Completed site Layout early 2005, showing new 2 storey office extension with glazed atrium link (blue)

Can you guess what it is yet? 

Walkergate Hospital in Newcastle, designed by P+HS Architects, is nearing completion and this is an image of the Art installation within the main entrance. The sculpture ‘Aurora’ was designed by International Artist Kisa Kawakami and consists of a series of coloured hanging rods with reflective disks attached. The ‘floating colours’ are designed to merge into more complex shades and densities and Kisa describes it as ’a wonder of lights in abstract form’. The sculpture was manufactured by Clifford Chapman in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

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.

Plot 4 ,  Court Barton Clifford: 

The first of the timber frames for the four new plots at Court Barton, Clifford is up and still standing.

The scheme comprises four new build residential plots, two barn conversions / extensions and the complete remodeling of the existing Court Barton house.  All set within 1.2 hectares of conservation area, complete with TPO trees, bat mitigation and flood plain

Following the challenges of the site conditions and restrictions imposed by the Environment agency, a system of greywater recycle tanks have been introduce, combined with  surface ditches to take any overspill. The Client is also currently looking into the prospect of Heat reclamation to feed the under floor heating.

The Developer is Lewcombe properties (Clifford) Ltd, who are also currently developing the Bridge water development in Holbeck, Which when complete will be the tallest skyscraper in Leeds, standing at 32 storeys. 

The four timber frame plots have provided plenty of challenges in adapting traditional stone work details, with a more contemporary and fast track construction method. This has led to the introduction of stone clad ‘dummy’ chimneys, capable of taking Class 1 flues,  GRC coping details over the non-loading bearing timber frame gable ends, not to mention the conflict between basic radon protection and the buildings integral breather membrane.

All four plots are due for completion in July 2007 and do come in other colours apart from blue!