Construction of new production and education facility and refurbishment of listed buildings at Bernard Leach Pottery, St Ives

Over the next three years the Leach Pottery will undertake a major expansion and redevelopment which includes the construction of a new environmentally sustainable learning centre and production studio.

The existing museum and gallery shop will be re-imagined and updated and there will be a new central entrance surrounded by a landscaped courtyard where visitors will be able to sit take refreshments and watch potters at work.

Dow Jones Architects have designed a building reflecting the Leach Pottery's history and Cornish location that will provide 500 sqm of new and 837sqm refurbished space to support increased pottery production, learning and participation and improved visitor experience.

The development will provide St Ives with a world-class living heritage site, which will:

 Create a community hub where people can develop their creativity, improve their wellbeing, support each other and bring clay to life through learning opportunities

 Create year - round jobs through apprenticeships training and increased pottery production

 Conserve the Grade II listed buildings onsite and create a more resilient organisation

 Attract off season tourism to St Ives through increased museum visitors and commercial course participants

The Leach Pottery has been a destination for training and creative exchange since its founding in 1920. The capital development of the site will secure the continuation of this reputation nationally and internationally with an increased focus on providing access to clay for Cornish communities.

The works consist of:

• The demolition of the existing education building and the construction of a new 500sqm education and production facility targeting net zero carbon in operation.
• The refurbishment and repairs to the Grade 2 listed Pottery Cottage and Museum buildings which house the original Bernard Leach Studio, workshops and kiln room.
• The remodelling and refurbishment of the 2008 Production facility into an extension of the existing museum and exhibition space.

The project is funded by Town Deal and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The works will be procured under a Traditional Route utilising a two-stage procedure. The first stage tender will be contracted using the JCT Pre-Construction Services Agreement 2016 and the main contract using the JCT Standard Building Contract 2016.

The first stage will invite the successful tenderer to provide advice on buildability, programme, sequencing and supply chain viability. It will also incorporate an enabling works package to execute sewer diversions, surface water drainage installation, gas meter relocation and the construction of temporary structures to protect the ongoing production operations at the pottery.

The tenderers are advised that the site will remain active throughout the contract works with production operations, shop and education expected to continue throughout the construction works. A phasing plan has been included within the tender documentation to demonstrate how this may be achieved.

Tenderers will return prices on the basis of the RIBA Stage 3 design information while the RIBA Stage 4 detailed design is in progress. You will be expected to confirm and fix your preliminaries and Overheads and Profit percentage as part of the first stage submission.

The successful tenderer will work with the project team through the remainder of the stage 4 process to develop a detailed design and construction phase plan which can be fully costed with input from the supply chain. A fixed price for the Works will be confirmed during the Second stage.