Assent and Oculus - A new era

Oculus Building Consultancy are proud to announce the acquisition of the company by Assent Building Control. Assent are one of the foremost building control bodies in the country and have developed a reputation for service provision that is second to none.

Picture credit: JZA Photography

Oculus Prize 2018

Oculus Building Consultancy is delighted to announce that Madhushree Bose is the recipient of the 2018 Oculus Prize.

Gloucester Cathedral - Project Pilgrim

Following on from the innovative use of solar panels on the roof, the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Project Pilgrim at Gloucester Cathedral is an exemplary example of providing universal access to a major historic building of international importance.

Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS)

Oculus are delighted to have been appointed as Approved Inspector for the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, being built by the University of Bath at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in South Gloucestershire.

FINAL REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND FIRE SAFETY

The final report of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety was published on Thursday 17th May 2018.

RNHRD & Therapies Centre - Bath

Oculus has been appointed as Approved Inspector for the construction of the new Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and Therapies Centre. Construction started in November 2017, and Oculus has been in regular consultation with the Design Team as well as making visits to the project.

Airbus Wing Integration Centre project - Filton nr. Bristol

One of the most complex undertakings at the site occurred at the end of 2017 with the concrete pour that took place to create the ‘strong floor’.

Interim Report for the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety

In the aftermath of Grenfell, the Interim Report for the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety by Dame Judith Hackitt was released in December 2017. The headline from the review is that “the whole system of regulation, covering what is written down and the way in which it is enacted in practice, is not fit for purpose”.

Oculus European Study Trip Prize

Winners of The Oculus European Study Trip Project Prize for the 3rd year Architectural Studies course.

Oculus Prize 2017

From 2007 Oculus Building Consultancy has presented an annual prize of £250 to the highest performing student successfully completing the MSc Course - Conservation of Historic Buildings.

Lacock Abbey Courtyard Tea-Room

The new courtyard tearooms welcome visitors into the heart of the Abbey.

Belton House - Stables

We have recently been appointed by the National Trust to assist with repair and alteration works to the Grade I listed Stables building at Belton House.This will convert unused areas of the building to accommodate an extended café facility and an education room.

Marwell Zoo

Works are well underway at the new S-shaped Tropical House. The translucent EFTA membrane is up and beautifully supported by the curved steel frame.

Rosenberg House Reopening

On Tuesday 31st January Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall came to celebrate the reopening of the newly mordernised almhouse, Rosenberg House.

Oculus Prize 2016

Winners of The Oculus European Study Trip Project Prize for the 3rd year Architectural Studies course.

2017 Civic Trust Awards - Regional Finalist

The Art and Design Building at Somerset College has been shortlisted as a Regional Finalist in the 2017 Civic Trust Awards, currently shortlisted as 1 of 8 buildings in the South West Region.

Gloucester Cathedral

As part of our ongoing work at the cathedral, we are proud to be part of Project Pilgrim's great endeavour to help reduce the cathedral’s annual energy costs by 25% by adorning it with 200 solar panels.

Westerleigh Crematorium

Oculus are currently providing Building Control services for four new crematorium for the Westerleigh Group, with a further three currently at design stage.

Morelands & Riverdale

Oculus are proud to be part of the ongoing project to transform two grade II listed Victorian pumping stations into state of the art research laboratory space.

Monkey Island, Bray

A new YTL Hotel project at Monkey Island, located on the River Thames near the village of Bray. Monkey Island Hotel aims to create a unique and exceptional experience.

Oculus Prizes

Winners of The Oculus European Study Trip Project Prize for the 3rd year Architectural Studies course and the recipient of The Oculus Prize 2015, for the most successful student on the MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings course.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa

The Gainsborough building situated in the heart of Bath was formerly part of City of Bath College. A Grade II listed building from the Georgian period designed by John Pinch the Elder. The conversion to a 5* hotel presented many challenges.

Apex Hotels

We are excited to be working with Ian Springford Architects and Apex Hotels to provide the Building Control services for the construction of a new 4* luxury hotel in central Bath

Tudor Cottage rises from the ashes

Tudor Cottage in Sutton, Oxfordshire dates from the 17th century and was extensively damaged by fire in 2012. The building was constructed with an oak frame built off a masonry substructure. The thatched roof caught fire causing extensive damage to the roof and upper floors.

Airbus Aerospace Park, Filton

We are delighted to have provided our services as Approved Inspectors for two fascinating projects at the Airbus Aerospace Park in Filton.

Education and Awards

Oculus were pleased to have assisted the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath again this year with lectures and studio tutorials. The End of Year Show at the University again demonstrated that architecture is in safe hands.

Astley Castle wins RIBA Stirling Prize

A 12th-century fortified manor which had been lying in ruins since a fire in 1978, Astley Castle had seen additions and revisions carried out in almost every century since Medieval times. In inserting a groundbreaking modern holiday home into the original castle, the architects, Witherford Watson Mann, were able to both stabilise the ruin and create the next layer of the building’s history.

The National Trust

Last year saw the completion of major alterations to the main house at Tyntesfield near Bristol, which went on to win several awards, including the RIBA South West Conservation Award 2012. Oculus also provided services as Approved Inspectors to works at Chedworth Roman Villa near Cirencester, winner of the RIBA South West Regional Award for 2013.