Our Favourite things to do in the outdoor city

Spring is in the air and the start of the outdoor season is just around the corner. So, what better time to collate our favourite things to do in the city we’re proud to call home. Sheffield has rightly earned the title of ‘The Outdoor City’ and in our humble opinion there really is no better place to live.

We’ve also invited Anna Paxton and Ed Birch from Salt Street Productions to share their favourites with us. Salt Street are the team behind The Outdoor City’s latest trailer.

Last month we teamed up with the award-winning Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens to share their top tips for creating a sustainable and stylish kitchen. In case you missed it, read it here.

When we’re designing a home, the kitchen inevitably comes up early on in the conversation with our client. The kitchen is the nerve centre of the home. It’s a place to unite, eat and create memories. With that in mind, we’d love to know what you think of our selection of favourite kitchens.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Rob Cole, founder of Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens who has shared his favourite kitchen with us.

Our favourite podcasts

Inspired by Paul’s interview on the We Build Academy podcast, some of the team have chosen the podcasts they most enjoy listening to.

There’s an eclectic mix, so whether you’re a keen podcast listener or perhaps just getting started, we hope you discover something you like.

Our favourite karaoke songs

We’re a divided practice when it comes to karaoke. Some of us [like Liam, Alan & Tom] can’t wait to belt out a good tune. Then there’s some who wouldn’t say no…and the rest of us that definitely wouldn’t say yes!

But one thing we do agree on is that your tune of choice says a lot about you. We’ll leave you to judge our choices below, and if we ever do make it out for a team karaoke we’ll share the video evidence.

Jolene – Dolly Parton

Our favourite buildings that let in light

It’s safe to say 99% of our clients mention wanting more natural light when we first speak to them.

Moving natural light into the heart of any building is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also improves comfort and reduces energy use.

It’s a subject Alan chats about in detail in the latest issue of Houseproud Stamford & Rutland Magazine and inspired this month’s theme.

Our favourite projects under construction

After blogging about health and safety on site this month, we’ve each chosen our favourite construction projects. We can only imagine the health and safety responsibilities involved in something like BIG’s energy-to-waste plant in Copenhagen! Needless to say, we’re really excited to see how these projects come to life.

Siége de la Métropole Européenne de Lille, France – Henning Larsenfrom & KeurK Architecture

Big shout to my friends and former colleagues who are behind this ambitious project in my hometown. I can’t wait to see how they tackle the challenges to deliver this very eco & massive office building. [Julie]

Flitwick Mill, Bedford – Self-build project

Earlier this summer I met the owners of Flitwick Mill who are in the process of a huge restoration project. It sounds like a challenging and lengthy project, but I was really impressed by their passion and dedication for preserving the mill whilst making it energy efficient. [Fera]

Amager Bakke Waste-to-Energy Plant, Copenhagen – BIG

I’m really excited about this waste to energy plant in Copenhagen which includes a rooftop ski slope. The power plant is already open but the finishing touches are being added to the ski slope for its opening this winter. It’s an interesting example of how you can inject some fun into public infrastructure. I can’t wait to go back to Copenhagen and test it out! [Alan]

Bennetts Associates Grant Smith

Royal College of Pathologists HQ, London – Bennetts Associates

Loving the quality achieved with this concrete casting, especially given it’s located six floors up in a central London location. [Tom]

Secular Retreat, Peter Zumthor – South Devon

It would have been immense to have been on site as the rammed concrete walls were formed for Zumthor’s first ever UK based project.

Although it has been a tricky process, with rammed concrete being quite a rare construction technique, the wall texture looks as though it was totally worth the effort. I really want to touch them! Although it’s technically finished, it hasn’t opened yet so I think it counts. [Liam]

Church Grove, London – Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS)

Fresh off the drawing board, and having received funding from Sadiq Khan’s Mayor’s Innovation Fund, this self build housing scheme in Lewisham is a step in a good direction for housing nationwide.

Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) is the community group responsible. The founder Kareem Dayes grew up on Walter’s Way, a 1970’s self-build project also in Lewisham, from which this scheme likely takes inspiration. [Marcus]

Tibshelf strawbale house, Sheffield – Thread Architects

I love the gloriously hairy interior of this straw bale house before plastering. I haven’t seen any drawings of the project but it’s by Sheffield’s own Thread Architects so I have high hopes and I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out! [Claire]

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Lake District – Carmody Groake

When Paul Testa Architecture was only a few months old we joined forces with Bond Bryan Architects, Arup and Ares Landscape Architects to submit an expression of interest in the Windermere Steamboat Museum competition. We didn’t get beyond the first stage, but I’ve been eagerly waiting for the winning Carmody Groarke scheme to be completed. It’s a fantastic design and location. It looks like it will be opening in a few months’ time. [Paul]

Are you excited by something under construction? We’d love to know!

Our favourite low-cost builds

We’re continually impressed and inspired by creative projects that have been achieved on a small budget. From fellow architects to community projects and self-builders; check out our favourite builds that haven’t cost the earth.

By the way, if you’re a self-builder take a look at our informative guide to financing your project here.

Our favourite builds without planning permission

Worried about trying to get planning permission for your project? You needn’t be as not all projects need permission.

Many, from small extensions to loft conversions, can be undertaken within your Permitted Development Rights.

Have a read of our latest blog to find out what you can achieve without planning permission.

We also hope our favourites below provides some inspiration!

Our favourite places to visit this summer

We really enjoyed compiling our summer guide last year, so we thought we’d create another. We hope we inspire you to have some more adventures this summer.

This month we’re joined by Paul Taylor from Actus Insurance. Paul has also written a brilliant blog with everything you need to know about project insurance. Have a read here.

Wentworth – Rotherham

It’s home to the magnificent Wentworth Woodhouse, with lovely grounds to have a walk around. Wentworth Garden Centre is also a great place to visit, with a fantastic outdoor play area, a small animal farm, as well as a restaurant, independent boutique shops & gardens. There are also two friendly village pubs. [Paul Taylor]

Love Among the Ruins: A Romance of the Near Future, S1 Artspace, Park Hill, Sheffield

Learn more about the iconic Park Hill Estate (a Sheffield landmark) through an exhibition of archival photography and film of residents. The exhibition runs until Saturday 15th September 2018. [Julie]

Bounce below – Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales

Bounce below is a huge series of cargo-net trampolines suspended inside an old Welsh, slate mine. It’s a fun and unique experience for the whole family. With the creative use of lighting and cargo-nets also making it interesting from an architectural perspective. It also happens to be next door to some great mountain bike trails! [Al]

Season of Play – Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

I never need an excuse to recommend visiting the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This summer they’re celebrating the #SeasonOfPlay with a series of exhibitions, events and activities to enjoy all summer long. [Fera]

Rooftop Cinema Club – The Bussey Building, Peckham

The venue screens cult films alongside current releases with fantastic views of London. Before you head up to the roof don’t miss the great selection of bars and art/architecture installations! [Sam]

Polly by Charles Holland – Fountains Abbey, Ripon

Charles Holland’s work (and his Twitter feed) is hugely enjoyable with colour and exuberance. The fact that visiting his “Polly” installation at Fountains Abbey would also involve a visit to the excellent visitor centre (by Ted Cullinan) just adds to its appeal. The abbey and gardens are a fantastic day out and enlivened by this charming piece of flamboyant design. [Paul]

Outdoor Cinema – Fritton Lake, Norfolk

If you find yourself in Norfolk (this weekend) you could visit the Outdoor Cinema club in Fritton. There will be screenings of Big, Gremlins and Dirty Dancing. [Liam]

If you have any other suggestions of places to visit this summer we’d love to know.

Our favourite buildings that transform historical sites

What do St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, and the Angel of the North all have in common?

They’re all iconic destinations loved by many, and so it’s no surprise that they were recently named in a new top ten of heritage sites.

The list is part of Historic England’s Irreplaceable: a History of England in 100 Places campaign, which brings together historic places and buildings from around the country.

There are ten categories, so naturally we were most interested in Art, Architecture & Sculpture, in which the BBC’s Arts Editor Will Gompertz selected the final ten.

We were delighted to see some locals make it in: Chatsworth House, and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (which Paul recently visited).

After looking at the top ten, we picked our own favourites from around the world. The results are below…

Bicycle Shelter, Oxford – James Wyman Architects

I really like the simple elegance of this bicycle shelter set next to an historic hotel in Oxford. It references historic motifs but in a very delicate contemporary way. This means it sits well with its historic neighbour without being overly dominant. [Alan]

Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax – Evans Vettori Architects

I had the pleasure of taking part in the RIBA Yorkshire awards shortlisting process this year and this is one of the projects that stood out for me. The way the extension knits together the existing context is beautiful and is a standout building from Evans Vettori’s impressive portfolio of work. [Paul]

Giants Causeway Visitor Centre, Northern Ireland – Heneghan Peng Architects

The visitor centre acts as a kind of elongated threshold that stretches to construct a route toward the famous stones. Concealed from the coast, it folds into a restored ridge line and camouflages itself with the skin of the landscape. Theres also something immensely satisfying about the conviction in its strong geometry; despite its interior looking a little like an airport… [Liam]

Neues Museum, Berlin – David Chipperfield Architects

I had the pleasure to visit this masterpiece in 2016 and it is absolutely magical! [Julie]

de Young Museum, San Francisco – Herzog & de Meuron and Fong & Chan Architects

I adore the de Young. It first opened in 1895 in Golden Gate park, and when it re-opened in 2005 it gave over two acres of land back to the park. A must-visit if you’re ever in the city! [Fera]

We also have two guest contributors this month.

John-Paul Walker is a partner at Walker Cunnington Architects and has extensive experience in conservation and reuse, often working with non-profit organisations. He also teaches at Sheffield School of Architecture and currently acts as Heritage At Risk Architect for Historic England.

The Great Court at the British Museum, London – Foster & Partners

An amazingly refined piece of architecture, but what I really like is the way that it not only unlocks the previously clogged up building, but creates a new urban route from St Pancras to Waterloo station. [J-P]

Sam Letchford is currently working with us and has just completed his fifth year studying architecture at the University of Sheffield.

Sala Beckett, Barcelona – Flores & Prats

The Sala Beckett Theatre reworks the complex layering of a 1920’s Barcelona building, which had suffered from disjointed development throughout it’s lifetime. Rather than stripping out the existing building, Flores & Prats brought it along for the ride, reworking it into new features and creating some fantastically theatrical spaces along the way. [Sam]

We’d love to know what you think of the 100 Places campaign (do give their podcast a listen!) and which of our selection is your favourite?