Architectural design services

Tender description

Southend Borough Council is seeking to bring together an experienced and appropriately qualified Architect-led design team with outstanding design and detailing skills to take forward the Thames Estuary Museum Project in Southend-on-Sea. The Council now wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Architect-led design team to: — review the existing scheme against an updated set of client requirements including redesign proposals, where necessary, and the submission of an amended planning application/information, as required (RIBA Work Stage 3 1 Developed Design), — complete a full technical design of the approved scheme, modelled and designed to BIM Level 2 (RIBA Work Stage 4 — Technical Design). The Council received Conditional Planning Permission for a new museum in the Cliffs Gardens on 18.7.2012 (Application Number 12/00317/BC3M), and the permission has been enacted through the completion of stabilisation works. The approved scheme included the following uses: — 230 space multi-storey car park — for use by visitors to museum and seafront, — 377 m2 Museum shop and retail (Class A1), — 10 023 m2 Museum (Class D1), — 392 m2 Planetarium (Class D1) and multi-function space, — 598 m2 Restaurant (Class A3), and — 257 m2 Cafe (Class A3). This scheme had an estimated build cost of between GBP 35 000 000 and GBP 40 000 000 which will be subject to review. A key element of the redesign will be a focus on providing a cohesive and interactive visitor experience. This will be expected to showcase artefacts ranging from those associated with the Anglo-Saxon tomb discovered in 2003 through to local shipwrecks including the London. A number of these displays will require a specialised environment, such as humidity and light controls, including meeting the requirements of the Government Indemnity Scheme. The design team will therefore be required to include a specialist Museum Design Adviser role to develop the exhibition spaces and ensure the building optimises the display of artefacts, provides interactive zones and meets all specialised design requirements. The initial appointment will be for RIBA Work Stage 3 with RIBA Work Stage 4 then being confirmed subject to planning approval and an acceptable cost plan. It is planned that the scheme will be taken forward in two construction phases. Phase 1 will include the car park and other elements aligned with the car park floors. Phase 2 will then incorporate the core museum elements alongside the restaurant, café and planetarium. The technical design must, therefore, enable the scheme to be delivered in these phases. Should Phase 1 of the project then be taken forward the design team would be retained at the Council’s sole discretion through to RIBA Plan of Works 2013 Stage 7, whilst it is also envisaged that the design team would be retained to progress Phase 2 when funding is secured. The initial appointment will be for RIBA Work Stage 3 with RIBA Work Stage 4 then being confirmed subject to planning approval and an acceptable cost plan. The estimated contract value is based on RIBA Stages 3 and 4 for the entire scheme.