PINK ARCHITECTS GET IN THE PINK

ARCHITECTURAL firm Space Group got in the pink today (30 October) to raise awareness and vital funds for breast cancer.

Space Group, which is based in Brewery Wharf, Leeds, is playing its part in the Breast Cancer Campaign’s national ‘Wear it Pink’ day by asking its staff to donate a minimum of £2 in exchange for a hot pink _space-branded t-shirt.

The company, whose corporate brand is pink, is also asking for a further £1 donation from staff who wish to wear jeans for the day, with all money raised going to support the work of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Space Group associate director Nigel Pilkington said: “Breast cancer research has made considerable progress over the past two decades but vital work is still underway to improve quality of life and survival rates.

“As our corporate colour is hot pink, we felt this was something we could get behind by selling the crew neck t-shirts in exchange for a donation.

“One woman in nine in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime and every donation helps bring us a step closer to beating the disease.”

Breast Cancer Campaign uses all ‘Wear it Pink’ donations to fund innovative, world-class research throughout the UK and Ireland to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

ARCHITECTS ROCKET WITH NEW JOB

(left to right) Space Group associate director Nigel Pilkington with new architects Liam Croft, Lee Cocksedge and Neil Bulmer.

YORKSHIRE architectural practice Space Group has added to its expanding team with the appointment of three new architects that collectively bring more than 40 years’ expertise to the firm.

The national company, which launched its Leeds base in July 2007, has swelled staff numbers to 18 by taking on three more talented architects as it continues to grow its reputation for delivering high-end sustainable building design and communities.

Space Group’s new appointments are architectural technologist Lee Cocksedge, senior architect Neil Bulmer and graduate architect Liam Croft.

Mr Cocksedge, 33, from Saltaire Village, near Shipley in West Yorkshire, brings with him 12 years’ experience in the architecture and construction industry.

He joins Space Group from a Skipton-based contractor, and has previously worked on a broad spectrum of projects including the development of several Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK.

His new role will see him at the heart of a range of building designs including Selby Community project – a mixed office and hospital development. He will be responsible for producing the construction technological information, including the details of the design specification and is set to use the new innovative architecture design technology Revit, which brings designs to life in 3D.

Mr Cocksedge said: “I am really enjoying my new job and working on such a broad variety of projects. I was instantly attracted to the company’s visionary approach of creating inspiring space for work, play, heath, education and retail buildings. It is great to start a new role and be part of a fresh and dynamic team of like-minded professionals.”

Mr Croft, 22, from Great Ouseburn in York has recently graduated from Liverpool University were he gained a 2:1 in architecture. He has joined Space Group as a part 1 graduate architect where he will assist with the developments of the Leeds Teaching Hospital project. He said: “When I graduated I knew I wanted to work for a creative practice that could offer me a range of projects to get my teeth into. I was first attracted to Space’s highly regarded reputation in education design and build and I hope to work more on the educational projects in the future.”

Mr Bulmer, from Baildon, West Yorkshire, is the most recent senior appointment and joins as a senior architect, bringing with him over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry.

Mr Bulmer has previously worked across the county on the conversion of listed buildings into new workplace and office developments, including the nationally renowned Dean Clough building in Halifax, which is a celebrated model of regeneration.

He will now lead the Selby Community Project - a joint development between Yorkshire PCT and Selby District Council, which will see a new cottage hospital with adjoining civic centre offices.

Associate director Nigel Pilkington said: “We have recruited three new Space people to help us with a recent increase in demand. It’s positive to see that despite the downturn we are still growing and taking on more work, which reinforces our geographic expansion plans in the North West, the Scottish borders and further afield.

“The breadth of our new team’s individual skills and collective experience across a range of sectors fits perfectly with our own business values and I am delighted to welcome everyone on board.”

Brightening up Percy Main Primary

Students at Percy Main Primary School

Pupils, parents and staff at Percy Main Primary School have been working with design and building professionals to brighten up their school hall for free.

The school is one of just five in the country to receive a free makeover as part of a major national education programme, the Big School Makeover, which is an initiative of the British Council for School Environments (BCSE). The programme aims to encourage teachers, parents and young people to get involved in refreshing or refurbishing a classroom, dining room or even an outdoor space.

The programme's slogan, Small Change to Big Difference, illustrates that with a little imagination and effort any area of the school can be turned into a pleasant and stimulating place of learning, whatever the budget.

BCSE Chief Executive Ty Goddard said: "We are in the middle of the biggest investment in school buildings since Victorian times. Every child in the country deserves the best possible school building - whether it's through a refresh of colour, a major refurbishment or a new build. We want to see young people and teachers up and down the country involved in designing and taking action in their schools."

The makeover project partners, Dulux Trade and construction firm Willmott Dixon, are worked with the BCSE, pupils and staff on design plans and implementation for the multi-use hall at Percy Main Primary School.

John Walsh, Headteacher Percy Main Primary School, said: "We are thrilled to be involved with the Big School Makeover and our whole school community are really looking forward to reaping the benefits from this project.

"The opportunity to work with a variety of professionals and witness their talent and 'know -how' first hand has raised the aspirations of us all, and the success of the collaboration has already made us ask; 'What can we improve next?"

Martha James from Dulux Trade said: "Good design is achieved by really thinking about what you want from an environment, who will use it and what they will be using it for. Schools have a central role in the community and the way people engage with a school building, positive or otherwise, can be directly affected by the colour and design of a space.

"Transforming the learning environment really can add colour to the lives of the people who use it. The Government's Better Public Building even states that 'the design of schools can promote the performance of pupils, the retention of staff and a more creative approach to teaching and learning'. Every child has the right to a stimulating, exciting school environment - one that nurtures learning and interaction. The Big School Makeover shows just how easy it is to achieve this."

Architects from local architecture practice Space Group also spared their time to offer expertise and donate materials towards the school makeover.

Space Group architectural assistant Steven Paynter who has worked with the students on the school makeover said: "It has been great to work with the students on the design and layout of their new school hall. They have been very creative in coming up with ideas of how they would like it to look and it was exciting to see the whole thing come to life and the students enjoy their new learning environment.

"Previously the school hall was used for a wide variety of purposes but was in a poor state of decoration. The space is used for dining, gym, assemblies, performances and as a main thoroughfare. The hall is in constant use throughout the day and it therefore needed to be flexible to allow for the many changes of use. The students have worked hard to ensure the school identity is reflected in the new design."

Peter Owen, Willmott Dixon managing director for the Midlands and education sector manager, says: "This is the third consecutive year we have joined forces with the BCSE to carry out school makeovers. They are a tremendous opportunity to show just how easy it is to bring to life school space that is not being used to its best potential.

"The quality of the learning environment is key to helping children reach their potential and we are delighted to be able to transform space at Percy Main Primary School during the BCSE's Big School Makeover."

Live Theatre - Space for Preservation

At the heart of the cultural renaissance of Newcastles Quayside, national architectural firm Space Group recently redeveloped the design for the Grade II* listed Live Theatre.

The scheme provided Live Theatre with an additional 11,000 sq ft, resulting in a more spacious foyer, new box office, larger bar and restaurant and much-improved auditorium with more comfortable seating, air conditioning and better views of the stage.

Hummersknott School - Space for a makeover

With the help of architectural practice Space Group, Hummersknott School and Language College in Darlington has just undergone a £14.5million refurbishment.

This saw the construction team build new parts of the school, with existing areas built in 1954 carefully refurbished and maintained.