Austin-Smith: Lord Uncovers Victorian Warehouse

The issue: Liverpool-based Austin-Smith:Lord architects wanted to raise their profile among key decision-makers across the North West, with the intention of making Austin-Smith:Lord the first choice for developers working on high-profile projects across the region.

The objectives: In 2008 Austin-Smith:Lord began redevelopment work on a Victorian workhouse on Stockport College's campus. English Heritage backed the redevelopment scheme, which will see the workhouse transformed into staff accommodation and a welcome centre. Austin-Smtih:Lord incorporated a mix of substantial new build accommodation, refurbished buildings and the best of the existing Stockport College estate into its design for the new campus.

Built in 1841, the Victorian workhouse was home to many of Stockport's poor and unemployed throughout the Victorian era. It became a hospital in 1948 and was acquired by Stockport College in 2006.

The redevelopment of the college will provide over 10,000 students with a state-of-the-art learning environment, including teaching space, workshops, restaurants, salons and sports facilities.

The results: Along with establishing a close working relationship with the client, a number of PR tactics have been used to publicise Austin-Smith:Lord's projects, including writing and issuing press releases, feature articles and comment pieces in local and national newspapers and trade publications.

For Austin-Smith:Lord's redevelopment work at Stockport College, Paver Smith achieved broadcast coverage on BBC North West lunchtime news and BBC North West Tonight in addition to the print exclusive with the Manchester Evening News.

Over a six month period Austin-Smith:Lord received over £149,000 of editorial coverage which was seen by an audience in excess of two million, equalling a 920% return on investment.