Simons Design

Simons Design, part of the Simons Group, is an architectural practice specialising in retail fit-out, commercial and town centre mixed-use developments. There are 29 staff including Architects, designers, technicians and administration. 

The Practice has an ongoing commitment of 100 hours each year to Pro-Bono work. Other projects include a Masterplanning scheme for Rutland Railway and a new extension at Sturton-by-Stow Village Hall, but as Hill Holt Wood is the most significant ProHelp project carried out this year Simons Design consciously donated 60 extra hours so that it did not dilute the involvement in other projects.

Simons Design team worked with Hill Holt Wood project managers, staff and the winning student team from Lincoln University to develop the scheme to submit from planning approval and further developed the scheme with Lindum Construction and Ward Cole Structural Engineers, both Lincoln based companies, towards the Building Control Submission.

The work or project included research into innovative construction techniques and materials being integrated with current legislation. The architects involved in this project volunteered their services and have been given the full support of directors to carry out the work involved alongside regular commitments.

Simons Design set out to treat ProHelp clients with the same diligence and professionalism they would offer in their normal work. The Hill Holt Wood Board acknowledged the huge impact Simons Design's input had in the development of their eco-build, in particular the team’s skills and knowledge and the sensitive way they have dealt with their demands as a client.

Promotion of the project within has helped to raise awareness of a variety of environmental issues particularly in terms of materials, construction techniques and self-sufficiency. It is hoped that the continuing involvement in the project will allow site visits for employees throughout the group to observe the innovative construction techniques.  Beyond completion of the project it is hoped that Simons Group will be able to utilise the venue for a number of events.

The project reached a wider audience during a ceremony when the first sod was turned by the Bishop on Lincoln. It is hoped that further coverage in monthly architectural press will also be published as the construction phase continues.

Simons Group is keen to continue its involvement with the Social Enterprise initiative with Hill Holt Wood and is exploring different options for this with the Hill Holt Wood Management team.

A peer reviewed paper has been published in CIQ, journal of the CIOB (Construction Information Quarterly 2007  9 (1), detailing the collaborative approach taken with Hill Holt Wood and Students and Staff at Lincoln University.

Simons Design has benefited from the publicity about its involvement in the project and the learning and networking with the University. However this collaboration has allowed learning to be applied to work for fee paying clients, which is both of benefit to the profile of Simons Design but more importantly reaches out to a wide range of commercial businesses with the potential to make significant improvements in their environmental impact too. Within the business it has raised awareness of Business in the Community initiatives such as the “Partners in Reading” in primary schools and supported local and national charities raising money via sponsored group activities

“Simons Design has been a fundamental partner in progressing the Woodland Community Hall project at Hill Holt Wood. Both partners have had a desire to achieve excellence and to provide a facility at Hill Holt Wood that benefits the communities of Lincolnshire as well as those farther a field who are interested in sustainable development, community design and countryside management. Far beyond simply offering their services for a charity project, Simons Design has embraced both the social enterprise ethic and the desire to develop a flagship environmentally sustainable building. We believe that the extremely supportive working relationship that has developed between Simons Design and Hill Holt Wood, is a model of the achievements that can be accomplished via innovative partnerships between large construction company's and smaller enterprises”. Karen Lowthrop, Project Director, Hill Holt Wood.