Addressing issues faced by first time buyers, Kube² is a playfully inspired scheme of stylish and affordable apartments, priced at under £70,000.
To tackle the constraints of limited space on the site, a 2 storey strip of jauntily arranged, colourful square-shaped pods have been positioned above a row of lower integrated garages, making full use of the land available. The quirky designs include 22 one bedroom apartments and a further 10 studio apartments incorporating space saving design devices and clever interior planning, ensuring the spatial capacity of each unit is utilized to a maximum.
The eye-catching proposals have been designed by DKS Architects on behalf of property development company Kube² and will be built on the former site of SD Print and Design based on Martinet Road.
'Out of the box' was the design brief for a contemporary dwelling located on a narrow end of terrace plot on the High Street in Boosbeck.
DKS's design for the 2-storey dwelling is reminiscent of the De Stijl movement (early Dutch modernism) based on the Schroder House in Utrecht, Holland (1924), using basic geometry with bold statements of colour.
The design of the 2 bedroomed house is an inspired interpretation of Modernist design principles. The living accommodation is 'upside down' (i.e. living up/beds down) to maximize views via an 'invisible' glazed corner while living, dining/kitchen areas are accessed via a feature glazed entrance complete with glazed walkway and a roof garden.
The current property is a large brick built period farm house set within a large exposed plot at the corner of a farmed field. Attached to the farmhouse are a variety of underused adjoining out-buildings arranged around an east facing courtyard.
DKS Architects brief was to extend the current farmhouse and utilise the out buildings but also attempt to provide an open plan contemporary family space that would lead out onto a large secluded courtyard with an aspect that benefits from uninterrupted views across farmland towards the Yorkshire Moors.
Following a thorough analysis of the existing buildings DKS identified that the best design solution would be to retain both the farmhouse and the two storey barn to the north of the plot and demolish the remaining single storey outbuildings. Having opened up the space around the house the opportunity was then taken to link the two existing buildings together with a fully glazed, dual aspect open plan entertaining space offering a contemporary style to contrast with the existing buildings.
DKS Architects has been chosen to design a state-of-the-art business park in Stokesley.
The scheme is intended to encourage more companies to operate from the North Yorkshire town with each building designed to the individual needs of the client.
Office space is commonly designed speculatively, with most clients having to make do with what’s available. All companies operate differently, so when it comes to finding the right building, one size does not fit all.
This new expansion of the Stokesley Business Park gives companies the opportunity to be involved in the design and layout of their own buildings, making sure they get more efficient office space specific to the way they work.
Earlier this year, DKS Architects won the prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) award in the commercial category for the design of Armstrong Richardson’s innovative offices in Stokesley Business Park.
Due to the success of their own building, Armstrong Richardson the land owner has employed DKS to master-plan a further development by designing over 8,000sqm of commercial and industrial buildings on an adjacent site.
The buildings will be built using a consistent palette of materials and will be designed with a boulevard layout of landscaping running through the centre. Early indicative designs show a variety of contemporary style office buildings plus an area of separate combined office and warehousing.
Construction is anticipated for February 2009 with the first units expected to be up and running by Autumn/Winter 2009.
Centrally located within the picturesque village, this existing ½ acre site currently consists of rundown farm buildings and grazing land and already has planning permission for conversion and new build housing.
DKS Architects were commissioned to look again at the approved scheme to see if a better, more contemporary approach might be adopted. The plans show innovative designs to renovate the existing farmhouse, convert two derelict barns and build three striking contemporary properties to the rear of the site.
DKS worked with neighbours and the Parish Council to replace the original, unpopular scheme with one that responds to the very steeply sloping nature of part of the site.
At the front of the site the traditional architecture reflects the appearance of the Conservation Area. To the rear, the modern design rivals anything you might find on Grand Designs, while vastly reducing the impact on neighbours.
As well as incorporating many environmentally friendly building materials, the new build properties are built into the sloping land with a fully glazed south facing wall enabling each building to reduce heating costs through passive solar gain.
The large flat roof of each contemporary house will be planted with a sedum green roof to reduce the rate of water run-off and include new technologies for harvesting and recycling rain water.
Trade-mark DKS design philosophy and styling has informed the plans of a new student accommodation building, standing up to 6 storeys high and incorporating up to 200 student pods and a bar/café, replacing the existing derelict student bar and nightclub, The Rocket.
Addressing issues of sustainability, the position of the building is key to the design allowing easy access to both the railway network and the university.
DKS's role was to undertake both feasibility and the complete planning design combined with project managing other consultants including archaeology, transportation and ecology. As the proposed development is located within a Conservation Area, the Practice's planning consultancy work included an assessment of both the market conditions for a new hotel and a design appraisal of the existing and proposed buildings.
The final scheme proposal is for the demolition of the original building site to make way for a distinctive contemporary scheme divided into two facilities – a replacement 25 bed boutique hotel and thirty eight luxury apartments.
The endeavour is for a strong, modern, mixed-use development in a prominent location to enhance tourism/visitor accommodation in Seaton Carew while providing high quality apartments with open views across the seafront.
The proposed 50no. en-suite bed nursing home has been designed to be sympathetic to its rural surroundings incorporating traditional materials such as timber and stone.
It has been positioned to retain as much of the existing buildings as possible for the easy decanting of residents.
The new home provides south facing bedrooms overlooking the surrounding countryside, in-house training rooms for staff, an enclosed courtyard garden and improved access.
A residential development of 15 no. 3 bedroom houses for rent (13) and shared ownership (2).
The development is situated in the ever popular district of Ormesby, with ready access to Middlesbrough town centre and the stunning Cleveland Heritage Coast. The new 3 bed homes feature a fitted kitchen, double glazing and gas central heating. Each dwelling benefits from in-curtilage parking and front and rear garden areas.
Future adaptation options - by the incorporation of 'lifetime homes' features and possible loft conversion due to attic type trusses.
A residential development of 25 no. 3 bedroom houses for rent and shared ownership.
The development is located in a quiet cul-de-sac location in the historic market town of Guisborough. The homes are conveniently located close to local shops and leisure facilities whilst being only a short walk from Guisborough's town centre.
The new 3 bed homes feature a fitted kitchen, double glazing and gas central heating.
Each dwelling benefits from in-curtilage parking and front and rear garden areas.
Future adaptation options - by the incorporation of 'lifetime homes' features and possible loft conversion due to attic type trusses.
After a series of re-designs, the church has recently obtained full planning permission (Spring '08) and will be built on the same site, and adjacent to, St Paulinus Primary School in Guisborough.
Seating approximately 250, the unusual fan shaped design was inspired by another of DKS's dramatic, ecclesiastical creations, Middlesbrough Cathedral, Coulby Newham. The feature glazed entrance, brick facades and slate roof echo the materials of the existing primary school enabling the new build to enhance the existing architecture and blend with the immediate environment.
A 70 bed mixed Low and Medium Secure residential development.
DKS are working closely with Montpelier Estates, to provide a full service delivering detailed co-ordinated working drawings and site liaison to deliver this complex project.
The project comprises two accommodation blocks together with an amenity and recreation building. All have been arranged to form a fully enclosed secure landscaped courtyard.
The project is being delivered using a partnering contract.
Port of Tyne has just received some exciting options for a revamp of their reception area within their existing HQ.
DKS were given the brief to initiate some innovative concepts to redevelop the reception area of the existing HQ reception, coinciding with the rebranding of their existing image.
The three schemes presented all reflect the client brief of: a visible reception desk and combined office, flat screen tv on the wall, visibility from the office into the reception, seating for around 6 people, concealed lift and wc doors from the reception area; all creating a new aesthetically pleasing environment.
Each option varys in shape and form, although the colour scheme has been kept to a minimum making it easily adaptable at any stage if required by the client.
By introducing new materials to the zone such as floor tiles, solid surfaces on the reception desks and contemporary signage and graphics, the area has taken a dramatic facelift.
Our brief was to create a master plan to satisfy the immediate needs of the two separate on-site Colleges and also plan a strategy for its future development of the whole site with the immediate requirement to design new teaching and social accommodation.
Working closely with representatives of both Colleges, DKS devised a plan to radically rethink the present campus layout and in particular the on-site traffic management issues which were producing daily congestion problems at peak times. By solving this issue we could then create a new centrepiece building and begin to pedestrianise large areas of the campus to significantly improve the safety and amenity of the campus for the students.
The sizing and arrangement of teaching spaces is designed to offer a degree of flexibility to meet future changes to the curriculum and informal social areas were carefully incorporated for the students to meet and relax whilst benefiting from discrete observation from adjacent staff and admin areas.
A major transformation of the existing Acklam Park Club including demolition of the existing single storey clubhouse building, alterations and refurbishment of existing changing block building, including a shower block extension.
A new clubhouse extension will provide a link corridor between the refurbished changing rooms and clubhouse rooms. DKS Interior Designers have designed a fully refurbished and updated clubhouse incorporating a bar, lounges, toilets, new fitness room and new function room facility.
A new tensile fabric feature structure, external alterations, car park extension and new outdoor social areas adjacent to the cricket pitch will complete the transformation.
A 127 bed mixed LSU/MSU secure residential development.
Located on a reclaimed site in central Birmingham of a former flood plain, the project involved extensive reclamation and re-leveling works.
Working closely with Montpelier Estates, DKS providing all detailed drawings to deliver this complex project.
Comprising four accommodation buildings arranged to form a fully enclosed secure landscaped courtyard, and a stand-alone admin and recreation building providing a pre-release environment with semi-direct access from the adjacent public areas.
Specifically designed to meet the lifestyle requirements of the client, the grandly scaled, luxurious family house was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic prairie house style of the early 1900s - a long, low building with hovering planes emphasising the horizontal aspect and relationship with the immediate landscape. The elongated plan form is divided up into four distinct zones, ranging from formal guest areas through to open plan family areas.
To ensure the accurate translation of the design concept throughout the build, DKS's full interior design service specified appropriate materials, finishes and furniture whilst the design of the extensive gardens was carried out in collaboration with Leeming Associates landscape architects.
Springfield House, Stokesley, has been saved from dereliction and lavishly transformed into elite homes as one of the biggest luxury developments the market town has seen.
DKS Architects was thrilled to be appointed to carry out the ambitious £4m renovation, a sympathetic refurbishment of the huge Grade II Victorian building and lodge - and a return to the days of the grandeur of the splendid house and its surroundings.
DKS' vision was to create a high specification, attractive and sustainable retirement community for buyers over the age of 55 – a fast growing market. The refurbishment transformed Springfield House, Springfield Lodge and their outbuildings into 28 luxury apartments and homes. There are one and two bedroom flats and two fantastic penthouse apartments with a private lift!
The DKS designs stayed true to the architectural heritage of the historic building, with restored original features including exposed structural roof beams and sash windows while incorporating all the must-haves of contemporary living, with spacious open plan living spaces, top quality kitchens and en-suite bathrooms.
A traditionally styled 68 no. city centre apartment scheme with outline approval to a larger and more contemporary styled 2/3 bedroom apartment block.
DKS worked extensively with Hull City Planners, Urban Design, Conservation and Planning committee members to respect the sensitive conservation area context, whilst still satisfying the clients brief and aspirations for contemporary city centre living accommodation.
To address the scale and appearance of the adjacent (two storey) conservation area, DKS produced a bespoke design which also respected the listed features of the original Fire station building immediately adjacent.
By creating the impression of a number of individual buildings built along the street edge, a gradual transition was created ranging from the two storey existing buildings of the conservation area up to the anticipated six storey contemporary style of the proposed St. Stephens redevelopment.
A 74 bed mixed medium and low secure residential development.
Working closely with Montpelier Estates, DKS provided a full service delivering detailed co-ordinated working drawings and site liaison to deliver this complex project.
The project comprises four accommodation blocks together with an amenity and recreation building. All have been arranged to form a fully enclosed secure landscaped courtyard.
DKS's brief was to provide new build accommodation for Stratford Primary Care Trust on a confined brownfield site in the centre of Stratford adjacent to the existing hospital. This incorporates administration offices, private practice areas, Dental and Chiropody services together with residential accommodation for 38 EMI beds for elderly people.
A distinctive 'butterfly' dual pitched roof shelters the concrete and Metsec Steel structure which is arranged into two blocks of three and four storeys. Each block, finished in terracotta tiled rain screens and coloured rendered panels, encloses an inner, landscaped courtyard. Both interior and exterior space has been designed to differentiate between both public and private access.
As orthodontic treatment is at the forefront of dental technology, DKS designed a contemporary and vibrant scheme for the interior of the practice to reflect this.
With the needs and comfort of the patients in mind, DKS designed a state-of-the-art treatment suite which incorporates a stylish and comfortable waiting room, air conditioning, private interview rooms for first visits and a hygienist surgery.
A Design and Build residential healthcare development consisting of 29 no. en-suite bedrooms on a greenfield site providing privacy and security.
Two connecting two-storey blocks were designed; one providing utility facilities and the other an L-shaped accommodation block.
A feature wall connecting the two blocks created a private courtyard complete with landscaped gardens.
External materials were a subtle blend of facing brickwork complimenting adjacent properties and incorporate feature areas of render and timber boarding.
Winner of the 2008 RICS Renaissance Awards, Commercial Category, the design and layout of the two storey building was informed by feedback from client/designer liaison. Relocation from a tight town centre site to a new industrial estate gave scope to design in response to the specific needs of the organisation, ensuring efficient arrangement of space, from the specifics of product display in the warehouse to the welcoming, contemporary office accommodation for up to 50 employees.
There's a surprisingly playful and dynamic collision of two cube-like structures in the design for Middlehaven's Riverside One Marketing Suite. Challenging the preconceptions of building geometry, the design was the winning entry for a competition initiated by Tees Valley Regeneration and CABE who invited designs from North East based architects under 40 years old.
Immediately suggestive of the larger scale development of linked cube shaped buildings chosen by BioRegional Quintain, the marketing suite is intended to signpost the world class design of the residential properties to be built on the scheme.
As the scheme will be central to the design ethos of Middlehaven, ultimately Britain's largest sustainable carbon neutral community, great care was taken to ensure building methods and materials conformed to the ten principles of The World Wildlife Trust's One Planet Living advocated by BioRegional Quintain. Bespoke, pre-fabricated modules were constructed locally before being erected on site, yhis method of construction allowing for flexibility when the suite has reached the end of its useable life, allowing easy recyclability.
The potential flow of human traffic in public spaces became the inspiration behind the organically designed reception area of the Civic Centre. A naturally interpreted route circumnavigates and creates a central elliptical waiting area, the shape of which is reflected through to the curved perimeter walls. The central area houses both reception counters and private interview rooms which are inward facing to improve visibility and surveillance.
Advocating both openness and informality and moving away from the rigidity and austerity of dated public spaces, the scheme is further impacted by the use of a vibrant palette of colours.
An extension to an existing primary school creating a new Children’s Centre providing wrap-around care for early years children through to Primary school education.
The centre incorporates Sure Start, private nursery and school foundation areas together with offices and parent/community meeting areas and after-school clubs.
The centre is arranged around a landscaped courtyard providing a safe outdoor space for the children and helping to bring natural light into all areas of the building. The children’s rooms spill out to the external areas which provide canopy shading and brightly coloured safety surfaces. A fresh new entrance was created uplifting the arrival in to the school and centre.
Our Interior Designer worked closely with the children and the school project team to design a philosophy for the interiors which would be welcoming and either calming or stimulating as appropriate to the use of the space.
With previous experience in both Local Authority and Private practice, Martin formed DKS with fellow partner, Dave Knudsen in 1997. His experience ranges from the individual design of bespoke buildings to the conceptual master planning of large development sites.
With a wealth of experience in all sectors Martin now provides direction on the design of Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Leisure and Ecclesiastical projects, is a member of the Historical Churches Committee and Cathedral Architect for RC Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Steve has held a number of senior planner positions in various local authorities across the North East before moving to the private sector.
Following a productive period working for one of the regions executive housebuilders, Steve then moved on to set up one of the largest independent planning consultancies in the region prior to joining DKS as a partner in 2007.
This combination of specialist planning knowledge and appreciation of the commercial realities of development has made Steve one of the most sought after planning consultants in the North East of England.
Dave formed DKS along with fellow partner, Martin Desmond in 1997. He is an experienced designer and team leader, and has responsibilities for the technical output and administration of the practice whilst also being a registered Member of the Association for Project Safety.
Dave has been responsible for the administration of various large Healthcare schemes throughout the UK as well as gathering considerable experience in the Education and Pharmaceutical sectors.
Having worked at various practices throughout the North East, Mark became an associate in 2005 and a partner in 2007.
Mark undertakes a major role in the design direction of the practice following a concept led design approach in all his work. He also promotes and encourages the practices growing design culture by arranging regular ‘DKS Uncut’ design sessions. Mark specialises in regeneration projects in predominently the residential and education sectors and his experience ranges from from masterplanning of significant housing renewal and regeneration schemes, through to the creation of bespoke contemporary grand designs. In the Education sector Mark's experience includes the design of creative and dynamic early years, primary and secondary schools.
Recent design competition success included winning the North-East ‘Architects under 40’ competition initiated by Tees Valley Regeneration and Bio-Regional Quintain for the Marketing Suite at Middlehaven plus an RICS award win for a new Office HQ / Distribution building in North Yorkshire.
Graduating from Huddersfield and Leeds Metropolitan University with BA (Hons) and Postgraduate Diplomas in Architecture, Jeremy is a highly experienced architect in the design and detailing of Education. Commercial and Healthcare buildings with a specialism in designing Residential schemes in sensitive Conservation and Rural areas.
As a Team Leader, John has considerable experience in the design development, detailing and management of buildings across a wide range of sectors. As the Practice's IT Manager, John has the responsibility for purchase, installation, configuration and maintenance of DKS's networked computer systems, providing support and training for DKS' staff and keeping DKS at the leading edge of computer technology use.
DKS Architects has given the AJ a peek at its design for a low-cost, 34-home terrace in Thornaby, near Middlesbrough.
The cheapest studio apartments in the block will go on the market at less than £70,000 and are aimed at helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder.
Backed by developer Kube², the scheme will sit on the site of the former SD Print and Design building in Martinet Road, and will house 12 one-bedroom flats and 22 studio apartments.
Mark Barlow of DKS Architects admitted: 'We know they will not be to everyone's taste, but we believe there will be a number of people in Thornaby who will want to live in something really different compared to a standard flat, and who can see the concept really taking off.'
The proposals are currently out for consultation before plans are submitted to Stockton Council. It is hoped that work could start later this summer.
Masquerading as a colourful collision between Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind, this is actually the new marketing suite at the RiversideOne development at Middlehaven.
The 'wacky' competition-winning scheme by local Teesside-based DKS Architects is the first project to be completed within the Will Alsop/Studio Egret West masterplan for the derelict docks site in Middlesbrough.
Inside the £500,000 building, which opened on Friday (4 April), is a large-scale model of FAT's similarly off-the-wall Community in a Cube (CIAC) scheme, as well as a mock apartment.
CIAC will be one of five residential cubes to be built as part of the £200 million regeneration project, which is being backed by developer BioRegional Quintain together with Tees Valley Regeneration.
A LOCAL architects firm is celebrating after winning a prize at the prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards ceremony.
Stokesley-based DKS Architects picked up an honour in the commercial category at the fifth annual North East "property Oscars" event for the design of its client Armstrong Richardsons' offices based in Stokesley.
Delighted Mark Barlow, partner and architect at DKS Architects, said: "To be shortlisted for any RICS award is a wonderful honour, but to win a prize is a truly fantastic achievement.
"The award win reflects the hard work and creativity of everyone at DKS and firmly cements DKS Architects as one the North East's top practices.
"All the partners are extremely proud and hope it gives the whole team a taster for success that will give confidence to go for even more ambitious projects."
As one of the leading practices in the Tees Valley, the firm provides architectural, planning and interior design services across a number of sectors that cover commercial, public sector and residential.
The RICS North East Renaissance Awards are designed to reward the developments that have made the most impact on the region in the past three years and this year's annual gala dinner was held at Newcastle Civic Centre.
A £6million project to merge social and study facilities at two East Cleveland colleges is celebrating a milestone. Askham Bryan and Prior Pursglove colleges in Guisborough last week marked completion of the first stage of the redevelopment of their shared campus at a handing over of the keys ceremony from developers Clugston Construction.
The two colleges took possession of the Priory Centre in Guisborough which will jointly provide classrooms for both colleges, an extended resource centre and a student social area.
This £4m joint phase provides facilities for 16 to 19-year-olds and adult students in the area and is described by Prior Pursglove's principal, Stephen Whitehead, as "imaginative and innovative".
He said: "This marks a new and significant phase in education throughout Redcar and Cleveland.
"I believe that learners across our borough will be far better served by our expanded joint curriculum."
Liz Philip, principal of Askham Bryan College, is also looking forward to completion of the project.
She said: "The building will provide wonderful facilities for everyone in the region and we are pleased that Askham Bryan College will be strengthening its presence in the area.
"Nowhere else in the country have two such successful and different colleges co-operated in this way to create an opportunity to provide such a wide range of courses."
The final stage of the project - the building of an Animal Management Centre - is due for completion in June and the colleges are planning a major open day on June 26 so the local community, prospective students and their parents can view the re-developed campus.
This year's Sandcastle Challenge was held at Sandhaven Beach, South Shields on Friday 4th July 2008. The theme for this year's event was "A Trip to the Seaside" so with that in mind Mary-Jane and Louise of DKS assisted the year 6 children from Southbank Primary School in creating a sunken ship and lighthouse complete with a mermaid and treasure chest. Great fun was had by all and we can't wait for next year!
A historical former workhouse has been reborn as a luxury retirement community thanks to DKS Architects and S4Developments.
Springfield House, Stokesley, has been saved from dereliction and lavishly transformed into elite homes as one of the biggest luxury developments the market town has seen.
DKS Architects, also based in the North Yorkshire town, was thrilled to be appointed to carry out the ambitious £4m renovation right on its doorstep.
And the design team are delighted with the results - a sympathetic refurbishment of the huge Grade II Victorian building and lodge - and a return to the days of the grandeur of the splendid house and its surroundings.
DKS' vision was to create a high specification, attractive and sustainable retirement community for buyers over the age of 55 – a fast growing market.
The refurbishment transformed Springfield House, Springfield Lodge and their outbuildings into 28 luxury apartments and homes. There are one and two bedroom flats and two fantastic penthouse apartments with a private lift!
The DKS designs stayed true to the architectural heritage of the historic building, with restored original features including exposed structural roof beams and sash windows while incorporating all the must-haves of contemporary living, with spacious open plan living spaces, top quality kitchens and en-suite bathrooms.
Jeremy Hutchinson, project architect for Springfield House, said: "This is a significant period building and we were excited and inspired by the challenge of restoring it to its former glory.
"The irony of converting a former workhouse into a luxury development is obvious but only added to the appeal."
"The planning team at DKS had their work cut out convincing some people that the scheme would be a success. However Springfield House will make a great retirement community – it has a central courtyard, a communal building and landscaped gardens that all encourage a more social atmosphere – and is within easy walking distance of the vibrant High Street.
"DKS has been involved in designing developments of this kind all over the UK so it was great to get a chance to do this on home ground."
DKS is an award-winning practice well known for its ability to help gain planning consent for challenging schemes. The company offers expertise in all areas of architectural design, building, planning and interiors.
Senior architect, David Mack, has joined the award winning team at Stokesley based DKS Architects and will be instrumental in progressing the Practice’s ongoing contemporary design-led work.
Previously Design Director at leading Edinburgh Practice JM Architects, David has experience of a range of projects including designing large public and office buildings including Lomond Shores, a striking retail building on the shores of Loch Lomond.
‘David’s appointment as a senior member of the design team expands our in-house knowledge and expertise. David is a skilled architect with a wealth of experience in designing large-scale buildings in areas of heritage and cultural interest,’ said Mark Barlow, partner at DKS.
David lives in Guisborough with his wife and daughter.
AN award winning firm of Tees Valley architects has been chosen to design a state-of-the-art business park in Stokesley.
The scheme is intended to encourage more companies to operate from the North Yorkshire town with each building designed to the individual needs of the client.
‘Office space is commonly designed speculatively, with most clients having to make do with what’s available. All companies operate differently, so when it comes to finding the right building, one size does not fit all, ‘ said Mark Barlow, DKS partner and lead architect for the development.
‘This new expansion of the Stokesley Business Park gives companies the opportunity to be involved in the design and layout of their own buildings, making sure they get more efficient office space specific to the way they work.’
Earlier this year, DKS Architects won the prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) award in the commercial category for the design of Armstrong Richardson’s innovative offices in Stokesley Business Park.
Due to the success of their own building, Armstrong Richardson the land owner has employed DKS to master-plan a further development by designing over 8,000sqm of commercial and industrial buildings on an adjacent site.
The buildings will be built using a consistent palette of materials and will be designed to a boulevard layout with plenty of landscaped open space. The suggested designs show a variety of contemporary buildings combining office space with warehousing.
Construction is anticipated for February 2009 with the first units expected to be up and running by Autumn/Winter 2009.
A former student union building is set to be replaced with two contemporary apartment blocks
In an ambitious scheme put forward by H&M Properties, the Rocket near Thornaby Railway Station would be pulled down to make way for the eight-storey and six-storey blocks of student flats.
As well as living accommodation, the plans also incorporate communal facilities, including laundry and lounge areas and a bar and bistro area, limited parking and landscaping.
DKS Architects, who designed the buildings, said the existing site could be justifiably described as an ‘eyesore’ with the main view from the station looking on to derelict buildings.
The Rocket, which stands next to Thornaby Town Hall, is disused and boarded up.
‘This project offers and excellent opportunity to provide a high quality design in what could be the most sustainable site within Stockton town centre’ said Mark Barlow of DKS Architects.
‘The site is currently untidy and offers visitors to Stockton a poor impression of the town.
We feel that our design will help to show that Stockton has high quality, modern architecture and is a positive destination for students, business and private investment.
The proposal offers the opportunity to regenerate the site with a high-quality, contemporary development that is well-positioned to serve the adjacent university campus.’
The company said the proposed building closest to the Grade II listed town hall would not exceed the height of the clock tower.
It would ‘neither dominate or interrupt key views of the town hall’ said developers.
DKS ARCHITECTS joined forces with two of the area’s major creative bodies, Teesside University and mima, to celebrate World Architecture Day in Middlesbrough.
On Wednesday 1 October, mima was a hive of activity as first year university students from Interior Architecture and Interior Design degree courses worked with DKS Architects and mima’s education department to create a series of sculptural shelters– without a hammer or nail in sight!
Students had just one morning to design and create urban shelters, using unusual building materials including card, cellophane, aluminium rods and bamboo sticks.
Workshop
On Saturday October 4 at 10.30am, mima will host a family hour led by DKS. Budding designers of all ages and abilities are invited to help with creating a huge snakes and ladders board with a twist. By making models, drawing colourful pictures and sketching some of Middlesbrough's most famous landmarks, the vast board game will be re-created. Which building will be at the top of the ladder?
Lecture
To round up the week’s events, Mark Barlow, architect partner at DKS will deliver a free lecture at mima explaining the design development of his original competition winning idea of unpredictable colliding cubes. The unusual twisted building can be seen from the A66 and is specifically designed to promote what will be the UK’s most sustainable development on Middlesbrough’s prestigious Middlehaven site. The lecture will take place in the event space at mima on Saturday October 4 at 1pm.
DKS ARCHITECTS set the pace for celebrating architecture on Teesside last week. The design-led practice joined forces with Teesside University and mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, and initiated several projects to introduce people to architecture and spatial design on the run up to World Architecture Day.
First year university students from Interior Architecture and Interior Design degree courses worked with DKS Architects to create a series of sculptural shelters– without a hammer or nail in sight!
Using unusual building materials including cellophane and aluminium rods, the students had just one morning to design and create urban shelters –a bus stop, a child’s den or a smoking shelter!
On Saturday October 4th mima also hosted a family hour led by DKS where budding designers of all ages and abilities were invited to help create a huge snakes and ladders board with a twist. By making models, drawing colourful pictures and sketching some of Middlesbrough's most famous landmarks, the vast board game was built.
To round up the week’s events, Mark Barlow, partner at DKS delivered a free lecture at mima explaining the practice’s forward-looking work and specifically the design development of his original competition winning idea of unpredictable colliding cubes. The unusual twisted building can be seen from the A66 and is specifically designed to promote what will be the UK’s most sustainable development on Middlesbrough’s prestigious Middlehaven site.
Mark Barlow said: “We are thrilled to be working with two of the major creative bodies in the Tees Valley - mima and the University of Teesside.
“We wanted to create opportunities for people to explore the idea of good spatial and architectural design and to become more aware of the built environment, whatever their age or ability.
“We wanted to shout about good design on Teesside and World Architecture Day seemed to be the perfect time to do so.”
Andrew Mayfield, Senior Architectural Technician / Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor at DKS Architects
How did you get started in the industry?
From school, I went on a fortnight work experience to a local architects practice. Two years later when I left school, I went back and was given a start. I ended up staying there for 20 years!
Your biggest professional achievement:
I've been fortunate over the years to have taken a lead role in some of the major projects in the office, which have delivered a better quality of life for the end users and had a benefit to the wider community. I was also involved in the early evolution of the Lifetime Homes concept, which has now been included in best practice documents such as the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Your biggest mistake:
I once deleted the entire office file system f rom the server. Fortunately, it was on a day when most people were out, and I had done a full backup the evening before. It was a tense few hours while I restored everything from backup tapes.
Best advice you received:
Don't let the 'builders' grind you down!
What do you like most about your job?
Seeing a project through from inception to handing the keys over to the Client at completion. It's satisfying to think that it's your expertise that has resulted in the quality of the finished product. The DKS offices and all of the staff also make a big difference. Having fantastic views of the Cleveland / Hambleton Hills from the office is a huge bonus, and all of the partners and staff really get on well together, both in and out of the office at the regular 'social' events like lunchtime barbecues and karting evenings.
And least?
It's getting increasingly complicated, with more and more regulations and standards to comply with.
What future issues do you see arising in housing?
It's going to be a big challenge to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 target on a mass 'housebuilder' basis.
Are you making more use of the internet?
Every day. Its revolutionised the speed of researching products and keeping up-to-date with new regulations etc.
Hobbies and interests:
Mountain biking and motorsports.
Favourite holiday destination?
For a long weekend it's got to be the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands. I loved Australia, and the Canadian Rocky Mountain area is fantastic, there's just so much space and so few people.
Coast & Country’s provision of affordable homes to the local community has taken a major step forward with the official opening of a £2.85m development.
Housing Minister Iain Wright opened the show home at Priors Wood in Guisborough, where 25 homes are being built.
Iain Sim, Chief Executive, said: “The opening of Priors Wood is a milestone in Coast & Country’s programme to deliver regeneration and new homes throughout the area.
“This scheme’s importance to the area is demonstrated by the fact it follows a detailed community consultation which confirmed there was an unmet demand for affordable homes in Guisborough.
“We will be providing a range of tenures which will allow a variety of people to fulfil their housing aspirations, whether they prefer to buy or rent, with the homes designed to the highest standard and aimed at the family market.”
Housing Minister Iain Wright said: “Housing is a big issue throughout the whole of Britain and innovative schemes such as Priors Wood are a great example of what is needed to tackle the problems.
“With developments such as Priors Wood, Coast & Country are tackling the problem of supply and demand with high quality, well designed homes which come with the added bonus of affordability.
I am also delighted that the focus has been on high quality and design with the properties build to a excellent specification and I am delighted to have been invited to come along and officially open the show home.”
Construction started in March 2008 and all the houses, which are made up of terraced and semi-detached properties, are expected to be completed by February 2009.
The three bedroomed Ayton show home, which is furnished in a modern contemporary style, has an airy living room leading to a dining area with French doors opening out into the rear garden. The kitchen is fully fitted with a stainless steel oven, hob and hood. There is also a downstairs cloakroom.
Thirteen of the properties will be offered as shared ownership through the company's times4 brand with the rest available for rent.
With shared ownership a householder buys a percentage of the property – which can be anything between 25 and 75 percent - and pays rent on the rest. Further shares can be purchased in stages until the property is owned outright.
Green fields fill the view from the windows of DKS Architects' stylish Teesside office.
The fertile setting seems at odds with the latest government figures that suggest this heavily-industrialised part of Britain has been hit hard by the economic downturn.
Architecture firms are particularly vulnerable to the weakening economy - they suffer from the slump in the property market as well as from the broader credit crunch. In his sunny open-plan office, DKS partner Steve Hesmondhalgh admits the going has been tough - but insists his firm has a strategy to survive. "Lots of our work in the past focused on small scale private developers, but now they aren't receiving as much support and help from the banks and they don't have the confidence to go ahead with developments," he says. "But that's not the case in the public sector. There's plenty of money there and we need to follow it."
So over the past few months, DKS has been concentrating on securing work paid for by public money. It believes that if the government is planning to spend its way out of a recession, then working on schools, hospitals and other public buildings is the way forward.
'Necessary redundancies'
Unemployment in the North East is higher than in any other region in the country, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics. The outlook for the region looks bleak.
DKS Architects recently had to let go of five staff. The firm, which has been around for 12 years, now employs 27 people. "Things began to change about six months ago - there was a decline in our workload," Steve Hesmondhalgh says. "It got to the point before Christmas where if you didn't make redundancies, people would start questioning your business acumen." He insists however that the outlook is not as bad as many think. "It's all about confidence," he says, firmly. Listening to the radio on the way to work every morning, Mr Hesmondhalgh says he hears "constant depressing news in the financial markets". "You hear the government coming out with new initiatives and criticism from financial commentators on why it won't work," he says.
"Potential clients hear this and it doesn't fill them with confidence." Mr Hesmondhalgh says the media could help ease the crisis by talking up the economy.
'No real recession'
DKS has invested in re-branding and public relations, and claims to have branched out into the more creative side of architecture. According to Mr Hesmondhalgh,companies need to start diversifying if they want to survive. "There's no real recession here, it's a blip, a short-term slowdown which we'll be over by the autumn," he says. "There is a sense of treading water for six months or so but we are looking forward to a bright future."
A DESIGN competition to redevelop Redcar seafront includes a local firm on its five-strong shortlist.
Stokesley architects DKS are the only representatives from our region among the five contenders.
The competition, run by the Royal Institute of British Architects, invited architects and designers around the world to submit proposals to regenerate Redcar seafront, in collaboration with Redcar and Cleveland Council and the Environment Agency.
The brief was for an innovative design to act as a catalyst to develop Redcar as an attractive tourist destination, while helping deliver economic growth and regional identity.
Joining DKS on the list are FL&S landskap/arkitektur of Stockholm, Smeeden Foreman Partnership, Harrogate, Studio 8 Architects, London, and WAP Architects, Sheffield.
Architect David Mack, leading the bid for DKS, said: “The whole aim of this project is to effect dramatic change in the perception and reality of a day at Redcar Beach.
“This is an ambitious piece of work which will deliver real benefits.”
DKS’s proposals cover the shore road, the beach and the town centre. The plans propose new structures, lighting, public facilities, surface treatments, buildings, sculptures and road re-alignment.
All five sets of plans were recently on view in the town as part of a public consultation.
They will now be judged by a panel of experts, who are due to make a final decision in the New Year.
The designs link in to the Environment Agency’s proposed multi-million pound new sea wall project for Redcar.
DKS partner Mark Barlow said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the only North-east representation in an international competition.”
FRESH plans to replace an eyesore building on Thornaby’s Mandale Triangle with student flats have been drawn up.
Last November, Stockton Council’s planning committee agreed unanimously to refuse the application to replace the former Rocket student union building next door to Thornaby Town Hall.
Concerns included the appearance of the proposed building while others questioned if there was a need for the development.
New plans to demolish the Rocket and build 196 student apartments and a cafe bar have been designed by DKS Architects and put forward by agents developed by H&M Properties.
Steve Hesmondhalgh, partner at DKS Architects, said they used the feedback from Stockton Council and Thornaby Town Council to look again at the design.
“The priority is to focus on providing a very high quality scheme that will address the site’s historic setting and tidy up a problem site in the town,” he said.
“If this scheme receives support it could kick-start the regeneration of a far wider area of Thornaby.
“The new design is far more traditional and reflects both the setting of the town hall and the former traditional warehouse and mill properties that would once be found along the waterfront and railway sidings of Thornaby and Stockton.
“We are very proud of this proposal and believe it will enhance and support the existing urban landscape in the town.”
Some people living nearby on the Teesdale estate believe the development could bring extra noise and anti-social behaviour to the area. And Durham University previously questioned the need for more student flats.
In Thornaby town centre, local resident Dill Robinson, 55 said: “If it clears up the area then that has to be better.
“I used to work in the Embassy club there but it closed because there were no houses around there.”
Paul Taylor, 48, also from Thornaby, said: “The newer design looks much more in keeping with the town hall than the previous design.”
An interior designer from an award-winning firm of local architects is celebrating admission as a member to a prestigious UK organisation. Caroline Parkes, senior interior and architectural designer at Stokesley-based DKS architects, has been awarded full membership of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA). She becomes one of only a handful of designers in the North of England to be awarded full membership status to the organisation.
Mark Barlow, partner at DKS said: “Membership to BIDA recognises a high level of professional capability and expertise. This is an accreditation that is highly valued within the industry and Caroline has done incredibly well to secure this recognition.” Caroline underwent a vigorous auditing process, including an in-depth interview at BIDA’s headquarters in London. The assessment panel considered examples of her work from a number of high profile projects including DKS’s designs for Armstrong Richardson’s new head office in Stokesley and also Refurbishment of Cleveland Orthodontics which has currently been nominated for the Dental Awards 2009 under the category 'Practice Design and Interior'.
Mark added: “DKS is quite unique in that we have teams who focus on all elements of a project’s development – ranging from planning and architectural services through to interior design and project completion. Caroline is an integral part of our team and has been involved in many of our key projects. Her membership to BIDA is not only a huge personal achievement for Caroline; it is indicative of the creativity, talent and professional expertise which runs throughout all the work we do at DKS.”
Caroline said: “I am thrilled to have had my work recognised in this way. Ultimately, it is reassuring for clients to see that I have a professional accreditation from a well-respected professional organisation like BIDA. It inspires confidence in clients and provides me with a credible platform from which to develop my career further.”
Coast & Country Housing has unveiled an artist's impression of its Steeple Chase scheme, which is the largest development in the country to receive Kickstart funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The Redcar regeneration project is to receive £4.5m from the HCA towards its first four phases, which will comprise 141 homes.
Construction work is due to begin by the beginning of October with the first show home due to be open by the end of March.
Iain Sim, Coast & Country Chief Executive, said: "The regeneration of the area will be a major boost to Redcar, particularly in the current economic climate, by providing high quality, affordable, environmentally friendly homes.
"Coast & Country believes it is a substantial achievement to be among the successful bidders in the first ever round of Kickstart grants and, in particular, to be the largest scheme in the country to be awarded Kickstart money.
"As well as supplying much needed homes, Steeple Chase will bring wider benefits as we have set up a working party, in conjunction with our project partners, to look at the provision of local employment opportunities including apprenticeships."
More than £20m in total w ill be invested in Steeple Chase, building 172 homes which will be available for rent and sale.
The development will also include some homes for sale under the government 'Home Buy Direct' scheme which is designed to help first time buyers into affordable home ownership.
Keepmoat has been appointed as the developer which will transform the former Blayberry/Burnmoor area of Redcar. Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, part of the Keepmoat group of companies, will carry out the construction. Also involved in the scheme is Balfour Beatty Management and DKS Architects.
David Mellor, Managing Director of FHM North East, said: "This scheme is of major significance for the region and will break new ground in the way housing associations develop and provide new homes. We will use our skills in community regeneration to ensure this is a flagship project for both Coast & Country Housing and the North East."
The project will be developed in stages, with the properties comprising apartments, two, three and four-bedroomed houses and two-bedroomed bungalows.