xsite Architecture and PlanBEE

Maddy’s mug shot

xsite Architecture joined up with a number of other private sector practices and Gateshead College to create an alternative route into the construction industry- PlanBEE. The course is structured so that each student has the opportunity to work in each sector on rotation, for the duration of the course. A PlanBEE student's time is predominantly spent in the workplace, with 1 day a week in college, meaning that much of their learning is office based.

As a practice we strongly believe that PlanBEE offers a great alternative route into the construction industry. It provides a very unique opportunity for students to experience the different sectors within the industry ensuring that, upon completion of the course, they are able to make an informed decision as to which sector they wish to work in. We also believe that it offers a viable and practical solution for those who wish to earn whilst they study.

Our first PlanBEE student- Madeleine, joined us back in October. She has fitted straight into practice life and we are very much enjoying having her as a member of the team.

Below is a short Q&A we did with Maddy over a cuppa....

Where do you come from?
I come from a small village called Elwick, not far from Durham.

What did you study at A Level?
For my A levels I studied Maths, Business Studies along with Product Design (D&T) at Yarm School Sixth Form.

Had you had any prior experience within the construction industry before you enrolled onto PlanBEE?
During the summer holidays last year I took the opportunity to do 3 weeks work experience at a civil engineering firm where I got the chance to see a residential project being built on site. I have always had a passion for design and architecture and I based my A level Product Design projects on architecture.

Why did you choose PlanBEE over a more traditional course?
I chose PlanBEE because I think it is a unique and very beneficial opportunity to begin my career in the construction industry. I was attracted to PlanBEE because of the opportunities to experience lots of different aspects of the construction industry as well as being able to gain valuable skills along the way.

What do you think are good skills or traits to have as a PlanBEE student?
From subjects I studied at A level, I have developed the creative, analytical and logical aspects of my skill set. During that time I volunteered as a helper at a local prep school as well as competing in the Yarm School Apprentice Competition. Both the volunteer work and the competition helped me develop my problem solving, negotiating and team work skills- skills that have helped me in the PlanBEE programme so far.

When you enrolled on the PlanBEE course was there a sector that you were most excited to gain experience in?
Before I joined PlanBEE I had received university offers to study Architecture. However coming on to this course I am looking forward to gaining exposure in more areas than just architecture. I think it will be beneficial for me to keep an open mind and explore and experience each of the sectors.

What have you enjoyed/learned from your time at xsite Architecture?
Currently at xsite I am working on a residential project- Stephenson House, building a 3D model in Revit. This has involved importing a 2D model in from AutoCAD. I am really enjoying learning the different skills and tools used in Revit to produce 3D models and I am looking forward to improving my BIM skills. In addition I have learnt a lot about the different stages a project goes through as well as what the role of the architect is.

What are you interests outside of the course?
Outside of the course I enjoy playing sports such as Tennis and Hockey. I also enjoy walking my dogs in the country side, visiting new places, spending time with friends and family and I am also passionate about photography.

If you are interested in PlanBEE see the website for more details.
  http://www.joinplanbee.com/

Arborescent

Today's xsite is Neringa...

Last Saturday xsite were braving the wilderness.

The Arborescent project lead by the talented Ed Carter promised 3 unique musical performances in an extraordinary setting – Kielder forest. xsite were asked to compose one of the graphic scores – a visual piece of music that was yet to be invented by musicians playing glass percussion instruments, a tuba and a trumpet.

In our piece, we asked the audience to take part by wandering into the forest and reading the symbols left on trees to be deciphered according to one’s own reason. Such conscious meandering made for a strange exhibition of sound where music, sometimes resembling a distant sound of a wild predator, travelled closer and further as if trying to influence one’s reason.

The sound was moving and the venue was uncanny.

We couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable cultural weekend out in nature and judging from great comments after the event – the participants felt the same.

Great North Passion

Today's xsite is Anna...

A few shots of the containers in place in the sunshine!

BBC Great North Passion takes shape

Today's xsite is Robin...

xsite have recently been involved as the Site Engineer for the setting out, levelling and installation of 64no shipping containers, arranged to form a giant (122m long) cruciform shaped outdoor concert for the BBC's Great North Passion. The event, due to take place on Good Friday, will play host to 7,000 people, with a 1,000 strong choir and a cornucopia of outreach art projects, mini stages and surrounding activities!

DATbar Newcastle

Today's xsite is Adrian...

Launched last month DATBAR is the latest in a series of projects xsite have completed for the De Giorgi family stretching back more than 10 years now and including some of the best loved venues in Newcastle. A craft beer / pizza / burger joint sat in the ground floor of the grade 1 listed Theatre Royal building, the interior is a collaboration with the super talented boys at Dirty Hands co  www.dirtyhandsco.com . Formerly Pasqualinos restaurant, the fit out set about providing a physical separation from the Theatre itself and a strong new identity focused on the food and beer and driven by Dirty Hands’ signature graphic work and illustration applied to a Vintage Industrial backdrop. Go get a beer, share a burger and take a look.      

Work starts at the Tyneside Cinema

Today's xsite is Anna...

Work has begun at the Tyneside Cinema on a new project to create an intimate 40-seater digital video art gallery and cinema, as well as a vibrant new bar café that fronts onto Pilgrim Street. The new bar will incorporate an area for customers to enjoy a drink and food in cabaret-style seating while watching films.

The bar currently on the third floor will no longer be needed, leaving room for a multi-function space that will be used to host film and video gallery installation pieces during the day, while offering a fourth screen at night.

Ouse Street General Store

Today's xsite is Anna...

We will be opening our events space Ouse Street Arts Club as ‘Ouse Street General Store’ from 11th – 20th October as part of Northern Design Festival, please make sure you pop by!

The corner shop, not just a place to pick up a pint of milk and The Chronicle, but a place central to our sense of community and our collective memory. Not just purveyors of essential provisions but a place to bump into neighbours, to pick up gossip and central to our sense of living somewhere.
Overshadowed by the supermarkets and seldom the first thought on a property developer’s mind the humble corner shop’s future is far from secure.

Ouse Street Arts Club sits at the heart of Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley where an industrial past sits alongside a creative present and JCBs are preparing the ground for major residentially led regeneration with the aim of creating a sustainable urban village.

It is in this context that Ouse Street General Stores will open its doors for Northern Design Festival 2013.

Presenting curated shelves full of work from over 30 North East and national designers, artists and makers Ouse Street General Stores will be your local cultural 7-Eleven.  It’s ‘Open all hours’ meets ‘Etsy’ and you won’t go short of that pint of milk.

Opening Hours
11 – 20^th October 9am – 5pm
Preview Friday 11th 5.30-7.30pm
Closed Sundays

Palace Hub Micro Offices

Today's xsite is Nita...

A side project fitting out one of the larger office at the Palace Hub has just been completed. The Micro Offices are designed with start up businesses in mind- each office is big enough for 1-2 people. Companies letting a micro office can have an affordable address at the Hub with similar companies as neighbours, moving into the bigger offices as their businesses grow. The Micro Offices have their own break out spaces and meeting areas, formed by the spaces between the offices.

The panels forming the fitout were largely prefabricated in the factory then assembled on site. They consist of a timber frame clad alternatively with timber battens, birch faced ply and corrugated polycarbonate.

We are thrilled with how they’ve turned out and look forward to seeing them fully furnished and occupied.

Photography by Andrew Hogg

Victory in BIM Competition!

Today's xsite is Robin...

xsite were recently victorious in the Design and BIM competition North East Byker as part of the Summers Inman Team. This one day event involved five teams preparing fictional proposals for a Community Hub at the City Stadium, Byker.

Each team featured a full design group including Architects, Structural Engineers, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Project Managers, Cost Consultants and Contractors, as well as specialist advice on BIM software and data sharing systems.

Proposals were prepared in an intense collaborative environment using BIM (Building Information Modelling) software and using the tools available to coordinate and output a broad set of information about the design, structure, services, clash detection, costing, construction process and lifecycle costing.

Starting with a simple sketch design, our team developed a detailed model which included a full structural design, mechanical services, detailed costings and construction animation. Seven iterations of the model were prepared up to the 5pm deadline, and visualisations were prepared from the system to describe the proposals.

 

 

Rivers House

Today's xsite is Robin...

Our office fitout project at Rivers House, in Middlesbrough, is approaching completion. Following on from the 2 Hudson Quay project for the same Client, Fabrick Housing, this fitout features a new customer contact centre for the housing association, a totally revamped reception area, lettings and interview rooms, and office space for 93 staff members.  

The design for the office space is influenced by the stages of the River Tees, and features a palette of materials and colours which reflect specific locations of the river.  Large scale photographs taken by staff members are to be printed onto storage walls, and the colours of the furniture have been selected by the theme for each area. 

 

 

Short Listed...

Today's xsite is Richard...

Through heavy discussion and a shaky understanding of timescales but with a cracking idea, myself (xsite) and a couple of friends Nicholas Bastow (FaulknerBrowns) and Joseph Goodwin (POD) have successfully reached the short-listing stage of an international competition. 

Run by Trimo and called Trimo Urban Crash, the brief was to design a sustainable bicycle hub on a site next to one of Ljubljana’s (Slovenia) busiest cycle routes. The brief desired a stop-off cafe, bicycle repair station and wi-fi hot spot. Our design emerged to provide these services whilst also suggesting a ‘pop-up’ screening space and performance area on the roof. 

We are really excited about our project and I would like to ask anyone interested to take a moment and vote for our project 20436. The link is below. The winning entry receives the honour of having their design constructed later this year, which is an amazing opportunity for three budding architects. So please take the time, and support a design borne in Newcastle to achieve recognition and realisation in the beautiful city of Ljubljana. 

http://www.trimo-urbancrash.com/project-gallery 

Open Studios 2012 as it happened...

Today's xsite is Anna...

Open studios has been and gone for another year and we for one had a brilliant time. We were open at Ouse Street Arts Club for the first time, instead of Foundry Lane Studios, and received about 750 visitors over the course of the weekend. A lot when you think that the space only holds about 30 people!

The work on show in our art-mini-mart looked amazing and the pocket cinema worked brilliantly with people hanging around to watch whole films. Our little wood burner kept us warm all weekend and made sure all visitors left with a slight wood smoke aroma!

Our new venue was incredibly well received and we look forward to a full programme of events over the next year. To keep up to date with what is going on you can check out the wordpress site here. Or get in touch if you are interested in using the space via OuseStArtsClub@gmail.com