New Faces

Today's xsite is Anna...

We have two new faces here at xsite, Jennie and Richard joined us during the summer so we thought it was about time they introduced themselves. I asked them a little bit about themselves...

Jennie has just completed her Part II at Newcastle University and is now also involved in teaching there. She is originally from Winchester, Hampshire and has now settled here with husband Stu. She is partial to folk music, comedy and action films and walking; she also likes spending time with her huge extended family and is a keen photographer.

Richard is a a Part I Architectural Assistant (and had a lot to say) who graduated from Newcastle University in July 2012, and is currently shortlisted for the Bronze Presidents Medal... He comes from an arty background having studied it at A-Level and Foundation Level, but went on to architecture in the end. A proud 'Yorkshire Lad' and supporter of Huddersfield Town, he has also revealed that he is a Star Wars geek, a massive dubstep fan known for his dancing skills on a night out (we're going to have to investigate that further) and a massive guilty George Michael fan...

So now you know...

Digital City on Dovecot Street

Today's xsite is Rowena...

Stockton Borough Council’s new ‘Digital City’ on Dovecot Street in Stockton is now underway.  The new networking and office space along with fold down hot desks and fold out slim offices will be housed in a Grade II * listed former Quaker Meeting House. 

The building has undergone some un-sympathetic internal refurbishment works in the past, which have now been stripped out to open up the internal space, revealing the high ceilings and original roof trusses previously hidden behind suspended ceilings. This has vastly improved the quality of the space already.

The proposed scheme retains and refurbishes with traditional methods the fabric of the building whilst providing a modern, contemporary, flexible space internally.

The project is due for completion mid January 2013.

Completed Fabrick Offices Photos

Today's xsite is Robin ...

Photographs of the completed scheme taken by Jill Tate, click any of the images to enlarge.

archiGRAD Summer School Presentation

Today's xsite is Anna ...

We have come to the end of our archiGRAD Summer School here at xsite. The Summer School was a pilot Newcastle University project, developed in partnership with Northern Architecture that provided office based experience for architecture students. Adam, Emily, Kristina, Marta, Oleg and Rumen have been with us for 6 weeks working on a project master planning the High Bridge area of Newcastle.

Last week saw their final presentation of ideas take place in our new Ouse Street venue the Ouse Street Arts Club. They ran through a host of impressive ideas for the route from Central Station through Pudding Chare and along High Bridge to Pilgrim Street, including cinemas, light shows, parks and artwork.

We hope that fruits of their labour can get wider exposure with people in the city. It was a great for us to have them around for the summer, and for the students to gain valuable office experience. The pilot scheme seems to have been a success all round so we look forward to next year...

The Ouseburn Social Rerun

Today's xsite is Tim...

It seems like an age away but our first attempt at an Ouseburn Social was on the same night as ‘Stormy Thursday’ and ended up very wet!

So we are holding a second first event, on 20^th September 2012 at Foundry Lane Studios once again. Come along, meet your neighbours, exchange creative ideas, chat, that kind of stuff...

Please get in touch if you're interested in coming along via gail@xsitearchitecture.co.uk. Be great to see you here.

Click flyer to enlarge...

Fabrick Headquarters Complete

Today's xsite is Robin...

The Fabrick office fitout is complete and the offices occupied as of Monday!

Some 200 staff are now busy unpacking, sorting files and bedding into their new office environment. Initial feedback has been extremely positive, and we can’t wait to see the office in use once everyone has settled in.

archiGRAD Summer School

Today's xsite is Anna...

We are now 1 week into our archiGRAD Summer School here at xsite. The Summer School is a Newcastle University project, developed in partnership with Northern Architecture that provides office based experience for architecture students. It aims to help students at the beginning of their careers to improve their employability, get involved in office life and experience ‘real’ projects.  

As a host practice we now have 6 fresh enthusiastic faces, Adam, Emily, Kristina, Marta, Oleg and Rumen, wandering round the building currently getting to grips with some master planning in the High Bridge area of Newcastle. The students are with us a couple of days a week for 6 weeks over the course of the summer.

 You can find out more about the archGRAD Summer School here.

Fabrick Housing Headquarters

Today's xsite is Anna...

A little snapshot of our fitout at Fabrick Housing's Headquarters in Middlesbrough, work is moving on a pace and is due for completion next Friday.

Ouseburn Social #01

Today's xsite is Anna...

We're having a little get together tonight for commercial creative businesses in the Ouseburn, come along if that is you...

Foundry Lane Studios, Foundry Lane, NE6 1LH
6 - 9pm

RIBA awards

Today's xsite is Adrian...

xsite’s Toffee Factory project was a winner again last night, this time at the RIBA North awards ceremony. The building ‘scooped’ 3 prizes ; an RIBA award, a Sustainability award and North East Building of the year.

Thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in the project which now finds itself on the (very) long list for The Stirling Prize.