80's And 90's

60's & 70's | 2000+

· 1983: Installed fully floating studios for Signal Radio (Stoke-on-Trent) to combat noise and vibration from the nearby main-line railway. Acknowledged by the IBA, the studio design passed all their acoustic criteria tests: this was the initial application of jacked-up spring mounted studios, a design used many times since for demanding situations and applications

· 1985: Ocean Sound's founding consortium involved VA in the development of their concept to bring commercial radio to the Southampton/ Portsmouth/Fareham area

· Following the award of the licence, Eddie worked with David Lucas (Ocean's MD) to deliver the concept, finding and designing the premises and working with Ocean to help them become the first UK commercial radio station to broadcast 24/7 from day one. Ocean became a success story: the first radio station to be opened by Royalty (HRH Prince Charles) and to turn a million pounds profit in its first year

· 1991: Carlton Television won the London mid-week television broadcast licence and engaged Eddie and his team to advise on premises, studios and facilities. The challenge was great because the incumbent, Thames Television, provided the national television switching centre: this had to be relocated and there was only one year from award date to having everything complete and ready to go. Carlton commenced broadcasting on time and set new standards in television quality using digital systems

· 1992: Classic FM, the UK's first national commercial radio station - VA was responsible for the design of the studios, technical areas and all building services. The services designs included the first fully integrated VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) air conditioning system to reuse waste heat from the studios to heat the offices, maintaining comfortable conditions throughout the seasons with no CO2 emissions and significant operating economy

· 1993: Design and build was in demand and, to commence their national service, Virgin Radio needed studios built within ten weeks at their Golden Square premises. The building presented new challenges: the studios were to be on the third floor and weight loading was not good. VA developed designs using dry lightweight materials to achieve the goals and these techniques have subsequently become widely used in studio construction

· 1997: Piccadilly Radio - first relocation of a major commercial radio station. Being key to the northwest and the EMAP Group, no loss of airtime was a critical factor in planning. The relocation provided opportunity to focus the Group activities and the new premises became the corporate radio headquarters

· 1998: The EMAP Group purchased Melody Radio and rebranded it Magic. VA relocated Magic to EMAP's Tottenham Court Road premises: a particularly difficult building having very limited floor loadings, little space for studios or services and (because there were existing tenants) no daytime working

· BRMB (part of the Capital Radio Group) used the skills and expertise of VA to orchestrate and manage their relocation to prestige premises in the heart of Birmingham's revitalised city area. Challenges ranged from negotiating antenna and satellite space on the roof of the building and incorporating a standby generator in the basement to integrating the station into a prestigious building in harmony with the owners and other tenants

· 1999: Radio City - top of the Tower in Liverpool. Radio City decided to relocate to St John's Beacon (Liverpool's Post Office Tower) and appointed VA to design the studios and project manage the operation. Working closely with Phil Tottey and the professional team of Weightman & Bullen (architects), Thornton Firkin (QS), Land Securities (landlord) and the Local Authority, the project was successfully delivered with enviable prominence and magnificent panoramic views