_space group and Children North East paint Newcastle pink

Newcastle architects _space group have donated almost £16,000 to regional children’s charity, Children North East, thanks to fundraising at their annual charity event, the Think Pink Ball.

The event, held at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel in Newcastle, saw over 200 guests come together to raise a total of £15,755 through table bookings, a charity auction and private donations.

Money raised at the ball will be used to support young people and families who are suffering from the effects of poverty and neglect, with a portion going to support Hill Court, temporary accommodation where Children North East supports children and their parents who are homeless or fleeing from unfortunate circumstances.

Jeremy Cripps, Chief Executive, Children North East, said: “We are extremely grateful to _space group for once again supporting our important work ensuring that children and young people enjoy a good childhood and fulfil their potential no matter how poor their family circumstances are; and to help families move quickly through crises such as homelessness to re-establish themselves.”

The charity auction, which saw prizes including a Newcastle United match day experience, donated by David Smailes of Morgan Sindall and a charity golf day with Ant and Dec, sourced by Janet Richardson, raised £3,750 for the good cause.

Rob Charlton, chief executive, _space group, said: “In the current climate, encouraging people to donate to charity is an uphill struggle, and we have found this is doubly so when looking at our own industry. So for us, being able to have the support of 220 guests at the Think Pink Ball, some from large construction companies, was heartwarming and a wonderful expression of peoples’ desire to help, no matter how hard times are.

“We wouldn’t have been able to make the Think Pink Ball the success it was if we hadn’t been given support and time from individuals who made it their responsibility to be involved with this cause. For example, Janet Richardson, wife of Children North East trustee Stephen Richardson, who was able to encourage prize donations from across the region. We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us and hope that we can continue to work with Children North East in the future.”

_space group has worked with Children North East since 2007, and has raised in excess of £50,000 for the charity, thanks to donations from the Think Pink Ball, sponsored participation in the Great North Run and regular staff donations.

_space group is 'Revited' to the top spot

Architectural firm _space group is celebrating after becoming the single most professionally certified BIM (Building Information Modelling) delivery organisation in the UK.

The firm has just seen nine members of its team awarded with 3D design and engineering global software company Autodesk’s Revit Architecture 2011 Professional Certification, giving it 19 out of 43 certified professionals in the UK.

_space group, who specialise in integrated BIM design, have been leading the way on the process, which allows architects to design 3D models virtually and therefore reduce time on site, margin for errors and overall scheme costs, for almost a decade, choosing to utilise the Revit software program to do so.

The firm’s pioneering work in the field of BIM includes peer to peer seminars and one to one sessions with figureheads in the construction industry. _space group’s dedicated team of BIM-lovers have also set up a free and unique online resource – www.bimstore.co.uk – which supplies reliable, consistent, high quality components from manufacturers for designers.

Seeing how a scheme will look before a spade even hits the ground: a Revit model of _space group scheme, West Hull Primary Learning Village.

Rob Charlton, _space group’s chief executive, said: “_space group’s ethos is to think differently. BIM technology was being pioneered by Autodesk many years ago, and once we found out about it and started to understand its applications across the construction industry, we realised how useful it would prove for delivering schemes, and how we can use it to benefit clients by delivering schemes using more thought, and creating less waste.

“Paul Morrell, the government’s chief construction advisor, has publically advocated BIM, and is intending to place it at the heart of the public procurement process. He will be recommending it is used on all public projects worth £5m or more, which means that this technology is going to become a vital part of the way we operate as an industry.”

_space group’s BIM leader, James Austin, has been working with the company as an architect since 2005 and delivered the company’s first project that made use of BIM, a secondary school in Washington under the BSF scheme.

James said: “I’ve been interested in the area of digital craft, the use of the computer as a manipulation tool, since university and I’ve paid close attention to how this affects the architecture industry. When I was working on Washington School, I was responsible for looking at the benefits of using BIM as the delivery system, and I was able to combine professional and personal interests.

“_space group saw how I embraced the process, its uses, and understood how that change has benefitted me and how it could benefit the company. They’ve invested the time in me and allowed me to grow and develop this within the company, creating my current role for me. When I suggested that we train up our workforce to be skilled BIM users, they were firmly behind the commitment, which I think shows a great investment in our own resources.”

Rob added: “We are a company that believes heavily in investing in people, and the commitment that James and the rest of our team has shown in obtaining these additional qualifications is really heartening. While having the most Autodesk Revit certified professionals in the UK is an accolade for our company, I find the dedication of our team to furthering their knowledge, and wanting to be the best that they can be, is the true accolade, and a mark of the respect they have for us.”

_space to be EXCEPTIONAL in Durham!

Newcastle-based architects _space group have been awarded the highest environmental assessment accolade possible on a scheme that will change the face of Durham City.

The education architects have secured a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Excellent’ rating for the £32m Durham University Gateway project, which is currently on site on the city’s Stockton Road.

The project, which sits within a World Heritage Site, comprises the design for a new flagship building to accommodate the internationally renowned Durham Law School, and the Palatine Centre housing student services, professional support services and a catering outlet. The project also includes a major extension to the Main Library.

A visualisation of the new flagship Durham Gateway building, due to be completed next year

Trevor Armour, deputy director (projects), estates and buildings, Durham University, said: “We’ve been working closely with _space group since 2008 to ensure that we create a building that makes the most of current sustainability practices and is a fitting piece of architecture for the estate and the city landscape.

“For the Palatine building to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating at this stage is a great indicator that we are on track to accomplish our goals. The Palatine building represents a significant investment in both the University estate and the City of Durham and we are very satisfied with the work _space group has done so far. We are keen that the finished Palatine building will be an iconic part of the university, embracing 21^st century design standards.”

_space group is also responsible for the landscape design strategy for the Science Site campus that surrounds the Gateway project. Plans include the pedestrianisation of the Science Site, creation of new site gateways and public ‘heartspace’ in front of the Main Library. A new and vibrant pedestrian and cycle friendly public realm will be created, rich in public art, specimen tree planting and generous landscaping.

Andrew Grounsell, associate director, _space group, said: “Our company philosophy is to create sustainable communities in the regions in which we are based. While we have offices across the North, we have a long history in the North East and to be able to make a positive change in the city of Durham is very rewarding.

“Our work is underpinned by green thinking at every turn, and the Gateway project is no exception. Working with the concept architects, ph partnership, we have incorporated a number of features such as natural ventilation, solar shading, solar collectors, photovoltaics and sedum roofs, and we have selected eco-friendly materials at every turn.

“Our goal is not only to deliver a building that is iconic and sensitive to the historic setting, but also meets very stringent green standards. I believe that this BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating is a hugely important step to fulfilling the criteria both we and the university have set ourselves.”

The Durham Gateway scheme is scheduled for completion in the autumn of 2012.

_SPACE GROUP IS ONLY ARCHITECTS IN TOP 25 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

The _space team "wear it pink" on Breast Cancer Awareness day last year

National architectural firm, _space group, has become the only architectural firm in the UK to rank in the top 25 of the ‘Sunday Times Best Small Companies To Work For’ list.

The company, which employs 130 people across offices in Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds, placed 24^th, a 23 place jump from 2010.

_space group is also the only architectural firm to be awarded three star accreditation status by the Sunday Times ‘Best Companies’ projects team, and one of only 84 organisations in the UK to receive this accolade.

_space group chief executive, Rob Charlton, said: “It is absolutely incredible to think that we are highest ranking architectural firm in the UK in the ‘Sunday Times Best Small Companies To Work For’ list.

“We aren’t the sort of organisation that looks to be validated by how many awards are on our mantelpiece, but we do judge ourselves on the happiness of our people, as we know this has a marked effect on how well we perform as a business, and the high level of service we’re able to provide our clients.

“That our team thinks _space group is worthy of being a ‘Best Company’, and that this opinion is shared externally, is incredibly heartwarming. I am very proud of each and every person who works for _space group and hope that we are able to continue performing to this high a standard.”

Best Companies accreditation is based on eight different categories – my manager, leadership, my company, personal growth, my team, giving something back, fair deal, wellbeing.

_space group achieved its highest ranking in the ‘giving something back’ category, with the most common response being “my organisation makes a positive difference to the world we live in.”

The company, which has the vision of making life better for the communities in which it works, contributes time, resources and money to charity organisations in the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the North West, and has fostered a special relationship with organisations such as Children:North East, and Young Enterprise, working with the latter to coach teenagers on business and enterprise skills.

Janet Woodhouse, development officer, Young Enterprise North East, said: “We’ve been working with _space group since 2008 and they have consistently helped to make a positive difference to our students and their projects, encouraging them to think differently and creatively. Their high ranking comes as no surprise and we are very pleased for them.”

_space to re-join the fold

Welcome Home: Darren Purvis re-joins _space group as an interior designer

Northern architecture firm _space group, has strengthened its interior design team, _space interiors, with the appointment of a former employee, Darren Purvis.

He will jointly oversee the _space interiors team alongside Sophia Barton, based in the company’s Manchester office. With 12 years’ experience, across the hospitality, commercial, education and healthcare sectors, Darren will lead key projects in these sectors.

Darren said: “When I heard _space group was looking for another interior designer to boost the team, I got in touch straight away. They were keen to have me back and the rest is history.

“The company may have grown since I’ve been away, opening new offices and working further afield, but it is still the same friendly and open organisation I used to know and I can’t wait to get immersed in that again.”

Darren, 35, worked for the company under its former name, Waring and Netts, before joining specialist interiors firm, Ward Robinson.

Andy Roberts, _space group’s Managing Director of Architecture, said of the appointment: “Thanks to a number of project wins with a significant interior design element, we needed to increase our interiors team and we were very lucky that Darren was keen to work for us again.

“He is a great addition to the team, and we’re extremely happy to have him back. He’s a capable, confident individual who delivers exemplary projects of the highest standard. I am sure that he will settle back in very quickly.”

As well as a successful interior designer, having worked on projects nationwide, Darren is a keen distance runner, running for his local team, Birtley Athletics Club, as well as participating in distance races such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run, having completed the latter in under 71 minutes in 2010.

Darren continued: “What I’m passionate about is the challenge that interior design brings. I have been lucky enough to work on projects as diverse as the Corn Exchange in Leeds, and _space group’s Newcastle office, with the former being a listed building and the latter my future workplace. It is this diversity that interests me and keeps work fresh and exciting.”

Darren will also be involved in helping _space interiors to pursue new business opportunities and grow its offer in different sectors.

Creating space to halt in Haltwhistle

Our environmental arm, _space environment, has been called in to help put the official geographical centre of Britain - Haltwhistle - firmly on the map as a destination site and gateway to attractions such as Hadrian’s Wall and the Northumberland National Park.

Experts at the firm have worked with Haltwhistle Town Council and the Haltwhistle Community Partnership to produce a brief to encourage innovative developers to put forward proposals for a 7.5 hectare site south east of the town, close to the A69. The site is owned by Northumberland County Council, which has commissioned _space environment to act as its adviser.

The Council’s vision is to create what will be known as the Haltwhistle Gateway, to encourage people who would otherwise bypass the town to stop and explore what is on offer, both in the town centre, and the surrounding area.

Phase one is likely to see construction of a visitor information point, hotel, restaurant and petrol station, which will be surrounded by footpaths, cycle track and public open spaces.

The Council is inviting developers to submit expressions of interest before the end of January, after which the shortlisted developers will be given the _space group brief to help them create detailed proposals.

The _space group team will then assess the proposals and advise the Council on which submissions they feel best show exemplary design and build quality.

This is the latest in a series of Tyne Valley community projects carried out by _space environment, which provides urban design, master planning, historical and natural environment and landscape services. Earlier this year the team completed a £2.2m extension to Haltwhistle Library, giving local residents more library space plus community activity spaces and offices.

Tony Wyatt, associate director of _space environment, said: “This is a very exciting development opportunity that could really boost the fortunes of Haltwhistle and the surrounding area.

“It’s a beautiful example of a Northumberland market town and the perfect spot for people to use as a base for exploring the area. With the World Heritage Site Hadrian’s Wall right on the doorstep, and thousands of hectares of stunning scenery in the Northumberland National Park, there are a host of things to see and do.

“Around 10,000 vehicles pass Haltwhistle every day and therein lies the problem – they currently pass by.

“What the town needs now is a developer with the imagination and skill to create the right mixed use development that will establish Haltwhistle as a special destination. This will help to encourage people to eat, shop and visit its local attractions, all of which will bring in much needed tourism revenue and create employment for local people.”

Hooray for new starters!

Our new team members: (back to front row, l-r) Lisa Rogan, Judith Forster, talent manager Diane Charlton, Imran Zulfqar, Ed Cutler, David Owen and Andrew Wilson

_space group has doubled its graduate recruitment intake this year as it looks to supply the country with the next generation of architects.

The budding architects, who fought off stiff national competition for their placements, will work with us, across our offices in the North East, North West and Yorkshire.

Ed Cutler from Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough, has joined _space group after recently qualifying from the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA). He will now fulfil his part one qualification at _space group’s North West office.

He said: “I graduated from the MSA with a BA in July 2009, but was unable to find work, prompting a decision to take a Masters degree a couple of years earlier than planned. I am delighted to have been accepted onto _space group’s graduate recruitment programme, giving me the opportunity to further both my personal and professional development.

“Being part of a team working on exciting educational projects will really help me develop a range of skills that will hold me in good stead for the rest of my career. Not only am I looking forward to developing my experience in a working environment, but _space group has a great reputation for training its team members.”

The training will see the graduates work on live projects with senior architects, gaining a practical insight into architecture, alongside tailored seminars with _space group directors that expose the new starters to a wide variety of theoretical topics such as practice management and legislation.

The news comes as graduates are facing intense competition for jobs as the class of 2009 was rocked by the recession. According to gradplus.com, recruitment growth in the UK continued to slow in September this year.*

_space group talent manager Diane Charlton said: “Every year we look forward to welcoming the latest fresh young talent the UK has to offer and we have some excellent recruits this year.

“Training is something at the core of _space group’s principles – we are a company who want to provide as much opportunity to young talented individuals as possible, and our training programme is a great platform for them to shine. Our graduate programme also creates fantastic career opportunities. Some of our past training programme recruits have come back to work with us as qualified architects, and have become respected in the industry.”

A previous recruit onto _space group’s training programme was Carinna Gebhard. Carinna has now worked at the design, build and operate firm for a number of years, seeing her career expand into the education sector with a portfolio of high profile projects to her name.

The new recruits will complete the same in-house training as _space group chief executive Rob Charlton undertook 19 years ago when the organisation was known as Waring and Netts.

It almost goes without saying (but we're going to say it anyway) that we're thrilled to have been able to do this, and offer opportunities to the next decade's brilliant architectural minds! Watch this _space to see how they get on...