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.”

SPACE’S GRAND DESIGN

York Hospital, deputy chief executive Mike Proctor’s new home completed by Space Group.

A HEALTH chief was so enthused by ward refurbishments at his hospital - he asked a Leeds architectural firm to complete a Grand Designs-style project to create a stunning new family home.

Following the success of work at York Hospitals, deputy chief executive Mike Proctor tasked Nigel Pilkington, associate director at Leeds-based Space Group, with designing a striking four bedroom home for himself, his wife and two children.

Mr Proctor originally considered extending a small 1950s bungalow on the site in Haxby, North Yorkshire, but soon realised that this would not maximise the site’s potential or provide the family’s dream home.

Amongst its many features, the interior design includes glazed partitions, timber framed picture windows and a dramatic skylight over the central staircase.

Space Group project architect Tania Kosma said: “We asked the family to compile a scrapbook of different buildings and interior images that reflected their aspirations for their new home. Following the initial consultations it became apparent that a ‘Grand Designs’ style project would satisfy their brief.

“It was clear that they wanted something very modern that would also be practical for a busy family life. The long, narrow 1,200 sq metre plot presented many design problems, but also many opportunities to adopt a creative design approach resulting in an elegant and minimal solution.”

York Hospitals’ deputy chief executive Mike Proctor said: “Space Group rescued us from the design wilderness; its ideas and vision fired our own imaginations and opened our eyes to possibilities we would never have been able to consider without them.

“We now have a wonderful home that works on every level. My experience in this project has reaffirmed my long held belief that to achieve success in anything in life you have to surround yourself with good people and trust their judgements. Our fabulous home is testament to the quality and skills of the architects.”

Space Group worked to take full advantage of the beautiful surrounding views, which start from the grand oak double door entrance, with glazed surround, allowing glimpses of the landscape beyond.

The interior opens up to the main living and dining area, which utilises a five metre wide sliding-folding glazed-screen to ‘bring the outside in’ and maximise the views to the garden.

“It was a great opportunity for us and fulfilling to know that following the successful healthcare projects that Mike would also commission us to build his family home,” Tania added.

As these Grand Design-style projects don’t come around as often as the architects would like, it’s now business as usual for Space Group, successfully winning ProCure21 contracts with North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

BUILDING MAKEOVER TO CREATE HAPPY SHIP

Space Group associate director Nigel Pilkington (far right) shows the Sea Cadets the new design proposals.

YOUNG sea cadets across Bradford are riding on the crest of a wave after triumphing in a regional building makeover competition.

Earlier this year, Leeds-based _space architecture, part of Space Group, called for charity groups in need of a makeover to come forward to win a free renovation or refurbishment.

Bradford T.S Aurora Sea Cadets, a voluntary organisation for youngsters aged 12 to 18, has beaten off 20 other hopefuls and will now have its rundown premises overhauled.

Space Group has already visited the old school building and discovered the premises all at sea.

Now they are working on plans to redecorate the toilet and classroom areas, re-design the changing rooms and make the building shipshape.

Space Group’s Yorkshire office hopes to team up with local suppliers and contractors to help support the costs of the materials.

Space Group associate director Nigel Pilkington said: “We have visited the building and the main priorities are the classroom, toilets and changing rooms. As well as designing better storage zones, we will decorate the toilets with fresh paint, add more privacy screens in the changing rooms and add mirrors and shelving to make it a nicer and friendlier place to be.”

Alan Mandreit from the Sea Cadets said: “We have been trying to fix the building ourselves for years but it has proved to be an endless task. We have worked hard to improve things by painting as much as we can, but time constraints and lack of budget means it has been a slow process.

“We have also been trying to raise funds but the majority of this money is to fund a new minibus so I really am thrilled that Space Group has been our saving grace.”

Space Group opened up the competition in Yorkshire after successfully renovating a North-East children’s centre in the style of a TV 60-minute makeover.

Space Group CEO Rob Charlton said: “Working in communities is what our business is all about and we are particularly interested in supporting young people.

“The entire architecture team at the Yorkshire office has spent a lot of time whittling down the shortlist of entrants and we agreed that the sea cadets’ premises were most in need of a facelift.

“By applying our architectural and design skills, together with hands-on help such as painting and decorating, I’m sure we can make a real difference.

“Simple things, such as the clever use of colour and shape, can make a huge difference to how the area is perceived and used. I can’t wait to see the cadets benefitting from their new building.”