DRAW #03 by DRAW

Events

North West

Newsletter

Issue #03

WELCOME TO DRAW Hello. Welcome to DRAW, the publication for North West. Its hard to believe this is our but here we are… and spurred on by positive and readers we have some exciting plans for

architects in the third issue already, feedback from members the year ahead.

We do value your input, so if you have a drawing or article you’d like to share, or any comments on DRAW, please send them to us at hello@drawonline.co.uk or tweet us at @drawonline. But first, back to the present, and amongst the hectic run up to Christmas (and who doesn’t have a client who loves a good Christmas deadline?) there are some fantastic events coming up across the region in the next few months - not least RIBA North West’s own Christmas Social. If you can’t make it, don’t worry - Top 5 this month lists our favourite places in the North West for Christmas drinks, so why not pick a great venue, collar some colleagues and look back on a fantastic year for architecture in the North West… Construction starts are up; the Norther Powerhouse is gaining momentum; many new practices have opened across the region; for the second year running a superb North West building has gained national recognition on the shortlist for the Stirling Prize (and topped the public vote - well done The Whitworth); and three North West practices are on the long list for the RIBA House of the Year award (shedkm, Snook and Stephenson Studio). The inaugural Manchester Curious event - modelled on London Open House - was a huge success. We congratulate all involved in making it happen - and challenge architects in other cities to launch similar initiatives next year! Finally, as we look to expand DRAW for 2016 we welcome some new members to our team: Zoe Hooton, Lowell Clarke and Stuart Wheeler - you’ll be seeing more from them soon…

x Darren Jones, Editor.

DRAW TEAM x Gemma Birchall, John Bridge, Lowell Clarke, Mark David Flynn, Zoe Hooton, Darren Jones, Maryam Osman, Michael Swiszczowski, Stuart Wheeler. x @drawonline hello@drawonline.co.uk www.drawonline.co.uk Cover Sketch Benjamin Costello Print & Distribution Hobs Reprographics Paper GF Smith Designed by Mark David Flynn

Supported by RIBA North West Communications Committee, Sole Principals Group, North Lancashire Society of Architects, Cheshire Society of Architects, Liverpool Architectural Society, Manchester Architects, Lancaster and Westmorland Society of Architects and Cumberland Society of Architects.

PRESTON FORMER POST OFFICE I N T E R V I E W DRAW / Firstly, may I say it is a privilege to be talking to such a senior, well recognised, building. Following on from the Everyman Theatre and HOME, you are not only the oldest building I have interviewed so far, but also the only one to have achieved listed status. PFPO / Thank you. I have been pleasantly surprised by the recent interest bestowed upon me… I remember hoping for a new lease of life back in 2005 when, at the tender age of 102, I was acquired by Preston City Council. However, it wasn’t until early 2011 that the momentum behind my redevelopment began with a proposed change of use to a learning centre for young adults. However, this never came to fruition, and only now - after a high profile competition for Preston bus station - has interest once again swayed in my direction.

‘‘Although he is 21 years

DRAW / I heard that one of your Civic Quarter neighbours - the Fish Market - is also receiving a cosmetic makeover.

my junior, he is much more

PFPO / Quite right. Although he is 21 years my junior, he is much more exposed to the elements than I, protected by my solid masonry Queen Anne-style façade. As a result, he perhaps has a few more ‘greys’ than I do, but rather than share a box or two of ‘Just for Men’, we are both due significant investment and sensitive adaptation as part of the city’s core redevelopment strategy.

exposed to the elements than I, protected by my solid masonry Queen Annestyle façade.’’

DRAW / So the council now sees you as central to a new mixed use scheme which would include hotel, retail, leisure and residential facilities. How do you feel about that given your career since birth has been primarily focused on mail? PFPO / Well, you probably think that my original civic persona would clash with such a proposal, however, even when I was in service as a Post Office, I would moonlight as a ‘club’ to allow the hard working postmen and women to have a dance and let their hair down. I could certainly see myself becoming a boutique hotel!

M A N C HESTER CURIOUS The inaugural Manchester Curious festival (the North West’s answer to London’s Open House) took place from 1st to 4th October, kicking off in true Manchester style with a very cool, understated launch party. Hosted in the atmospheric Old Granada Studios, the launch party felt more like an underground rave than a RIBA and Manchester Architects affiliated event. Featuring a live DJ set, pop-up gallery and an opening speech delivered by the new RIBA President, Jane Duncan, the launch party provided its revellers with good reason to believe this new venture would be a huge success. With nearly all of the 36 pre-arranged, behind-the-scenes tours fully booked and more than 500 people taking part, the weekend was a huge success and demonstrated the value of our profession engaging openly with the public. Founder Lisa Raynes explains: “Architecture is an art form people engage with on a daily basis, but they don’t always give it the attention it deserves. There is also a perception that architecture is for ‘them’ as opposed to for ‘everyone’. This festival aims to democratise our craft and break down barriers between the professional and a wider audience. We achieved our aim of engaging a large number of people who aren’t architects or planners but are ordinary members of the public who are curious about Manchester.” x Planning is already underway for 2016, so do get in touch at info@manchestercurious.com x

ON THE SKYLINE The new Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by BDP has opened in Liverpool. The brief called for a unique paediatric environment that, together with adjacent Springfield Park, would form an integrated ‘Children’s Health Park’. Its hilly, undulating profile makes the new building instantly recognisable, even from a distance: a striking identity that stands in deliberate contrast to the typical idea of a hospital. And beneath the eyecatching forms, according to the AJ is “a quieter, more thoughtful side that connects with and articulates the realities and complexities of the human condition.” x ON THE SKYLINE submission and photograph (left) by Ged Couser, Architect Director of BDP. PRESTON FORMER POST OFFICE INTERVIEW by Michael Swiszczowski and photograph (top left) by Preston City Council.

S KETCHES

DECEMBER

/ LAS FILM NIGHT - ‘RUSSIAN ARK’

The 3rd Liverpool Architectural Society Film Night will show the classic movie ‘Russian Ark’ directed by Alexander Sokurov. Brian Hatton will give a short talk prior to the film. £8. FACT, Liverpool. 6pm.

01-02

/ ARCHITEX 2015 EXPO

Exhibition, conference & networking reception for the architecture & building design industry. Free. St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

/ CLARE NASH ‘RIBA ROLE MODEL’

Clare Nash Architecture is based in Helmdon in rural Northamptonshire. Specialising in rural architectural design, particularly eco-refurbishment, CNA takes inspiration from the vernacular. Budden Lecture Theatre, Liverpool, 5pm.

/ MANCHESTER DIGITAL LIGHT FESTIVAL

DRAW ISSUE #03

Art installation with giant balloon art structures that will light up Media City. Includes giant bunnies by Amanda Parer (shown below) and a lightbox maze. Media City, Salford Quays, 4.30pm- 10.30pm. Runs till the 27th.

Follow @drawonline to keep up-to-date with the latest events. x Sketch (above) by Ewen Miller

T OP 5 The DRAW team lists out their favourite venues for Christmas Drinks in the North West. Kendal - Bootleggers Bar, Finkle St: A great bar for live music and whilst hidden down a side street, it is by no means modest inside. A great place to don your Christmas jumper for a pint of real ale. Preston - Hartleys Wine Bar, Mount St: An ornate bar off the main Fishergate strip on Mount Street. An ideal location for a pint after work or indeed a break between Christmas shopping off the high street! Jager mulled cider Christmas special optional!  Manchester - Oast House, Spinningfields: Famous for its Tipi and range of international beers, as well as great food in interesting trays and plates! They have a great 90 minute Ale Tasting Masterclass with their very own Gurus!  Liverpool - Alma de Cuba, St. Peters Church: A fantastic rustic contemporary designed drinking venue with gallery walkways that connect the large open space. A really good venue for a group outing from the office and stunning collection of cocktails on offer. Chester - The Architect: Whilst a cliché on our profession, it just so happens to be a perfect classic eating and drinking venue with conference facilities too. Next to Chester Racecourse within the Roman City Walls.

Want to contribute? Send your news, events and sketches to hello@drawonline.co.uk

FEBRUARY

ERIC PARRY

Eric Parry Architects (The Holburne Museum - shown left). Budden Lecture Theatre, Liverpool. 5pm.

TED X MANCHESTER

A collision of people and ideas from across the arts, technology, media, science, academia, industry and more. HOME, Manchester.

IRENA BAUMAN

Retrofitting Neighbourhoods - Designing for Resilence by Irena Bauman of Bauman Lyons Architects (Tower Works - shown left). Budden Lecture Theatre, Liverpool. 5pm.

IMAGINE:INSPIRE:INVOLVE

The Imagine:Inspire:Involve yearly event returns - the theme this year is Conservation. Orgainised in collaboration with the Lake District National Park. TBC.

Want to suggest an event? hello@drawonline.co.uk

J ANUARY

OMA’S FACTORY WIN

/ DISCOVER MANCHESTER WALKING TOUR

The essential Manchester Walk for Locals and visitors alike. Giving a taste of the history, architecture and culture. Manchester Central Library. 11am to 12.45pm. Also on the 23rd.

Want to suggest an event? hello@drawonline.co.uk

OMA have triumphed over a stellar shortlist to land the £110 million contest to design The Factory - a new flexible art space in Manchester.

DE C EMBER 2015 - FEBRUARY 20 1 6

Due to complete in 2019, the 2,200 capacity venue will be OMA’s first building in the North West. Other elements of the regeneration of the former Granada Studios site are being designed by Levitt Bernstein, Buckley Gray Yeoman and local practice SimpsonHaugh.

x Sketches by Duncan Hammond (above) and Ewen Miller (left)