Windmill Lane
Private Client Dorridge 2020 - present
Imagine Bilbo Baggins was alive today and was spending some of that gold he ‘liberated’ from Smaug. Goodbye round front door, hello uber rural chic...
This house is embedded and integrated into the landscape, with the shape of the building derived from placing accommodation on the existing topography, lifting and folding the landscape.
The ‘z’ shape also ofers the opportunity to enclose and frame external spaces with diferent qualities, emphasising and enhancing current landscape characteristics.
Lordswood Road
Private Client
Harborne, Birmingham
2017 - 2022
Or as it is now known, Kuro Koti.
There has always been a rather unusual house on this prominent corner and most of it is still there under layers of insulation, concrete and charred timber.
The genius loci of this site is to be set apart from the suburban norm and this tradition has been maintained.
The client had a really clear vision for this transformation and an exacting approach to the detailed execution.
The house can be hired as a location for photography, film, TV or corporate events. Recent occupiers include Channel 5’s The Gadget Show.
www.kurokoti.com
Chance Island Village Chance Heritage Trust
Smethwick
2021 - present
Chance Brothers once were the world’s leading glass manufacturer and a pioneer of British glass-making technology, operating from 1824 to 1976. In that time, the factory produced glass for the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben’s clock face and the Crystal Palace in London. It also developed specialist glass for telescopes and lanterns and created lenses for 2,500 lighthouses around the world.
Now the site is semi-derelict and the 8 listed buildings and scheduled ancient monument are falling into disrepair.
Our vision for Chance Island is to create an urban village of housing, work space and leisure uses in the existing and proposed buildings linked by extensive planting and new connections to the two canals forming the north and south site boundaries.
Shrewsbury Prison ‘The Dana’ Jessup and EGO Shrewsbury Ltd. Shrewsbury
2022 - present
Collages by Rob Colbourne Landscape Architect
UK prisoners are allowed a minimum of 30 minutes per day outdoors...our vision for this development is rather more ambitious...
We prepared pre-app landscaping proposals for this former prison, which is now widely used as a filming location.
The design seeks to balance all of the requirements of Para 80, with aesthetics, sustainability, landscape, performance and character.
Jewellery Quarter 2014 - 2022
One site with two courtyards, facing three streets, (mostly) over four storeys taking fve years to complete.
Gilders Yard adds to a growing number of completed BPN JQ regeneration projects.
Gilders Yard Amenity Space
Grainger
Jewellery Quarter
2020 - 2022
The materials and finishes of the amenity spaces draw reference from the history and heritage of the site and its Art Deco background.
The diamond pattern developed and featured on the Great Hampton Street elevation terracotta tiles was the main reference point in developing the internal aesthetic, and also features as a wall panelling element.
High Haven
Javelin Block
Banbury, Oxfordshire 2019 - present
Cotswold farmstead meets Mexican hacienda...
Farmcienda...?
Haciendstead...?
There is a broad sweeping landscape, the skies are huge and so is this house which has some beautiful engineering by Webb Yates.
Pocket Park
BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter 2022
Collage by Rob Colbourne Landscape Architect
The loading bay pocket park project is largely an experiment in blurring the edges of public/private realm, making a suitable entrance to our studio, planting in full shade, accomodating EV’s, irrigation and suitable lighting.
This [labratory] space has evolved massively over the years and will continue to do so.
Taylor & Challen
Private Client
Jewellery Quarter
2020 - present
Too many rooftop extensions look banal and at odds with their host. Not here though, as this design has the same DNA as the principal building.
The Gothic Cordia Blackswan
Jewellery Quarter 2018 - 2022
Bram Stoker’s Dracula or Bauhaus’ Bella Lugosi’s Dead I hear you ask? Not quite, this is a diferent kind of Gothic...a more stylish and rather less gory one.
The Gothic is now home to 14 unique apartments and duplexes, as well as commercial units at ground foor level.
Charterhouse + Venue
Historic Coventry Trust
Coventry
2020 - present
Palimpsest (noun): Something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.
The word derives from parchment or velum where earlier writings are erased and new ones overlaid. It was common practice in medieval monasteries and seems like a fitting metaphor for our work at Charterhouse which continued this year. The signs of previous arrangements can still be discerned and
it is likely that changes will continue to happen at this ancient place long into the future.
The veranda will be the new visitor entrance to Charterhouse.
The former stables and coach house are being restored and will remain largely unaltered. They will be connected by a new building, formed by reinstating a cloister wall and covered walkway.
cafe extension is due for completion in April 2023 and will be operated by
Neighbourhood JQ
HBD
Jewellery Quarter
2020 - present
This site lies on the southern edge of the Jewellery Quarter and the northern edge of the Convention Quarter.
For too long it has been an unloved, underdeveloped wasteland with car showrooms and acres of tarmac, when it should be a gateway to the former and a good neighbour and link to the latter.
Our proposals which were submitted for planning this year will totally transform the area and add to the rich mix of housing, commercial space and positive external spaces in the JQ.
Photographic Works
Hatchbury
Jewellery Quarter
2019 - present
The brick piers are designed to ‘fade’ towards the light like a film strip and it was great to see this efect realised this year as the scafolding came down.
While inside the stairs underwent a snagging review...
16-18 Princip Street
Luisha Development
Gun Quarter
2019 - present
Birmingham was once famous for how many brass foundries it had, often along canals.
There was one on this site which will be restored and converted as part of this proposal.
Heathfield Knoll School Wolverley, Worcestershire 2019 - present
Our work with the school continues with an extension to the dining hall and associated internal refurbishment, providing much needed additional space.
Invisible House
Balaclava Projects
Warwickshire 2019 - 2022
Nothing to see here...
BPN Shutter
BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter
2020 - 2022
Functionality and fun courtesy of Alfie Newman.
There’s a prize up for grabs for whoever can tell us how many holes Alfie has drilled into our shutter...
The Bond Oval Real Estate
Digbeth
2020 - present
Bond, The Bond...shaken not stirred...
When complete The Bond will be a hub for film, TV and other media companies who like the creative character of Digbeth, with some of the spaces designed for events such as weddings and markets.
Images show the Ice House and The Canopy.
Button Works Hanehouse Developments Jewellery Quarter 2022 - present
Buttons are so basic and commonplace that we hardly pay them any attention, let alone think about where and how they are made. But in the late 19th Century button manufacture was big Brummie business and funded the development of this fine building which is a really great example of a typical Jewellery Quarter manufactory.
The building was commissioned by Green, Cadbury & Richards and
designed by the prominent local architect H.R Yeoville Thomason.
The site is narrow but deep, with a very decorative frontage and utilitarian rear wings. It has hardly been altered since the early 20th Century when it was producing pearl, linen and ivory buttons by the millions for export across the world.
King Edwards VI College
King Edwards VI
Stourbridge
2012 - present
The history of the college dates back to 1430 when the original school was founded and was known as the Chantry School of Holy Trinity, the charter for the grammar school being granted in 1552 by King Edward VI.
Over the years the site has regenerated many times and the current campus, which already has two BPN buidlings, is becoming quite dense with some interesting spaces.
Freshwater Lane
Boo Homes
St Mawes, Cornwall
2022 - present
Concept designs for a bespoke house overlooking the Percuil River Esturary and interesting explorations in:
- Contextual v Contemporary
- Views v Security
- Sunshine v Privacy
- Massive v Lightweight
- Stone v Render
Reliance Works
City Portfolio Ltd
Jewellery Quarter
2018 - 2022
Not our closest ever project but at 2 minutes away from the ofce it kept our carbon footprint down!
Originally a pair of houses with rear workshops, the former jewellery box works by Taylor & Challen now houses 9 unique duplexes and apartments.
Dudley Zoo Paint Analysis
Dudley Zoological Gardens
Dudley 2022
Paint analysis with Crick-Smith.
A cross section of samples were taken to understand the original colours used across the scheme.
Dudley Zoo Tecton Technical Study Day
Dudley Zoological Gardens
Dudley
2022
A group of conservation architects, building surveyors and structural engineers from Historic England and English Heritage Trust took part in a technical study day at the end of the year.
Following the 2014 restoration of the Entrance, Bear Ravine, Kiosk and Station Cafe, permission has been granted for the restoration of a further four Tectons - Elephant House, the Discovery Centre, Queen Mary Restaurant and Tropical Bird House.
Willow House
Private Client Cowley, Cheltenham
2021 - present
Planning permission was granted for a new house in a village to the south of Cheltenham.
Willow House completes the trilogy of houses we have worked on with this particular client since 2006.
The materials for the building are based upon how each section responds to the site levels, these include stone, charred timber cladding, glazing and traditional Cotswold stone tile.
Royal Hospital
Jessup Brothers
Wolverhampton
2020 - present
Work continues on this 3.9 hectare site which will provide 38 apartments for over 55’s in the Grade II Listed former Royal Hospital itself (right of the image), and a further 123 new build homes for afordable rent and 31 shared ownership on the land surrounding for WHG.
Beaconwood
Private Client
Stratford-Upon-Avon
2021 - present
New Para 80 house.
Designed to be hidden in the surrounding landscape, this negative carbon straw bale house was unanimously approved at planning in early August.
"Proposals to build a house out of straw bales have been described as 'sensational' by a planning committee.
They heard the four-bedroom building on a hill outside Stratford-upon-Avon will absorb carbon from the atmosphere, have a wooden roof and be clad in cedar shingles.
Stratford Town Council had opposed the house, because it would be outside a designated building-area.
But Stratford District Council passed the plans unanimously.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Matt Jennings, one of the planning committee members said "The first thing that springs to mind is wow!"
"A negative carbon dwelling and no trees will be harmed in the making. In my view this application is of exceptional design and satisfies all the requirements."
Phill Shepherd, from BPN Architects in Birmingham, told the planning committee meeting the building on Bordon Hill was designed to be hidden in the surrounding landscape and not affect the views over Stratford.
He said all trees and hedgerows at the vacant overgrown site would be retained and that the need for concrete foundations was reduced, because it would follow the contours of the hill..."
King George V Playing Fields
Arcadis
Bloxwich
2022 - present
King George V Playing Fields are a network of parks, playing fields, recreational grounds and green spaces across the UK established and protected in memory of HM King George V.
There are 506 King George’s fields, which are protected forever with Fields in Trust to ensure they will always be there for communities as places for sport, nature and play.
The Bloxwich park opened in 1937 to give local residents a much needed space to play sports. Today, the site ofers a wide variety of sports and activities. An accessible junior park run takes place on Sunday mornings for children aged 4-14 years and their parents.
But some of the facilities are a little tired and in need of a refresh...
St Martha’s Hall
St Paul’s Convent
Birmingham
2021 - present
St Martha’s has been greatly adapted over the years. Externally the building still presents well, however later upgrades are of a poorer quality.
Work started in the hall with internal partitions removed back to make way for new independent accommodation.
Paper Yard
Wild Grey Developments
Gun Quarter
2020 - present
Some underground service constraints on the corner of the site were highlighted during the design coordination stage. The solution put forward seeks to be integrated with the overall vision of the strong corner and arrival point.
The scheme received unanimous approval at Planning Committee in June.
House Private Client Belbroughton 2022 - present
St Agnes Road
Private Client Moseley, Birmingham
2021 - present
The reconfiguration and extension to an existing Dutch gable styled dormer bungalow.
Scanning this QR code to the right will give you access to early living space propsals.
Great Hampton Street
Birmingham
2014 - present
Once a really prestigious street and thanks to investment by Blackswan, Cordia and Grainger, Great Hampton Street is heading that way again.
There is still some work to do on the Lampworks project and improvements to the road required, but the transformation is fantastic so far and we can’t wait to see it through.
Floodgate Factories
Oval Real Estate
Digbeth
2020 - present
These buildings were in a very sorry state when we started the project but they are really taking shape now.
35, 40 and 48 (shown in images) will launch as commercial units when the extensive refurbishments have been completed.
Wake Green Road Prefabs Equans Moseley
2019 - present
As part of a consignment to the Ministry of Works, 2,428 Phoenix prefabs were supplied in the 1940s. Some of these ‘temporary’ homes on Wake Green Road in Moseley are the only known surviving prefabs still being lived in. This makes them extra special.
The plan form was generous for its time. A central hall served two equally sized bedrooms and a bathroom. The kitchen was complete with built in units and sat back-to-back with the bathroom - an efcient response to combined services.
One of the key aspects of these houses was the built in furniture and kitchen. At the time of construction, furniture was still rationed and secondhand furniture was hard to come by.
The houses had a very modern heating and hot water system, with a back boiler. Hot air was fed into the bedrooms through ducts at ceiling level, whilst concealed ducting fed hot air into the kitchen. Hot water was fed from the cylinder into the bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom even had a heated towel rail above the bath.
15 of the properties will be refurbished, with one refurbished as a museum piece.
Setl HBD
Jewellery Quarter
2020 - present
The main block comprises of brickwork and this glazed terracotta formed in a hinge profile.
It references the terracotta tradition of Birmingham’s architecture and draws on the narrative of the Hinge Works which once occupied the adjacent site.
Oxford
2021 - present
RIBA Stage 2 Design Development.
The brief set the target for a highly sustainable community centre, not only in its design and materiality but also in its long term operational costs and maintenance, empowering local people and engendering community formation on the site.
Illingworth Building Complex Development Projects Coventry
2021 - present
Moving away from over cladding and creating a ruinous feel to the retained existing building.
A balcony will project out over the newly opened up river works.
United Reform Church at Spencer Yard
Leamington Creative Quarter Complex Development Projects
Leamington Spa
2020 - present
The extensive basement underneath the Grade II Listed URC was previously used as a crypt. It will be re-used as ofce space, retaining the vaulted brick ceilings and following the existing foor plan.
Stourbridge Glass Museum
Stourbridge Glass Museum
Stourbridge
2021 - present
As part of our involvement in the museum’s external landscaping development, we took the opportunity to add a temporary interpretation of the former 10 pot glass furnace which once stood as a centrepiece on the site.
St Anne’s Hostel
St Anne’s Birmingham
Digbeth
2021 - present
This residential scheme will ofer 26 single occupancy apartments and varied external spaces ranging from private balconies to communal outdoor spaces.
The proposal targets a net zero carbon development that aligns with the RIBA Climate Challenge 2030, through both sustainable construction and materials, as well as low operational costs.
Mary Ann Street
Brook Welding Co.
Jewellery Quarter 2022 - present
With the site cleared, work started on laying the drainage and foundations.
Massing Studies 2022
Massing studies allow us to analyse the shape, form and size of a building.
Arcadis
Walsall
2022 - present
Feasibility study for the creation of an incubation space and digital access centre in the former Bloxwich Post Ofce. The building will house a number of spaces that facilitate digital connectivity and collaboration, supporting start- ups and small businesses whilst ofering digital connectivity and training for the community.
John Bright Street Trigram Properties
Birmingham 2022 - present
Conversion of the Grade II Listed fomer Birmingham Skin Hospital.
Central to the scheme is this internal courtyard which will be taken down to basement level. The roof which currently sits at first foor level will also be removed.
Units will be accessed by elevated walkways spanning across the landscaped courtyard below.
Sandfields Pumping Station
Lichfield Waterworks Trust
Lichfield 2022
In the 18th and 19th centuries water supply in the Black Country was obtained from local wells, canals or water that had been pumped from mines in the area. Not ideal.
In 1852 a group including the Earl of Dudley and civil engineer and Director of the South Stafs Railway John Robinson McClean, met to consider how to remedy the situation.
The result was the formation of the South Stafordshire Waterworks Company
which would supply the Black Country with “a more ample supply of pure and wholesome water”.
The Sandfields Pumping Station was formally opened in 1858, with Walsall and Wednesbury receiving the first supplies of water.
Fast forward 160 years and the trust were interested in exploring options on how the site could develop over the next 10 years.
121 Livery Street
Hayers Accountants
Jewellery Quarter 2022
Indicative designs for a pre-app design statement.
Bill House Elements Europe Birmingham 2021 - present
The proposed development site is situated within a triangular city block, formed by Soho Hill, Villa Road and Hamstead Road. In the late 1800s the site was predominantly residential, but by the 1950s it was mostly made up of industrial and commercial post-war construction.
Now vacant, under-utilised or in a poor state of repair, new housing is proposed with the retention of the Bill House, a local landmark and good example of 1950’s commercial design.
Private Client
Kenilworth
2022 - present
A folded and sculptural roof form will directly adjoin the rear of the house, whilst the proposed corten steel cladding will enhance the contemporary nature of the extension and provide the required visual contrast to the red brick.
Vittoria & Unity Works
NVSM
Jewellery Quarter
2021 - present
The conversion of these derelict Grade II Listed buildings got underway in July.
Artists at Three BPN Architects
Jewellery Quarter 2022
Conservation Architect and Artist, Cristina Gardiner showcased her latest collection ‘Exposed Landscapes’.
BPN Team 2022
David Baugh
Alex Billingham
Carrie Brown
Aurelija Celutke
Melissa Cirakli
Rob Colbourne
Abi Copeland
Ellis Cresswell
Irena Dumitrascu
Sarah Edwards
Kimran Farooq
Alex Fedyk
Jenny Harrison
Georgina Martin
Russell Ingram
Emil Karadzhov
Katie Miller
Phill Millward
Russell Morriss
Richard Newman
Razvan Pop
Ryan Price
Larry Priest
Dean Shaw
Phill Shepherd
Rob Smith
Sunena Sohal
Ben Tipson
Josh Veale
William Weston
Tom Willington
Architecture and Environmental Engineering graduate, Mel Cirakli joined us on a part time basis in January.
We took a well overdue trip to Coventry in April. It was great to see some past projects and of course those we are still working on, including the Grade II Listed Charterhouse.
We welcomed Part II Architectural Assistant William Weston in June bringing the team to the largest it’s ever been, 30.
On one of the hottest days of the year, we took what is turning into an annual excursion to the big smoke to visit the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and the Serpentine Pavilion.
At the beginning of October we headed to Brussels on the Eurostar, which being a party of 31 was a shock to the system! The city had a lot to ofer, including the Atomium, Gare Maritime, Tour and Taxis
and the Design Museum. 10/10 would recommend.
Part of the furniture, Jenny left us for York later on that month. Having been with BPN since 2014 she was an integral member of the team and is sorely missed. We put our pizza cooking skills to the test for her farewell lunch - most pizzas were edible...
We opened up the Three gallery space to Cristina Gardiner in December. Cristina put on a successful exhibition of her ‘Exposed Landscapes’ series.
To end the year the Pocket Park had a bit of a spruce up and was re-landscaped by our friend and colleague Rob Colbourne. The Hawthorns were sent of to new homes and were replaced by Amelanchier (aka the Juneberry tree) and the beds were replanted using grasses, ferns and wildfowers.
Internal Image: Tom Bird www.bytombird.com
Chance Island Village Sketch: Rob Colbourne
The Dana Image courtesy of Shrewsbury Prison Collage: Rob Colbourne
High Havens Canopy image courtesy of Javelin Block
BPN Pocket Park Collage: Rob Colbourne
Neighbourhood JQ Visual: Revere
Invisible House RIBAJ Cover Image courtesy of Steve Smith
Dudley Zoo Paint Analysis Images: Crick-Smith
Dudley Zoo Technical Day Image: Dudley Zoo
The Royal Hospital Image: courtesy of Express & Star
Setl Progress images courtesy of GMI Construction
Spencer Yard Visual: Oaker
Bill House Historic Maps courtesy of DIgimap