Carlisle, Cumbria

Appointed by Pirelli Tyres, Architects Plus assisted in the design and construction of new factory buildings at their existing tyre production site in Carlisle, Cumbria.

The initial appointment developed the brief to determine the size of each building that would enclose new tyre making equipment.  The lead to the submission and approval of the necessary planning applications and discharge of their associated planning conditions.  The practice were subsequently appointed by the main contractor under a Design & Build contract to prepare construction packages.

Our involvement required the co-ordination of the proposals to assist the client, contractor and structural engineer.  The input also required a review of the fire strategy with the client’s fire consultant.

The completed development includes a 90 metre long portal frame extension for rubber extruding equipment linked to the existing production factory, and a more complex 30 metre tall three storey building, to enclose new rubber mixing equipment.

Design considerations included the lift and stair cores, adjacent fire escape stairs and ‘ships ladders’ providing access to ‘carbon black’ pipework. A series of technical reviews were required that included consideration of the type of wall constructions for exceptionally tall partition heights, fire resistance requirements and differing room temperatures.