Evans Vettori Architects

"A coming of age"

2016-03-09T12:23:00.004+00:00

NTU - Heart of the Campus

On receiving this months issue of the RIBA Journal, we were thrilled to discover that we'd been allotted a full 7-page spread in precious printed medium!

RIBA Journal March 2016 - Vol 123 Issue 03

As if that wasn't a nice enough surprise - last tuesday morning we had NTU featured on the front page of the RIBA Journal website!

Here is a link to the article just in case you missed it : "A coming of age"

Web article featured on RIBA J front page!

Kind thanks to @hughpearman for the thoughtful analysis and of course Martine Hamilton Knight for the wonderful photography.

Further to this great news we've just had the news that NTU has been shortlisted among twelve projects for the RIBA East Midlands 2016 Awards, following a short press release from RIBA EM Chair Valeria Passetti :

RIBA East Midlands 2016 Awards Press Release

The list of shortlisted entries can be viewed here - RIBA East Midlands 2016 Awards

We look forward to seeing friends and colleagues at the awards evening on the 27th of April at the Nottingham Contemporary - buona fortuna a tutti!

We also had the project shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2016 for East Midlands in the "regeneration" category amongst a selection of more great schemes - the list of which can be viewed here.

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NTU - Library Extension

Work is progressing on site for the library extension with steelwork being installed and the overall form beginning to take shape - it won't be too long before it's up and running, providing a link for students to the suite of buildings making up the heart of the campus.

Progress on site!

Conceptual rendering of the proposed extension

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Square Chapel Centre for the Arts

Groundwork continues on site in Halifax with concrete and steel going in, the feature stairs balustrade has been taking shape with the concrete castings looking tactile and warm despite the wet and cold weather!

We're really looking forward to seeing the building take shape in the coming months while details are being developed and finalised working closely with the Square Chapel Trustees.

Construction in full flow among the rolling hills of Halifax

Detail of the cast concrete walls with textured timber effect

Further updates to come...

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Remember to check our instagram and twitter for more images and news!

As always, thank you for your support - Rob, Dan & co.

Autumn Update - Square Chapel on Site, Carbon Negative at Clifton, Part 3 Congratulations and Website Update...

2015-11-17T13:01:00.001+00:00

"Square Chapel Centre for the Arts on Site"

Construction has begun on our project in Halifax to ‘extended and improve’ the Grade II*-listed former chapel. The development includes a 108 seat multi-purpose auditorium fully-equipped for use as a cinema, studio and general performance space. The design borrows from the rectilinear form of the existing Chapel and features a copper-clad finish.

"Looks like progress!" Photo: @Gagarin_Studio

In addition to updating the dressing rooms, improving toilet facilities and an overhaul of the access and layout - a brand new 'delta' shaped foyer (complete with café-bar and outdoor seating area) links the auditorium to the existing Piece Hall and Square chapel buildings.

Click here to view the design project page on our website.

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"Carbon Negative at NTU..."

It's great to see the "Heart of the Campus" development at NTU being enjoyed by both the students and academics in it's first operational semester.

And to hear that the Pavilion is the university’s first building to be awarded an A+ rated Carbon-Negative Energy Performance Certificate is fantastic news!

"It is not just about the energy efficiency" - The project takes advantage of
natural ventilation and daylight as well as integrating smart LED lighting
and PIR sensors. Photo: Hannah Oakman

Environmental Manager Grant Anderson commented: “We have been working hard to improve our sustainability credentials and receiving an EPC rating of A+ for the new Pavilion building is an excellent achievement for the university."

Read more about the project's sustainability credentials in the 'Edquarter' article here.

"Thermal Mass" The concrete canopy was a key component
in achieving the A+ rating. Photo: Hannah Oakman

Click here to view the design project page on our website.

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"Refectory Developments"

Rounding off the news for NTU - construction progress is well on it's way for the refectory refurbishment. This photograph really captures the effect of the newly installed 'lantern'.

More images and updates to come in due course!

'NTU Refectory' Photo: Andrew Hopewell

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"Architect in the Office..."

The office is extremely proud to announce that our very own Harriet Palmer has completed her part 3 exams and been awarded with a distinction for her work!

"Congratulations Harriet!" Pictured here with NTU Chief Financial

and Operations Officer Stephen Jackson at the recent

"Heart of the Campus" opening party celebrations.

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"Website Update"

We're pleased to announce that the website has received an update, see for yourself here!

http://www.evansvettori.co.uk/

The update includes the addition of several of our latest projects, improved imagery, an up-to-date awards list and quick links to our social media profiles - check them out on Instagram and Twitter!

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As always, thanks for your support - Rob, Dan & co.

Summer summary - Housing Design Awards, Square Chapel on Site and NTU handover...

2015-09-08T15:17:00.002+01:00

Housing Design Awards 'Supreme Winner' - Parkside, Matlock

We were thrilled and amazed that our Parkside project was awarded with 'Supreme Winner' at the Housing Design Awards held in London in July - a fantastic achievement for all involved!

Films being shown to the audience at the Awards ceremony. Pic - @livingprojects

As part of the ceremony a series of short films were made (courtesy of Living Projects and the HDA) and shown to the audience celebrating all of the winning schemes from this years categories - see the video for yourself below!

Parkside, Matlock Derbyshire from Living Projects on Vimeo.

As well as being presented with the award by the Minister for Housing & Planning in London, we had the pleasure of showing him the project in person alongside the client and members of the RIBA.

The Minister for Housing & Planning being shown
round the Parkside scheme. Pic - @RIBA

Dan also captivated an audience of local designers, residents and NDSA members - taking them through the design processes and construction challenges in detail. The residents also kindly let the audience view the flats in use!

Dan explaining the development process to an audience
at the Cool River cafe. Pic - @derbyarchitect

Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus

Last month saw the completion of the first building in the Heart of the Campus redevelopment. The multi-purpose flexible teaching block includes three lecture spaces, ten teaching rooms and a covered colonnade which connects to the nearly complete Pavilion building.

Scaffold comes down at NTU Clifton Campus. Pic - @evansvettori

Copper lit by the lightwell in the Teaching Block at NTU

"Counting down" the final stages of building work in the Pavilion at NTU

Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax

Square Chapel has been given the green light for building work!

"Construction will start later this month on Evans Vettori Architects’ £6.6million overhaul of the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts - 10 years after the firm landed the job..."

Read more in Richard Waites' article for the Architects Journal here.

Physical model showing the connecting pieces of the arts centre in it's context.

Section through the main space.

Concept image for the main foyer space and bar.

More news soon!

Thanks for your support - Rob, Dan & co

RIBA National Award, Jewellery Centre planning permission, Square Chapel funding and more...

2015-06-22T16:11:00.000+01:00

We are delighted to announce that Parkside has now won a National RIBA Award - one of only two awarded in the East Midlands - credit due in particular to Dan!

Some kind words courtesy of the RIBA National Award Winners collection;

"...This humble project stands as an exemplar of how to design buildings that make for a better place, using a contemporary language that works within a strong context... "

Read the rest of the short analysis and see some more beautiful photographs courtesy of Tristan Poyser.

Project News

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We were pleased to find out last week that our Jewellery Design Centre at Carsington Water was granted planning permission following a fascinating debate.

Congratulations to our visionary client C.W. Sellors!

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In other developments, our Square Chapel Centre for the Arts project in Halifax has just been granted full funding by the Arts Council.

We won the competition 10 years ago - construction starts in September!

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Construction on our Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus development is coming along nicely with the copper cladding and curtain wall glazing in place and internal fit-out beginning to take form.

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Office News

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And finally in the office we would also like to congratulate senior architect Gareth Puttock on becoming a certified passivhaus designer following completion of the AECB’s Passivhaus training course just before the beginning of the year.

For anyone unfamiliar with Passivhaus designs - the aim is to provide a high level of occupant comfort while using minimal energy. This is achieved through meticulous attention to detail in both the design and construction of the building and ensuring that the rigorous Passivhaus Institute principles are met.

So we are excited to now have our own "in-house" Passivhaus designer available to clients wishing to both reduce their energy consumption and increase their indoor comfort on both refurbishment and new-build projects!

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Thank you all again for your continued support and keep an eye out for more updates and news in the coming months!

Best regards,

Robert, Dan and Co.

Civic Trust Awards Update

2014-12-08T11:01:00.000+00:00

We're excited to announce that Parkside (Olde Englishe Road, Matlock) has been included as a regional finalist for the 2015 Civic Trust Awards with second tier selections being made in January!

This scheme makes full and positive use of a previously vacant brown field site in the heart of the beautiful Derbyshire spa town of Matlock at the very heart of its Conservation Area.

Considerable effort was made to ensure robust and quality detailing such as the copper-clad oriel window elements.

The development includes spacious accommodation, accessible shop/café units and a strengthened connection between pedestrianized areas either side of the river.

2014 in a post!

2014-12-02T16:02:00.000+00:00

Firstly, a belated farewell to Matt from everybody at the Evans Vettori office - all the best with your future endeavors!

Filling the position as new junior member is John - fresh from completing a masters at Leeds school of Architecture this Summer.

Evans Vettori's newest addition

NEWS

The big story for Evans Vettori in 2014 has been the RIBA East Midlands awards ceremony which took place earlier this year - an exciting event which turned out to be extremely fruitful for the office too!

We were thrilled to pick up two RIBA Awards which we'd been shortlisted ; the first of which was for 'St Joseph's Church Hall' in Derby and the second for 'High Edge' in Matlock.

St Joseph's Church Hall

'High Edge'

The office was also selected to receive the award for "Practice of the year 2014" for the East Midlands region - we were honored to be given the title among so many talented local peers!

Evans Vettori receiving RIBA awards

Our St Joseph's Church Hall project also later received the National Churches Trust 2014 Presidents Award. Some of you may have caught Dan speaking about the design at the Great British Buildings Event which took place at St Joseph's in October!

Talk for St Joseph's Church Hall in Derby

ON SITE

Progress on current projects continues to push forward, construction at the Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus now in full swing - steel and concrete nearing completion ready for the masonry to start taking shape!

Nottingham Trent University 'Heart of the Campus' under construction

Here's a sneak peak of some of the exquisitely crafted vaulted planks and edge profiles which we got to see on a little office outing to Evans Concrete - some of which are already installed on site!

Edge profile components

Vaulted plank suspended at actual constructed height

More news to come soon but in the mean time... enjoy the festive season!

It must be time for an update....

2014-04-14T12:41:00.000+01:00

Well, what a beginning to 2014 it has been!

Firstly, in house

We would like to congratulate Dan Greenway, who after 10 years with the practice, has recently been appointed as Director.

We also welcome Gareth Puttock, our new project architect. Gareth joined the team in February and has hit the ground running on the NTU projects.

Our active projects

We are excited to report that works have begun on site at the Clifton Campus at Nottingham Trent University. Demolition is now in full swing for the Heart of Campus Pavilion, so watch this space.

This is our hoarding up at the demolition site at Clifton

Meanwhile in the office, momentum remains at at all-time high, with many of us now working on an equally exciting General Purpose Teaching Block at Clifton, to sit alongside the new Pavilion. The GPT has been submitted for planning and is currently out to tender.

In other news

The team look forward to the upcoming 2014 RIBA Awards evening for the East Midlands. We are delighted to have two projects shortlisted this year, St Josephs' Church Hall and Robert's family home; High Edge, Matlock.

2014 RIBA Awards Short-lister: St Joseph's Church Hall, Derby

2014 RIBA Awards Short-lister: High Edge, Matlock

We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, we're ramping up on Instagram, check out our pics (@evansvettori)......

This one of the Nottingham Council House
won NTU's Instagram 'Picture of the Week'!

Festive Farewell

2013-12-24T20:53:00.000+00:00

A very Merry Christmas from all of us at Evans Vettori!

In less cheery news, we say goodbye to Rachel, who leaves the practice this week.
We all wish her the greatest luck with her future ventures, and are certain she will be an invaluable asset to all future projects that cross her desk.

EVA are recruiting!

2013-11-22T16:55:00.001+00:00

We are looking for a Project Architect to join our team.

We are looking for a fully qualified Architect to initially work on a prestigious University Campus building.

Must have experience in running projects at all work stages, be motivated and enthusiastic with design and technical skills.

Knowledge of the following beneficial (but not compulsory):
Bentley Microstation
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Indesign
Sketchup
NBS Building

If you are interested, please email a copy of your current CV and examples of work to Robert Evans -
r.evans@evansvettori.co.uk

Closing date for applications: 06th December 2013.

New Plans and Completed Projects

2013-11-12T18:04:00.000+00:00

Planning applications have been submitted in the last few weeks for two prestigious projects.

Firstly the CW Sellors Jewellery Design Centre of Excellence, that was launched to the public last month has been developed up to a full planning application. The building includes the workshops for CW Sellors, alongside retail and educational facilities with 'caves' for exploring the stones and metals that are used in the manufacture of their fine jewellery. The proposals will allow visitors to walk down through a 'canyon' of limestone walls from the carpark to Carsington Water which can be viewed from the main entrance space.

North elevation of proposed Jewellery Design Centre for CW Sellors

We have also submitted an application for the redevelopment of the Clifton Campus for Nottingham Trent University in Nottingham. This campus refurbishment will provide a new heart of campus Pavilion building including open plan Forum space alongside teaching space.

External view of proposed Pavilion

The Forum space in the Pavilion

We hope that both applications will be determined at the end of the year and look forward to developing them soon!

Photographer Tristan Poyser has visited several of our finished projects this month. Managing to dodge the rain showers, Tristan has delivered us some fantastic photos of four recently completed schemes. Below is a taster of the final images.

St Joseph's Church Hall, Derby. Completed July 2013

Curved brick facade to Littleover Community School
teaching block. Completed September 2013.

Howghyll House, Fritchley. Completed summer 2013.

High Edge, Matlock. Robert Evans new self-built home.

First Glances

2013-09-12T15:09:00.001+01:00

The new classroom block at Littleover Community School in Derby was successfully handed over to the client prior to the start of the new school term. The building was officially opened on the first day back by the head teacher and the new head of sixth-form, who will be based in the building. Four of the current sixth form were chosen to be the first people to enter the new building after the opening.

Littleover classroom block opening - September 2013

Our work has also been in the press recently for the CW Sellors Jewellery Design Centre of Excellence. The scheme has been launched to the public through a series of public consultation events in Ashbourne and local parishes, as well as at an International Jewellery exhibition at Earls Court in London. The scheme is for a new workshop and visitors centre for CW Sellors near to Carsington Water, and following the consultation events we hope to be submitting the planning application soon. Further details of the scheme can be seen on www.cwsellorscarsington.co.uk .

CW Sellors Jewellery Design Centre of Excellence - indicative view of entrance

Detailed design on The Cornerstone at Square Chapel Centre of the Arts is developing well. The interior of the main foyer space includes a concrete and timber bar, with stainless steel bar units fitted behind. The bar worktop design was inspired by the foyer roof and the birchtrees design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, featuring triangles and stripes of differing timber species to give a 3 tone pattern to the worktop.

Bar design for The Cornerstone

Timber worktop design (right), inspired by work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (left)

Magical mystery tour

2013-08-07T12:46:00.000+01:00

On a very hot Saturday this month we went on site at Ashgate Croft School to construct the garden arbour, designed by students at Nottingham University last year. We built a timber framework that fixed back to the existing fence and enclosed the entrance path. The timber frames were connected with galvanised metal plates fabricated by Twiggs of Matlock, and tied together with metal wire for plants to climb up and artwork to be hung from. With the leftover funding we bought some herbs to add colour and scent along the path and edible fruits - a grape vine, apple tree and strawberry plants, all to be enjoyed by students using the building.

Ashgate Croft ILU garden arbour construction.

Several students from Nottingham University also came along and were a big help on the day, doing lots of digging, sourcing materials and plants, and helping to build, so many thanks to them. We completed the arbour in time for the official opening of the building by Vanessa May, a former pupil of the school, just before the end of the school term.

Ashgate Croft ILU grand opening

The office also took a trip this month to visit some of our recent projects in Derby. We started at the new classroom block at Littleover Community School that is due to complete before the end of the school holidays. The new block of 8 classrooms and a common room has a brick external leaf that curves along the front elevation overlooking the school field. Internally the concrete and steel structure is left exposed, with careful positioning of services, lighting and acoustic panels to the ceilings to give a light and airy feel.

Littleover Community School classroom block, in construction

Our next stop was the new hall extension to St Joseph's Church. This project began in the office almost exactly 10 years ago so it is fantastic to see it built, and the Church seem very pleased with the final outcome.

St Josephs Church hall, Derby

Tristan Poyser also visited the Church recently, and took some great photos of the building, particularly at dusk with the picture window illuminated.

Church hall at dusk by Tristan Poyser

Our final stop on our away afternoon was Arboretum Square, which was recommended to us as Derby's 'hidden gem'. The square didn't disappoint, and gave us all some inspiration in masonry detailing.

Aboretum Square, Derby

Evans Vettori enjoying the sunshine on site in Derby, July 2013

Arrays and Arbours

2013-07-02T17:04:00.000+01:00

Our tour of the architecture school exhibitions from our local area have continued this month. Sheffield Hallam's show opened during the University's 'Creative Sparks' exhibition. Their compact exhibition space displayed a range of work from across their architecture degrees, and the show was opened with great enthusiasm and passion from both staff and pupils. It was good to see our former Part 1 student's project in its final form after and office review a couple of months ago, and to congratulate her on completing the course. On show were some excellent hand drawings and it was good to see students having fun with detailing!

Drawings from Sheffield Hallam University architecture show

The University of Nottingham put on an excellent show this year. It was great to see the finished exhibition boards from Studio 5 that we helped tutor. The amount of work and effort was impressive and the quality of work well worth it.

Jordie Bokor, Studio 5, The University of Nottingham

Despite the bias, the rest of the work was really good as well ranging from sweet factories, to multi storey narrow boat workstations to museums of speed. The live project of a classroom built by students in South Africa was impressive and has given the students fantastic hands on experience.

The University of Nottingham architecture exhibition

Although we couldn't make it to the University of Sheffield opening evening this year, we will be coming to visit before it closes!

On site, St Joseph's Church Hall has been successfully handed over to the client. We are really pleased with the internal exposed brickwork and the level of finish the contractor has achieved throughout, and hope the Church enjoy using the space.

St Joseph's Church Hall Extension, Derby

At Littleover the scaffolding has been removed, revealing the curved brickwork and precast concrete surrounds to the openings. Work is continuing internally with mechanical and electrical fixing, including the installation of an array of photovoltaic cells on the roof.

Littleover Community School classroom block, Derby

This weekend we will be on site at Ashgate Croft Independent Living Unit with our wellies and hard hats doing some building work ourselves. The arbour that we helped to design and funded through a sponsored walk is finally ready for construction! We will be on site with a few helpers from Nottingham University who designed the landscaping, to construct the arbour and add some planting to the borders. It should (hopefully!) look something like this when finished...

Ashgate Croft ILU garden arbour design

Finishing Touches

2013-05-22T12:46:00.000+01:00

The new house at Fritchley was handed over to the client this week. The contractors have achieved an excellent standard of finish. The house has been named Howghyll by the owners and we look forward to seeing the house inhabited and the gardening commence to finish the landscaping!

View of new house from driveway, Fritchley

St Joseph's Church hall extension in Derby should be our next project to be completed. With only a couple of weeks left on site, final internal finishes are being added. The exposed internal buff brickwork to the main hall is looking great now, illuminated by the large picture window and light fittings.

Church Hall, Derby nearing completion

Due to finish a little later in the summer are the Littleover Community School classroom block and the Olde Englishe development in Matlock.

At Littleover the external envelope is being completed with pre-cast concrete surrounds to the new doorways. This image shows the main entrance where the concrete surround forms a deep frame to the door, reflecting the design of the original school buildings.

Entrance to new classroom block, Derby and view from inside looking back towards original school.

The Olde Englishe is being prepared for its first occupants, with a cafe and hairdressers opening soon in the commercial units on the ground floor. Above some of the residential units are being presented as show flats, ready for sale.

The Olde Englishe, Matlock with copper cladding complete and windows installed.

In the office, we are busy working on the detailed design for The Cornerstone extension to Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax. Currently we are working on the details of the building envelope and discussing internal fittings and finishes with the client. This image shows our current thinking on the interior design of the main foyer space:

Visual of the Foyer at The Cornerstone, Halifax

With end of term approaching, we've also been at both The University of Nottingham and Sheffield helping out with final tutorials and reviews. Second and third year reviews are taking place at Nottingham this week, and we're hoping to see more great hand drawings at the next reviews and end of year shows - like this impressive drawing by a second year student at Nottingham:

Drawing by second year architecture student at The University of Nottingham

The first degree show we're attending is the Art and Design Degree Show Festival at Nottingham Trent University, that opens next Thursday and has a series of events taking place across the city until 8th June.

Evans Vettori International

2013-04-19T12:53:00.001+01:00

There have been a few field trips undertaken from the office recently. Andy visited Germany with his studio group from The University of Nottingham, Rachel spent a couple of days in Switzerland and we visited the Green Building Store in Huddersfield as research into Passivhaus for a potential new project. Here are a few highlights of the trips:

Evans Vettori are visiting tutors for an undergraduate studio at Nottingham University School of Architecture. In March Andy went with a group of students to Landschaftspark in Duisberg, Germany. Landschaftspark is a former iron works in the Ruhr Valley that, after closing, has been converted into a public park utilising the existing industrial fabric. The former blast furnaces have become viewing platforms and a open air cinema, the gas silo a diving pool, coke stores water pools, climbing walls and adventure playground, the offices an opera house and the turbine shed a space for balls, raves and exhibitions. The students are working on reimagining the post Victorian industrial areas of the Peak District so this was a massive change of scale and hopefully inspirational. Trying the same model of upcycling at a grand scale in the former pits and steelworks of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire would be a fantastic opportunity.

Former heavy industry and flooded coke store at Landschaftpark, plus a stair at at a former steel works in Essen

In Switzerland Rachel visited the town of St Gallen, which featured the striking 'city lounge' project - a red carpet thrown over the banking district of the town centre to create outdoor living space.

St Gallen City Lounge

The town also features a number of interventions by Santiago Calatrava, including a bus station, emergency services centre with 'blinking eye' solar shading, and a converted monastic wine cellar. The cellar is now a seminar space hidden beneath the public square and entered via a retractable entrance archway.

Hinging entrance archway leading to converted monastic wine cellar by Santiago Calatrava

Rachel also visited Lucerne and viewed the historic town centre with timber bridges crossing the river, contrasting against the contemporary KKL Luzerne that dominates the shore of the lake.

Historic centre and KKL, Lucerne

Back in the UK we had an afternoon's introduction to Passivhaus at The Green Building Store in Huddersfield. Our visit gave us a good introduction to the Passivhaus approach to building and focussed on a new house project that we are currently working on in Matlock. The project has a tight budget and we are hoping to explore how traditional building techniques and readily available materials could be applied with the Passivhaus approach using the Denby Dale house, constructed by the Green Building Store, as a primary precedent. Next week we are visiting the Nottingham EcoShowcase, hoping to find some more inspiration for the project...

Springing Up

2013-03-21T14:35:00.001+00:00

Lots of our on-site projects are nearing completion now.

Close to the office in Matlock, The Horseshoe apartments have been completed externally revealing the cut stone elevation to Matlock Green. Internally the apartments are being fitted out ready to sell. The rest of the Horseshoe Mews, including conversion of the original pub and outbuildings, are also almost complete.

Horseshoe Mews, Matlock Green elevation

Off Dale Road in Matlock, the penthouse of the Olde English development is now being clad in copper, completing the external envelope:

The Olde English, Matlock

The copper detailing includes a secret gutter at the base of the penthouse walls hidden behind the stone capping, so no gutters are visible from ground level.

Sketch secret gutter detail and on-site construction at The Olde English, Matlock

The new house in Fritchley is due for completion within the next month. Internally the woodburing stove and kitchen are installed. Externally the garden retaining walls that bury the lower ground floor entrance into the landscape are being constructed.

Construction of external retaining wall for new house in Fritchley

In Derby, the extension to St Joesphs Church is taking shape. This internal photograph shows the main community hall, with exposed brickwork to the two side walls looking back towards the large front picture window.

Church hall interior in construction

Also in Derby, the classroom block for Littleover School is up to first floor level. This view of the Common Room at ground floor level shows the perforated steel beams and concrete floor construction that will remain exposed when complete.

Common Room at Littleover School in construction

And finally, the first of several farm building restorations on the Haddon Estate is also now complete. The traditional restoration works, carried out by local craftsmen to our management plan, has brought this previously derelict building back into use on the Estate.

Barn restoration - February 2011 and after completion of restoration work in February 2013

Out from the wings

2013-02-07T15:49:00.000+00:00

We were delighted to hear earlier this month that the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax has been granted £3.9m funding from the Arts Council England for The Cornerstone project. We have been working with Square Chapel on this project on and off for the last 7 years. The project began as a scheme to link the Grade II* listed Square Chapel to the Grade I listed Piece Hall with a new foyer.

The Cornerstone, Square Chapel - Original concept model

Since its inception the project has been through several stages of development and now includes a second auditorium, bar and cafe space, to extend and improve access to all facilities.

The Cornerstone, Square Chapel - Development image

Full planning approval and listed building consent are already in place for the project, so we cannot wait to start work on the detailed design and see the project realised.

The Cornerstone, Square Chapel - Development Model

Now the snow has subsided, on site work is developing rapidly. The internal and external brickwork for St Josephs church hall extension is well underway. The stonework at the Olde English development in Matlock is almost to the top course and the western red cedar cladding for the new house in Fritchley has been completed with a superb attention to detail by the contractor on site.

Happy New Year!

2013-01-10T17:02:00.000+00:00

The new year brought us the good news that our public realm framework project for Bakewell Town Centre was Highly Commended at the Landscape Institute Awards. We worked on this project titled 'The Gatherings' with Landscape Architect Maxim Urban Design. The judges commented: ‘This is a well-presented and thorough appraisal of public realm function, purpose and practical use. It is an appealing community based plan with realistic priorities for delivery.'

In Matlock, the scaffold canopy that has kept The Horseshoe apartments dry over winter is being removed, revealing the coursed stone elevation to the streetscene, which is starting to look like our initial sketch design drawing. The apartments are now for sale, and we are developing plans for two semi-detached houses behind the apartments.

The apartments at The Horseshoe, Matlock Green -
Initial design sketch and during construction

In Fritchley the front elevation is almost watertight with the windows being installed. The elevation will be completed with secret fixed cedar cladding to complete the infill between the windows and galvanised steel columns. Internally the electrical first fix is underway and the whole house should be completed early Spring.

South Field, Fritchley - In construction

The Olde English development is also taking shape now the corduroy stonework is almost complete. The timber box at the top will be clad in copper, with panels of copper cladding by glazing to the flats on the first and second floors. Larger glazed openings are provided to the commercial units behind the collonade at ground floor.

The Olde English development, Matlock - in construction

At earlier stages of work we are looking at a number of small scale housing developments in our local area. As well as the proposed eco-house that we have mentioned in previous blogs, we have been looking at possibilities for a new take on estate housing in Matlock as well as the redevelopment of nearby historical factory space to quirky residential accommodation. Our title image shows a concept for estate housing following a study of public and private spaces and an attempt to eradicate the unused strips "no-man's land" that can litter modern developments, and hopefully look good too!

2012-12-20T14:44:00.000+00:00

The build-up to Christmas

2012-11-21T09:37:00.000+00:00

Another busy month in the office with lots of work progressing on site. In Fritchley, the roof glulams arrived last week and were craned into position before being protected and covered with the metal roof deck. The windows are expected to arrive later this month to make the building watertight for internal fit out.

Roof glulams being installed - South Field, Fritchley.

The Horseshoe site in Matlock has been protected from the winter weather with a scaffold canopy. Stonework is nearing completion and the zinc clad second floor is being constructed. Once watertight, the scaffold will be removed and the completed exterior revealed.

View of the balcony inside scaffold canopy - The Horseshoe, Matlock.

St Josephs Church Hall extension in Derby is also progressing well, the blue brick plinth and floor have been constructed, and brickwork is commencing to the external walls.

St Josephs Church extension, Derby.

A new classroom block for Littleover Community School is also due to start on site next week. This project includes 10 new classrooms and a large common room. The new building sits in front of the existing school entrance, with a curved brick frontage that follows the existing roadway to the front of the school.

Sketchup model of new classroom block - Littleover Community School, Derby

The second year studio from Nottingham University that we are guest tutoring has also been out on site in the Peak District. Both second and third years are looking at a site along the Monsal Trail, completing short design projects before Christmas. All the students stayed out in the Peaks for the weekend to study their sites and meet local guides, residents and planners. They now have to push their designs on working with, in or around the perceived restraints that the Peak Park may, or may not, give them.

Sketch of Millers Dale Station

We also went to the Brick Awards this month to see the finalists announced. Our project for the Funeral Directors in Wirksworth was shortlisted in the Best Commercial Building category. The category was won by Designscape Architects with a white glazed brick formaldehyde studio for Damien Hurst. Definitely a worthy winner and we had a great evening with Ibstock. We also heard recently that the Funeral Directors has been put forward as a Regional Finalist for the Civic Trust Awards, so we look forward to hearing the results of these awards in January!

Corduroy on the rise in Matlock

2012-10-02T10:08:00.000+01:00

Work is progressing on site despite the weather, at Fritchley the lower ground floor is now laid, and blockwork is underway to take the walls up to first floor level. The basement has two leaves of blockwork with reinforced concrete infilling the cavity for additional strength.

Basement construction at South Field House, Fritchley

In Matlock, the Olde English steelwork is starting to be clad in stone. The sandstone from Stanton Moor Quarry has been tooled to a unique vertical ridged 'corduroy' pattern that has been developed specifically for the building by the client and us. The tooling defines a framework with panels of glazing or cut ashlar stone between.

Vertical ridged stone set out to encase a steel column at the Olde English

Detailed elevation of Olde English ridged stone 'frame' with ashlar panel and window

A church hall extension in Derby has also begun on site. This extension to St Joseph's Church provides a large independent community hall. The construction is expected to take approximately 27 weeks. We've been working with the church on this project for over 9 years, so it's fantastic to start to see it realised.

3D visualisation of the extension to St Josephs Church, Derby

Design development is also ongoing for a number of residential projects. We're investigating options for an extension to an existing cottage to get the most from the outstanding views and developing plans for a new Ecohouse.

Models of options for a house extension

Ecohouse development model

Crafty!

2012-09-04T11:07:00.001+01:00

The office became a model making workshop this month, with various projects being explored in 3D. A concept model for a potential new project got us experimenting with plaster of paris and copper:

Concept model components

Model workshop in the office meeting room

With a bit of help from a few friends including Simon Windley Specialist Woodworks to make the base, we were really pleased with the outcome and hope to be developing the concept further soon.

On site at the Olde English the steelwork is complete, floor decks laid and concrete pour has commenced. With the site being only a short walk away from the office, we've been keeping a close eye on progress!

Steelwork construction at the Olde English, Matlock

At South Field house in Fritchley, the lower ground floor has been dug out of the hillside, with steelwork reinforcement underway, the concrete foundation should be poured later this week.

Lower ground floor level for the new house at Fritchley

At a slightly earlier stage, we have just completed our set of tender information for the new classroom block for Littleover Community School. The project will be going out to tender soon and hopefully starting on site later this year. This drawing shows the plan section detailing for the two storey concrete arches to the curved front elevation.

Concrete detailing for Littleover Community School

We're bricking it!

2012-08-03T13:11:00.000+01:00

Its been a busy month on site -

Nethergate School in Nottingham is moving swiftly towards completion of the Phase 2 works, with the refurbished existing buildings looking much improved. All the existing classrooms have been re-vamped with new lighting, heating, IT equipment, blinds, full redecoration, new external doors to outdoor play areas, and plenty of built in storage ready for the school to fill in September!

Nethergate School before and after

At the Olde English site the steel frame is beginning to take shape. Next job is to help the client think of a name for the building - any suggestions welcome!

Steel frame for the Olde English

Work at Fritchley is on pause for summer holiday's and awaiting approval to relocate a sewer that runs underneath the new building, but the building has been set out, beginning to show the long linear form running along the new boundary.

South Field, Fritchley - set out on site

At earlier stages, a design for a house extension near Matlock has been granted planning permission and we're starting to work on the building regulations application.

We've also had some good news about a completed project - R&K Jepson Funeral Directors in Wirksworth has been shortlisted for a Brick Award in the Best Commercial Building category! Looks like some tough competition in the shortlist though...

Model Students.

2012-07-03T17:55:00.000+01:00

It was great to see some of the students projects that were reviewed by the office in their final form at the Nottingham University School of Architecture exhibition. Some of the fantastic work on show was inspirational, particularly the two examples from second year students below - the detail of the some of the black and white hand drawings was highly skilled and it's refreshing to see colour and activity being used to bring architectural drawings to life.

Nottingham University Department of Architecture - Second year exhibition drawings.

Back in the office we are hoping to inspire work experience students who are visiting us from Highfields School in Matlock. Last week the student took on the redesign of Matlock railway station as his design project and came up with some great ideas that were developed in this model:

Work experience student model - Railway station by Logan

This week another student is looking to redesign the boathouse for the pleasure boat lake in Hall Leys Park, hopefully some more models and drawings will be produced to include next time.

Out on site, groundworks for the new house at Fritchley has commenced. British summertime weather conditions haven't helped so far, but at least it's a start!

Groundworks starting for new house in Fritchley

Work has also started on the site adjacent to the Olde Englishe hotel. We're currently finalising details with various sub-contractors, including steelwork and external lighting designs.

Olde Englishe Sub-contractors drawings:
External lighting by Concord Sylvania and Steelwork by Templemill Engineering Ltd

Lastly - many thanks to Maria Valentina for sending us a comment on the blog - we're not sure why it didn't appear with the post, but we did receive it and it's nice to know someone out there is reading!

Showtime!

2012-06-20T11:51:00.001+01:00

Work on the School extension in Derby is developing well. The project is currently being worked up into a tender package of information. We are currently developing the detail of the front facade that includes a curved concrete beam supported on concrete fins to allow full height windows to the first floor and recessed doors opening into a Common Room on the ground floor that overlooks the school sports field.

Overall site model

Detailed facade design

We are also working on a further classroom block project that is at a much earlier stage. We are currently developing feasibility models of the scheme that includes a central social space and links a hard playground area at ground floor to soft landscaping at the north of the site, accessed from the first floor level. On either side of the social space, two blocks provide additional classrooms and teaching resources spaces over two floors.

Classroom block development model

We're also attending a few of the architecture school end of year shows in the next few weeks. The University of Sheffield show opened last Friday and had on display a number of good models, particularly from a second year project for a U-boat visitors centre, which included rotating sections of the boat to allow views from all angles.

Nottingham University show opens tomorrow evening and we're looking forward to seeing the finished work from students who have been tutored by Rob, Dan and Andy from the office this year. And we're also hoping to get along to Sheffield Hallam University Creative Spark exhibition, particularly to see some work by Emily who completed her RIBA Part 1 work experience at our office and is now completing the Part 2 course at the university.

The office is getting into the Summer of Sport - Rachel was one of the 27,000 participants in the London to Brighton bike ride last Sunday raising money for the British Heart Foundation. In two weeks time Andy is completing the second of 3.5 marathons he is running this year, this time over some hills in the Lakeland trials marathon. So far he has raised over £350 for Cancer Research UK - if you can help him to reach the £400 mark before the next race, you can sponsor him at www.justgiving.com/AndyThomas1979.