Berman Guedes Stretton were delighted to join the Architects Journal and sponsors the Lead Sheet Association, in announcing the winner of the AJ Writing Prize.
The prize is becoming a regular feature in the architectural calendar, and the quality of the writing exhibited in the shortlisted and winning entries was very high.
We were also delighted to join the authors, as well as the other judges, the sponsors and the AJ at a celebratory lunch where the winners were announced by Christine Murray, the AJ's editor.
This year´s essay theme was ´Do architects have a duty beyond satisfying the demands of the client?´, and Alan Berman in his introductory speech referenced some of his favourite lines from the various work, including the first line of the winning entry which read: ´I made a deal with God, said the Priest´.
Details of the Award can be found on the AJ website, and a PDF downloadable article (3Mb)
BGS submits planning application to re-glaze
Stirling´s iconic engineering building.
"The glazing can relatively easily be upgraded to provide a weather tight controllable internal environment, but doing this without compromising the architectural qualities is the real challenge. Leicester University must have a building that works, and we intend to achieve this without compromising the essence of the building. We have been working with Arup façades and already at this early stage it is clear that whole team share a growing respect and enthusiasm for this building." Patrick Stimpson - BGS Architects.
English Heritage and The Twentieth Century Society have taken a strong interest in the project as the Stirling building is of significant architectural heritage value. We are working diligently to satisfy both the ´Heritage´ requirements and Leicester Universities operational requirements.
Oxford Inspires
Berman Guedes Stretton is a corporate member of Oxford Inspires (the cultural development agency for Oxfordshire) and supports any initiative that works to bring a wide range of cultural events to the communities of Oxford. The practice sponsored the 2008 Winter Light Festival, which brought music, theatre and dance to the streets, while the museums and galleries hosted events late into the evening.
To find out more about Oxford Inspires events visit: http://www.oxfordinspires.org
Berman Guedes Stretton: Downloads
Dreaming Spires, Dreaming Spaces
Streets, squares and parks are vital parts of our city and provide a gallery for many of Oxford´s beautiful buildings. This exhibition of ideas dreamt about what Oxford´s historic streets and public spaces might be like.
This exhibition was part of the RIBA South East Festival of Architecture 2009 and was displayed at the Ovada Gallery in Oxford.
For more exhibitions at the Ovada Gallery visit ovada.org.uk.
OVADA Gallery
Gloucester Green Bus Station
Oxford OX1 2AQ
www.ovada.org.uk/
www.festivalofarchitecture.org/
Berman Guedes Stretton win RIBA Competition for Cheltenham's Art Gallery and Museum
The Jury Panel said: "The unanimous decision of the assessors was that Berman Guedes Stretton be awarded the commission, in the anticipation of realising a distinguished and successful project. The scheme possessed clarity of vision and an uncomplicated consistency that gave the design a simple elegance and logic". They also praised the design's eco-friendly aspects, including use of reclaimed and self-finished materials, ground source heat pumps and natural ventilation - and further felt that the development would enhance the surrounding area, by creating a link through to Cheltenham'´s oldest building, medieval St Mary's Church.
The new extension will create additional gallery space for the museums Arts & Crafts Movement collection, which has nationally designated status in recognition of its outstanding importance.
Pembroke College appoints Berman Guedes Stretton to develop city centre site
Pembroke College, Oxford has appointed Berman Guedes Stretton to design a major expansion of its facilities in and around its main site in the heart
of Oxford. The practice beat nationally renowned architects in a competition. The scheme will be one of the largest college developments in the city. The project involves a number of new buildings on land immediately adjacent to the College together with the refurbishment of an existing listed building. These buildings will be developed to provide a large multi-purpose auditorium and fully equipped seminar and teaching rooms - all with flexibility of use for lectures, music, drama and conference facilities. In addition the development will provide residential accommodation for approximately 100 students and academics.
The creation of two new landscaped quads is central to the scheme. These spaces will give legibility to the site by opening up views across the new quads from Sir Edwyn Lutyen's Campion Hall to a new conference building. Coherency will be further enhanced by a new Assembly Room on Brewer Street, which will give views across the new quads in one direction and the existing Chapel Quad in the other. With a 20% target for renewable energy, the new facilities will make the fullest use of the latest techniques in energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
Contemporary dining and kitchen development at the Queen´s College Oxford unveils medieval history
In the process of creating a formal dining room and new basement kitchen at the Queen´s College, Oxford, local architects Berman Guedes Stretton have uncovered fascinating archaeological remains.
Oxford Archaeology was appointed to record the archaeology before construction began, and their excavation revealed that the area had been a kitchen before, in medieval times. Their discoveries showed just how central food preparation and consumption was to the College in the past, which helped to bring the true significance of the new building works into focus. The Queen´s College is determined to create a facility that makes it the most desirable place for members of College to eat. Berman Guedes Stretton’s brief was to create a state of the art kitchen and contemporary dining facility that would meet these aspirations while at the same time meeting all the latest health and food safety regulations. The discovery of a coprolite (possibly from a dog or cat) showed that hygiene standards today are a far cry from medieval times.
The findings of the dig revealed much about the food and feasting traditions of the college, traditions that the new buildings are designed to strengthen.
Kellogg College gets a new home
The Balfour Building, once home to the Pitt Rivers Museum music collection, has been carefully adapted to provide a large seminar room, a dining hall for 150 people, a kitchen and a bar. Neighbouring Victorian villas have been converted into offices, seminar rooms and a learning resources centre.
Berman Guedes Stretton worked closely with client focus groups to meet the spatial and functional requirements of the college while reusing and retaining as much of the buildings existing finishes as possible. Dramatic spaces have been created within the shell of the existing building, with visual links onto the gardens through new openings punched through the walls. Many of the spaces have been designed with movable partitions so that the building can respond to multiple uses now and in the future.
An automated natural ventilation system was used in all of the principle spaces together with energy efficient lighting and heating systems. Integrating all of the services was one of the most challenging aspects of the brief. The design also carefully connects the circulation between the differing ground floor levels of two of the listed Victorian Villas and the 1960’s Balfour building, with ramps and a lift, to ensure that the new function spaces are accessible to all College members and guests.
Iron man to join Oxford’s historic figures
Berman Guedes Stretton helped site a 7ft tall iron sculpture by Antony Gormley, on top of a building in the centre of Oxford.
The sculpture was a gift from a donor to Exeter College Oxford and sits very well with the ornate figures adorning neighbouring historic buildings, such as Wren´s Sheldonian Theatre, and Hawksmoor´s Clarendon Building.
The iron man is based on a cast of the artist´s own body and is one of a series of sculptures entitled ´Another Time II´. Gormley expressed delight that his work was to be displayed in such a prominent position.
He said: "The casual passer-by will ask, ´what is that naked iron bloke doing up there´, for which I hope there will never be a single, satisfactory answer. It indicates an exposed place, separated from shelter of the architecture that might otherwise contain it, where one man once was and, by implication, anyone could be."
Berman Guedes Stretton is currently working with Exeter College in the development of a master plan and conservation management plan.
The Twentieth Century Society with Alan Berman
Learning of his commission to write a book on James Stirling´s early buildings (Three Radical Buildings - A Red Trilogy) The Twentieth Century Society invited Alan Berman to talk about the Florey Building in Oxford at a day conference on Saturday 28th March. Alan will also be leading a tour of post-war buildings in Oxford on Sunday 29th March, featuring the Florey Building and other important 20th century college buildings.
The conference is being held in Stirling and Gowan´s Grade II* listed Engineering Faculty at Leicester University, and aims to share information and understanding of the design intentions and construction techniques of these three renowned buildings: The Engineering Faculty (Stirling and Gowan, 1959-64), the Seeley Library and History Faculty, Cambridge (James Stirling, 1964-68, Grade II listed), and the Florey Building, Queen´s College, Oxford (James Stirling 1965-71. Listed Grade II). Berman Guedes Stretton has a track record of sensitive restoration and conversion of historic buildings as well as a growing portfolio of renovations of modernist buildings. Alan’s book will be a valuable contribution to understanding the place of these controversial buildings in the development of contemporary architecture. An appreciation of the important aspects of a building is essential in focusing renovations in an appropriate way.
Winning design for Pembroke College approved
Planning consent has been granted for one of Oxford’s largest and most dramatic college developments of recent times. A glass-sided bridge overflies the ancient City wall and Brewer Street to connect Pembroke College’s main site to five new buildings on a site which also capitalises on the view towards Lutyens’ imposing Campion Hall. At the centre of Berman Guedes Stretton’s design is a large new quad shared between the Lutyens and proposed buildings.
Starting in the College gardens the bridge lands dramatically on a second floor terrace overlooking the new quad, which steps down to the south in a series of planted terraces, below which there is an impressive foyer area, auditorium, and art gallery. The five buildings also provide 96 student bedrooms,seminar rooms, a café and other facilities. The scheme incorporates ground source heating and a solar hot water system allowing the design to generate 29% of its energy use on site.
Project Architect James Roach says "Pembroke College and the public supported our determination to not only maximise this wonderful site for the College, but also to create an outward facing development which mends the city and the unsatisfactory streetscapes left by recent redevelopment."
Winning design for Pembroke College approved
This constructive approach was supported by English Heritage and the planning officers with whom the architects had a long and constructive dialogue. The Saxon site requires archaeological investigation which will start next year, with the project currently expected to complete in 2012.
The major project was awarded to Berman Guedes Stretton in 2008 following a national competition. Alan Berman, Director , says "Pembroke College conducted an exemplary competition process, interviewing some 17 firms and then shortlisted 6 to produce designs. Other shortlisted practices were: Allies & Morrison, Dixon Jones, McCormac Jameson, Nicholas Hare and ADP. Since then we have worked closely and constructively with the College to come up with a design which supports and enhances the College’s strategy."
Dreaming Spires Dreaming Spaces: An exhibition of ideas to improve public spaces in Oxford
Streets, squares and parks are vital parts of our city and provide a gallery for many of Oxford’s beautiful buildings. Passionate about the city in which they work, designers from local architects Berman Guedes Stretton are showing visionary images of how Oxford’s public spaces might be transformed if imagination was given a free reign.
Intended to spark debate, the exhibition, ‘Dreaming Spires: Dreaming Spaces’ is part of the South East Festival of Architecture and aims to communicate and celebrate the value of creative urban design. Ideas range from transforming Broad Street with a sunken amphitheatre for concerts and events; to creating a large open people-friendly space in Frideswide Square, with pavement cafes, stalls, tourist information and planting, to welcome visitors to Oxford and create a positive first impression. Ideas are also being shown for The High, St Giles, and the Radcliffe Infirmary site.
Dreaming Spires Dreaming Spaces: An exhibition of ideas to improve public spaces in Oxford
Images from the air show that Oxford has significant open spaces - more than many other cities, but very few of them are available to the public. Some of the public spaces that are available do not live up to the quality of Oxford’s historic architecture and have been the cause of local debate. We all flock to European cities for our holidays, which have been designed for citizens in a way that encourages people to spend leisure time enjoying the public realm. Using Oxford’s historic buildings as a back-drop, Berman Guedes Stretton has used hand drawings and computer modelling techniques, to create public spaces that could become as exciting and attractive as those in Paris or Barcelona.
The exhibition will be running from Thursday 25th June to Saturday 27th June 2009.
Berman Guedes Stretton´s winning design for Cheltenham gets planning consent
Berman Guedes Stretton´s five storey extension to the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum has been given the green light by Cheltenham Borough Council. Located within a conservation area, this is a tremendous result for the Art Gallery and Museum, whose previous schemes were curtailed because of planning constraints. The proposed design, described as having ´a simple elegance and logic´ by a RIBA judging panel, was selected from 77 others in a national competition last year. The new building will provide additional galleries, and dedicated spaces for life-long learning, outreach services and arts development programmes for the local community. It will also create a focal point for the development of Cheltenham´s ´Cultural Quarter´.
Jane Lillystone, Museum and Arts Manager said:
"This is fantastic news for our Development Scheme. We believe we now have plans for a new extension to the Art Gallery & Museum that Cheltenham can be proud of, using a design that is sympathetic to the surrounding buildings."
"This is also good news for our Fundraising Campaign. In achieving this key milestone we can now move forward to the launch of the Phase II Campaign in September. We have so far raised 70% of the funds needed to start construction - the remainder of which we hope to secure by spring / summer 2010."
Berman Guedes Stretton´s winning design for Cheltenham gets planning consent
The proposed extension fills the gap that links a Georgian terrace on one side and a 1980s extension to the existing 19th century gallery on the other. Integrating the new building with the surrounding listed buildings has shaped the design. Consultation meetings with local Planning, Heritage and Conservation Officers, and English Heritage were held throughout the design process. And while the building’s scale, form and materials have been used to compliment its 19th and 20th century neighbours, it is an honest expression of 21st century design.
A café, a shop, a reception area, education facilities and tourist information, all spill out onto the main ground floor space to draw people into the building from the street. Busy public and hospitality areas are clearly distinguished from quiet gallery spaces - each arranged either side of the circulation void, which rises the full height of the building. This aids orientation and allows each function to operate independently, day or night, as well as providing extra security for the collection when the museum hosts evening events.
Berman Guedes Stretton´s winning design for Cheltenham gets planning consent
Galleries are stacked on top of one another with a double height gallery on the third floor for temporary exhibitions. Access to each floor is provided by stairs and lifts in the circulation void. Bridges link new and existing spaces, so that visitors arrive at the same point at each level regardless of their mode of circulation. The orientation and dimensions of the new galleries echo the footprint of the neighbouring Arts and Crafts Gallery building - further enhancing clarity by creating a strong visible relationship between old and new.
Energy efficient design was considered throughout the design process. A high performance glazing system on each elevation provides natural light into each gallery, and enables passersby to see activity inside the building from the street. On the south façade a louvred screen will control solar gain to the galleries and naturally ventilated circulation void.
A combination of recycled aggregate and ´granular blast furnace slag´ - a by-product of the steel manufacturing industry, has been proposed to lower the embodied energy of the concrete frame. Energy efficient lighting and renewable energy options are being assessed for incorporation in the design including a ground source heat pump. Fundraising continues and it is hoped that works can commence on site in 2010 for completion in 2011.
Berman Guedes Stretton´s winning design for Cheltenham gets planning consent
Gary Collins, Associate Director from Berman Guedes Stretton said: "Much consultation between the design team, our client, the public and outside interest groups has helped shape the design. We happily acknowledge the enlightened support and contributions of all involved.
Securing the project in competition was only part of the story for us. Testing this design through working collaboratively towards a shared goal has refined the design and we are particularly pleased with the result."
Berman Guedes Stretton Facts and Figures
Berman Guedes Stretton is a growing and dynamic architectural practice consisting of a team of over thirty, based from offices in Oxford and London. The practice has a high reputation for sensitive work, incorporating modern contemporary design with listed and historic buildings. The practice is currently undertaking major works for a number of Oxford Colleges including a major development at Pembroke College, together with a range of other education and commercial projects, for clients including Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and the Natural History Museum.
The Call of Nature at the Natural History Museum
Gary Collins, Associate Director at Berman Guedes Stretton said: "For us, the project seemed to fall into two distinct parts: restoration and ´furniture´.
The removal of the incongruous additions, which had grown over the years and destroyed the original volume, was essential to our conservation strategy. This was followed by the painstaking removal of layers of paint to reveal the original terracotta walls: returning the space to one complete volume.
Only then could the new toilet facilities be introduced. These were conceived as pieces of ´furniture´ that sit within the space are free from the restored walls wherever possible: to keep the single volume visible in its entirety. This approach allowed us to design contemporary toilet and washing facilities to meet modern demands whilst respecting the original Waterhouse design."
This project is one of several being delivered under a four-year framework agreement that Berman Guedes Stretton has with the Natural History Museum. It is hoped that the new toilet design will create a design template that can be used elsewhere in the Museum.
The Call of Nature at the Natural History Museum
A woodland scene on a glazed wall greets you as you enter the newly refurbished toilets designed by Berman Guedes Stretton at the Natural History Museum in London.
The toilets were refurbished to meet the demand from higher visitor numbers (both the public and clients who use the museum for conferences and evening events) and to create high quality contemporary facilities that reflect the Museum’s ethos and profile.
Female toilet provision has increased by 60% to help reduce queues. This together with a more rational layout, a new Men’s entrance, better disabled access and circulation routes, (the toilets link the Creepy Crawlies Gallery and the Central Hall) has made the facility more efficient and accessible.
Understanding and respecting how the existing buildings were originally conceived was a key element of the brief. Part of Sir Alfred Waterhouses’ pioneering ‘terracotta skin’ has been repaired and exposed, and all new materials, from the terrazzo splash-backs and floor surfaces, to the Formica toilet cubicles clad in ‘Zebrano’ veneer, have been used to compliment the fine detailing of the existing interior. All materials are hardwearing to reduce maintenance, and sensor flow taps have been used to save water, which comes from a bore-hole beneath the Museum.
New storage system puts Natural History Museum’s herbology collection on public display
Protecting and displaying Sir Hans Sloane’s and Joseph Banks´, herbology and entomology collections in an atmospherically controlled environment was a key consideration in Berman Guedes Stretton’s design of a storage system at the Natural History Museum in London.
The design was inspired by organic forms in the natural world and echoes the curved volume of the cocoon structure within the new Darwin Centre, which opened to the public on the 19th September 2009. The brief required a design that reflected the historic nature of the centuries old specimen volumes being displayed while remaining a contemporary display and science space. Made from beautifully engineered and expressive laminated ash with stainless steel componentry, the design uses materials to mediate between new and old.
Each of the three hundred individual volumes are stored in custom-made specimen drawers, made by Opus Magnum. These have an acrylic front, top and bottom, enabling Scientists to identify and remove specimens for research. In addition to tight climate control, lids are individually sealed to offer further protection from any possibility of contamination. Materials were carefully selected to ensure they will not affect the precious samples through the release of particulates or gases over their life span.
New storage system puts Natural History Museum’s herbology collection on public display
Two windows from the main gallery allow visitors to view scientists at work, naming, analysing and preserving specimens.
Gary Collins, Associate Director at Berman Guedes Stretton said: "We were keen to upgrade the storage conditions for these precious volumes, whilst allowing them to be visible to museum visitors. During the process, we had the idea to store each volume in a bespoke transparent casket. This was technically challenging for the craftsmen at Opus Magnum who made the system but the final result is breathtaking. Appropriate materials were important to us, as was reflecting the double curving volume of the cocoon structure."
This contract is being delivered under a four-year framework agreement that Berman Guedes Stretton has with the Natural History Museum.
To discover more about the Historic Collection at the Darwin Centre: Go to the Guardian Online.
Berman Guedes Stretton continues the architectural language of Powell and Moya at Wolfson College in Oxford
Set adjacent to ancient meadow alongside the architect’s first scheme, the building, like the original, makes the most of its green setting. The building gently curves towards the meadow, mirroring another building at the other end of the site whose curve was requested by the College’s founder Sir Isaiah Berlin, who was inspired by the buildings around the harbour in Portofino in Italy.
The £2m building provides 18 single rooms with shared kitchen and social spaces, and four one bedroom flats. Completed a day early, the college is delighted and has commissioned Berman Guedes Stretton to design another building on the site.
Berman Guedes Stretton continues the architectural language of Powell and Moya at Wolfson College in Oxford
Berman Guedes Stretton has completed a second new building to extend Powell and Moya’s exceptional Wolfson College, completed in 1971.
This follows the success of their first residential block built in 2003, which was won in competition, and has proved popular with students. The second building, like the first is inspired by the strong architectural language of the original, but the design has been developed to meet today’s environmental standards.
The horizontal granite aggregate bands and concrete columns of the original Powell and Moya buildings have been sensitively translated into a contemporary design. Granite aggregate has been sourced from the same quarry as the original and the precast concrete columns have the same range of textured finishes.
Rooftop greenhouse to tackle climate change
Chris Hale, Associate Director at Berman Guedes Stretton said:
"This was a demanding project, with issues such as logistics, restricted access, prefabrication and constructing at height. Integrating a specialist design and construction team with the College´s framework standards was complex and required careful planning and excellent communication. The project was successfully delivered in time for the first growing season of 2009 and is currently being used for research purposes."
This is one of the many varied projects that Berman Guedes Stretton has delivered under a five year framework contract with Imperial College London.
Rooftop greenhouse to tackle climate change
Finding the right location was a key consideration for the GroDome´s success. Berman Guedes Stretton worked closely with the College in evaluating potential sites, as it was important that the building did not overlook any of the College´s diplomatic neighbours, nor the steps of The Royal Albert Hall. After assessing several options they found that the Roderic Hill Building was the most suitable location.
Dr Colin Turnbull from Imperial College London’s Department of Life Sciences explains why facility is so significant for plant scientists:
"For Imperial to remain competitive in the field, we have to conduct our growth work on site so we’re efficient and can be scientifically more creative. With 200 sqm to grow trees, fruit and larger plants under natural light every day of the year we can really tackle some of the big questions related to climate change, food security and the need to look at alternative energy sources."
"We looked at a couple of other rooftops, but there were issues with each of them. The Roderic Hill Building roof was vacant, flat, attracts the sun and doesn´t overlook any of our neighbours, and most importantly it can be easily accessed by a building lift from the ground floor."
Rooftop greenhouse to tackle climate change
In the heavens above South Kensington´s leafy conservation area, a rooftop greenhouse has been built to enable scientists to research bioenergy and the impact of climate change on plant infestation and food security.
Architects at Berman Guedes Stretton were responsible for coordinating the design and installation of the ´GroDome´, which was developed as part of investment in plant sciences research at Imperial College London.
Located on top of a flat-roofed five storey building, the GroDome (designed and manufactured by specialist supplier Unigro) is a 200sqm, 3.8 metre tall aluminium framed greenhouse made of triple layed plastic sheeting rather than glass to reduce weight, minimise maintenance and maximise sunlight transmission and high energy efficiency. Inside the temperature is a constant 23 degrees Celsius and fans run along both sides of the facility to bring in much needed CO2. Artificial lights are used in the winter and at night, to aid photosynthesis, and every night blinds are activated to prevent light disturbing the College´s neighbours.
Constructing Excellence Oxford
Oxford re-launched its Constructing Excellence Group in October with a conference on Eco-Towns.
The aim of Constructing Excellence is to enable joined up thinking between members of the construction industry. It is a unique bridge between the industry, clients, government and the research community. Constructing Excellence will be running events throughout the year to share industry knowledge and best practice and provide networking opportunities. Constructing Excellence welcome local companies´ involvement, and support from local authorities, business and academia.
To find out more about membership and events in Oxford please visit the website oxford.constructingexcellence.org.uk
Twentieth Century Society
The practice supports The Twentieth Century Society which campaigns for the preservation of Britain´s architectural heritage from 1914 onwards. Earlier this year Alan Berman gave a lecture on the Florey Building following a commission to write a book on three of James Stirling´s seminal academic buildings. Several staff at the practice are also members. To find out more about the Twentieth Century Society visit: http://www.c20society.org.uk/.
Darren Gough Opens School Changing Complex
England Cricketer and Strictly Come Dancing champion Darren Gough opened a new £850,000 sports changing complex designed by Berman Guedes Stretton at Sibford School near Banbury.
The new building marks the completion of the first phase of a major development programme at the 167-year-old Quaker school, which aims to make the best use of the existing facilities and replace buildings that are not fit for purpose.
Inspired by the simplicity of Quaker architecture, the building resembles brightly coloured beach huts that make a cheerful impact on the surrounding Cotswold countryside. Articulated in four bays with a metal roof, the building is timber-clad and constructed from carefully chosen materials to meet the school’s commitment to environmental sustainability which is very much in harmony with Quaker values.
Changing areas have been arranged around a wet zone in the centre, with dry changing areas facing the sports hall and muddy changing areas facing the sports field. These have been designed to comply with DfES changing area regulations.
Subsequent phases will the see the creation of a new design and technology and food technology studio; a brand new hall and theatre space; an open-air amphitheatre; and a new staff room.
Darren Gough Opens School Changing Complex
Sibford head, Michael Goodwin, said: "This is an exciting time for Sibford School. The new developments will make a significant impact not only to the school but also to the local community. We are very pleased with the design of the new changing rooms, which has set a precedent for the rest of the development programme. We very much look forward to working with Berman Guedes Stretton on future phases."
Director, Roger Stretton of Berman Guedes Stretton said:
"When we initially won the limited competition for the new school hall, we realised that the first step was to prepare a masterplan for the future school development. This identified that new sports changing facilities, to replace the ones on the site for the hall, was the immediate priority. This project has been a great pleasure to be involved with for the whole team. Michael Goodwin and Peter Robinson, Business Manager, have been supportive and enthusiastic clients and everyone is pleased with the new facility. We are looking forward to working with the School on the next phase of design work in the new year."
Photo: From left: Roger Stretton, Berman Guedes Stretton; Darren Gough, England Cricketer; Michael Goodwin, Sibford School Head teacher. Picture courtesy of the Banbury Guardian.
Berman Guedes Stretton wins two more framework contracts
Berman Guedes Stretton has been awarded places on two four-year framework contracts, one for the University of Oxford Estates Directorate and the other for the University of Leicester.
In Oxford, Berman Guedes Stretton will be responsible for delivering refurbishment and new build projects up to £3 million in value across the University of Oxford’s estate.
In Leicester, the practice has been appointed under a multi-disciplinary contract with Price & Myers and Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers. Projects will range in value from £500,000 to £5 million pounds.
The practice is also currently engaged in framework contracts with Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, Paradigm Housing, The Natural History Museum and the University of Warwick.
Berman Guedes Stretton goes to Cambridge
Berman Guedes Stretton has been commissioned by Jesus College Cambridge to create en-suite undergraduate accommodation. The £8m project will involve the renovation and insertion of en-suite bathrooms within historic Chapel Court, one of the largest collegiate courts in Cambridge. The six (red brick) staircases on the northeastern wing were built in 1885 and the remaining staircases in 1928 - both wings are Grade II Listed.
The design team is also considering how to make the historic complex more efficient and sustainable by rationalising the accommodation and increasing thermal performance and service provision.
Come and meet us at AUDE
Chris Hale, Roger Stretton and Hamish McMichael will be at AUDE (Association of University Directors of Estates) at the Queen’s University in Belfast, from 29th - 30th March 2010. If you are attending please visit Chris, Roger and Hamish at stand 22.
Berman Guedes Stretton wins competition to design a new accessible storage facility and library for Corpus Christi College’s collection of rare and early printed books and manuscripts
Berman Guedes Stretton has won a competition to design a new rare books storage facility and for Corpus Christi College in Oxford. The scheme thoughtfully integrates the existing 16th century library with a new building , incorporating research and storage facilities for the College’s exceptional collection of early printed works and manuscripts.
James Roach, Associate Director at Berman Guedes Stretton said:
"The new building will provide storage for the collection accessible by members of the College and other researchers. It will be imaginatively linked to the College’s wonderful 16th century library and demonstrate the College’s commitment as a serious centre of scholarship and research."
Ben Ruck Keene, Bursar of Corpus Christi College said:
"The College is looking forward to working with Berman Guedes Stretton to develop their exciting design and is hoping to raise the funds to fund its construction."
Pylon Competition RIBA open competition.
RIBA recently ran an open competition to design the next generation of electricity pylons, which are needed as a part of the Government’s commitment to renewable energy over the next 10 years. A team from our Oxford office submitted a design that we hoped would overtly promote the central role of the national grid in distributing green electricity within a low carbon economy and by itself being a model of sustainable and low carbon construction.
The elegant form of the pylon, which we proposed to construct using glulam acetylated timber as a long life, renewable and low carbon material, has the greatest cross section at the octagonal base and reduces in the middle, before flaring out again to provide anchor points for the horizontal suspension structure. The strong radial design is carried through to the suspension structure allowing for changes in direction at every tower and thereby for the routing of distribution lines more able to respond sensitively to local environmental and geological conditions.
Although not shortlisted, we were extremely pleased with our competition entry and found the brief an interesting challenge.
Autumn 2011
BGS currently have 12 projects on site, completing in the next 12 months:
Kellogg College, Oxford
Cowley St Johns, Oxford
Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
The People’s Palace, Queen Mary University, London
Jesus Lane, Cambridge
Chapel Court, Cambridge
Harris Manchester, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
University of Buckingham
Imperial College, London
Wolfson College, Oxford
We look forward to featuring these projects as they complete.
Grand Hotel, Birmingham
Berman Guedes Stretton have submitted to Birmingham Council to restore the city's Grand Hotel to its former glory after 11 years of dereliction. The plans were prepared on behalf of Horton's Estates who are responsible for the restoration and redevelopment of the listed building. Hamish McMichael, Project Director, said "In 2007 the building's future was uncertain. Hortons' Estates' planned restoration and refurbishment of the Hotel will be rescuing a building of grace and character that is an important landmark for Birmingham. The project will transform the building into a first class hotel and business destination for the city."
Berman Guedes Stretton has set up a satellite office in Birmingham to capitalise on and manage its growing workload in the Midlands including projects at Birmingham, Leicester and Wolverhampton Universities.
The Grand Hotel scheme, which includes 2 restaurants, a bar, conference spaces, a ballroom, public rooms and the renovation of the street facing terrace of shops, will cost an estimated £30m. The crumbling façade will be thoroughly restored and the original 230 bedroom capacity will be reduced to 152 high spec, spacious bedrooms, 8 new suites, roof terraces and more spaces for facilities.
The hotel is located on Colmore Row, the most prestigious address in Birmingham CBD. Its reinstatement will be an additional spur to the the city's recent growth, which is tipped to be propelled by the Gateway project to redevelop Birmingham New Street Station.
BGS Charity Cycle to AUDE 2012
Following the success of our charity cycle ride from Oxford to York for last year’s AUDE conference, and as we move into the year of the Olympics, we at BGS have decided to cycle to AUDE again this year. We will be leaving our London office on the morning of Saturday the 31st of March, stopping overnight in Oxford, and then continuing on to Loughborough University on the Sunday to attend the conference aptly titled 'Leading the Way'. We are covering the 150 mile journey on road bicycles (many kindly on loan from our friends at Cotswold Cycles) to raise some money for the event’s designated charity - Rainbows Hospice for children and young people (www.rainbows.co.uk), a very worthwhile charity based in Loughborough.
We hope to see you there on stand 36, and if you would like to sponsor us then please follow this link.
RIBA singles out Berman Guedes Stretton for two major awards
We are delighted to have collected two awards at the RIBA Awards presentation on the 20th June 2012, both of which were for the Shulman Auditorium at The Queen´s College, Oxford. We received a prestigious RIBA national award and also the RIBA South Sustainability award. This year the RIBA tightened its judging criteria to ensure that only the very highest quality projects received awards, and far fewer made the grade than in previous years. Therefore we are particularly pleased that the RIBA judges considered the Shulman Auditorium to be one of the fifty best buildings by a British architect to be completed last year.
The Architects Journal, reporting the judges citation about the building said "The Shulman Auditorium is remarkable for its skilful combination of traditional materials with an uncompromisingly modern design. The use of elegant columns as vertical cantilevers allows the roof structure to be free of horizontal ties. The roof thus floats effortlessly above the external walls and all but disappears internally. Closing the large timber louvers transforms the space into an intimate living room. The building conveys the rare quality of having always been there"
Joelle Darby, the project Architect for the Shulman said "A successful project is the result of good teamwork and everyone signing up to the vision for the project; this was the case with the auditorium. As a result we have a happy client and a building that truly sings!"
BGS submits planning application to re-glaze
Stirling´s iconic engineering building.
BGS Architects have submitted a planning application to renovate a major part of Stirling and Gowan´s Grade II* Engineering Department building at the University of Leicester, considered "one of the most significant and influential post war buildings in the UK" World Architecture News.
The famous sculptural, diamond-peaked glass roof will be upgraded using a new glazing system that replicates the appearance of the original but has much higher thermal performance. The engineering building was designed at a time when the performance expectations of a workshop or factory building were rudimentary and the building´s patent glazing was being adapted and made to fit a very complex shape. This has resulted in a building that, over 50 years later, cannot provide the weather proof environment that a modern university engineering workshop needs. The University is also finding that routine maintenance within modern health and safety requirements is a growing problem. Read more...
AJ Writing Prize for Young Architects 2012.
"The AJ were very happy to renew their partnership with Berman Guedes Stretton Architects, who continue to sponsor this important prize. Last year’s inaugural competition was a great success, attracting over 96 entries and wide plaudits from students and commentators alike for its vision, generosity and timeliness." James Pallister, Senior Editor at the AJ.
BGS conceived the competition from a concern about the lack of questioning and enquiry apparent amongst young architects about architecture, its meaning and history: a spirit of enquiry seems lacking in the current educational process.
This year´s essay theme is ´Do architects have a duty beyond satisfying the demands of the client?´ As Alan Berman stated in his challenging article in AJ (number 23 - 21.06.12) during the recent past when everyone was rushing to do all the work that was out there, followed by the present rush to chase any work going, there doesn’t seem to be enough space, time or inclination to ask "Why are we doing what we do, and for whom are we doing it?".
Judging of the essays this year will be in mid October with the awards announced in mid November. Details of the judges and award can be found on the AJ website.
BGS & Arup Facades win listed building consent for Stirling & Gowan.
A spokesman from the practice said: "The design team has ensured that a translucent, matt fibreglass - identical In appearance to that originally specified by Stirling but with far higher performance levels - will be used. Arup Facades has developed facade details which critically ensure that the width of the glazing bars will not exceed that of Stirling´s design."
Listed building consent was granted following extensive consultations and workshops Involving English Heritage and the Twentieth Century Society, But final listed building approval will only be granted once the contractor has constructed a full-size mock-up of one of the glazed diamond ends.
The work Is expected to be completed In 2014.
