This project benefitted from Grundy Architectures expert services of:

Our Project Summary

HPE in Ashton-under-Lyne are a leader in precision tooling design and manufacture. There current offices, messing facilities and laboratory had become life-expired and needed replacement whilst not taking up additional shopfloor space.

The solution was to build over two-storeys with a new laboratory and office facility, providing additional space without encroaching on the existing production floor.

A significant challenge was the presence of asbestos to the existing main roof structure and thus any new structure needed to be protected from the asbestos above whilst the works could not be undertaken with disturbance to the asbestos. Working with the structural engineer we presented a solution offering a fully self-contained unit within the factory with its own roof and supporting structure, this was done off the existing factory floor slab resulting in minimal disruption to production.

As can be seen from the images the new office spaces are bright and airy through the incorporation at First Floor of windows overlooking the shopfloor, this also providing part of the fire strategy solution for the development. At Ground Floor the laboratory has a purpose built space with an adjoining office, again with windows out onto the shopfloor.

The access between the floors is provided by a new staircase providing convenient access and fulfilling requirements for rapid escape in the event of an emergency.

We are currently working on Phase II to provide further office and messing space along with universally accessible WCs to the same factory.