Showtime!

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.

Growing ideas

We've been working on a concept design for a potential new project this week, developing ideas in the office in a number of evening workshop sessions in which we produced a number of sketch models. We can't say much about the project at this stage, but we've really enjoyed the process so far and fingers crossed we'll be developing it further in the future!

We've also been developing the garden plans for Ashgate Croft ILU. The school's preferred garden design came from Emma Cheyne, an architecture student at Nottingham University who attended the workshop day at the school last month. Having just completed the second year of her studies Emma met with us yesterday to discuss how to take the project further. Hopefully we will have a landscape layout plan to pass back to the school soon, and we can then begin to implement the scheme over the school's summer holidays.

As the weather improves a couple of projects are moving towards starting on site. A new house in Fritchley now has a contractor appointed who is gearing up to start works over the next couple of weeks, and a church hall extension in Derby has returned from tender. Hopefully the Client will be in a position to appoint a contractor soon with the intention to start works shortly. We're looking forward to seeing a few of our details being built!

Fireplace construction detail for new house in Fritchley

Picture window detail for new church hall in Derby

This blog contains 2 men in a bathtub...

Following the success of the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts stage 1 funding bid from the Arts Council in April, we have been developing the detail of the scheme in preparation for submitting the next stage. This has included working on the interior design of the Foyer Space and 'forest glade' roof structure.

Square Chapel Centre for the Arts - Foyer space development

The new residential and commercial block adjacent to the Olde English Hotel in Matlock is now close to starting on site. Our detailed design work is almost complete, including detailed co-ordination of the external envelope, lintels and structural steelwork in every bay of the new building.

Detailed lintel design for the Olde English new block

 Concept design work for a new dwelling in Matlock has been developing in preparation for submitting a pre-planning application shortly. The design is for a simple, clean box that maximises the tight budget with a corner removed to open the living areas to the garden.

New house design for Matlock

Outside of the office, Robert Evans visited the RIBA Yorkshire's 'Spring Cleaning' event this week to give a presentation entitled 'The A-Z of starting (and surviving) in a recession' which draws on his experience of setting up during recession in the 90's and keeping the business going in the current climate. A few of the slides are below - can you guess what the letters stand for?!

Evans Vettori Architecture A-Z: Letter C

Evans Vettori Architecture A-Z: Letter X

It's about time...

It's been a hectic few weeks in the office with lots of activity on a variety of projects, leaving little time for blogging! So it's about time we updated our news:

The students from Nottingham University completed their design report following the garden design workshop for Ashgate Croft ILU. The ideas varied from a smallholding with livestock, sensory gardens and water gardens to provide a range of experiences for the pupils. The school's preferred option came from Emma Cheyne, which provided a range of environments throughout the garden and included all of the clients requirements. We're aiming to meet with the school over the next few weeks to discuss the implementation of the design over the summer.

Garden Design by Emma Cheyne for Ashgate Croft ILU

Phase 1 of the Nethergate School extension was handed over to the client over the Easter break. The school are delighted with the new spaces provided in the extension and are looking forward to the completion of Phase 2 which will refurbish the rest of the existing school. Progress on Phase 2 is being tweeted daily from site by @Nottingham's LEP.

The new Entrance and Reception at Nethergate School, Nottingham

We've also received good news about Rosehill School in Nottingham as it has been shortlisted for an award for "Best Designed Project" in the Partnerships Bulletin Awards 2012 to be held in London at the end of May. Its up against some very good competition, but it is fantastic for the design to be recognised like this.

We have made progress with several early designs and planning applications over the last few weeks as well. The extension to Mathom House in Hayfield has been submitted for planning, with the new Kitchen and Utility space buried below a green roof and hidden behind a drystone faced retaining wall.

Development models for Mathom House, Hayfield

The concrete box house extension has progressed in the external design, as has the new classroom block for a school in Derby.

Sketch development of classroom block 

There are several other potential new projects, and also returning old projects, that we are excited to develop as well. We will hopefully be able to update the blog with these soon!

Getting into the groove..

The stonework finish for the Olde English building is developing towards a series of vertical cuts in the stone to emphasise the verticality of the frame, with infill panels defined in sandblasted stones & recessed windows.

The Olde English stonework detailing

We're being as specific as possible with the stone dimensions and set out for each element of the facade to ensure the quality of the finish. Fingers crossed the conservation officers will agree with the approach, and the stone masons on site will be as particular in the construction as we are on the drawings!

Roof samples are also now arriving, included two alternative seam details for the copper rooftop penthouses. These samples are a double lock standing seam for the low pitch roof, and an angle standing seam for the vertical clad walls.

Copper samples for the Penthouse cladding

Also in Matlock, our planning application for the Horseshoe site has now been approved! We're really pleased that the planning department were supportive of our contemporary approach to the site and we're now starting to work on the detail of the buildings with the aim to construct the apartment block over the summer.

The Horseshoe site section - as existing and as proposed

Designs are starting to emerge for the gardens at Ashgate Croft ILU to spend the money we raised for the school last October. Architecture students from Nottingham University had a workshop day at the ILU this week. The School were fantastic with staff taking time out to talk to the students about the ILU and Special Schools and give them the opportunity to meet some of the pupils and School Council. Phil Corbett from "Cool Temperate", a specialist permaculture designer, also joined us to talk through the design of a successful garden and give advice on the types of plants for certain positions, use, appearance, smell and touch. It was a very successful day with the students presenting schemes at the end. They are now completing their designs which hopefully we'll be able to include images of on later blogs. The students also offered to lend a hand to help plant the completed garden design. Many thanks to Nicole Porter from Nottingham University for arranging the day.

The workshop taking place in the gardens and in the ILU building