E: mail@forumarchitecture.co.uk
  • "Architecture starts 
    when you carefully put 
    two bricks together. 
    There it begins”     Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
  • "I always look forward to the next project. That is one of the wonderful things about architecture – you always can hope for another project to design" Cesar Pelli
  • "Architecture arouses sentiments in man. The architect's task therefore, is to make those sentiments more precise" Adolf Loos
RIBA Chartered Practise

An Introduction
to Forum 

Forum Architecture is an architectural practice based in Southampton, Hampshire with a wealth of in depth design and construction experience gained over the past three decades.

The practice principals have led architectural design teams on numerous completed construction projects either undertaking the project from conception to completion or taking on the construction phases of a project initially designed by others.

Forum consists of qualified and experienced Architects and Technicians that are committed to delivering excellent value and achieving high quality projects through careful design and detailing.

 

> Projects

Office building refurbishment - Bournemouth, Dorset
Commercial

Office building refurbishment - Bournemouth, Dorset
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PROJECT: Office building refurbishment - Bournemouth, Dorset

Having newly purchased Tringham House, our client instructed Forum to complete surveys of the existing property and site and to prepare designs and technical proposals for the following:

  • modernisation of the interior office spaces, wash rooms and entrance foyer
  • redesign of the soft and hard landscaping
  • improvements to the access and parking arrangements

Working closely with the client and the main contractor (RSR Construction Ltd.) Forum coordinated the project design work of the other project consultants and specialist sub-contractors for the 9 month duration of the works.

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Modernisation and alterations to a 1970's shopping centre - Poole, Dorset
Retail

Modernisation and alterations to a 1970's shopping centre - Poole, Dorset
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PROJECT: Modernisation and alterations to a 1970's shopping centre - Poole, Dorset

In 2017 the Dolphin Centre in Poole came under new ownership. With ambitious plans to completely moderise the centre, the new owners appointed Midas Construction as main contractor to undertake the works.

Forum was appointed by Midas to provide technical and design solutions to fulfill the clients ambition of having fully glazed double height shop fronts to the New Look and Deichmann stores. Forum also worked alongside the new tenants in regards to the internal alterations.

The completed facades dramatically change the ambiance of the centre and provide an elegant and modern showcase for the tenants.

 

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Office building renovation and new glazed entrance lobby - Poole, Dorset
Commercial

Office building renovation and new glazed entrance lobby - Poole, Dorset
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PROJECT: Office building renovation and new glazed entrance lobby - Poole, Dorset

With a change of tenancy our client took the opportunity to undertake wholesale renovation of this local landmark building.

During the early project stages it was agreed that alterations were needed to create a more welcoming and prominent entrance to the building.

On this tight and challenging site, the architectural solution involved redesigning the external site areas in order to win space for a double height entrance lobby. The fully glazed extension clearly denotes the building entrance making it visible  day and night.

With a new roof covering and fully refurbished office accomodation, Merchants House is now home to a new tenant.

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Library conversion and interior shop fit-out for Decathlon - Ealing Broadway, London
Retail

Library conversion and interior shop fit-out for Decathlon - Ealing Broadway, London
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PROJECT: Library conversion and interior shop fit-out for Decathlon - Ealing Broadway, London

Decathlon UK opened its first store in London in 1999 and has since grown to over 44 stores.

When the opportunity presented itself to occupy part of the former 1970's Ealing Broadway Library our client immediately engaged with the project design team to overcome the technical and retail sales difficulties of operating a store over 2 floors in a converted building.

The design strategy was to take advantage of the existing architecture characterised by the exposed concrete structure and high ceilings. All services were left exposed and the interior designed accordingly.

The result is an open and dynamic space which is enhanced by the strong company branding and merchandise.

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New self-storage buildings in Southampton, Bristol, Sunbury, Hemel Hempstead, Gillingham & Dover
Commercial

New self-storage buildings in Southampton, Bristol, Sunbury, Hemel Hempstead, Gillingham & Dover
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PROJECT: New self-storage buildings in Southampton, Bristol, Sunbury, Hemel Hempstead, Gillingham & Dover

Self-storage facilities are by their nature usually buildings without windows or particular features. Lok’nStore and Forum Architecture have worked hard together to develop a shop front concept to take advantage of the various locations on busy commuter roads. This not only displays the business to passersby but also contributes by raising the overall urban design quality of the local area. Forum Architecture is the project architect and lead consultant.

Some interesting facts about self-storage

The self-storage market in the UK has grown rapidly over the last decade and continues to attract demand from both businesses and households.

Lok’nStore was an early entrant into the United Kingdom self-storage market and currently operates 26 stores in handy locations across the South East of England.

Self-storage is an aspect of modern living, especially amid high density residential areas and in urban business centres.

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New retail development in Bagshot, Surrey
Retail

New retail development in Bagshot, Surrey
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PROJECT: New retail development in Bagshot, Surrey

Forum Architecture was appointed the construction project architect and lead consultant in September 2013. Working alongside Notcutts Woodbridge Limited / Waitrose and Troika Project Management the Forum design team are currently completing the specification and detailed design work for this 4,500 sqm retail development.

This technically challenging project went on site in July 2014 and construction and store fit-out programme for Waitrose was completed in August 2015.

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Light Industrial Units - Osprey Quay, Portland
Industrial

Light Industrial Units - Osprey Quay, Portland
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PROJECT: Light Industrial Units - Osprey Quay, Portland

Navigator Park is a new development at Osprey Quay in Portland and is part of a growing portfolio of commercial and industrial buildings in the area which have been developed by Tidebank Uk Ltd.

Tidebank seeks to provide high quality light industrial and commercial units, with or without mezzanines/offices.

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New office extension in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire
Commercial

New office extension in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire
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PROJECT: New office extension in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire

Troika Eastleigh Properties Ltd commissioned Forum to design an extension to their prestigious multistory office building, Gateway House, at Tollgate, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire.

The extension comprising 500 sqm over two floors, was required to provide new offices and catering facilities for a major corporate client.

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New self-storage buildings in Banbury and Acton
Commercial

New self-storage buildings in Banbury and Acton
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PROJECT: New self-storage buildings in Banbury and Acton

Purpose built self-storage facilities for our client Magenta in Banbury and Acton, offering storage solutions for both private and business use.

The designs for both buildings was led by Magenta's strong corporate colours and the focus on an 'open', welcoming building. 

Self storage originated from the US and is a relatively new industry in the UK. With more than 1000 stores across UK the industry has grown steadily since it's beginnings in the early 1980's and holds the strongest market within Europe.

Albeit the steady growth, a recent survey shows that the industry is still not very well known amongst the public. As a result not only a good location is vital but also the best possible marketing.

The development of the Magenta signage and logo went hand in hand with the building design.

 

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Eastleigh College: Extension and alterations to main campus building
Education

Eastleigh College: Extension and alterations to main campus building
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PROJECT: Eastleigh College: Extension and alterations to main campus building

Eastleigh College provides further education and training to school leavers and students returning to education. Forum Architecture was appointed in the autumn of 2014 to assist the College implement part of its overall property strategy to improve teaching areas, circulation and entrance arrangements to the central campus 1960’s building. Part of the project brief was to also undertake measures to reduce energy consumption and running costs and thereby reduce the College carbon footprint.

Working with the college management team and with the interior design team at Blackpepper Studio the final design solution was tendered to contractors and undertaken throughout the summer to a tightly controlled construction programme. The works were completed in time for the new autumn intake of students.

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New School Hall and classrooms, Southampton
Education

New School Hall and classrooms, Southampton
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PROJECT: New School Hall and classrooms, Southampton

Freemantle Church of England Academy is a larger than average-sized primary school in Southampton providing places for some 320 pupils. In 2015 Forum was commissioned by the Academy to create a robust concept for a new school hall. Located near to the city centre of Southampton and within a busy urban area the Academy was very limited in its possibilities to expand. Careful analysis and cost effective design made it possible to also create two new classrooms.

The much needed bigger school hall now gives the children a lovely big, open and light space in which to eat, celebrate and enjoy music and sports.

The external building facade incorporats vertical larch cladding which allows the new building to viaually nestle in well amongst the existing mature trees which screen the school from a busy nearby commuter road.

Planning consent was secured early on in the project and building works were completed in June 2016.

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Light Industrial Buildings - Daedalus Park - Gosport, Hampshire
Industrial

Light Industrial Buildings - Daedalus Park - Gosport, Hampshire
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PROJECT: Light Industrial Buildings - Daedalus Park - Gosport, Hampshire

This new development on the Daedalus site in Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport plays a significant role in the development of the Gosport Peninsula in creating a place for business and economic growth locally, mainly within the maritime, aviation and manufacturing sectors. With this in mind Tidebank, a property development, investment and management company is developing ‘Daedalus Park’ to provide high quality light industrial and commercial units, with or without mezzanines/offices.

The units offer flexibility and growth opportunities ranging from 1,600 ft2 up to 50,000 ft2. The project is developed in three stages although Tidebank is presently looking to further expand the development to the west of the present site.

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New Depot for Rushmore Borough Council in Farnborough
Industrial

New Depot for Rushmore Borough Council in Farnborough
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PROJECT: New Depot for Rushmore Borough Council in Farnborough

We were pleased to be working together with Neilcott Construction Ltd as lead consultant on this project for new workshops and offices for Rushmore Borough Council. The new depot is to support the Council's waste, recycling and street cleansing service (operated by Serco).

Resolving pre-existing issues such a contamination and a high water level as well as working to a very tight time frame were among the challenges on this project.

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Conversion of Historic Building to Commercial 'Loft' studio, Southampton
Industrial

Conversion of Historic Building to Commercial 'Loft' studio, Southampton
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PROJECT: Conversion of Historic Building to Commercial 'Loft' studio, Southampton

Much of Southampton's historic waterfront consists of warehouses and sail lofts. Unfortunately many are lost though neglect or redevelopment. It takes enlightened clients and a committed team of professionals to breathe life back into such buildings. Once completed however, they are sought after offices and studios with tenants seeking an inspiring working environment ‘with a sea view’.
Forum Architecture is the project architect and is responsible for the supervision of the works on site.

The 19th Century building had a catalogue of defects; fire damage, asbestos, cavity wall tie failure, spalling bricks, leaking roof, deflecting structure, missing and damaged lintels, no insulation, rotting windows and cracked walls. The project focus has been to put right all of the defects and to open up the roof space - as the building was originally designed.

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> How We Work

How We Work

At Forum we aim to contribute to every aspect of the design process with the main focus being upon the end user. We will always be led by the question of how our buildings will be constructed and used to ensure that they provide a safe, stimulating and healthy environment. This approach results in a considered analysis of the brief with regards to the functionality and the environmental impact that any design might have.

Forum: Communicate Contribute
  • How We Work 1

Our understanding of the design process enables us to provide our clients with a thorough service that considers wider cost issues relating to the construction, maintenance and management of the completed buildings.

At Forum we place ourselves at the centre of the design team and endeavour to involve the project consultants from the outset. It is quite common for us to provide advice upon the scope and appointments of the wider professional team.

Team working is vital for any design and construction process and therefore building and strengthening the relationships within the project team is fundamental to our way of working.

Communication plays a key role in these processes. Our drawings and models are the tools we use to effectively communicate with the aim to excel in this regard.

Forum = [from Latin: Public Place]

Historic meaning: a public square or marketplace where judicial activity and public business took place

Today's meaning: the exchange of ideas and views on a particular issue in a meeting or medium such as the internet, television or print media

> Our Team

Our Team

Over 30 years Experience

Forum Architecture was established in 2013 and comprises a team of Architects and Technicians. Our diverse backgrounds complement each other and provide for a dynamic work environment.

Our design office is situated in the city centre overlooking Watts Park and close to Southampton Central Railway Station.

Andrea Bartelt
Dipl Ing Architektur, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany (1997)

Tim Gough
BA Architecture, Birmingham (1996)
Diploma in Professional Studies: Architecture (1998)
Member Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Paul Morris
HNC Building Construction, London (1991) 

Michael Hill
Chartered Quantity Surveyor
Member Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1980)
Member Association for Project Safety

 

> Forum News

We are recruiting!

26th July

Read more >

We have a vacancy for an Architect / Architectural Technician with minimum 5 years experience.

We are seeking to recruit a talented and ambitious person who is looking for an interesting career opportunity.

The position requires a strong technical interest. You will join a well-established team that can offer 1:1 training and first-hand on-site experience.

Ideally you have experience using AutoCad and Revit, as well as possessing very good design, technical and organisational skills.

We expect you to be fluent in English with excellent visual and verbal communication skills.

A driving license is preferred.

An attractive salary will be offered to the right candidate.

We will support you in your ongoing professional development and will pay fees associated with membership of relevant professional bodies.

Our beautiful offices overlook Watts Park in the central business district of Southampton. All the city’s amenities, parks, and transport links are on our doorstep.

We also have shower and changing facilities as well as a secure cycle store should you like to run or cycle to work.

Working hours are normally from 9-5.30, but this can be flexible. We would also consider a hybrid model with 2 days max. worked from home once you are fully embedded in the company.

Our lovely new office

1st July

Read more >
Our lovely new office

Overlooking Watts Park in the Centre of Southampton with all the city’s amenities, parks, and transport links on our doorstep.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new offices.

> Get In Touch

FORUM ARCHITECTURE
Latimer House
5-7 Cumberland Place
Southampton
SO15 2BH
 

T: 023 8154 2555
E: mail@forumarchitecture.co.uk