Community
Community buildings were the specialisation of Comtechsa and we have a 30 year history of involvement in consultation, funding, planning management and construction of this building type across the North West. Each building we have designed is created and in collaboration with a wide range of Community and Voluntary groups and all of them are unique to the commissioning partners and the result of many hours consultation to ensure that they are highly responsive to need and operation.
We generally provide a service that initially seeks to define the key organisational parameters in relation to use, business plan, funding, sustainability, and running costs at the concept stage and then go on to develop sketch designs with the clients input. Very often we have the involvement of external funders and support agencies so have developed specific expertise in the process and documentation required to make these projects successful.
Some of the projects mentioned below were carried out under the auspices of Comtechsa Ltd. G Squared Architecture remains involved with several of these clients.
Garston Adventure Playground upgraded its building ni 2024 with improved energy efficiency and additional facilities to meet the needs of the 21st century.
Exterior wall insulation and improved roof insulation will cut its fuel bills. We took the chance to add PV generation from the roof. A big new porch means that kids (and their parents) can be better greeted as they come to the playground in (almost) all weathers. Many of the rooms worked quite well enough, but the finishes have been upgraded. They wanted a bigger kitchen so that many kids can cook together.
(Links to BIMx)
Pagoda Arts Centre. Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and has a longstanding community centre to match - host to the country's premier Chinese orchestra among other things. But there is little space for rehearsals, and none of the facilities needed to offer a good performance venue. This scheme inserts a new floor, and a new entrance to provide a good base. (Links to BIMx)
Pagoda Arts Centre. Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and has a longstanding community centre to match - host to the country's premier Chinese orchestra among other things. But there is little space for rehearsals, and none of the facilities needed to offer a good performance venue. This scheme inserts a new floor, and a new entrance to provide a good base. (Links to BIMx)
Pakistan Association Liverpool (PAL) upgraded its building in 2016 with improvements to the building fabric and internal changes to give it a place in the banqueting market. (Designed by Galib & Dai under Comtechsa.)
Litherland Youth & Community Centre was reconfigured and upgraded including improved insulation and an array of rooftop photovoltaic panels.
(Designed by Galib & Dai under Comtechsa.)
The Floating Grace was commissioned as a third-sector tourism venture - intended to open up interest in the canal through north Liverpool. Itr was built from scratch to a deign that includes full wheelchair access and a top-notch kitchen.
(Designed by Dai under Comtechsa.)
Glaciere Dive School. Set up in Walton to provide training in diving (for work or pleasure) to disadvantaged young people.
(Designed by Dai under Comtechsa.)
