Coles Farm (formerly Manor)...

Work continues on the Manor House with the construction of the Utility, shower room and Gym as well as the second fix to the main house. The Thatcher is due in two weeks time to roof over the former outbuildings which will transform the image of the dwelling considerably. The new custodians of this historic property are to change the name to Coles Farm (or Colses Farm) which for some locally may appear strange, though this was the original name for the farm in the 18th Century, only having changed to the Manor House at the turn of the 20th Century. This is a more fitting name for the property and a nice touch by the new owners.

Localism and the National Planning Policy Framework: implications for local government...

Taken from the Planning Advisory Service website (www.pas.gov.uk):

The Government is making some significant changes to the planning system that will affect the responsibilities of all local planning authorities. The intention is to make the planning system one that better supports sustainable economic growth and jobs, underpinned with the principles of localism, with less ‘top-down’ prescription and more ‘bottom up’ involvement.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will set out the Government’s priorities for planning in England. It will replace the current raft of planning policy guidance notes and statements with one document of less than 60 pages. The final version will be published around the end of 2011 or early 2012.

The regional tier of planning is to be abolished, including Regional Spatial Strategies and their associated housing targets. This will give you more freedom and flexibility to work with your neighbours and other bodies (as covered by the ‘duty to co-operate’) to do the strategic planning for your area.

Your authority will need to have a plan in place to guide development to the right place, and against which to make planning decisions. Without an up-to-date local plan, development decisions will be made on the basis of national policy, with the presumption being ‘yes’. Some predict an increase in ‘planning by appeal’ where there is no up-todate local plan.

Neighbourhoods and parishes will increasingly be able to take on planning in their areas. You will need to work with them – managing their expectations and helping them to understand what they can and can’t do.

This document aims to give chief executives a brief overview of the significant changes to the planning system and the implications of the changes.

Art Deco Exhibitions...

Major new exhibitions on Art Deco architecture:

Puttin' on the Glitz:The Golden Years of Art Deco Architecture in Britain

01 October 2011 - 26 November 2011

Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm (Tuesday 10am - 10pm)

Venue:

Gallery 2, RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD

Art Deco Triumphant: TheExposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, Paris1925

01 October 2011 - 26 November 2011
Tuesday 10am - 8pm Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 1.30pm

Closed Monday, Thursday and Sunday

Venue:

British Architectural Library, RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD

Dunkeswell...

Design for a new 2-bed single storey dwelling in Dunkeswell, Devon, prepared and ready for a planning submission. The building sits high on the site, but this has been made necessary by the foul water drainage from the existing bungalow that is to pass under the new dwelling, being at a depth of only 120mm.

RIBA Stirling Prize 2011...and the winner is...

Congratulations to Zaha Hadid Architects.


The Evelyn Grace Academy, a cutting-edge new secondary school in Brixton, south London by Zaha Hadid Architects has won the prestigious £20,000 RIBA Stirling Prize 2011 for the best new European building built or designed in the United Kingdom.

Harpenden...

Project in Harpenden, now prepared and ready for submission to planning.

ecoShowcase...

Bringing together: 

Major suppliers of sustainable and environmentally friendly building products (materials) to an online event, where you can: compare solutions and suppliers in our directory; register for a live ecoSHOWCASE event; read the latest product news and case studies

Events will be taking part over the next nine months.

Birmingham 11 Oct 11

Cardiff 18 Oct 11

Luton 8 Nov 11

Southampton 16 Nov 11

Doncaster 29 Nov 11

Manchester 21 Feb 12

Glasgow 17 Apr 12

Newcastle 18 Apr 12

Norwich 1 May 12

Leeds 15 May 12

Wolverhampton 29 May 12

Donington 19 Jun 12

Farm Development...

Planning has this week been granted for an Office, Stores, Workshop, Stables and Tack Room near Whimple in East Devon. Replacing an existing structure that is in a state of disrepair, this new development closes an existing yard with a timber framed building that will blend in well with the green surroundings.

Student Accommodation...

Following the success in obtaining planning consent , drawings have now been prepared for a submission to Exeter City Council Building Regulations Department for the construction of student accommodation that will comprise of 12 student rooms, each with en-suite facilities together with communal living, dining / kitchen areas and outside amenity area. The site was appraised, having regard to its position in relation to the proximity of the City Centre and easy access to the University of Exeter Streatham Campus and the St Luke’s Campus. The 4-storey building is to enhance the street scene and be sympathetic to the buildings that surround the site and the St David’s Conservation Area.


This infill site had been in existence since 1782 and the site occupied by The Papermakers Arms Public House when the dwelling house was converted in 1814. Latterly the premises became known as the Papermakers, a Mex-Tex restaurant-pub until demolished in 2004. The developer, 'Exeter Land Developments Limited', are hoping to start on site in the very near future.

Lego Architecture...

I applaud  the fact that Lego have created a range of models for us bigger kids that portray famous buildings and structures from around the world. However, I do happen to think that they have got this one completely wrong...back to the drawing board Lego, maybe at Taliesin West!

(photohraph by Richard Anderson)

Manor House Phase 2 Demolition....

This week has seen the partial demolition of the existing adjoining outbuilding, retaining the original cob wall to the street side. Rebuilding work will soon start to create a rear entrance, utility, shower room and gymnasium under a thatched roof.

Residential Refurbishment & Extension, Crazelowman: Update...

Re-roofing works are almost complete on the grade II 16^th Century former farmhouse, replacing the corrugated asbestos sheet roofing with natural slate.

The refurbishment will address the usual aspects associated with modernisation of older properties and the extensions are to comprise single storey mono-pitched additions, creating a new hallway; w.c.; utility room and family room. A new opening is to be created in the flank cob wall to provide ease of access to the family room and aid circulation to the ground floor layout.

Manor Update...

Phase one continues with the third of four dormers now being framed out as well as first fix electrical and mechanical. Phase two is really picking up pace with the removal of the existing roof to the outbuildings.

Costs fall to build green homes...

Building Design Online are today reporting that:

A government report into building green homes has revealed that the cost of meeting sustainability codes has fallen in the past three years.
Produced by the communities and local government department, the research shows that average extra costs for homes built to code level 3 have fallen by three-quarters from £4,458 in 2008 to £1,128 last year.
Sustainable homes code were introduced back in 2007 and made it mandatory that all new housing meet code level 3 from the following May. All new homes are expected to be zero carbon from 2016.
The boss of the UK Green Building Council, Paul King, hailed the performance of the building industry in slashing the costs of going green.
“The industry has responded in a remarkable way,” he added. “Both house builders in terms of the design of new homes and the construction products industry in terms of the technology required.”

by David Rogers 

100% Design...

Another show in town....

Looking for the latest design-led products for residential, commercial or retail applications? In search of inspiration? Dreaming of a one-stop-shop for industry professionals and design lovers? Put 22-25 September 2011 in your calendar now...100% Design is aimed at design and architectural industry professionals. Students can also attend on the Saturday and Sunday with the general public able to visit on the Sunday only.Your entry badge will give you unlimited access to all three shows (100% Design, 100% Futures and 100% Materials). Entry is free to trade and press visitors who register online no later than 16th September. 

World Architecture Festival 2011...

The World Architecture Festival is taking place at Barcelona’s flagship convention centre, the Centro de Convenciones Internacionales de Barcelona, (CCIB). Held between the 2^nd and 4^th November 2011m the World Architecture Festival is the world’s largest, live, truely inclusive and interactive global architectural awards programme. It is a unique meeting point for Architects, suppliers and clients, attracting hundreds of entries and visitors from all over the world.

Be warned though, a single 3-day pass costs € 495...once you have journeyed to Spain and found accommodation.....I won't be attending.

The London Design Festival 2011...

17-25th September, Nine amazing days of design events showcasing the UK's world-class creative community. If you're in town, well worth a visit.

Plans for new Apple HQ, by Norman Foster, officially released...

Colour...

Now that we're in to the second half of 2011 thought I'd just remind folk about this year's colour of the year.

50 Years of London Architecture...