Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to improve the efficiency and life span of existing buildings while reducing its carbon emissions. The funding was delivered by Salix Finance.

YMD Boon worked closely with the College’s team, their estate department and the wider project team to secure the funding. The project team engaged with the College’s stakeholders and provided costed feasibility studies and reports. The reports indicated the impracticality of operating its ageing coal-fired boilers and the detrimental impact they had on the environment.

Once the funding was secured, we assisted the College in installing heat decarbonisation and energy efficient measures across their campus buildings.

The project included:

– Modernising the heating system by replacing their existing coal fired boilers with new and green air source heat pumps (ASHPs).

– Providing insulated roof coverings over two existing buildings to improve thermal performance.

– Replacing existing single glazed windows and doors with high-performance double-glazed windows.

– Installing new centralised plant and distribution pipework to provide the buildings with low carbon heating and hot water.

– Installing LED lighting, insulation, and new controls to improve energy efficiency across the campus.

Our ongoing partnership with Derby College:

YMD Boon has a long-standing relationship with Derby College, having provided architectural, building surveying and masterplanning services for the College over the last few years at their Broomfield Hall campus.

We are currently working with the College to provide an Animal Care Centre for the next round of T-Level Capital Fund.

Development work has commenced onsite to create the new study space and sports pavilion at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

The scheme is a joint venture between QEGS & Ashbourne RUFC bringing together much needed accommodation to the school and wider community.

Works includes major remodelling and expansion of an existing building at the school’s Boothby Meadows site. The new two storey building will comprise of teaching accommodation, changing facilities and a viewing gallery.

YMD Boon were appointed as Architects and Principal Designers to design and deliver the scheme. The wider project team consists of Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers Armsons, Structural Engineers JPL, and Building Services Engineers DGMEP Services.

Shari Setayesh commented on the project:

“We are very pleased to be part of the team assisting the Academy and ARUFC to deliver their vision. The school’s commitment to sustainability inspired our approach to the design of this facility. Avoiding demolition and utilising both the existing foundations and the building shell resulted in construction waste reduction and reduced the need for extensive excavation.”

Our Project Lead, Alvaro Munoz, also commented:

“It’s great to be involved in this exciting project. The study spaces and sports facilities will provide modern, spacious learning and social areas – improving the overall educational and sports experience for students and local community users.”

You can find out more about the project here.

We are thrilled to announce the completion of the new joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police & Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Working alongside Henry Brothers Ltd, Gleeds & Howard Ward Associates Ltd, we were appointed as the Architect to design and deliver the impressive three-storey building at Sherwood Lodge in Arnold, Nottingham.

The new HQ contains shared office space, a new police control room, a new strategic and tactical control room, a sports hall, conference rooms, gymnasium and canteen. Other key features include the addition of a new circular access road, the installation of an outdoor exercise trail for staff and a joint memorial garden dedicated to the memory of staff from both organisations who have died in service.

Associate Architect, Steve Day, who led the project for YMD Boon said:

“It has been a pleasure to contribute to the build of this facility for our emergency services and assist in bringing the Police and Fire & Rescue Services’ vision to life. We are delighted with the finished project which will play an important role in supporting the local community”.

Shari Setayesh, Director of YMD Boon, added:

“It has been a real team effort to get the new HQ constructed on time and on budget, and a fantastic project to be involved in. After many months of hard work, we are incredibly proud of the building and what has been achieved.”

You can find out more about this project here.

A further milestone has been reached as YMD Boon attended the topping out ceremony at the Bingham Arena site in Nottinghamshire on Friday 10 December.

YMD Boon, alongside other partners involved in the project, joined Willmott Dixon to celebrate the latest milestone. They witnessed council leader, Simon Robinson, lay the final part in the fabric of the new two-storey leisure centre building.

About the project

The 5,550 sqm leisure centre development will host a new 25m competition swimming pool with spectator seating for 330 people, alongside other fitness and studio facilities.

Adjacent to this, there will be a two-storey office building, named the Bingham Enterprise Centre, comprising of 12 offices for SME businesses.

The projects will produce far lower levels of carbon, including 78% carbon emission reduction compared to other leisure centres in the borough and 82% lower carbon for similar office developments.

You can find out more about Bingham Leisure Centre here and Bingham Enterprise Centre here.

Planning permission has been secured for the construction of a new state-of-the-art hydrogen propulsion lab for the University of Nottingham on its Jubilee Campus, in partnership with Research England and industry partners.

YMD Boon is proud to act as the architect, lead designer and principal designer (building regulations) for this facility, which will advance research in sustainable transport technologies and play a key role in shaping the future of zero-carbon propulsion. Our involvement has been extensive, developing this project from concept and dedicating many hours to stakeholder engagement with university professionals to refine and define the project’s objectives.

With a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, we have developed a facility that meets the complex requirements of hydrogen research while prioritising safety and efficiency. Strategically integrated with the adjacent Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), the Hydrogen Propulsion Lab will provide an advanced environment for high-power propulsion system testing.

The lab will feature cutting-edge cryogenic test capabilities, environmental chambers for altitude simulation, and testing areas for gaseous hydrogen, ammonia, and other green fuels. These capabilities will enable the university’s world-leading researchers to push the boundaries of propulsion technology in a controlled and secure setting, supporting industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and power generation in their transition to clean energy solutions.

The Hydrogen Propulsion Lab is part of a wider initiative to establish Jubilee Campus as a hub for zero-carbon innovation. In parallel, the university is launching a new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, funded by East Midlands Freeport in partnership with Loughborough University. Together, these facilities will position the East Midlands as a leader in green technology and sustainable economic growth.

Shari Setayesh, Director of YMD Boon, said: “We are thrilled to be leading the design of this groundbreaking facility, which will drive innovation in sustainable propulsion technologies. Collaborating closely with the University of Nottingham and key stakeholders, we are creating a space that not only meets the complex demands of hydrogen research but also supports the transition to a cleaner, greener future. We are proud to continue our partnership with the University and look forward to the development of this project.”

Professor Chris Gerada, Professor of Electrical Machines and lead for strategic research and innovation initiatives at the University of Nottingham, said: “A new hydrogen lab for the East Midlands is a leap forward in establishing the region’s leadership in zero carbon innovation on the world stage. It is this region that has the right place, the right people, and the right technologies that industries need to achieve their decarbonisation ambitions.”

With construction set to be completed by mid-2026, the Hydrogen Propulsion Lab will soon stand as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and progress in the field of clean propulsion. The facility is designed in collaboration with Turner and Townsend, GF Tomlinson, CPW, Derry Building Services, and Price & Myers.

For further information about our role in this project, please contact us directly.

Approval from the Planning Authority and the Department for Education (DfE) has been secured for the replacement of Block B at Wigston College, a sixth form college in Leicestershire. This milestone paves the way for a modern, purpose-built facility designed to enhance the learning environment.

YMD Boon has been appointed as Lead Designers, Principal Designers, Contract Administrators, and Project Managers for the project, with R1 Construction appointed to deliver the build. The new single-storey facility will replace the disused two-storey building, which has remained vacant for a decade due to major structural defects.

Funded by a successful £2.26 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bid secured by YMD Boon, the new building will include six classrooms, group rooms, an ICT suite, and ancillary spaces. The funding application process involved detailed condition surveys, structural investigations, and feasibility studies to demonstrate the necessity of replacing the existing structure.

Designed by YMD Boon, the new building will complement both the adjacent modern leisure centre and recently upgraded college, further enhancing the college’s modern aesthetic.

This project follows the successful completion of a new science building at Wigston Academy, the neighbouring school within Wigston Academies Trust. After securing £1.5 million in funding to replace the aging science facilities, YMD Boon provided full design services and project management, collaborating closely with R1 Construction to successfully deliver the project.

Clare Lee, Associate Building Surveyor, commented: “We are proud to continue our partnership with Wigston Academies Trust to upgrade their facilities. Securing planning and DfE approval for this project is a significant milestone, and we are thrilled to see it move forward. Replacing the outdated block with a modern, high-quality learning environment will make a real difference for students and staff.”

The project has been competitively tendered, and R1 Construction has been appointed as the Contractor on the project.

Ben Tomkinson, Managing Director at R1 Construction, commented: “We are proud to be working on the redevelopment of Block B at Wigston College, a project that will deliver a brand-new, modern facility for both students and staff. This is an exciting opportunity for R1 Construction to showcase our expertise in delivering high-quality educational spaces. We are committed to ensuring the successful completion of the building to the highest standards and look forward to collaborating with YMD Boon and the college to bring this transformative project to life.”