RCKa Blog » Work in Progress

Western wall

timriley — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:57:01 +0000

This animation describes the form of the wall which is located between the Covered Public Realm and Open Eye Gallery. The form of the wall is deferential to the forms within the Mann Island development and engages with its context in a playful manner weaving between columns, drawing light into the gallery and providing the gallery with an extrovert and challenging means of expression beyond the galleries within. The form of the wall is accentuated by the monochrome geometric pattern, inspired by the dazzle camouflage heritage of the Albert dock. It is envisaged that the wall pattern will change over time with various artist installations.

Further information…

Dazzle Camouflague – James May
Wikipedia – Dazzle camouflage

Introducing the Open Eye

timriley — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:16:44 +0000

It was a pleasure to present our scheme to the press and key members of the North West’s Art community culminating in a visit of the site located within the Mann Island Development. The gallery is to be a key part of the covered public realm – a new flexible public space on a grand scale where one can imagine all manner of exciting events taking place.

It has been great to see the development by Countryside Neptune taking form – An exemplary and sure to be award winning scheme befitting the most important site in Liverpool. This project along with the canal improvements and the museum of Liverpool have transformed the former docks and will help put Liverpool on a par with other European cities of major cultural significance such as Porto, Rotterdam and Bilbao. Can’t help but feel optimistic about the future of the city!

Artists impression of the Open Eye Gallery viewed from the Covered Public Realm

Wells Park Youth Venue at Lewisham People’s Day

russellcurtis — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:12:47 +0000

We had a great day out at Lewisham People’s Day on Saturday, where we exhibited our plans for the Wells Park Youth Venue at the Youth Village.

The feedback was great, we’re delighted with all of the positive comments we’ve received; thanks to all who have contributed so far. The design is developing nicely, and we’re on track to get our planning application submitted in the autumn.

As well as the exhibition, the winners of the TNG competition were announced. Launched back in May, the competition was open to young people from across Lewisham to design a new logo for the venue, now renamed TNG (The Next Generation). The winning designer will be working with graphic designers Bleach to develop the branding for the centre.

Wells Park Youth Venue – Open Day, Saturday 3 July – Public Consultation

russellcurtis — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:44:19 +0000

We’ve just completed a consultation day at Wells Park where we discussed the ongoing design of the Wells Park Youth Venue with local residents and community groups.
The feedback was excellent, and we were delighted by the response we had from everyone. We’re now developing the designs further, taking people’s comments on board, and will be holding a similar event at Lewisham People’s Day this coming Saturday – please come along and let us know what you think.

Forthcoming Consultation Events for Wells Park Youth Venue

russellcurtis — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:41:36 +0000

There are a number of upcoming events in Lewisham where we will be showcasing the design development of our Wells Park Youth Venue for the area. All are welcome to attend.

Saturday 3rd July 2010 – Wells Park Road / Coombe Road – Public Consultation
Saturday 10th July 2010 – Mountsfield Park, Catford – Lewisham People’s Day

Public Participation for Preston Housing Scheme

russellcurtis — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:26:54 +0000

We’ve been running a few public participation events over the last few weeks at which ideas for the redevelopment of the Meadow Street site in Preston were discussed.
In the first session we discussed principles of urban design with local residents, establishing important routes through and around the site itself, together with key views and responses to streetscape.
The second session concentrated on the development of the houses themselves, with particular attention being paid to the specific needs of the community. We also discussed the arrangement of external amenity spaces, security and car parking, and the influence that these things make on the layout of the scheme.
We’re working closely with Community Gateway Association on developing the proposals, and are expecting to submit a full planning application later in the summer.

First View of Hampstead House Extension

russellcurtis — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:17:07 +0000

We’re developing plans for a new extension to a private house in Hampstead.

The proposed extension will provide an enhanced relationship between the existing house and it’s rear garden, with an interesting folded roof-form creating dramatic internal spaces, the lifted corners of the extension allowing daylight into the depth of the plan.

The works to the house include a new basement beneath the entire house and substantial refurbishment of the ground and upper floors.

Open Eye Gallery wall

timriley — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:24:53 +0000

The wall enclosure of the open eye gallery is deferential to the angular forms of the adjacent buildings and integrates well weaving around the columns and addressing the covered public realm. The wall provides much needed enclosure to the gallery spaces with controlled views through it to provide important visual permeability through this important corner of the development. The final choice of materials and finishes is yet to be confirmed but will work with the monochrome theme for the Mann Island development.

Planning application made for Open Eye Gallery

timriley — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:40:57 +0000

We’re really pleased to announce that we have recently submitted our Open Eye Gallery proposals for planning approval. The layout responds well to the difficult shape of the site and provides three valuable gallery spaces. The wall enslosure design has development into a very interesting form, deferential to the angular forms and monochrome theme of the main development whilst maintaining key views through it.

Site plan

Perspective from covered public realm

Space exploration in Hackney

timriley — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:16:54 +0000

As the walls begin to be boarded up some of the key design ideas, previously restricted to sketches and models, can now be experienced in person. The images below best describe the principle ideas.

From the kitchen and dining space one can experience a panoramic view of the garden. To ensure this is unbroken the outer frame of the sliding folding doors will be concealed so that once fully open the view will be entirely unobstructed.

The connection to the garden and the procession of distinctive spaces was of particular importance and this image demonstrates how successful this has been. Views from the Sitting room at the front of the house are possible through to the rear garden, passing through the living room, courtyard and then the kitchen/dining room with clear thresholds between.

The extension is in matching brick to the original house and on the same line to create an interesting rear elevation with a large apparently gravity defying opening.