Pick Everard designs new West Midlands prison

Leading architectural and engineering practice Pick Everard has won a contract with Kier Build to design and construct a new-build, environmentally high-performing prison for the Ministry of Justice.

The prison will be built at Featherstone, West Midlands, and will have a construction value in excess of GBP150million.

Working with Kier Build, Pick Everard Architects and Structural and Civil Engineers will transform a brownfield site next to the current HMP Featherstone.

The male only prison near Wolverhampton will accommodate over 1,600 prisoners on land previously used by the Ministry of Defence for a light munitions factory.

Selected for its proven prison design capability and operational knowledge, Pick Everard also recently celebrated the completion of the Keppel Unit at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institute, in Wetherby, Yorkshire.

The new prison will start to take shape towards the end of the year and is being designed to meet the environmental and sustainability requirements demanded for custodial properties.

Completion in phases will see two housing blocks and ancillary facilities opened in spring 2012, and a third house block ready in summer 2012.

Pick Everard's design strategy for the new prison includes using prefabricated and modular construction and is similar to that applied at the Keppel Unit.

Lean construction techniques will be used as part of the focus on sustainability.

Prefabricated and precast components will be sourced and manufactured as close to the site as possible, reducing traffic travelling to and from the site.

The new facility incorporates three main house blocks and support facilities, including a first night unit, healthcare and substance misuse facilities, skills workshops, library and multi-faith facilities.

Buildings will be designed with abundant natural daylight and natural ventilation.

Central to the site design is a pedestrian spine along which all buildings are located.

A route for delivery vehicles keeps the spine traffic-free.

Plans also include numerous sporting facilities, including a gym, sports and five-a-side football pitches, as well as farms and gardens for recreation and food production.

David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard comments, "The brief from the Ministry of Justice is for all new prison buildings to be as energy-efficient as possible, both in construction and throughout their operational life.

We're delighted to have been appointed for our design capability and expertise in meeting these prison service requirements.

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