_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.”

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...

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.”

MAKE _SPACE FOR SCOTTISH PROJECT COMPLETION

Space to Learn: The four completed schools across Dumfries and Galloway designed by Space Group.

A NORTH East architectural firm is continuing its development in Scotland after the successful completion of almost £40m worth of education projects.

Space Group – which has offices in Newcastle, Yorkshire and the North West – has joined forces with a consortium of building contractors to develop four new schools in Dumfries and Galloway.

Space Group has worked alongside contractors Farrans Construction, H and J Martins and Patton Group. It has designed new-build facilities to house Castle Douglas Primary School, Kirkcudbright Primary School, Wallace Hall Primary School and Academy and Stranraer Academy.

The first school to be completed is Castle Douglas Primary School with students due to move in this month (September 2009). The three other schools are set to receive their keys within the next six months.

Space Group director Steve Brooks said: “It has been very exciting for us to work on such a large scale brief and one in which we were able to showcase our capabilities and strengths.

“We have a very strong reputation in the education arena, having worked on projects that have received national recognition.”

Space Group has worked on each of the four sites over the past four years, further strengthening its reach and reputation in Scotland and is now considering a more permanent base in the region following the success of these projects.

The 200-strong practice, which was established in 1957, is gaining an increasingly strong reputation for its joined-up approach to sustainable communities.

Mr Brooks continued: “Space Group was appointed for its reputation in creating sustainable communities, in which a creative learning environment is at the heart.

“Every school has been designed with flexibility in mind - where every child can learn at their own pace and walk into a building that makes coming to school exciting and challenging.

“Our social responsibility is central to the business ethos, and we want our success to enable sustainable communities wherever we operate.”

Farrans’ contracts manager Warren Wright said: “As with every major construction project, this one brought its own distinct set of challenges. From day one, it became clear that the scale of the project involved building new educational facilities that would be a big deal for the region, and that would receive a very high public profile. There were also expectations of a high quality product, ready on time.

“Space maintained the pace and balanced contractors’ demands, providing timely information and expertise to bring value in a very competitive market. The team maintained good practice and at the same time gave precedence to maintenance and life cycle costs for the end user.”

The £40million construction projects included the new build of three schools and an extension to Stranraer Academy.

The key design aspiration of the Stranraer Academy extension was to create a ‘bold beacon’ - a landmark building that stands out and encourages lifelong learning for the secondary school students and wider community.

The existing building was retained and refurbished while the new building, which is hoped will become an important symbol of the community and the ‘face of Stranraer’, was designed as a simple, adjoining geometric cube.

The other projects included the amalgamation of two existing primary schools on the Kirkcudbright Primary School site to house pre-five and primary age students under one roof. The school was designed to be a landmark, featuring a multi-use games area which will be utilised by the local community.

The school has been separated into two zones, with the academic accommodation and a brand new sports hall flanking the entrance. The classrooms have been laid out as a natural evolution, with the pre-fives at the front of the school, graduating to Year 5 and Year 6 near the rear, towards the existing Academy, thus expressing progression throughout the pupils’ school lives.

Castle Douglas Primary School includes pre-five, primary and Additional Support for Learning Scotland (ASFL) students, who are due to move in this September.

The overall design provides specialised accommodation for each age group and the aim is to create a harmonious community under one roof.

The school is zoned to promote an open and welcoming learning area for students and the larger community, whilst also allowing for individualised learning spaces.

The building has been designed to embrace the surrounding landscape. The upper ground piggybacks the lower ground, forming a green roofed learning terrace that overlooks the scenery. This was designed to create a physical metaphor for ‘finding their own way’ as the students progress throughout their school years.

Wallace Hall Primary School and Academy are co-located on one site, incorporating a pre-five, primary and secondary school. Whilst the schools are separate, the accommodation has shared areas such as the sports, dining and administrative rooms.

This design is aimed to give the site a feeling of ‘one school under one roof’ and providing a thematic, consistent teaching approach throughout the students’ educational life. Inspiration for the location and design of this school was drawn from the surrounding landscape and the desire to create something bold and stimulating.

RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW RECRUIT

Space Group’s new senior urban designer Richard Charge.

LEEDS based architecture practice Space Group will further strengthen its position in the environment sector with the appointment of Richard Charge.

Mr Charge, has joined the firm’s integrated regeneration urban design and environment service as a senior urban designer.

The 29-year-old brings with him seven years’ expertise in developing masterplans and urban design frameworks for a range of national and international projects. His masterplanning experience across England and Northern Ireland includes contributing towards West Hull Masterplan as part of the emerging Area Action Plan.

Mr Charge previously worked as a senior urban designer for Tribal’s Urban Design and Masterplanning Team where he worked alongside ARUP on a Science City Masterplan, looking at ways to integrate science into the city of Magdeburg in Germany.

He was also a finalist at the 49th International Federation of Housing and Planning (IFHP) International Design Competition, where he received a commendation at the at the World Congress in Rome.

His expertise covers site specific design guidance, dealing with major planning applications and community consultation design workshops.

Mr Charge said: “Space Group’s ethos of people focused, sustainable design really appealed to me, and I’m looking forward to contributing to such a dynamic and creative team and at a time when the sustainability agenda and creating sustainable communities is of all time importance.

“I am looking forward to using my regional, national and international experience to build up this area of Space Group’s business.”

Space environment associate director Tony Wyatt said: “Welcoming Richard as our latest recruit confirms that Space Group is committed to creating and developing sustainable buildings and communities for people in Yorkshire and the Humber and his expertise will only enhance this.

“Richard really displays the attitudes and values that we look for in new recruits. We are delighted to be welcoming him to our ever growing team.”

As well as being a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), Mr Charge is also a qualified BREEAM Eco Homes Assessor and has a degree in town planning and a diploma and masters specialising in urban design.

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.

Rob Charlton on _space life

In May 2009, national architectural firm Space Group launched its online and social media portal, _space life.

CEO Rob Charlton discusses how the idea came to life and the online developments made since the launch.

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.

WORK UNDERWAY ON TRANSFORMING CARE AT LEEDS TEACHING HOSPITALS

THE transformation of hospital wards has begun as the first stage of a £34 million scheme to centralise children’s hospital services at Leeds General Infirmary and adult acute medicine and older people’s services at St James’s University Hospital.

Leeds architecture firm Space Group and Laing O’Rourke, Britain’s biggest privately owned construction company, has started the build for the Clinical Services Reconfiguration programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The entire programme is due to be completed during 2011. The project team will bring together the existing paediatric services, currently based at both St James’s University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), by refurbishing and renovating areas in the Clarendon and Jubilee wings at LGI to provide much improved facilities for children on a single site. Space freed up at St James’s will allow the centralisation of older people’s wards and acute medicine on that site.


The main changes at LGI include additional specialist facilities for children suffering from cancer, cystic fibrosis and serious liver conditions.

New draft ‘air lock’ lobby areas between each of the single patient rooms for children suffering from cancer have been designed by Space to reduce cross infection. The draft lobby area will be a separate room that nursing staff will have to walk through first before they enter the patients’ room from the outside ward.

“It’s a really challenging and interesting project,” explains Gordon Fawcett, Project Manager for Laing O’Rourke.

“The paediatric accommodation is being constructed within the existing buildings, so the Design Team has had to accommodate clinical and spatial requirements on a confined works site. Plus, the new works are adjacent to many wards and departments which are still operational – a major logistics challenge for the construction team.”

The project team has proposed a range of sustainable measures to reduce the impact of the works that could affect patients and the environment.

Space Group CEO Rob Charlton said: “Reusing existing fabric and materials where feasible reduces the environmental impact and lessens the toll on patients and staff.

“Upon completion, the community will benefit from the feel of both brand new paediatric facilities as well as better facilities for acute medicine and older people; a wonderful example of sustainability where the best elements of the old are preserved and augmented with state-of-the-art materials and design techniques.

“The new site will aid the health and well being of the children and the new environment will make their stay more comfortable and pleasant.”

A SCHOOL WITHOUT BARRIERS

CRAMLINGTON High School in coastal Northumberland was famed for its innovative approach to new learning techniques, long before it gained its shiny new building.

When North East architects _space were asked to translate the ethos of head teacher Derek Wise into a learning environment which matched up to his vision, they set about designing a building where every child could learn at their own pace, and where coming to school would excite and challenge them in their teenage years.

Two thousand students have recently moved in to the Cramlington Junior Learning Village complex which, thanks to pioneering Faraday funding, is also home to a mini Eden Project-style biome.

A specialist science college, Cramlington JLV is a flexible, IT rich environment. It has been designed for children to learn individually or in cluster groups, but without the formal structure of dividing walls and children sitting in rows.

Peer-to-peer learning is encouraged through spaces that flow together, allowing classes to interact in breakout zones and up to 120 children to gather in the science learning plaza. The informality of the environment gives children the chance to go at their own pace, experiment, coach and mentor each other.

The looser, open plan classroom environment also allows for team teaching areas for large groups - all new concepts for the teaching profession.

However, head teacher Derek Wise has long been known as a pioneer and knows only too well the importance the physical environment plays in helping the teachers engage and inspire young people in secondary education.

Classrooms have “docking stations” rather than desks. Children sit in groups of up to four sharing two PCs. They are free to face in whatever direction is best for group or individual learning, as the tables can be unlocked and moved inwards for group sessions, or turned back to the wall for work in smaller groups or alone.

Andrew Grounsell, lead architect on the project and associate director at _space, says: “The success of our building can only be seen when the teachers and pupils begin reacting to their new environment. We are now watching with interest how they interact with the space, how new teaching practices emerge and flourish.

“Every part of the building has been designed with multiple use and flexibility for children and teachers to colonise as they wish. The heart of the building is a colossal street that can hold the whole school, or even be used as a cafe-style eating area.

“We have created a real sense of collaboration and openness, not least by ensuring that every staff room is set between classrooms and has completely glass walls so pupils can see them, and they can always be present for students.

“There is no ‘us and them’ attitude to the school, which helps children embrace learning and be more interactive with their teachers.”

Cramlington JLV is one of the first seven exemplar schools, and only one of 13 that successfully received Faraday funding.

These additional funds were spent on an outstanding biome complex, which will not only teach botany, biology, energy and the environment, but will provide a challenging backdrop for other subjects such as art and design or drama. This will be supported by an extensive landscaping phase next year, creating an external outdoor learning garden.

Head teacher Derek Wise says: “We are thrilled with our genuine 21st Century school. It's everything we wanted and it will allow us to realise our vision.

“The range of learning environments encourages different approaches to learning and teaching. We are yet to really exploit its potential but there is no doubt that it's an exciting place to be.”