Tuesday 23 June 2009

FACE OF SPACE SEES DESIGNER TAKE STARRING ROLE

Star of the show: Space Group’s 3D visualiser Hugh O’Neill with the Space Group marketing picture which he stars in.

AN architectural firm committed to encouraging a creative working culture has turned one if its people into a star of its annual marketing campaign.

Space Group’s 3D visualiser Hugh O’Neill is the talk of the office after securing a starring role in a contemporary set of new company images, which will be used extensively to market the business.

Just as hardware store B&Q announced that it has used more than 500 staff in its TV advertisements since 2006*, Space Group has also utilised its people to be the face of ­its new website and the company’s online social media portal ‘Space Life’ which houses its Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and blog posts.

Hugh, 32, adopted a pilates pose in the company’s last campaign and has this year swapped his jeans for a pinstripe suit, Blackberry and briefcase.

The image, taken on the roof of Gateshead’s Baltic Place, was taken to portray the ‘work’ element of the firm’s six divisions - work, play, care, learn move and live.

For the second year running Space Group has commissioned local creative photographer Sasa Savic to shoot the images, to reflect the company’s community work.

Sasa’s work went on display at _spaceworks’ own gallery in Gosforth, Newcastle, in June, where the company holds a monthly Think and a Drink event to support local talent.

Space Group chief executive Rob Charlton said: “Instead of turning to a pricey modelling agency we decided to utilise our own people in our marketing efforts.

“Each year, Space Group commissions a photographer to reflect our work in the community.

“Following the success of last year’s images, which included my own little daughter Daisy, we have re-commissioned Sasa, an emerging professional photographer, to really bring our brand to life.

“Space Group is passionate about nurturing up and coming talent and we have been very delighted to support Sasa’s work once again.

“These images will be used extensively to market the business and are featured on our website and have been displayed in space gallery throughout June.”

Hugh said: “I have been involved in the Space promotional pictures for the past two years now so people have been calling me the ‘face of space’ which is fun.

“In my day job, I take the architectural elevations and transform them into 3D visualisations or artists’ impressions so to actually be involved in front of the camera is really interesting and I’m pleased to have been given the experience.”

The images will be exhibited at ‘Space Gallery’ during its Think and a Drink event on Thursday 25th May until the end of July or can be seen on www.spacegroup.co.uk



*Campaign Magazine.

Tuesday 16 June 2009

Monday 1 June 2009

NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT SPACE GROUP

Tony Wyatt, Associate Director of _space architecture

THE man who led the award winning urban design and conservation input into Newcastle’s historic Grainger Town and East Quayside regeneration has joined architectural firm Space Group.


Tony Wyatt, former Urban Design and Conservation Group Manager at Newcastle City Council, has been appointed as Associate Director of _space architecture. The 54-year-old from Gosforth, Newcastle, will be responsible for the firm’s integrated regeneration urban design and environment service.

He brings with him more than 30 years’ public and private sector experience and is also an independent National Specialist Advisor.

Tony said: “This was a terrific opportunity for me to take on a new challenge and join a really progressive company.


“My job is to develop the Group’s urban design, master planning, historical and natural environment and landscape services.


“I look forward to using my national and public sector contacts to build up this area of Space’s business.”


Tony is currently an urban design advisor on the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) national Design Review Panel. He was selected in 2006 and his term has recently been extended until 2011.


His extensive experience also saw him being invited to join the Home Office design review panel in 2008, with a position on both the North-East and North-West regional design panels following this year.


Tony has been an Executive Member of the national Historic Towns Forum since 2006, serving as Vice Chairman in 2007.


Space Group CEO Rob Charlton said: “To attract someone of Tony’s calibre is a real coup for us.


“He is extremely well regarded in his field and we look forward to further building our urban design reputation with his help.”