The build-up to Christmas

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!