Architecture and design news
Budget 2010: small leisure businesses to benefit, alcohol tax up
by Tom Walker | 24 Mar 2010
Small and medium-sized leisure businesses should find it easier to secure bank loans and funding, according to plans outlined by chancellor Alistair Darling in today's budget announcement. The budget - the last by chancellor Alistair Darling before the expected general election in May - will see Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds make £94bn available in business loans. Darling added that "at least half" of this will be made available
Dublin's Grand Canal Theatre unveiled
by Pete Hayman | 23 Mar 2010
A performance of Swan Lake by the Russian State Ballet has marked the official opening of the new Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Designed by Switzerland-based architect Daniel Libeskind and Dublin-based McCauley Daye O'Connell, the 2,111-seat venue forms the centre of the Grand Canal Square development. Chartered Land has delivered the theatre, which boasts seven bars, the Circle Club and a rooftop terrace bar and is operated by Live
£60m Cardiff Bay hotel plans unveiled
by Pete Hayman | 23 Mar 2010
Wyndham Hotel Group and Cardiff-based developer Bayscape have unveiled plans for the construction of a new £60m waterfront hotel in Cardiff Bay. The two companies have signed a 25-year management deal for the 32-storey Wyndham Cardiff, which will become the tallest building in Wales at 127m (417ft) high. Located on a site adjacent to the International Sports Village and the new 350-berth Cardiff Marina, the property has been designed by
Seventh art'otel for Park Plaza
by Tom Walker | 23 Mar 2010
Hotel operator Park Plaza has launched the art'otel Cologne in Germany. The new build, 218-bedroom property is the seventh in the art'otel portfolio of boutique hotels. Facilities at the hotel include the Chino Latino restaurant and six meeting rooms. The chain's unique selling point is the interior design, which includes a vast amount of original art being exhibited at each hotel. For art'otel Cologne, Park Plaza worked with the Korean-born
£9.25m boost for Giant's Causeway plans
by Pete Hayman | 23 Mar 2010
Plans for the development of a new £18.5m visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, have received a £9.25m boost from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). The funding announcement comes after the tourism agency reached an agreement with the National Trust (NT), which owns the attraction and plans to enhance the World Heritage Site's visitor experience. Dublin-based architects heneghan.peng are behind the designs for the new visitor centre,
Mayor of London opens new Greenwich attraction
by Martin Nash | 22 Mar 2010
Discover Greenwich, a new £6m cultural centre at the Old Royal Naval College on London's Thames riverside, has been opened by London Mayor, Boris Johnson. The new venue - scheduled to open to the public on 23 March and aiming to attract 1m visitors a year - uses state of the art interpretation techniques, never been seen before historic objects, rare artefacts, film footage and models in permanent and temporary
DfT plans 2012 disabled access upgrade
by Pete Hayman | 22 Mar 2010
Disabled sports fans are set to benefit from improved access at three railway stations near to 2012 Olympic venues under plans confirmed by the Department for Transport (DfT). Slough, Wembley Central and Hackney Central stations are all set to be upgraded in time for the the London Games in order to offer step-free access under the Government's Access for All programme. Around £2.5m will be spent on upgrading Slough station,
Historic Aberdeen pool site up for sale
by Pete Hayman | 18 Mar 2010
An Aberdeen swimming pool complex, which was first opened in 1937 but was forced to shut in 2008, has been put on the market by the local authority. Property consultancy Ryden has been tasked with securing the sale of the B-listed Bon Accord Baths by Aberdeen City Council (ACC), which was designed by Alexander McRobbie of the City Architects Department. The two-storey centre on Justice Mill Lane includes reception areas,
Council unveils latest Leeds Arena images
by Pete Hayman | 17 Mar 2010
Leeds City Council (LCC) has unveiled new images showing the internal layout of a proposed £80m entertainment venue, which will be built in the West Yorkshire city. The council revealed detailed design work is now at an "advanced stage" on the interior configuration of the Leeds Arena, which aims to provide an unobstructed sightline for each of a 13,500-capacity audience. Under the 'super theatre' proposals for the venue, the furthest
Council seeks Stevenage revamp views
by Pete Hayman | 16 Mar 2010
Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) has invited residents to submit their views on plans for the regeneration of the town centre as part of a public consultation due to close on 18 March. The council's Town Centre Area Action Plan outlines a framework for the future mixed-use redevelopment of the Hertfordshire town - one of the first to be designated under the government's New Towns Act in 1946. Leisure uses are
Old Trafford revamp plans approved
by Pete Hayman | 16 Mar 2010
Plans for a major multi-million pound revamp of Old Trafford cricket stadium in Manchester have been given the green light by Trafford Council's planning committee. Government Office North West will now decide whether to formally approve the project, which has been put forward by the Old Trafford Partnership - comprising Ask Developments, Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) and Tesco. Plans for the transformation of a 50-acre (20.2-hectare) site include a
Government green light for BCFC plans
by Pete Hayman | 16 Mar 2010
Bristol City Council (BCC) will determine whether to approve plans for a new 30,000-seat stadium at Ashton Vale after the government revealed it would not intervene in the process. Bristol City Football Club (BCFC) has welcomed the Government Office for the South West's announcement, which means the council will have sole responsibility for deciding the scheme's fate. Planning officers have already 'minded to approve' the development of the club's new
New £35m arts facility set for Bangor
by Pete Hayman | 15 Mar 2010
Plans for a new £35m arts and innovation centre in Bangor, North Wales, have taken a step forward after Bangor University announced the start of design work. The Pontio Project - a name derived from the Welsh word for "to bridge" - will include the creation of a dynamic innovation hub, learning facilities and a new home for the university's students' union. Indoor and outdoor performance spaces, including a 450-seat
Jodrell Bank unveils visitor centre plans
by Pete Hayman | 12 Mar 2010
Plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council (CEC) for the creation of a new discovery centre at the University of Manchester's (UM) Jodrell Bank Observatory. The 'live science' visitor attraction aims to attract thousands of extra visitors to the observatory, showcasing research 'as it happens' and inspire a future generation of young scientists. Jodrell Bank's 1,000sq m (10,764sq ft) discover centre will include a Planet Pavilion entrance building, with
US firm to design two landmark Chinese tourism projects
by Martin Nash | 11 Mar 2010
St. Louis, US-based PGAV Destinations has won contracts to undertake the planning and design of Zhuhai Ocean World and the expansion of the Terracotta Warriors Museum, both in China. The Ocean World project is being developed by the Chimelong Group - which operates theme parks, animal safari parks, waterparks, and hotels in Guangzhou's Panyu district - as part of its Hengqin Island Development. When completed it will become the largest
Milton Keynes pavilion plans approved
by Pete Hayman | 10 Mar 2010
Milton Keynes Council (MKC) has approved plans for the development of a new community sports pavilion on playing fields off Cranborne Avenue, Westcroft. Revised proposals for the project were submitted for consideration by the council in December 2009 after initial plans for a two-storey development were refused in October. The planned one-storey pavilion is set to boast four changing rooms fitted with showers, officials' changing rooms and a small social
New-look People's History Museum reopens
by Pete Hayman | 09 Mar 2010
A museum exploring the role of working-class people in the development of democracy in Britain from the early 18th century to the present day has officially reopened in Manchester. Unveiled by health secretary and MP for Leigh Andy Burnham, the People's History Museum has benefited from an extensive £12.5m redevelopment project. The attraction boasts 1,384sq m (4,541sq ft) of exhibition space and nearly 1,500 artefacts on display, while a purpose-built
Sheffield discovery centre set to take shape
by Pete Hayman | 08 Mar 2010
Sheffield City Council (SCC) has confirmed that construction work on a new discovery centre at the Ecclesall Woods Sawmill site is set to get underway this month. A new timber building is set to house visitor, education and training facilities which will cater for school groups and community organisations, as well as local businesses, families and individuals. Additional toilet and refreshment facilities at the centre have been designed to showcase
Lama awards for Holohan
by Tom Walker | 08 Mar 2010
Dublin-based Holohan Architects won two awards at last month's Zurich LAMA Awards ceremony. The €16.6m NUI Galway Sports Centre won 'Best Sporting Facility - Not Publicly Funded' while the Ä7.5m Aura Youghal Leisure Centre won 'Best Recreational Facility'. The national awards look at how projects enhance local communities.
Nottingham leisure centre plans submitted
by Pete Hayman | 05 Mar 2010
Nottingham City Council (NCC) has lodged plans for the £9m development of the city's new Victoria Leisure Centre, which will be built on the site of the existing facility. Designs for the complex have been drawn up by London-based architects Levitate and form part of a wider £32m council-led scheme to upgrade leisure provision across Nottingham. The existing Victoria Leisure Centre is due to close on 1 April to make
GCCC stadium revamp moves step closer
by Pete Hayman | 04 Mar 2010
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club (GCCC) has been handed a boost after planning officials at the local authority backed plans for a major renovation of the County Ground, Bristol. Two planning applications submitted for the redevelopment of the club's Nevil Road venue - due to be considered on 10 March - have been recommended for approval by officers at Bristol City Council (BCC). The council's development control (north) committee will determine
£14m overhaul for Piccadilly Circus
by Pete Hayman | 04 Mar 2010
London's iconic Piccadilly Circus is set to undergo a major £14m makeover in a bid to provide more space for pedestrians under new proposals approved by Westminster City Council (WCC). More than 1km (0.6 miles) of "oppressive" railings installed in 1963 are set to be removed as part of the scheme, which follows the success of a Japanese-style diagonal pedestrian crossing created at Oxford Circus. The site's landmark Eros statue
AU$4m Sydney Central Park plans approved
by Pete Hayman | 03 Mar 2010
Frasers Property Australia's plans to build a new AU$4m (£2.4m, €2.6m, US$3.6m) public park in Sydney have been given the green light by the New South Wales Department of Planning. The 6,500sq m (69,965sq ft) park is set to form part of the property company's wider AU$2bn (£1.2bn, €1.3bn, US$1.8bn) redevelopment of the former Carlton and United Brewery site in Chippendale. Designed by Denmark-based Jeppe Aargaard Anderson and Australia-based Turf
Work begins on Time Capsule
by Tom Walker | 02 Mar 2010
The Time Capsule leisure centre in Coatbrige, Scotland, is to undergo a £6m redevelopment funded by North Lanarkshire Council. Improvements at the centre, which attracts around 700,000 visitors a year, will include the creation of a new health and fitness club, a new water slide and improved spa facilities. The centre's new spa suite will feature a stone-bedded relaxation area, spa pools, steamrooms and saunas. There will also be a
£1.6m ten-pin bowling centre for Slough
by Tim Nash | 02 Mar 2010
Slough Community Leisure is to start work in April converting the existing Slough Tennis Centre into a new £1.6m ten-pin bowling centre. Due for completion by the end of the summer, the new facility will boast 18 bowling lanes, gaming machines, pool tables and a café/bar. The project is being funded and managed by Alliance Leisure. It was designed by Bignell Shacklady Ewing and building work will be carried out
Evesham Leisure Centre wins design award
by Tim Nash | 02 Mar 2010
Evesham Leisure Centre in Worcestershire has won the Community Architecture category of the Wychavon Building Design Awards. Wychavon Leisure, which operates the facility, highlighted its strengths as being "its striking use of colour, forms and contrasting material, all of which has helped the new leisure centre stand as a landmark development for the town". The facility was designed by architects Roberts-Limbrick and constructed by Galliford Try. The Wychavon Building Design
Yotel unveils New York pod hotel plans
by Pete Hayman | 02 Mar 2010
Hotel operator Yotel has announced plans to move away from its international airport locations with the opening of a 669-bedroom property in the centre of New York, US. Inspired by first-class airline cabins, the Yotel Times Square pod hotel is set to boast 170sq ft (15.8sq m) rooms fitted with rain showers, mood lighting and the group's 'techno wall' - including flat screen television. The new property will form part
New home for Warwick theatre company
by Pete Hayman | 02 Mar 2010
Warwick District Council (WDC) has approved plans for the refurbishment of a Grade II-listed former church in Leamington Spa to provide a new home for the Loft Theatre Company. The former United Reform Church building on Spencer Street will be extended and revamped as part of the project to create a new performance centre, which will establish a new focal point for the arts and creative industries in the town.
£13m Rushden leisure plans submitted
by Pete Hayman | 25 Feb 2010
East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) has announced that it has submitted detailed plans for the new £13m Manor Park Leisure Centre, which is set to be built in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Working in partnership with Rushden Town Council, the centre is poised to include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and teaching pool, dance/exercise studios and a fitness suite, as well as a six-court sports hall. Leisure water facilities - such as jets
Battersea proposals receive CABE backing
by Pete Hayman | 24 Feb 2010
Rafael Viñoly's masterplan for the £5.5bn redevelopment of London's Battersea Power Station site has been given the backing of the government's architecture advisory body. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) said plans for the 40-acre (16.2-hectare) site, submitted by developer Treasury Holdings UK in October, has achieved an "impressive amount within the constraints of the building". Battersea's Grade II*-listed power station building is at the heart of
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