June 15 2005

North

Northumbria University’s Architectural Design and Management Programme which was set up in 1997 has been approved by the Architects Registration Board. According to Tony Beacock, Director of Architecture within the School of the Built Environment, it is a vindication of the school’s singular approach to teaching project management along with design in the Part I stage. “Our graduates have proved to be very employable and we are now under pressure from employers, and indeed students to introduce a Part II,” said Beacock. The RIBA have also commended the School for its design teaching.

Applications have finally closed for the position of Head of the Joint School of Architecture for Manchester Metropolitan University & University Of Manchester, established in 1996. The current head of the Joint School, Joe Jessop was a senior member of staff at the MMU prior to the amalgamation of the schools. In requesting a candidate that has “a National/international reputation for academic leadership in the field”, it is believed that the MMU, who will directly employ the successful candidate, is looking for a figure from out-with the current staff structure.

The Manchester Society of Architects has been busy over the past month organising social activities. Tickets are now available for the MSA Annual dinner, which will be held at the Midland Hotel, Manchester on Friday 28 October 2005. Tables will sit 10 or 12 people and the ticket price is £70, with a £5 discount on each ticket bought before the end of July. Contact Paul Jeffrey, MSA Council, C/o Bowker Sadler Partnership Limited. On a healthier note the MSA has organised a 5-A-Side football tournament in partnership with Ibstock. North West practices and guests are invited to submit teams for the tournament on 9 July. Contact Dan Labella on 0161 236 7722 to register a team.


Scotland

Historic Scotland has written to Argyll and Bute planners to object to Classical House’s plans to build in the grounds of St Peter’s Seminary Cardross and to turn the A-Listed building into a consolidated ruin. Describing the building as produced by “one of the UK’s most celebrated firms of architects in the postwar period,” the letter says: “Historic Scotland is keen to promote the long-term re-use of the buildings, and the revival of their exceptional setting. Appropriate long-term re-use is likely to appear only in a scenario where the full potential of the buildings and Estate has been identified. Historic Scotland believes that the current proposals falls short of that goal.”

Austin-Smith: Lord has been selected to design a new 2300m2 extension to the University of Dundee Library, winning out on a shortlist of BDP, Reiach and Hall, Richard Murphy, Malcolm Fraser and Nicol Russell.

GM+AD have been invited to prepare a concept design for the Roath Basin Bridge in Cardiff. The Masterplanners have supplied a brief and submission is due at the end of July. A fee of £10K will be paid.

The practices that have made the shortlist for the Café On The Square are blockarchitecture, studio KAP, Reiach & Hall, Richard Murphy Architects, RMJM and JM Architects. Brief sketches of the designs can be seen on our forum, www.prospectmagazine.com/phpBB2/. Check under News and Developments.

Architecture + Design Scotland have no plans to publish details of their Design Reviews on their website. At the time of publication, no information had been released about the first design review on May 10. According to Sebastian Toombs, Chief Executive of A+DS, the delay was caused by it being the first review.

Stirling Council are to appoint an architect-led design team to carry out the design work at a new Sports Village project, at Forthbank - a 137 acre site on the north east edge of Stirling. The northern portion of the site is contained within the loop of the River Forth. The southern part of the site is bordered by Springkerse Business Park and Stirling Albion Football Ground.

Malcolm Fraser Architects has been given planning permission for a 71 unit scheme for Stewart Milne Homes South at McDonald Road in Edinburgh. The proposal is divided into four blocks of varying height, separated by wide slots, but united by a continuous ground floor. Each block addresses a different street.


Parr Architects has revealed plans for a new marine operations centre for Aberdeen Harbour Board. The £4 million building evokes the metaphor of a lighthouse by merging a solid core of brilliant white pre-cast concrete with a highly reflective curved glazing for the main accommodation spaces.
Aberdeen Harbour Board identified the requirement for a new, state-of-the-art building from which all vessel movements into and out of the busy harbour will be controlled.

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