Richard Waite, AJ News Editor, has noticed that Leeds Met has changed its approach to teaching architecture and the shift is bearing fruit. At the recent select exhibition for the school’s end-of-year show, Richard said “the projects closest to the door, drawn up by post-graduate students, are impressive…Tom Potter has created a sweet, colonnaded Chipperfield-esque model for a micro brewery in Leeds.” Nice one Tom

Seaham Health Centre has received Planning Approval from County Durham.

Procured through LIFT with Accent and CP25 the new health centre will provide “state of the art” primary care in Seaham. It’s been designed as part of a new Public Realm for St John’s Square, which will include a new park, Library and office space. The project is due to start on site in early 2010.

Once again, P+HS have excelled themselves at the LABC Northern Region Building Excellence Awards.  In a glittering ceremony, P+HS  received two commendations for Eaglescliffe Health Centre (with Tolent Construction) and Wrekenton Health Centre (with Laing O’Rourke), and won the Best Healthcare Building overall for Washington Primary Care Centre (also with Laing O’Rourke).   Washington will now go through to the National LABC Awards later in the year.  Congratulations to all involved.  The results were as follows:

Washington Primary Care Centre for Sunderland Teaching PCT- Best Healthcare Building - Overall Winner

Wrekenton Health Centre for Sunderland Teaching PCT - Commended

Eaglescliffe Health Centre for Abstract Integrated Healthcare - Commended

Here’s a novel response to the ongoing MPs expenses fiasco: An architectural design competition to find a housing solution for MPs in Westminster and in their constituencies.

Download the brief here: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/J…ion%20Pack.pdf

Additional information here: http://commonofhouses.blogspot.com/

   

Eaglescliffe Medical Centre was officially opened on Tuesday 5th May. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was the guest of honour at a well attended ceremony with representatives from all the building’s stakeholders. The Centre was developed by Abstract Integrated Healthcare and constructed by Tolent. One of the senior GP’s, Krysia Ellenger, described her feelings about the new building designed by the P+HS team.

” Just what the doctor ordered ! A building that so intimately reflects our vision and our ethos . A place of light, of healing, of comfort. A building that exudes quality, calmness and soothes pain. A building that is ambitious, that reflects the modernity of medicine, of ever expanding knowledge and yet it embraces the human side. A building that encourages wisdom, is kind to the soul and has context . ”

I think that sums it up! It’s a great example of team working delivering clients’ aspirations. Well done to everyone involved.
Photography by Doug Jackson

  

Photographs of the recently completed health centre at Wrekenton, Tyne & Wear.

The 1500sqm building has a prominent street frontage on one of the main routes into the town and contains accommodation for a local GP practice along with new pharmacy, dental, podiatry and minor ops facilities.

Client: Sunderland TPCT     Contractor: Laing O’Rouke

Here’s a link to EcoSalon’s list of 17 green roofs from around the world.

Interesting to flick through for 5 minutes and don’t worry, there’s some more modern stuff than the house shown above in there too.

I came across this article by Hugh Pearman in The Sunday Times.
It has some information on the exhibitions and reveals that both architects had more in common than you might think at first glance.

Hugh Pearman’s website has a collection of writing on architecture.

Eight units for Home Group have been completed. Built in partnership with STG, the development of two bed bungalows and two and three bed houses adds to six units designed by P+HS over 10years ago.

P+HS have recently submitted a planning application for a new single storey extension to the existing hospital. Accommodation consists of 11 new consultant rooms, physio treatment rooms and a new gym. A double height space from reception links the two wings, providing a more appealing waiting space for patients and visitors.
Materials consist of white render, white Lignacite blocks and horizontal timber cladding. From above, a sedum roof will help blend the building into the existing greenbelt landscape.
Graphics : Chris Lawes

Architects : Austin Smith Lord Architects

Leeds Discovery Centre (formerly Museum Resource Centre)
Clarence Dock, Leeds, Yorkshire, England

Leeds Discovery Centre houses many of the fascinating and diverse collections held by Leeds Museums and Galleries. Formerly known as the Museum Resource Centre, it moved to a brand-new state-of-the-art building opened in July 2007. Based at Clarence Dock near Leeds city centre, the new Discovery Centre provides improved access to the collections and is a fantastic resource for schools, educational groups and researchers. Many of the collections currently held at the Discovery Centre will also be on display in a new museum for Leeds which is due to open in 2008. The exciting development of Leeds City Museum is currently taking place in the heart of Leeds on Millennium Square.

Thanks to all who came to the Malcolm Fraser lecture last night in Newcastle - even though he was 45mins late I think he still inspired us. Talking about projects that have their feet firmly planted in history and tradition, his contemporary outlook and storytelling in buildings raised debate that is worth continuing.

Image - Malcolm Fraser Architects

This and the following picture are of a Loch side B&B i came across in Broadford on the Isle of Skye recently.  This had an absolutley amazing view from it’s front window.