Nick Baker Architects took a stand at the Academies Show, Excel, London. This was a fantastic opportunity for NBA to display their expertise in educational projects to a audience intent on converting to Academy School status. ACMF funding is a tricky and time consuming exercise which requires support and qualitative appraisal. NBA were able to establish a wide range of new contacts to assist with their educational projects.

Construction on site at Delancey Street has made good progress over the last month with the final one off site manufactured balconies being craned in. Installation has had to be very careful as the tooth shaped balconies have had to be craned in 'blind'. The job of banksman in this case has been significant as the crane driver has no vision of the location of each installation on the front facade. The balcony units are hung on a counterbalance arm and swung gently into line with the floor that they are on. Specialist installers lie in wait with ropes to pull the balconies in to connect to 4 thermally broken fixing plates. Final installation of glass balustrades takes place when all the fixings have been checked.

Following the successful progression of the design of the one off houses at Rose Hill for developers Acanthus Developments, NBA have been commissioned to design and submit another 400sqm contemporary house for planning approval. This time the project is located close to Great Missenden in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located on Cobblers Hill the site, owned by private individuals, is surrounded by beautiful woodland. Key to the development of the scheme was to fit into the constraints of the AONB and views from the Chiltern Way. The solution has been to provide a scheme that reaches out to the surrounding woodland on a single level, creating transparent facades and terrances to the southerly aspects yet restricting heat gain via solid overhangs. Sedum roofs provide attenuation to the rainwater and additional insulation.

In accordance with the planned programme the Performing Arts Centre at Haydon School has been successfully handed over to the client. The project which had a phased completion schedule was partially handed over at the beginning of the 2013/14 School term. The scheme completes Phase 1 of the works to join the St Mary's and St Nicholas' buildings together. Currently students can be required to travel up to 300m between classes due to buildings being detached. Connecting buildings built in 50 with others built in the 70's and 90's creates its own special set of parameters. Special attention is needed when considering existing Building Reg, insulation and access standards. The completed building boasts recording studios, music rooms and a performance space that have been constructed to the highest standards.

As the design development of the unique houses at Rose Hill in Burnham progress the design team have been able to release the first artist impressions of the materials for the property. The upper levels are to be covered in Western Red Cedar cladding with a stone walled base to the ground floor areas rooting them in their semi rural setting. The rear elevation establishes the key relationship with the garden spaces and gives good opportunities to connect between the inside and the outside spaces

Following a successful start on site the contractor has been able to complete the steelwork and blockwork packages on programme for the completion of this popular and successful Junior School in time for Spring 2014. Currently on a temporary site the pupils have returned to school this autumn with some looking forward to specially organised trips on site to appreciate the nature of a construction project.

In February 2013 NBA were contacted by the new owner of the property at Rosehill, Acanthus Developments, to develop a fresh approach to the site in line with a number of revised design parameters. The resulting design has not only been approved by South Bucks District Council but the approval has been procured 2 weeks early! The new scheme takes on board an alternative approach to the site with large front and back gardens. The resulting form of the new building creates a sold mass that has elements cut out. A large cantilevered first floor at the rear reveals a glazed living room whose doors open up to fully engage with the garden. Construction is set to start on site in the Autumn of 2013.

NBA are delighted to announce that Phase II of the Haydon School Masterplan has gained planning approval. The addition of this 1000sqm addition to the school is set to commence on site in October 2013 following the completion of Phase I. This project will deliver critical covered connections between the Dobson and St Mary's Buildings at all levels for this 12 form of entry school. The new access routes are attached to the replacement of the St Mary's gym which has been identified to be at the end of its lifespan. By lifting the new Activity Hall one floor above the existing ground level valuable covered play area is added to the school's provision. it also acts as a canopied zone next to the entrance to new changing rooms prior to pupils accessing the playing fields to the rear.

As the Delancey Street site in Camden progresses on site the highest point has been reached. This is in tandem with the completion of the concrete frame of the front building. The frame gives a clear view of the stepped design of the infill building which clearly identifies the integral approach of its urban massing

NBA has secured planning approval for the re-building of Christ Church Junior School, New Malden. The successful scheme re-builds the school on the existing site, surrounded by residential development. Due to the restrictive site, careful consideration was given to internal school circulation, site permeability and streetscape. The resulting building is a clear, concise and efficient design solution that has been restricted by a 15% cut in funding from central government due to current fiscal education policies. The proposed scheme includes provisions such as solar panels and an air source heat pump, to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards.

NBA have completed the first stage of the Refurbishment of the Austrian Embassy at 18 Belgrave Square, London. The overall project will see the Grade I listed building upgraded in a number of areas in order to reduce the heat loss and thus improve the thermal efficiency of the 1824 building. Additional measures such as the inclusion of solar thermal panels on the roof of the historic building will add renewable energy resources to the existing building services. The refurbishment of the external facade was the first stage in the project. This included the installation of external floodlighting. The Grosvenor Estate have taken particular interest in this project as it sets a precedent for how they might continue lighting throughout Belgrave Square.

With the start of the new academic school term come a selection of projects that are completed at NBA. The small halls project at St Bede's school surrey has successfully been carried out to provide valuable new accommodation to the school. The project was constructed using the CLT construction method which enabled the main building frame to be erected in just 5 days. The clerestory lighting provided between the large Glu lam beams to the roof provide for an excellent use of natural daylight to these utility use halls. A stretched fabric acoustic sheeting was installed to address the acoustic issues in such spaces. Legal and Policies © 2026 Nick Baker Architects. All Rights Reserved. See our Privacy Policy