.
Here are some architectural blogs for those of us who don’t have a life beyond the screen.
Commentry courtesy of The Guardian.

bldgblog.blogspot.com
“Urban speculation, landscape futures” and mind-blowing drawings of space-age constructions.

EntschwindetUndVergeht.com
Reporting from the Negative Equity Ghetto of Thamesmead, location of A Clockwork Orange.

Architecturelist.com
Blogging on the latest super structures from China and Dubai, plus Russia’s plans for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

ArchiLook.com
Collecting architecture themed YouTube clips.

Pruned.blogspot.com
Eclectic mix covering New York tunnels, desert golf courses and Manchester Bury & Bolton canal.

Archidose.blogspot.com
Daily dose of architectural brain food.

Bauhaus 1919-1933 Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art; until 17 February

How shall we live? Television has an answer and it couldn’t be less philosophical: we shall live in a house with white walls, neutral carpets and a master bedroom with bathroom en suite, as instructed by Sarah Beeny. We shall do this because we are all on the great property ladder of life and resale is our ultimate ambition. To which end, in a further ruling from Beeny’s rivals Allsopp and Spencer, we shall never, ever buy a house in Middlesbrough….

Have a look at the Guardian article 

Block 11 : Progress Image No 1 : 11 June 2004

Ochre Yards is the site of the former Greenfields Railway Works overlooking the Tyne.  When complete the site will accomodate 11 apartments blocks by P + HS Architects for Bellway Homes and a separate commercial development by Faulkner Browns. 

Block 11 is the third block to be constructed and, at 180 meteres long, screens the site from railway lines at the rear.  111 apartments are accomodated, which are reached via open decks at the rear served from three towers. 

The structure comprises a reinforced concrete podium, built over a ground floor carpark, which supports 3 and 5.5 storey timber frame assemblies above. 

The image is of the timber frame under construction to the east tower and infill block.

 (There are 7 more images below; apologies that they are out of order - I’ll get it right next time.)

Block 11 : Progress Image No 7 : 10 December 2004

External finishes comprising render/ brickwork/ cadding sheets/ polished blockwork; east tower complete.

Block 11 : Progress Image No 9 : Completed Building in Context
View west along boulevard – Block 11 on the left facing block 5 under construction.

Block 11 : Progress Image No 8 : Detail of Completed Building
The central tower with a polished blockwork plinth and render above; each tower is coloured differently.  The horizontal movement joints in the render are to allow for settlement of the timber frame.  The balconies are constructed in steel to comply with NHBC requirements and had to be supported on an independant frame tied back to the timber frame only for lateral restraint (because the timber frame settles and the steel frame doesn’t).

Block 11 : Progress Image No 6 : 25 October 2004
Looking west towards the central and west towers.  The timber frame is complete and the external finishes are underway.

Block 11 : Progress Image No 4 : 21 July 2004
View of the central tower.  The timber frame is completed to the east and is progressing west.

Block 11 : Progress Image No 3 : 21 July 2004
View east showing the completed timber frame to the east tower and infill block.

Block 11 : Progress Image No 2 : 11 June 2004
View west showing timber frame assembly to the west tower and infill block.