‘From the Ascott Louvre, through Citadines Apart’hotels in Frankfurt and Hamburg, to a striking Nando’s restaurant in Dundee…Buckley Gray Yeoman is going from strength to strength in the hospitality sector.’
Paul’s profile article has been featured in the March – April edition of Hospitality Interiors magazine.
Fred Perry have commissioned us to design their latest international store within the new Central Embassy Mall in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing the brand’s iconic English identity to the already culturally rich city. The long narrow plan arrangement has been designed into three distinct spaces, clothing display as you enter, the central cash desk and the accessories area to the back of the store. Each of these spaces carries their own distinct identity using differing material palettes of concrete, blackened steel and glazed tiles, while also sharing consistent subtle references to Fred Perry’s design heritage. Upon entering, a sculptural wall displaying Fred Perry’s famous laurel wreath logo fills the large glazed shopfront. The Central Embassy Mall is due to open Summer 2014.
The proposed designs…
Site photographs taken March 2014…
Matt’s Q&A feature on future retail trends, published in a special retail feature in April’s edition of FX.
Out with the old, in with the new… Central London’s only marina, St Katharine Docks, is currently undergoing a huge transformation.
Compare the below photo of the dock to the left of Tower Bridge, with the photos taken on site last week. The site photos show the impressive new roof light at 4th floor level, plus the installation of curtain walling and wall finishes to what will be the new double height reception space.
As masterplanner for the investment works on the dock, BuckleyGrayYeoman are leading the design team on the renovation of Commodity Quay, the next major project which will provide 130,000 sq ft of office space.
I first went to Mipim in March 2005. Back then architects were regarded as “bottom feeders”. Nibbling scraps of contacts from the discarded dinners of the great predators above them. It was a large ocean and we were small fish. Or so I thought.
As it turned out, the ocean was relatively small, it was just that the sharks and killer whales towards the top were so bloated that they dominated the horizon, blocking out the sunlight.
The recession put an end to all that excess and since 2009, Mipim has regained its focus and has become a far more useful and enjoyable event. Yes, the yachts are still there, along with the odd member of the serious fraud squad, but in general terms the event is far more down to earth than reports would lead you to believe.
For architects, the opportunities are now significant. Design is more widely appreciated and the ability to create (and sell) ‘vision’ is a skill much in demand.
But don’t go to Mipim in the hope that you will receive a commission from a Russian oligarch to design a new city in the Republic of Tatarstan. Those opportunities, along with accompanying ‘models’, disappeared some time ago. However, what you will find is the unique opportunity to connect with key clients and industry movers & shakers in a relaxed and unprecedented way.
For practices that are looking for opportunities abroad, Mipim provides unparalleled access to the decision makers from across the globe, as country after country exhibits its property credentials and shows off its latest schemes. However, as many of the schemes exhibited seem to have already been designed, one could argue that it is inspiration rather than instruction that we are more likely to receive.
However, it is within the UK Stands that the real opportunities lie. All the major British cities have Stands at Mipim with The London Stand, in particular being the place to be seen. Or rather it has been. My prediction this year is that we may well see a return to opportunities coming from the UK Regions as much as from it’s Capital.
This year saw Liverpool returning for the first time since 2011, the city’s Mayor teaming up with the chief executive of Manchester City Council who no doubt gave Boris a run for his money. There were also stands from Birmingham and Leeds.
It may sound ironic, but to bag a cool new project in the UK, then the South of France was the best place to be.
Matt Yeoman’s full interview for the Architects Journal.
March 2014.
We have just completed phase 1 of the renovation and extension of Euromonitor’s head office in Clerkenwell. The design concept for Britton Street is to maximise the use of raw and natural materials whilst enhancing the usability of the floor-plates. The first phase included works to the upper 3 floors and roof terrace. Phase 2, which is just beginning includes the lower 3 floors and the new reception. The 4th floor roof terrace affords spectacular views of St Paul’s, The Shard and Westminster. Works are due for completion September 2014.
Photos by Luke Hayes http://www.lukehayes.com
We’re seven months into the construction period at Channing School and work is progressing well. Buckley Gray Yeoman’s plans will add three buildings to the school’s estate including a new sixth form centre. This will provide a range of teaching spaces with seminar type studios alongside ‘open-plan’ university style learning, all naturally ventilated and with views onto the schools green landscaping. The new sports hall will provide first class teaching facilities for a variety of indoor sports; along with a performing arts building that will provide a 300 capacity semi-professional theatre with retractable seating. Completion is due late Summer 2014 for phase 1, with phase 2 to follow in Summer 2015.
New sports hall steelwork frame being erected
A view from the performing arts building (currently a huge hole)
Architectural steelwork exposed in the sports hall
Sixth form centre dining room
Sports hall steelwork
Sports hall looking at the sixth-form centre
Sports hall steel frame
Proposed
Existing
BuckleyGrayYeoman & British Land won consent last night to extend and refurbish its Yalding House block at 152-156 Great Portland Street W1 including two new floors and an increase of 818 sqm in office space.
The former BBC Radio 1 recording studios will be transformed into new high quality office spaces with new entrance from Great Portland St, provision for retail at ground floor and a new double height mansard to the rooftop. Work will be starting on site in a few weeks with completion due mid 2015.
Great site photos showing work progressing well at 10 Bloomsbury Way, Holborn. Due for completion in November 2014, Buckley Gray Yeoman are radically transforming this former Ministry of Defence building for London & Regional Properties. Our project Architect, Alex Cook says “The glazed 9th floor, with panoramic views of the city and the west, is quickly taking shape. Installation of final materials is soon to commence in the building reception. The 7m high entrance space will create a dramatic focal point for this strikingly individual building.”
Photos by Luke Hayes http://www.lukehayes.com
Work has completed on the first phase of the complete overhaul of Roedean School’s boarding houses by BuckleyGrayYeoman Architects. The two-phase project will see an entirely new look for more than 200 bedrooms and associated accommodation at one of the UK’s leading independent schools.
Photos by Hufton & Crow
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