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Approved inspectors

Compliance with building regulations is sometimes seen as an annoying layer of bureaucracy to be disposed of as cheaply as possible. Oculus, however, believe passionately that the provision of building control significantly improves building standards. Oculus provides a high quality, professional building control service that meets the needs, and aspirations of its clients whilst ensuring compliance. By becoming involved in the early stages of a project clients avoid expensive, abortive design work and the experienced consultants ensure a smooth transition from design through to construction on site.  Oculus is a member of the ACAI and through their membership have signed up to the Building Control Performance Standards and provide a service well in excess of the minimum recognised standards.

Oculus lead the way in providing a professional, efficient and cost-effective building control service

Oculus invests heavily in training to ensure the team has a full, in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the discipline.  This combined with a passion, commitment and enthusiasm ensures the best possible service for their clients.  As a result they are able to bring real innovation and an enlightened approach to the Design Team.

As a Corporate Approved Inspector, Oculus, lead the way in providing a professional, efficient and cost effective building control service with many benefits and advantages over the service traditionally provided by the Local Authority including:

  • A flexible and non-bureaucratic approach to the privatised building control system.
  • Early involvement - Oculus are strong advocates of being available for early consultation on projects to avoid abortive design work, delays and potential conflicts.  As an integral member of the Design Team they give guidance on Building Regulations related matters at an early stage ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction on site.
  • A single point of contact regardless of the location of the project, simplifying project administration and aiding communication.
  • Knowledgeable and consistent interpretation of the Building Regulations and allied legislation.  This is particularly valuable for multiple retail outlets and other repetitive applications where consistency of approach is helpful and lends itself to ‘type-approvals’ for standard designs.
  • Competitive fees that are realistic to adequately resource the project – they do not provide unrealistically competitive fees purely to win the project without consideration of resourcing.
  • Structural design checked in-house by an experienced Structural Engineer.
  • A wealth of experience on establishing principles on important matters such as fire strategy and fire engineering approaches to fire safety.
  • Stage approvals where by design information is made available on a rolling programme. Oculus’s building control system gives greater flexibility as there are no bureaucratic statutory time limits.
  • Site inspections carried out qualified Chartered Building Control Surveyors during construction of the project undertaken at a frequency to suit the complexity and the construction programme.Experience and expertise in applying the Building Regulations to historic buildings.

CASE STUDY
Astley Castle

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. Throughout its history the site has been owned by no less than three Queens of England.

The Landmark Trust boldly set out to reinstate occupancy of Astley Castle in a manner appropriate for the 21st century.  After careful recording, those parts of the building beyond pragmatic repair were taken down.  By inserting a groundbreaking modern holiday home into the shell of the ancient castle, the architects, Witherford Watson Mann, were able to both stabilise the ruin and create the next layer of the building’s history.  The results showcase how modern architecture can be unashamedly but sympathetically stitched into ancient fabric to significant effect.

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CASE STUDY
Pangbourne College

The new build Harding Communications Centre at Pangbourne College designed by Mitchell Taylor Workshop combines a music school and ICT facility together under one roof and won the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA South Regional Award 2014. The building was designed to the BREEAM Excellent Standard and uses ‘Passivhaus’ principles with a continuous line of insulation over composite construction. 

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CASE STUDY
University of Hertfordshire

  • Refurbishment and alterations of the Hutton Building and Hutton Hall, including multi-storey new-build Hutton-Hub student zone.
  • Refurbishment and extension of Prince Edward Hall.

To the design of Vincent and Gorbing and construction by Contractor Morgan Sindall in association with Stride Treglown as executive architects , the works included an extensive refurbishment of Prince Edward Hall to form a new Learning Zone and Refreshment Space. The end result is a stylish timber lined informal study and meeting area for students adjacent to a new café and seating area. Externally the building has been granite clad.

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