Category: Blog

Roadtripping Around Wales Again… (by Rob Firman, Austin-Smith:Lord)

Roadtripping Around Wales Again... (by Rob Firman, Austin-Smith:Lord)

Austin-Smith:Lord has a long and proud record of designing new buildings for the performing arts. Our portfolio of completed work also includes the conversion of a derelict town hall into an arts centre and now, with the completion of the Gaiety in Ayr, our first full restoration and conservation of a listed theatre building.

Working with listed theatre buildings is not, however, a new experience for us. Since I published ‘The Theatres and Performance Buildings of South Wales’ in 2012 recording the physical and economic condition of the 111 surviving theatre buildings in South Wales, I have been a member of the Theatres Trust’s Welsh Theatres Working Party and unofficial ‘Special Advisor’ to the Trust for Theatre Buildings in Wales.

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MIPIM UK Round Up: Rio Ferdinand Flies the Flag for Affordable Housing, and more

MIPIM UK Round Up: Rio Ferdinand Flies the Flag for Affordable Housing, and more

Whether you were able to make it to MIPIM UK last week or not, Austin-Smith: Lord Partner, Martin Roe, shares an overview of some of the key themes picked up from his visit to the UK’s largest exhibition and conference for property professionals.

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By Collaborating We………Co-create (A personal reflection on collaborative practice by Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord)

By Collaborating We………Co-create (A personal reflection on collaborative practice by Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord)

“Vivendo discimus. Pesando creamus.” – Patrick Geddes

It has often been suggested that cities are humanity’s greatest achievement; furthering civilisation by the exchange of ideas and innovations through collaboration, enabled by proximity.

Architecture, urbanism and planning are fundamentally collaborative disciplines. The design and construction of buildings rarely occurs without collaboration. Place-making and place-mending at a neighbourhood, town, city or regional scale demands it.

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How should we approach conservation? (by David Millar, Austin-Smith:Lord)

How should we approach conservation? (by David Millar, Austin-Smith:Lord)

I find it both refreshing and reassuring that an inspired individual in New York City has decided to understand and revitalise heritage with the Lowline project gathering pace.  It is an ambitious re-use of a derelict tram line to create an underground park and landscape which re-energises heritage embedded within the city.

Now, I am not saying we must be inventive and find a new use for every piece of heritage that survives. No, just realise that it is important to appreciate and understand our heritage, as it can positively influence our actions and inform our current thinking, which, in turn, can lead to the enrichment of our lives and the environment that surrounds us.

Whilst New York tackles the Lowline project, Austin-Smith:Lord’s conservation architects are currently working on one of the most exciting and important conservation projects within the UK, if not Europe.  It is the restoration of The Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, in London.

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Expecting The Unexpected At The Gallery Of Modern Art

Expecting The Unexpected At The Gallery Of Modern Art

We are just about to see the grand reveal after the conclusion of a very interesting and challenging project at one of Scotland’s top attractions and historic buildings, the stunning Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow.

After an extensive series of conservation repairs, the scaffolding that currently covers the clock tower at GoMA will come down, revealing the new look of the 189 year old landmark.

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Nicholas Hawksmoor – London Churches (Book Review by Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord)

Nicholas Hawksmoor - London Churches (Book Review by Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord)

This book pays homage to the eight remarkable churches built in London to designs by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Constructed following an Act of Parliament in 1711 to build fifty new churches in the city, two of the eight were in collaboration with John James and several were affected by the Blitz, resulting in the demolition of one (St. John Horsleydown). Some have been appropriated for other uses in the meantime.

The centrepiece of this alluring publication is the stunning collection of stills of the seven remaining churches, by the renowned architectural photographer Helene Binet. This portfolio of images are, in their own right, outstanding.

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Are you prepared for the new digital construction era?

Are you prepared for the new digital construction era?

There’s an unstoppable digital revolution sweeping across the construction industry but how many of us are ready to ride the wave?

In just over two months (4th April), all parties involved in Government projects with a value of £6m and over, from architects, surveyors and construction companies through to manufacturers, will need to be Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 compliant at minimum.

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Chester Bus Interchange Planning Approved

Chester Bus Interchange Planning Approved

Cheshire West and Chester Council’ s planning committee have collectively voted in favour of the Chester Bus Interchange plans. A planning application was made for the scheme to be designed and constructed at the Gorse Stacks car park.

Council leaders had no reservations regarding the design plans, saying it would allow Chester to become a “first-class” destination.

The project is to begin on site next year and aiming to be up and running by 2016.

The Bus Interchange is seen as a compelling start of the redevelopment of Chester City Centre.

Record Results at St Christopher’s in Accrington

Record Results at St Christopher's in Accrington

Students from St Christopher’s High School in Accrington celebrated record results for their sixth form as the pass-rate climbed to a highly impressive 99.4 per cent.

82.5 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades while 57% achieved grades A* to B – which marks a rise of 8 per cent on last year. Perhaps the most eye-catching of all the statistics is that nearly a quarter of all students achieved either an A* or A grade.

On collecting their results, students began the exciting task of preparing themselves for a diverse range of university degrees which include medicine, law, physics and psychology.

Cuningar Loop Community Woodland Park masterplan receives Planning Consent

Cuningar Loop Community Woodland Park masterplan receives Planning Consent

Austin-Smith:Lord’s masterplan for a new community woodland on the Cuningar Loop on the River Clyde, opposite the Commonwealth Games village in Glasgow’s East End has secured planning consent from South Lanarkshire Council. The project, one of the Games legacy projects, will rehabilitate a vacant and derelict site to create a network of natural habitats, paths and trails, events spaces and outdoor activity facilities to encourage active participation in sport and enhance access to nature in an urban setting.

The masterplan for the 14 Ha site includes a path network that links to a new pedestrian bridge being taken forward by Glasgow City Council. The site works are to progress with Robertson Construction via the Scape Framework and are scheduled to be completed in 2014.