RIBA MacEwen Award longlisted

We are so proud to have our St Lukes project included in this years longlist for the RIBA MacEwen Award, the annual awards that recognise architecture for the common good.

The project has redevelopment the tired church hall to create The Host Café, a community cafe and multi-functional space which has become a vibrant local focal point, hosting events throughout the day and evening.

In total 30 projects have been longlisted in the MacEwen Awards, you can see the full list here, the shortlist will be annouced in early 2025.

 

Listed building planning success

We are delighted to announce we have secured planning permission to sympathetically refurbish and extend a Grade II listed Regency villa in central Southampton.

The design will extensively renovate the existing building, to deliver a scheme that enhances the rich, historic personality of the original dwelling and upgrade the energy efficiency of the property. A contemporary extension, replacing the current, poorly constructed extension, will create a largely glazed structure to transform the rear of the property with a spacious kitchen running across the whole elevation of the home. The work will breathe new life into the property, to create a functional, joyful home for the owners and their young family.

You can read more details about the project here; we have also written an article about working on listed and heritage building which you might find interesting which you can find here.

Build It Awards shortlist

Good news to end the week with, our Holly Cottage project has been selected for the shortlist in this year’s Build It Awards, within the ‘Best Architect or Designer for an Extension Project’ category. We are really quite humbled to be amongst such a talented group of architects recognised in this category, but also delighted to have our work recognised in this way.

The annual Build It Awards celebrate all aspects of self-build and renovation projects; we are looking forward to the awards winners being announced on the 8th November – please keep your fingers crossed for us!

Southampton Guides Hall submitted for planning

We have submitted our designs for a new Girl Guide Meeting Hall in the Portswood area of central Southampton, in for planning approval. The scheme will create a new hub for the local Guides Association to promote outdoor based actives for the young people in the city, on the site of a previously demolished hall.

The hall will be built primarily in timber with glazed sliding doors, the simple structure is divided into two key elements – roof and deck. The main hall is placed under an asymmetric butterfly style roof, designed to maximise the feeling of space within whilst sensitively tucking under the existing tree canopy. A floating roof will extend out over a decked area, offering an outdoor space with protection from the elements, you can find more details on the project page here. 

We look forward to a positive outcome from the planning department.

Host Café opens at St Luke’s, Portsmouth

We were delighted to see the first phase of our St Luke’s Church redevelopment completed, with the opening of the new Host Café last week. The redevelopment is inline with the Church’s vision ‘To become a church with visible connection and meaning to those who live, work, or study, in this community: one that is open throughout the week for everyone, whether you express a faith or not.’

The church had approached Studio BAD following the success of our St Margaret’s Church redevelopment, to help enhance the church building with the aim of transforming it into a vibrant hub for the community. As part of the wider project, we looked at major repair work to the church roof, gutters and windows and also looked at improving the engagement between the church and the community at all levels, make the physical space more welcoming and restful.

In this first phase the courtyard space, between the street and the front entrance, has been upgraded with a cost effective overhaul to deliver a vibrant and inviting space to encourage the community into, during the warmer months this space will also be used for alfresco dining for the café.

The new café is located in the church hall, offering great coffee, comfortable chairs and a warm welcome to all. The vicar, the Rev Annie McCabe, said: “Our customers include those who work in the church, students living in the blocks of flats around us, congregation members, and people from the local community. Various groups, such as the police and city council want to use the café as a base to discuss issues with local residents.” All profits raised from the café will be re-invested into the local community.

We are delighted to have helped breath new life into the building, creating a space for the whole community to enjoy and engage with. You can find out more details about Host Cafe here. 

Parklets installed in Eastleigh

Last year we worked with Eastleigh Borough Council on a feasibility study of the town centre, the council were looking at ways to invigorate the space through permanent and semi-permanent interventions which have now started to be installed across the town.

One of our key design ideas was the installation of Parklet structures. These modular seating units are designed to soften the retail street, with planting and a place for people to stop and sit. The seating encourages people to dwell and engage with the surroundings, helping to positively support the local retail and restaurant outlets by creating vibrant social gathering points.

The modular units include tiered planting and bench seating, constructed from corten steel with a wooden bench seat. The design is inspired by Eastleigh’s industrial heritage as a train hub, with the modular units taking design cues railway design.

Professional photos will be taken soon, these are quick snaps on my phone – apologise for the quality!