Contents 1. Background 1.1 Dance4 Who we are 1.2 Why do we need a home? 1.3 The Nottingham Creative Village 1.4 Where will the Nottingham Creative Village be? 1.5 Regeneration through Dance & Creativity 2. The Challenge 3. How will we appoint? 4. Your Pre Qualification Submission 5. Contacts 2
Background Dance4 who we are We are an internationally recognised, experimental dance organisation. We are a unique voice in the UK dance sector; our work supports artists and practitioners who are interested in the development of dance within performance and learning environments. We are a driven, creative and imaginative organisation; we dare to go where others have not been before. As experienced producers in the field of experimental dance and performance, we support artists who are interested in challenging boundaries. As a result we nurture and promote some of the most exciting and innovative work currently being developed. Our primary work is about critical debate, challenge and exploration, supporting the very development of our art form. We do this work in many contexts, from the formal performance space extending to community and education settings. Each year, the shop window to our work comes in the form of nottdance; a snapshot into the international, experimental dance and performance scene for audiences and artists alike. This year was the most successful in the history of nottdance, selling more tickets than ever before. We view this as the evidence of the growing popularity of both Dance4 and dance in general. We are a treasured organisation locally and have been described as The feather in Nottingham s cultural cap by The Times. Why we need a new home We are currently based in the uppers floors of a building in the Hockley area of Nottingham. Our home has been remodelled to meet its day-to-day operational needs, however it is not ideal we only have space for one dance studio and have limited public access to the facilities. Whilst we have a nostalgic attachment to our beloved home we realise its shortcomings and are committed to moving on to more fit for purpose and inspiring facilities. In order to grow as an organisation there is a recognised need for a new home for Dance4 that: Provides at least one additional Dance Studio Has greater accessibility Has modern, improved and practical facilities Has a greater presence 3
The Nottingham Creative Village In exploring our own accommodation solutions the concept of a Nottingham Creative Village (NCV) emerged. The NCV would comprise one or more buildings that provide all that Dance4 would need as well as facilities for a variety of other creative businesses. The vision for the NCV is for a centre of local, regional, national and international significance that provides facilities for performance artists and other creative people to make new work. It would not be a digital or a media centre nor somewhere where people primarily go to see performances; it would be primarily a production facility and space for experimentation and rehearsal, generating new ideas and creative output. We believe that the co-location of Dance4 with creative businesses will allow a range of spin-off creative benefits. Initial thoughts on the content of the building have included: A reception area Two rehearsal/performance studios (one with provision for 60 spectators) and a community studio Meeting and training facilities A café bar/ exhibition space providing both the opportunity for refreshment and relaxation and a communal space to bring together everyone in the NCV to encourage ideas sharing and joint working Storage and changing areas Resource library and study space Temporary living accommodation for artists Dance4 offices Affordable start up and move on space for creative businesses (with businesses able to make use of the NCV s meeting rooms, reception, cafe etc) Initial feasibility work has indicated that a development of around 4,150 sq m would be appropriate at a capital cost of 10m+. It should be emphasised that this list of content, size and cost is merely to provide you with an idea of the type and scale of facility. We are currently reviewing our requirements for the building that we will outline to you within the Design Brief should you be one of the short-listed architects (see below). 4
In September 2009 Dance4 was awarded funding from the Greater Nottingham Partnership to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the NCV concept. The feasibility study will need to be completed by April 2010 and will incorporate a design solution for the NCV. Whilst the delivery of the project will be reliant on funding from partner organisations, which is not guaranteed, there is clear evidence of a political will to make the NCV happen. In order to deliver the scheme the NCV may need to be delivered in phases in order to access funding as it becomes available. Where will the NCV be? Our preferred location for the NCV is a site on Brook Street in the Sneinton area of Nottingham, on the edge of the City Centre. We are currently in negotiations with the landowner Nottingham City Council regarding securing this site and anticipate having an interest in the site confirmed by the time we issue the Design Brief to short-listed firms (see below). Figure 1 below provides an aerial view of the preferred site. Figure 1 The potential site on Brook Street / The Sneinton Area 5
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Regeneration through Dance and Creativity The Sneinton area in which the Brook Street site sits is somewhat run-down at present but is earmarked for extensive regeneration. A range of partners, including Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Regeneration Ltd see Dance4 and the NCV being one of the cornerstones of an emerging creative urban environment in Sneinton. Other plans for the area include a new swimming baths / leisure centre, on the site of the existing Victoria Leisure Centre, including a new civic square linking the new baths to the Sneinton Market, itself planned for future regeneration. The NCV and wider regeneration plans for Sneinton are also important in supporting regeneration plans for St Ann s, a deprived ward / housing estate on the edge of the City Centre. The challenge We are now at the stage when we need to turn our vision for the NCV into a set of design proposals for one or more building(s). This will not be easy as the concept and location present several architectural challenges. For example: How do you design a building that provides a professional environment of the highest quality for creative people and yet is not exclusive or elitist? How do you design the NCV so that it exudes vibrancy, creativity and stands out and yet respects and integrates with the existing urban area? How do you design a building (or series of buildings) that ensures the maximum level of integration between its users and a coherent and integrated whole, particularly when these buildings may be delivered at different times given the tight financial climate? We hope that these challenges above excite you in the same way that they do us. This will be a project of exceptional local, regional, national and international significance. In order to meet these challenges we are seeking an architect who: Shares our passion for creativity and the project Understands both the requirements of professional dance practitioners and creative businesses Can provide innovative solutions Can design a building / collection of buildings that meets the needs of all its users Will be 100% committed to this project, submerge themselves in the culture of our organisation and provide a design solution that reflects Dance4 s unique ambition 7
Understands the regeneration context and can work successfully with a broad range of stakeholders, including the local community Has a genuine desire to see responsible building play its part in tackling climate change How we will appoint an architect At this stage we have a relatively modest budget of 15,000 to prepare a set of initial design proposals by April 2010 that will form part of a wider feasibility study and be used for: A range of stakeholder and community consultations A range of funding bids and negotiations with prospective occupiers The reason we have chosen the OJEU route for this procurement process is so that we can then work with our chosen lead architect to deliver some or all of the proposed buildings as funding is secured. Our aim through this process is to form a lasting relationship with an architect. To select the best architect for this job at this initial stage we are seeking responses to this PQQ by 17:00 on Friday 11 December 2009. We will use these responses to compile a short-list of five architects who we will then invite to take part in a design competition starting in early January 2010. Our intention is to confirm who have been shortlisted and further details about the next stage of the process prior to Christmas, to run the design competition / tender process through January and into February and select a preferred architect by end February 2010. At this stage we will not be compensating any unsuccessful firms for any time or money spent on preparing their Pre-Qualification Submission (see below). At the next, design competition, stage however we will make available 2,500 for each of the four unsuccessful firms to contribute towards any costs associated with preparing their designs (e.g. the production of CGI s). Recognising that we have very particular requirements about the experience of the chosen architect we are prepared to receive Pre Qualification Submissions from consortia of architects / designers that together can demonstrate the necessary experience. Whilst prior experience of working together will not be essential it will be beneficial and you will also have to satisfy us of the benefits of a consortium approach. 8
Your Pre Qualification Submission In order that we can compile a shortlist we would like you to provide, on no more than 12 A3 pages (including illustrations) a response to the questions below. Note only the first 12 pages received will be considered. 1. What experience do you have of designing and building high quality spaces for professional dance activity? 2. What experience do you have of cultural and artistic led regeneration projects? 3. What experience do you have of designing a multi-use building that encourages creative output, including workspace for businesses in the creative industries? 4. What experience do you have of delivering buildings alongside other architects within the same masterplan / project? 5. What experience do you have of delivering phased /linked buildings? 6. How would you respond to working with an artist as part of the design team and what value do you think they would add? 7. What experience do you have of working within a similar local regeneration context? 8. What experience have you of designing buildings to high / exemplary environmental standards? 9. What was the turnover and operating profit for your organisation for each of the last three years (If you have not been in existence for three years please state this in your response, this question is not meant to preclude such firms from this competition. Please also note that we do not want full accounts at this stage, simply an indication of turnover/profit levels. Please also provide any other information that will satisfy us that you have the necessary financial standing to see through not only this commission (until April 2010) but critically the development of the NCV over the coming years. 10. Please confirm all appropriate details of your Professional Indemnity Insurance, Public Liability and Employer s Liability Insurance policies and satisfy us that these are adequate for a project of this scale. Please also confirm that there are no recent / pending claims that would affect Dance4 s assessment of your suitability for this role. 11. Please confirm that your firm has no conflicts of interest in terms of existing contracts or employee / family relationships with Dance4 or any of its key partners (the Arts Council for England, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Regeneration Ltd, Greater Nottingham Partnership or East Midlands Development Agency). 9
12. Please confirm that there are no previous or current financial / legal situations about which Dance4 needs to be aware in assessing your suitability for this role (e.g. decisions regarding financial administration pending). 13. (Applicable only to consortia) How is your consortium to be structured? What experience does your consortium have of working together previously? What benefits will a consortium approach bring? We will score the answers to the above questions as follows: Questions 1 to 3 - Experience of dance / creative projects: 40% Questions 4 to 6 - Experience of different approaches to design: 30% Questions 7 and 8 - Experience of designing in context: 20% Questions 9 to 13 Financial / legal information: 10% You will see from the criteria the relative importance we attach to different aspects of potential architects experience and in turn what we are looking for in our chosen architect. The assessment will be undertaken by a Selection Panel comprising of representatives of Dance4 s Board and Directors, our development managers Eye, partner agencies and an architect and/or artist. We want you to provide answers that inspire us and make us believe that you are the best architect for the job. We will be basing our assessment only on the information supplied and will not be undertaking site visits or taking up references at this stage of the competition so it is critical that you give us a complete picture of your experience and credentials within your submission. The decision reached by the Selection Panel will be final. Dance4 / the Selection Panel will not be bound to select any proposal / award a contract at the end of this process if it is not satisfied with the overall quality of submissions made. Respondents should provide 10 printed copies of their response and one electronic copy (memory stick or CD acceptable). 10
Contacts All responses should be titled NCV Architect Pre Qualification Submission sent and addressed to: Rachel Emmett General Manager Dance4 Hockley Nottingham NG1 1FH Any queries in the meantime should be directed to Rachel@dance4.co.uk. Please note that in keeping with the principles of an OJEU competition, the answers to all questions may be shared with other bidders at Dance4 s discretion. This will be done by publishing them on Dance4 s website. Thank you for spending the time thus far to explore this opportunity and we look forward to receiving your response in due course. 11