North West

Newsletter

Events

Issue #01

Issue #01

Issue #01

Issue #01

Issue #01

WELCOME TO DRAW

Hello. Welcome to DRAW, the new publication for architects in the North West.

DRAW is produced by RIBA members, for RIBA members. Our aim is to improve communication with and between members, connecting people and practices across the region with the Institute and each other. We are supported by local RIBA branches in the North West and will feature news, competitions, profiles and other regional content that you won’t find elsewhere. We have chosen to focus on events - simply because there are already many great events happening throughout the North West, but feedback from RIBA members suggests that it’s not always easy to find out about them.

Why DRAW? The act of drawing is an essential part of the architect’s craft, but one that is under threat now more than ever with the advent of CAD, BIM and virtual reality. But, to quote Michael Graves, “Architecture cannot divorce itself from drawing, no matter how impressive technology gets. Drawings are not just end products: they are part of the thought process of architectural design. Drawings express the interaction of our minds, eyes and hands.” Like the hand drawn sketch, the printed newsletter or journal can seem antiquated in an age of e-news, blogs and tweets. But there can be something uniquely satisfying about holding a well designed, carefully crafted product, and they retain an ability to hold our attention longer than yet another email.

Our cover is to be a celebration of the importance of drawing. Each issue will feature a sketch and we’d like to include some of yours. If you have a drawing you’d like to share, please send it to us at hello@drawonline.co.uk and we will pick one to include each issue. DRAW more.

x Darren Jones, Editor.

DRAW TEAM

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Gemma Birchall, John Bridge, Mark David Flynn, Darren Jones, Maryam Osman, Michael Swiszczowski.

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@drawonlinehello@drawonline.co.ukwww.drawonline.co.uk

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Issue #01 - April / May / June 2015

Cover SketchJohn Bridge

~

Supported by

RIBA North West Communications Committee, 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.

Designed by Mark David Flynn

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Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter

x Submitted by Michael Swiszczowski. Photograph (top left) by Philip Vile.

EVERYMAN THEATRE INTERVIEW

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We asked Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre how it’s dealing with it’s new-found fame and facelift.

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DRAW / Since winning yet another award do you find yourself becoming more concerned about your looks? EVERYMAN / I’ve always been a little insecure about some of my more prominent features, in particular my chimneys; in fact, much of the last ten years of design development has been spent addressing how to divert attention away from this. Which is why I’ve ended up with 105 random people stuck on my face.

DRAW / How do you respond to people who feel your name is another example of female oppression? EVERYMAN / I try to be as inclusive as possible, people often don’t realise, but in addition to my cosmetic makeover, I’ve also undergone a big transformation internally. I’m on a low-carbon diet and had some nip and tuck work to make my spaces more accessible.

DRAW / Apparently, your sister, the Playhouse Theatre, said the only reason you had more than 4,500 people come through your doors on the opening day is because of the sharing board you serve in your bistro, how do you respond to that? EVERYMAN / Jealousy is very unbecoming in a building, but to be honest, I do wonder whether the complimentary sharing boards I gave to the Stirling and RIBA regional awards judges may have swung things in my favour.

‘‘In addition to my cosmetic makeover, I’ve also undergone

a big transformation internally. I’m on a low-

carbon diet and had some nip and tuck work to make

my spaces more accessible.’’

x Submitted by Andrew Ruffler

NORTHERN SOUL

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Northern (adjective) - Situated in the north, or directed towards or facing the north. Soul (noun) - Emotional or intellectual

energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.

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Now in its third year, the annual Northern Soul student design charrette took place on 20th March in Preston. Whilst crowds gathered in Avenham Park to witness the eclipse, 60+ students, academics and RIBA members were busy ensuring that they could get their bearings in a city that many had never set foot in before, let alone understood. Armed with a brief from Preston City Council, a map, a pencil and an open mind, the students from architecture schools from across the North of England set out to understand the history, buildings, landscape and issues faced by this proud city.

Upon returning to the warmth of the Avenham Park Pavilion, and split and mixed into eight teams, the students set about developing their responses for the future development of the city. Judging at the end of the day was a difficult task, made easier by the delivery of fantastic and entertaining presentations by each team. “Parks, Parks, Parks”, an innovative project looking at inverting urban density and with more than a passing nod to the Bernard Tschumi Parc de la Villette, was chosen as the winner although any of the eight projects could have walked home with the crown.Seven architecture schools from Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Huddersfield, Northumbria and Sheffield participated, ensuring that the outputs from the day were fully representative of the developing “Northern Design Powerhouse”. To view photos from the event, visit http://tinyurl.com/kcl22ky

Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter

NEW FACES IN THE NORTH WEST

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Duncan Hammond has been working with the ‘Blackburn is Open’ project from its infancy.

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He operates as an ambassador for the town and one of a handful of architects advising, presenting and mentoring on some of the “Urban Room” initiatives. These have seen visiting student projects in the town and urban design festivals really engaging the local community. A new programme of events is scheduled to take place in May to include a symposium, urban sketching, arts, photography and a musical history of the town. Visit www.blackburnisopen.co.uk to find out more about the project and upcoming events.

TOP 5

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We asked Liverpool-based Architectural Emporium (AE) to name their Top 5 favourite things in and around their

studio.

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1 / The kettle and whisky cabinet. AE is fueled by tea in the week and the occasional Scotch on a Friday.

2 / Vintage furniture. Brightly coloured lounge chairs brighten up the office and give it a welcoming feel. Nathan Teak and McIntosh dining sets form the meeting areas.

3 / Other companies. We share the green room with other creative companies and enjoy their company and collaboration.

4 / iPod. Although shuffle throws up a few surprises, it seems to keep the office inspired, active and productive.

5 / The Pen Factory. The dangerously close bar/restaurant that we designed beneath our office. Perfect location for a post-work beer and a bite to eat.

x Submitted by Toby Wallis

Events

A3 Events Poster

A3 Events Poster

A3 Events Poster

A3 Events Poster

A3 Events Poster

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We will be posting a foldable copy of DRAW to all RIBA

registered practices in the North West region, but we’ve also included a printable A3 events poster in this digital issue for you to print out and

pin-up at home or in the office.

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APRIL

02 / Everybody Razzle Dazzle.

British Pop Artist Sir Peter Blake covers the Mersey Ferry with a distinctive pattern - transforming the vessel into a moving artwork. Runs until December 2015.

16 / RIBA North West Awards.

Halle St Peters, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6BF from 7:00pm. Tickets £10.

22 / Liverpool Architectural Society Social.

The Baltic Social, 25 Parliament Street, Liverpool.

27 / RIBA Strategy Workshop.

Hosted By Stephen Hodder & Harry Rich. BDP, 11 Ducie Street, M1 2JB Manchester. 5:00pm- 7:30pm. Free - but booking essential.

30 / University of Liverpool - Spring Guest Lectures. Liddicoat & Goldhill.

Visit - http://www.liv.ac.uk/architecture/news/guest/ - for more information.

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DRAW ISSUE #01

MAY

15 / Light Night Liverpool.

See featured event box, right.

20 / LAS Bi-Monthly Dinner.

The Artists’ Club, 5 Eberle Street, Liverpool. 7:00pm-11:00pm. £40.

20 / RIBA CPD Seminar.

Building Pathology and Historic Building. St James Building, Manchester, M1 6EJ. 1.30pm- 4.30pm & on the 21st at Grant Thornton, Liver Building, Liverpool, 10.30am-12.30pm.

21 / HOME Opening Event.

The merger of two of Manchester’s best-loved arts organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company. 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester M15 4FN.

29 / LJMU Art and Design Degree Show 2015.

John Lennon Art and Design Building, Liverpool, L3 5RD. Runs until 12th of June.

RIBA NW AWARDS

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Once again the region has produced a fantastic shortlist of buildings,

in a variety of sizes, project values and uses - like the nominated Constellations Bar, Liverpool by H Miller Bros - shown right.

Photograph by Robert Holmes.

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Find us online at www.drawonline.co.uk

Follow @drawonline for up-to-date events

Want to contribute to

the next issue of DRAW?

Send your events, news,

sketches and comments to

hello@drawonline.co.uk

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APRIL - JUNE 2015

FEATURED EVENT

Light Night LiverpoolFriday 15 May 2015

Liverpool’s late night festival of arts and culture - shown right. Unexpected happenings as the city centre comes to life with street performance, light projections, exhibitions, walks, talks and hands-on activities for all ages. Over 100 free events. 4pm till late.

www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk

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ON THE SKYLINE

Following sixteen months of construction the £15m Whitworth Art Gallery extension has been unveiled (photographed by Alan Williams - left). Ten exhibition spaces house a wide variety of art from prestigious watercolours by W.J. Turner and William Blake to contemporary pieces by Sarah Lucas and Thomas Schutte. Designed by architects MUMA, the brick and glass building boasts elegant detailing and stunning views over the surrounding landscape.

x Submitted by Maryam Osman.

PRESTON BUS STATION

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An international design competition is being held to create a new youth zone and public space, whilst preserving the station’s Grade II listed brutalist

architectural features. We encourage all designers and architects in the North West to join in and get their

creative juices flowing. Deadline for submissions is 2pm on Thursday 30th April 2015. For more information visit

http://tinyurl.com/pkw4etq

x Text and DRAW cover sketch by John Bridge

JUNE

04 / Manchester Architects Awards Evening.

Time TBC. People’s History Museum, M3 3ER.

12 / UCLan Degree Show.

Private view Friday 12th June, 6.00pm-9.00pm. Then every day from 10.00am-5.00pm. Architecture Show is within the Edward and Harris Buildings, UCLan.

13 / Manchester School of Architecture Degree Show.

Benzie, Grosvenor and Chatham Buildings, MMU. Runs until the 24th of June.

17 / Create Salford Festival 2015.

MediaCityUK & Frederick Road Campus. Runs until the 20th June.

20 / Merseyside Civic Society - State of the City.

The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX. From 6.00pm

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

North West

Newsletter

Events

Issue #01