Summer School Day One | Follow our regular posts on our Facebook site (Oliver Chapman Architects) | Welcome to our team from Spain. After introductions, we are heading straight into our lively programme of discussions and design exercises. . . but only after a lunch time leg stretching stroll up Arthur's Seat. Great initial chat around our theme 'Architecture and Crisis' that included observations about how 'crisis' can be interpreted at different scales - from wholesale change in a city's planning down to the stresses of occupation during an event like the Edinburgh Festival.
Schop's Third Year in Edinburgh Art Festival /
Schop are delighted to announce that their proposed summer exhibition by Nick Sargent will feature as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) programme for 2011.
Entitled 'A Scottish Land': an exhibition by Nick Sargent, the exhibition principally comprises a large site specific painted embroidered canvas both titled and depicting 'An unknown view of a Scottish landscape by two unknown artists'.
It will open on 4th August and run until 7th October 2011, Schop's third year in EAF
Summer School 'Growing Capital' /
Oliver Chapman Architects and Schop are organising a two week workshop titled 'Growing Capital' aimed at international architecture students keen to develop their written and spoken English and participate in a design workshop which explores contemporary issues that affect the historic city of Edinburgh.
The project will interrogate the city's fragility, not just its vulnerable built fabric and its economic dependancy on tourism and financial services, but also its sense of confidence and identity on the fringes of Europe.
www.schop.org.uk
RIBA Awards 2011 Shortlist /
The RIBA Award judging panel attended a visit of the low carbon affordable housing at Todlaw, Duns earlier today. The judging panel consisted of George Ferguson CBE PPRIBA, Ferguson Mann Architects (Jury Chair), David Dunbar PRIAS, Daphne Thissen (Lay Assessor) and Neil Baxter (Secretary of the RIAS).
This second phase of 12 flats sits across the road from our earlier supported housing scheme which won an RIBA Award in 2008. It's low carbon index, only 15kg/m2 is achieved by good airtightness detailing, high levels of insulation and vertical bore hole ground source heat pumps that extend 70m into the ground.
Lilliputian Museum Matrix /
This installation in Schop by Thomas Mason (until 18th March) references the Cabinets of Curiosity of the classical era. The work comprises a collection of miniature museums inhabiting Edinburgh’s historic police boxes. Each box houses a succinct collection of Scottish artifacts, ranging from Sir Walter Scott’s printing type, to the ancient Lewis Chessmen.
In a city which can be considered a museum itself, the miniaturization aspect causes us to question the nature of museums as they themselves become the objects on display.
Edinburgh Printmakers /
Oliver Chapman Architects are delighted to be preparing proposals for Edinburgh Printmakers. The proposals aim to maximise the potential of the existing workshop premises on Union Street; a former 'steamie' or washhouse, to provide enhanced exhibition and areas for a range of printing types. Proposals include, a new public gallery space in the basement, digital and manual printing facilities, and a new cafe and reception area.Edinburgh Printmakers
Short breaks respite house opens /
The Short Breaks respite house in Duns has been formally opened by Councillor Frances Renton Executive Member for Social Work who cut the ribbon, and Andrew Lowe Director of Social work. Councillor Renton paid tribute to Station Court generally saying “Station Court has already made a big contribution to Duns, providing attractive award winning housing for people who previously lived in institutional care. This new house will enable others on a short breaks basis to experience this quality housing.” Director of Social Work Andrew Lowe said “I am delighted that we can now offer short breaks in the east as well as the west. The amenity offered by this new house is outstanding and should be able to meet the needs of a diverse range of people and give them and their carers a holiday.”