The Bradford College David Hockney Building’s design is centered around the College’s vision of creating a space that encourages and
supports innovative forms of teaching and learning.
The Bradford College – ARCHICAD 19’s Signature Building
Central Innovation • 16 November 2015
ARCHICAD 19 Signature Building
Project background
In 2008, the College embarked upon a comprehensive redevelopment strategy funded by the Learning and Skills Council. In 2009, the LSC withdrew the funds and the College was forced to reconsider their strategy with a majority self-funded project within a volatile and challenging marketplace. With assistance from Bond Bryan Architects, the College boldly devised a reduced scale development that, at its core, retained the original aims of embracing educational transformation within a truly flexible environment, while realizing efficiencies in space utilization and providing flexible-use spaces to accommodate changing learning methods.
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-01.jpg)
Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-02.jpg)
Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
Design concept
Externally, the development draws upon the historic precedents set by the mill buildings situated within Bradford, while seeking to create an economic solution with locally sourced (Brighouse) natural sandstone. It pays homage to the textile industry of Bradford by replicating the concept of a fabric weave within the colored segments of the elevations. This was created using an innovative cladding system that allowed the builders to achieve water-tightness more quickly and was less labor intensive on site.
Internally, the scheme was viewed as a single entity collaborative heart space, surrounded by specialist teaching zones. This required a move away from traditional, teacher-led styles of delivery in smaller cellular classrooms, and into larger, more flexible spaces that offer a range of potential learning environments.
“We are now delivering 60-70% of the requirements of COBie due to our commitment to IFC, and this is allowing us to show others how they can benefit from our data.”Rob Jackson, BIM manager and Associate Director
Materials
Inherent sustainability was a key component of the design and the supply chain were involved from an early stage. Lean construction workshops helped create efficiencies but also fostered an environment of collaboration. The traditional concrete frame was re-designed as a post-tensioned solution saving a third off the
concrete. This also reduced the amount of deliveries to the site. All timber used was from registered sustainable sources where possible, including the plywood hoardings that enclosed the site – these were used for shuttering the retaining walls in the external works scheme. Other systems of construction were chosen with
sustainability in mind.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) carried out a predemolition audit on the existing buildings to be demolished in order to identify all opportunities for recycling or re-using materials. 98% of the existing buildings were identified as re-usable or recyclable.
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-03.jpg)
Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
OPEN BIM approach
Since 2012, Bond Bryan Architects have focused on using open data rather than native data, as they see it as an important part of their future and for the future of the construction industry as a whole. Open data will lead to greater consistency and quality for those wishing to use data for their own needs.
“Given the plethora of software available, the most logical way to deliver this data is using IFC.”Rob Jackson, BIM manager and Associate Director
Producing consistent, high quality models and data for others to use has been the company focus for the past several years. The real implementation was driven by the Bradford College project. The aim was to demonstrate open workflows on a live project as well as to establish more consistent data deliverables for use by contractors,
consultants and clients. Working with the contractor, BAM Construct UK, Bond Bryan Architects immediately identified a number of issues with model exchange using the IFC open format. Within the firm, the central BIM team supported the project team to initially find temporary solutions to these issues. This was followed up with
more detailed research to understand and finally resolve them. The architects collaborated with BAM and other vendors to find permanent solutions.
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-04.jpg)
HLM IFC Model linked in ARCHICAD – Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-05.jpg)
The Building Information Model Incorporates Architecural and Structural Systems – Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
Visualization of Bradford College
Bond Bryan Architects’ models are constructed using GRAPHISOFT
ARCHICAD as well as a variety of software to produce digital
visualizations including Autodesk 3DS Max, Lumion, GRAPHISOFT
BIMx, GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD, Abvent’s Artlantis, and MAXON
Cinema 4D.
The original visuals were produced in-house between March 2012
and June 2013, while the photographs were taken, also in-house, in
August 2014. The original models were produced in GRAPHISOFT
ARCHICAD 15 and visualizations were produced in Autodesk 3DS
Max.
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-06.jpg)
Initial in-house visuals and photo showing the final results of the building – Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
![Bradford College, UK Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bb-bradford-07.jpg)
Interior View – Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects www.bondbryan.com
Client Satisfaction
The design team, client team and the main contractor adopted a pro-active approach throughout the project that resulted in very few issues arising during the entire construction process. The fact that an additional project, Bradford College Advanced Technology Centre, was awarded to the same design and delivery team is testament to how satisfied the client was with the build process.
The College occupied the building in September 2014, and have reported benefits of reduced staffing costs, improved team working and student supervision along with improved student achievement levels.
The project was not only highlighted as an example for innovation in education space but also as a pathfinder project for BIM for the entire team. Bond Bryan Architects were recently recognized as “heroes of interoperability” in the buildingSMART2014 global awards.
![Bond Bryan Architects](https://graphisoft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bondbryanlogo.png)
About Bond Bryan Architects
Bond Bryan Architects are a UK-based practice with design studios in London, Sheffield and Kent, plus representatives across the globe, with work embracing the worlds of Strategic Property Advice, Masterplanning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design. Their 120-strong workforce is highly skilled and experienced, with all their senior staff having been with them for at least four years and the majority over ten.
Bond Bryan Architects have used the BIM authoring tool, GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD, for over 20 years and are recognized leaders in the field of Building Information Modelling (BIM).
About GRAPHISOFT
GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution in 1984 with ArchiCAD®, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as its revolutionary BIMcloud®, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully BIM-integrated “GREEN” design solution and BIMx®, the world’s leading mobile app for BIM visualization. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007. Visit archicad.com to see the most important milestones in ArchiCAD’s 30-year history.