Caroline Street
London Development Group
Jewellery Quarter
2019 - present
This creative re-use project once housed two notable names within the Jewellery Quarter. The workshops of John Goode and Sons, manufacturers of gold chains, bracelets and brooches occupied the frst building on the site. No. 68 and No. 65 are historically associated with the company of George Unite and Sons.
The mixed-use scheme for LDG follows the historic pattern of the site, with contemporary additions.
Reliance Works City Portfolio Ltd
Jewellery Quarter
2018 - present
41 - 42 Caroline Street was built circa 1826, originally as a pair of houses with rear workshops. Early occupants include the noted Birmingham silversmiths George Unite and Nathaniel Mills. The company of Pickering and Mayell occupied the premises from around 1900.
A sensitive conversion of this Grade II Listed building will see an extension added to the rear of the property, to deliver 14 apartments.
Bristol Street / Essex Street
The Sandpiper Group Southside 2017
Located in the city centre entertainment district of Southside, the 7 and 18 storey scheme consists of two commercial units on the ground foor and 67 1 & 2 bed apartments above.
Approved by Birmingham City Council in November 2017.
Halesowen College
Halesowen
2018 - present
Phase 1
This early phase of works on the college was completed in just six weeks, over the summer holidays in 2018. A former learning resource centre and canteen in Shenstone House were transformed into an informal learning area with a supervised study space and cafeteria.
Phase 2
Block 2 at the Whittingham Road Campus has been remodelled as a new LRC and Student Hub.
Phase 3
Whittingham Road Blocks 4 and 5 are being developed in tandem to provide larger, more fexible teaching areas and open plan student break out spaces.
The Gothic Blackswan Property
Jewellery Quarter 2018 - present
This regeneration project for Blackswan Property incorporates a wide range of building types, including The Gothic, a former pub built in the late 1870s.
The redevelopment will provide commercial, leisure and residential units, and secure the future of the two listed buildings on the site.
Ghost House
Balaclava Projects
Morton Paddox, Warwickshire
2017 - 2019
Completed in early 2019, Ghost House won a regional RIBA award in May and went on to be longlisted for the RIBA House of the Year Award.
Inspired by the work of Tadao Ando, the house is built entirely from in-situ concrete with all internal and external walls exposed.
Loading Bay Cinema / JQ Festival
BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter 2017
In collaboration with Flatpack Projects, we opened up our loading bay again for the Open Studios Trail as part of the JQ Festival 2017, this time in the form of a cinema.
Over 250 people visited during the day.
Alabaster & Wilson
Private Client Jewellery Quarter 2018 - 2019
Grade II* Listed 9-11 Legge Lane is a purpose built jewellery manufactory constructed in the late nineteenth century. Nos. 10-11 were built in 1891-2 and number 9 was added later in 1899. The buildings were constructed for Alabaster & Wilson Ltd, manufacturers of fne jewellery who have occupied the space for fve generations.
No. 10 and 11 are largely intact with original interior and fttings.
9 Legge Lane is to be converted into 3 apartments with a new mirror glass extension to the rear.
Site 24
Packington Estate Ltd
Hampton in Arden 2019
Outline Planning Application proposals have been submitted for the development of a site to the north-east of Hampton in Arden.
Lordswood Road
Private Client
Harborne 2017 - 2019
The remodelling and extension of an existing 1960s house at ground and frst foor levels, to create a contemporary modern home.
Lower Parade
EDG Property
Sutton Coldfield
2018
We were invited to submit our ideas for the redevelopment of Lower Parade, in Sutton Coldfeld town centre.
Whilst researching the history of the site, we came across the legend of how a markswoman saved the life of Henry VIII during a wild boar attack in Sutton Park.
Henry VIII was so grateful he presented her the Tudor Rose, and it became the emblem of her native town, Sutton Coldfeld.
This narrative was incorporated into the facade detail.
Dudley Zoological Gardens
Dudley 2018 - 2019
Following the success of the Four Tectons Project, Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG) and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council commissioned the Castle Hill Vision, which seeks to align and focus a range of assets charting the history and development of Dudley through a programme of intervention.
The aim of the project was to explore, with key stakeholders, the range of
options to better realise and reveal the signifcance of heritage assets, whilst also enhancing the tourism and leisure opportunities for DZG.
Projects include the Castle, Tectons, historic woodland, limestone caverns and Visitor Centre (above).
Sherborne Wharf
Inland Homes
Birmingham 2017 - 2018
Located near to Broad Street, Brindley Place and Sherborne Loop canal, the third and fnal phase of the Sherborne Wharf Masterplan was granted planning consent in February 2018. The canalside development includes 87 new apartments over 3-10 storeys and the refurbishment of the art deco Psonex House.
Hedge House
Set in 6.5 acres close to the village of Knowle, near Solihull, Hedge House measures 55m in length by 10m in width over two storeys.
One Five One was built in 1932 and was the Birmingham Chest Clinic for over 80 years.
The upper 3 foors and roof were converted into 11 residential units.
Quarter 2017 - 2018
Wake Green Road Prefabs
Wates
Moseley
2019 - present
Manufactured in 1945 under The Temporary Housing Programme, the Phoenix prefabs were designed by the architects of Henry Boot Ltd, John Laing and McAlpine.
Our proposals consist of a sensitive restoration of these Grade II Listed buildings.
Digbeth Masterplan
Oval Real Estate
Digbeth
2019 - present
Oval Real Estate have embarked on a hugely ambitious masterplan for their estate in Digbeth. Working alongside masterplanners Studio Egret West and Glenn Howells Architects, we were brought on board to explore massing options and concept design on six plots across the 45 acre site.
All of our sites include retained buildings, so the challenge has been to dovetail the new elements in sympathetic and interesting ways while keeping within the SEW design code.
Floodgate Street Reactivations
Oval Real Estate
Digbeth
2019 - present
Oval Real Estate have acquired a number of vacant and dilapidated properties in Digbeth which they are eager to bring back into use.
Known as the Floodgate Street Reactivations, we are working with renaissance man Rob Colbourne on fve buildings which will become venues, cafes, ofces and studios in the short - medium term, until the wider Digbeth masterplan is realised.
The Box Complex Development Projects
Coventry 2018 - 2019
The development of Coventry’s creative village Fargo continued over 20182019 with The Box, a new multi-purpose arts and music venue. Literally a box within a box.
Pocket Park
BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter 2018
Words by Rob Colbourne
Landscape
Architect
We wanted to dramatically change the loading bay space used for car parking and give it a new sense of value.
Common multi-stem hawthorns (that serve as rich habitats for wildlife) were planted in apertures cut into the concrete foor, whilst native woodland wildfowers were scattered amongst hardy non-natives. Finally, indigenous invaders were encouraged to unfurl through strategically placed gratings.
Being a north-facing covered space, we needed additional help from horticultural lighting to support all shade tolerant planting. This continues to be an ongoing experiment of how the trees might establish over a longer period of time and what care they need to survive in these unusual conditions.
Collaboration
Phase 2 of the Royal Sutton Place development is made up of 41 one and two bed apartments.
Camden Lofts
Javelin Block
Jewellery Quarter
2017
At no. 59 Camden Street you’ll fnd Camden Lofts for Javelin Block. This former warehouse and workshop was extended and converted into 12 apartments.
Smethwick Masterplan Complex Development Projects Birmingham 2016 - 2019
Island site and wider Rolfe Street area masterplanning for CDP, Sandwell MBC and HCA.
Corporation Street Complex Development Projects Coventry 2019 - present
A fve storey mixed-use development consisting of 14 apartments and commercial space on the ground foor.
Design infuenced by Coventry’s 1950s architecture around the Belgrade Theatre.
Belgrade Theatre
Complex Development Projects Coventry
2019 - present
Our proposals for Corporation Street also include the refurbishment of the ground and lower ground foor of the former Jaguar Pub for the Belgrade Theatre.
Spaces are to be used as a combination of fexible workshop, performance and conference spaces. It is intended to be an open, ‘as found’ space with exposed materials.
Home Farm
10M
Hampton in Arden 2018 - present
Home Farm is a project re-working modern barn structures into contemporary homes.
A series of otherwise defunct buildings have been re-imagined for 10M to provide 8 new dwellings within the green belt. Work started on site in October 2018.
Moseley School of Art
Moseley Muslim Community Association
Moseley
2017 - 2019
After an extensive restoration, Moseley School of Art re-opened in 2019.
The Grade II* Listed building operates as a community and business hub.
Market Place
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Wednesbury
2018
SMBC and its partners were looking to secure funding from Historic England under the grant scheme ‘Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas’, to reverse many years of gradual decline of some the buildings that enclose Market Place in Wednesbury.
To determine the scope of the grant application, we put together a detailed condition survey and options for improvements to facades and shopfronts.
48-52 Princip Street
Shade Properties Ltd
Gun Quarter 2018 - 2019
New development providing 29 apartments, commercial space and enclosed court spaces, taking reference from historic buildings in the Gun Quarter.
Cleveland Road
Jessup Brothers
Wolverhampton
2018 - present
Cleveland Road is being developed by Jessup and is the frst phase to be brought forward in this area. It will set the benchmark for design quality, urban realm and mix of uses which can hopefully infuence other regeneration in the area.
Providing a 63 bed YMCA with nursery, retail and ofces, as well as 74 apartments and 18 houses for Walsall Housing Group, the scheme is due for completion in 2021.
The Old
New House Private Client Claverdon, Warwickshire 2017 - present
Our clients have long dreamt of building a modest low energy home in their garden, in which to spend their later life.
After two planning applications and a lengthy tender process, construction is now underway, project-managed by the clients themselves.
Junction Works
Grade Union + Public Artist Ltd
Digbeth
2018 - 2019
Since 2016 we have been collaborating with art organisation Grand Union, Public Artist Ltd and a close-knit team of consultants to secure the future of Junction Works in Digbeth and to create a new gallery and studio space.
The site is located in the Warwick Bar Conservation Area, at the junction of the Grand Union and Digbeth Branch Canals. It is Grade II Listed and comprises of three connected buildings,
together with an additional single-storey wing and cobbled yard which have all been empty for several years after sufering fre damage in 2004.
Planning and listed building consent were granted in March 2019, and Grand Union are currently fundraising in order to start the work.
Broad Street Meeting Hall
BSMH Ltd
Coventry
2017 - present
Colourful cladding tubes mark the near completion of a new community hall in Coventry.
The colours reference the buildings along Broad Street in sequential order, while also hinting at the variety of cultures which will use the building.
Mary Street
Malcolm Kirkham & Jan Arkwright
Jewellery Quarter
2017 - 2018
Built in 1823 this previously derelict Grade II Listed workshop sits across the road from our ofce. Over the course of 2017 - 2018 the building underwent a sympathetic transformation for new owners Jan & Malcolm, who now call it home.
The project was awarded the Birmingham Civic Society Renaissance Award 2019.
Gilder’s Yard
Blackswan Property
Jewellery Quarter
2018 - present
After themes were identifed and reinterpreted during Rob Colbourne’s 2015-2016 research, terracotta blocks are being manufactured by Darwen Terracotta for part of Gilder’s Yard facade.
Priory School
Edgbaston
2017 - 2019
Masterplan prepared for Grade II Listed Priory School showing range of future development projects for the next decade.
James Street
2018 saw our proposals for a roof extension to the Lasan Building on James Street approved. The design of the extension was intended as a contrast to the existing building and took on a contemporary aesthetic as set out within the client brief.
The extension was composed of Corten steel cladding with large glazing within slim line aluminium frames.
2019 - present
Abandoned some years ago, this 100 acre site presented our client an opportunity to replace a discordant group of semiderelict buildings with a contemporary version of a farmhouse.
Hall
HH Hospitality Ltd
Marchamley, Shropshire
2017 - 2019
Hawkstone Hall is a Grade I Listed building dating back to circa 1700.
In 2017 Change of Use was granted for a hotel and wedding venue, enabling the building to return to former glory as a grand country house.
Charterhouse
Historic Coventry Trust
Coventry
2017 - present
We continue to work with Historic Coventry Trust on the Grade I Listed Charterhouse Priory. Works have started on the restoration of Priors House, its unique wall paintings and the reconstruction of two monk’s cells.
Planning was granted in 2018 for a second phase which will see the former stables and coach house restored and converted into a new wedding and conference venue.
Lifecentral Church Halesowen 2017 - 2018
Through a refurbishment of their current building, Lifecentral Church sought to combine two auditoriums to create a single, fexible open space.
6 Legge Lane
Quarter
Planning was granted in October 2019 for the restoration and conversion of this unique Grade II Listed terrace of 4 houses with attached workshops.
Vacant since the 1990s the buildings were derelict and required urgent repairs. When complete, the development will consist of 12 2 bed apartments.
Photographic Works
Hatchbury
Jewellery Quarter 2019 - present
A residential development of apartments and townhouses on Camden Street.
For over half a century the site was occupied by Munns Brothers Photographic Works. The idea of repeating fading flm strips led to the design of the brick piers.
Construction gets underway in Q3 2020.
79 Bedford Street
Balaclava Projects
Leamington Spa
2017 - 2018
Bedford Street is a new 4 storey building containing 8 multiple occupancy student apartments.
The client had an aspiration to achieve something new and was keen to push boundaries. Using a minimal palette of good quality materials the result was a stripped back fnish.
The Argent Centre
Midland Industrial Association
Jewellery Quarter 2017
Originally a pen manufacturers and Turkish bath, this Grade II* Listed building required a lift to service the top foors.
Important to the buildings listing designation, and consisting of fat hollow brick arches with wrought iron tie rods, skewbacks and internal paving, the installation would require parts of these foors to be removed.
We collaborated with Rob Colbourne to create a wall decoration that interpreted the foor construction.
Ice Rink
Planet Ice
Leeds
2017 - present
Leeds Ice Rink re-uses this glulam frame from a temporary ice rink in Cardif. The frame was dismantled, transported and re-erected, forming the primary frame for the rink area.
Comet Works
Javelin Block
Gun Quarter
2017
This group of mid-19th century works, including a former Spitfre Machine Gun factory, were given a new lease of life.
Comet Works was shortlisted for the Birmingham Civic Society Centenary Renaissance Award 2018.
Invisible House
Balaclava Projects
Warwickshire
2019 - present
Set in Morton Paddox, amongst a number of mature trees, the concept seeks to deconstruct a traditional house into its individual components, where each room is designed as a pavilion. These pavilions will cantilever from a piled core giving the illusion that they are foating above the existing landscape.
The use of smoked mirrors refecting the surrounding environment will blur the boundary between the building and landscape. The pavilions will be interlinked by a translucent glass bridge.
King Edward VI College
Stourbridge 2018 - 2019
Our most recent project for King Edward VI College involved the transformation of a sports hall into a learning resource centre and new classrooms.
In 2018 we collaborated with Landscape Architect, Rob Colbourne on a design to remove all on-site parking.
Iron Works 10M Digbeth 2017 - 2019
Working in collaboration with Joe Holyoak, Iron Works was completed in Summer 2019.
The old cofn manufacturing factory has been redeveloped into 14 apartments.
New Meeting/Social Space
BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter
2018 - 2019
Improvements to our ofces between 2018 - 2019 to create additional meeting/social space and pocket gallery.
Northwood Street Countrywide Developments
Jewellery Quarter 2018 - 2019
Our proposals for 33-44 Northwood Street saw the introduction of new buildings onto the site that sat comfortably around those historic structures that were to be retained and restored. The provision of amenity space referenced the historic pattern of the development in the form of linked courtyards.
Hortons’ Estate Ltd
Birmingham City Centre 2019
Following on from our work for Hortons’ Estate on the Imperial and Whitehall Chambers, we have completed the refurbishment of the Barwick Building, another phase of the Grade II* Listed Grand Hotel development.
Birmingham City Church
Concept ideas for the redevelopment of the entrance to Birmingham City Church from the Parade.
Planning permission was granted for The Imperial in 2018.
Our proposals consisted of two prominent structures at 20 and 16 storeys, and two further buildings at 10 and 4 storeys with a total of 350 new apartments.
The Lamp Works
Blackswan Property
Jewellery Quarter
2019 - present
Proposals for a 0.4 hectare site within the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area.
Two buildings fronting Great Hampton Street will be retained and refurbished, reinstating the shop fronts. The proposed new build elements to Great Hampton Street and Barr Street will surround an internal courtyard with high quality landscaping and a retained steel frame as a memory of former buildings.
New commercial space will be created and 129 1,2 and 3 bed residential units.
Architects Journal Big, Bigger, Birmingham 2019
We were approached by The Architects Journal to take part in a special Birmingham edition of the publication.
BPN
Team 2017 - 2019
Joelle Bolt
Carrie Brown
Aurelija Celutke
Rob Colbourne
Abigail Copeland
Ellis Cresswell
Irena Dumitrascu
Abigail Guest
Jenny Harrison
Georgina Holden
Russell Ingram
Katie Miller
Phill Millward
Russell Morriss
Richard Newman
Gavin Orton
Lorna Parsons
Ryan Price
David Platts
Larry Priest
Mark Rousseau
Dean Shaw
Phill Shepherd
Rob Smith
Sunena Sohal
Ben Tipson
Tom Willington
We’ve a lot to catch up on since our last publication 15/16 so here goes.
2017 saw the departure of David Platts and Mark Rousseau onto pastures new, but in turn Part II Architectural Assistant Irena Dumitrascu and Part I Tom Willington joined the team, both studying part time at BCU.
In May The Compound won triple recognition at the RIBA Awards, then later on in the year went on to be shortlisted for the Stephen Lawrence Prize.
We took a very chilly trip to London in December 2017.
2018 saw Katie and Joelle complete their studies, and Architect Georgina Holden joined the team. We enjoyed an afternoon of art with friend and Artist Dean Melbourne in the Tramshed.
The Rifemaker Building won local recognition in the summer by bagging the Birmingham Civic Society Renaissance Award, and we waved goodbye to Part I Architectural Assistant Ben Tipson as he headed up to Glasgow to continue with his studies.
With heavy hearts we said goodbye to Gavin Orton in December. Having been with BPN since 2003, he was an integral and much-loved member of the team. He is sorely missed, but we still work together and he often brings cake to the ofce.
2019 saw trips to Manchester, Paris and London. Part II Architectural Assistant Sunena Sohal joined us, and another two of our projects won awards. Mary Street across the road from the ofce won the Birmingham Civic Society Renaissance Award and Ghost House won at the RIBA Awards and went on to be longlisted for the RIBA House of the Year.
Credits
Caroline Street
Visual: Urban 3D Ltd
Essex Street
Visual: Oaker
The Gothic Historic image via http://www. birminghamforum.co.uk/
Ghost House
Photographs: Felix Mooneeram
Sherborne Wharf
Visual: Oaker
Hedge House
Photograph: Courtesy of 10M
One Five One
Visual: Courtesy of Court Collaboration
The Tramshed
Photograph: Tom Bird, courtesy of Javelin Block
Floodgate Street Reactivations
Landscaping: Rob Colbourne
The Box
Photograph: Print Manufactory - FARGO Village
BPN Pocket Park
Collage: Rob Colbourne
Camden Street
Photograph: Tom Bird, courtesy of Javelin Block
Home Farm
Visual: Courtesy of 10M
Wednesbury Market Place
Historic Photograph via “Wednesbury Postcard Album” by Bev Parker at http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/ articles/Wednesburypc/page1.htm
YMCA Cleveland Road
Visuals: Oaker
Junction Works
Photograph: David Rowan
Mary Street
Photograph: Birmingham Civic Society
High Havens
Photographs: Javelin Block
Hawkstone Hall
Photograph: Courtesy of Hawkstone Hall & Gardens
Charterhouse Visual: Oaker
Photographic Works
Visual: Urban 3D Ltd
Historic Photograph via https://www. birminghamforum.co.uk/
Argent Centre
Collage: Rob Colbourne
Comet Works:
Photograph: Tom Bird, courtesy of Javelin Block
King Edwards Landscaping: Rob Colbourne
Iron Works
Photographs: Courtesy of 10M
Barwick Building Photographs: Anne-Marie Hayes
The Lamp Works Visuals: Mark Smith