Sail away...

Today's xsite is Anna...

Unfortunately we haven't been shortlisted for the Ullswater Yacht Club competition. The winner was announced last week as Cumbrian based practice Architects Plus. As the judging process is now over we thought we would show you a few images of our entry...

Micro offices completed

Today's xsite is Robin...

The BohoOne Micro Offices are now completed and ready for occupying.  The offices, constructed from red and white stained pallets and plywood, form four private office spaces within a larger office unit.  Measuring 3 x 4 metres, the offices provide space for small startup companies to find their feet, as well as informal networking spaces around the units (to be occupied with bean bags, tables and chairs).

Refurbished house complete

Today's xsite is Jane...

xsite completed this extension to a property in Gosforth last summer, and have just recently had it photographed by Jill Tate. The project provides a greatly increased floor area to the 1960s police house.

Work included a complete reconfiguration of the ground floor, new oak staircase and glass partition wall and an extended dining area to the rear of the house clad in Siberian larch. Reception rooms have been connected and opened up allowing full height views of the garden on entering the house, as well as opening up a large first floor bedroom into the roof space.

Micro offices

Today's xsite is Nita...

Construction is now well underway for 4 ‘micro offices’ in the Boho One building in Middlesbrough. Made of timber pallets, these offices will sit in a staggered formation within a larger room. They will be let to smaller businesses, allowing them to share the larger space while maintaining some privacy.

As well as designing the fitout, xsite are also constructing the micro offices. Everyone from the office is getting involved, in a range of activities from designing, organising deliveries, hand balling, painting and building.

Last chance to see...

Today's xsite is Anna...

Our latest exhibition, Jill Tate's photography show 'Still Light', is coming to an end if you haven't managed to have a look at it yet. Call in to xsite for a last look and a glass of wine on Thursday the 24th March from 6 - 8pm.

Extension complete

Today's xsite is Mal...

xsite have reached practical completion on this Georgian house extension in the West End of Newcastle.  The scheme included some internal renovation and alterations, an overhaul of the exterior and roof and making intelligent use of space for storage, within a remodelled rear yard.  A 1960s single glazed porch was demolished and replaced by this ‘glass box’ addition to the property which opens out onto a raised patio. 

Up the chimney

Today's xsite is Mal...

There is a pretty good view of the site from the top of the Toffee Factory chimney...

Barbie the architect

Today's xsite is Anna...

Barbie has been relaunched with a new career, at age 51, this time as an architect... Her new look includes thick black rimmed glasses, a drawing tube, in pink, a skyline printed dress, her hard hat and high heeled boots.

Her new look is the latest in Mattel's Barbie 'I Can Be' range, which has previously seen her become an astronaut, a ballerina and a surgeon. Mattel hope the launch will bring positive changes for the architecture world!



Toffee Factory site progress

Today's xsite is Adrian...

Cleaning, repair and remodeling of the existing fabric is continuing and the 30 metre high chimney is now fully scaffolded; we're all keen to get up there and check out the view. Internally steelwork is being installed as the new second floor of the building starts to take shape.

Will Schrimshaw - Artist in Residence

Today's xsite is Anna...

Will Schrimshaw is our new artist in residence; his residency officially began during the first week of February. Twice a year xsite offers artists the opportunity to be part of Foundry Lane Studios by taking up residency in house for 3mths.

Will is an artist-researcher from Wakefield, currently based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Often working with sound, his work focuses on environmental interaction and the invisible determinants of space and place. This work is carried out by means of earth, text and code. You can find out more about his work here: http://willschrimshaw.net/

While at Foundry Lane he is going to be working on a new project called Invisible Architectures. This project is aimed at bringing together artists, architects, writers and thinkers who are interested in the invisible aspects or layers of the city, whether this be its sonic, haptic, olfactory, thermic or electromagnetic qualities.

The intention is to invite people to lead workshops and participatory events that will happen as part of a weekend festival in Newcastle and be executed on foot, preferably in public spaces throughout the city. xsite will be working with Will to help develop the project, which we expect will come to fruition in early summer 2011.