erect architecture

Olympic Park North competition win

2011-12-14T10:14:00.000Z

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) issued its press release yesterday evening: erect architecture have won the Olympic Park North Hub competition!! !

The brief was to design a community hub and destination playground as part of the naturalistic northern Olympic Park.
You can see the competition boards here, our entry code is N2.

Judge Tim Gill, of rethinking childhood, play advocate and advisor, said “Their highly naturalistic landscape design, and understated, flexible building plan, are ambitious yet subtle, and should fit well in the wider park. The outdoor space has great potential to offer immersive, challenging, engaging play experiences.”

Thanks go to our great team: Jennette Emery-Wallis and Claire Greener from Land Use Consultants (landscape architects), Ian Jupp from HuntleyCartwright (quantity surveyors), Toby Maclean from Tall Engineers (structural engineering), Neil Daffin from Max Fordham (services engineering) and artist enabler Ashley McCormick.

The scheme will be delivered by Spring 2013 … we can’t wait to get started!

erect to design community spaces at Grove Farm

2011-12-08T23:11:00.000Z

erect architecture has just won a mini competition to design the community spaces in the new Grove Farm Development in Barking and Dagenham. We are excited! It will allow us to develop our ideas on inhabitation and informal play in a public realm setting, which is not play specific, and for an all ages usergroup.

First Look at Kennington Park

2011-11-14T12:03:00.001Z

The Kennington Park adventure playground, play centre and One o'clock Club, Lambeth, is featured in the current edition of Building Design (11/11/11) as this week's 'First Look'.

See www.bdonline.co.uk for full article.

Shortlisted for Olympic Park North Hub and Playground Competition!

2011-11-14T11:55:00.001Z

erect architecture are one of five architectural practices shortlisted for the Olympic Park North Hub and Playground competition, which is featured on the front cover of this week's Building Design.

For a look at all five submissions follow the link.

Try and guess which one is ours!

erect architecture featured in europaconcorsi blog

2011-11-09T11:49:00.000Z

Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playground and Playcentre, Norwood Park Water Play and Evelyn Court Play Area are all featured on the europaconcorsi design blog.

Upcoming lecture at Oxford Brookes University

2011-09-07T10:25:00.003+01:00

The Oxford Architecture Society invited erect architecture to talk about our work:
'Processes', Thursday, October 27th, 6.30pm.

Three Mills Playspace competition finalists

2011-09-05T12:33:00.004+01:00

erect architecture are one of four finalists for the Three Mills Green Playspace Competition. The competition is being organised by The Architecture Foundation on behalf of a partnership including the Olympic Park Legacy Company, The Legacy List charity and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Kilburn Adventure Playcentre takes part in London Open House

2011-09-02T14:09:00.001+01:00

The Kilburn Adventure Playcentre will take part in London's Open House programme on September 17th and 18th. It will be open from 11am to 5pm on both days. Children will lead guided tours across the site. The client will be there for Q&A. Apart from normal play there will also be model making activities for children.

S Norwood Hill Children's Centre shortlisted for 3R Award

2011-08-19T16:22:00.004+01:00

The 3R Awards (Refurb, Rethink, Retrofit) reward and celebrate design, engineering and construction excellence that prolongs the active life of buildings and infrastructure, helping the lower energy/lower carbon agenda.

Taking Root - Taking Part: Event at Camden Arts Centre

2011-08-08T10:47:00.006+01:00

As part of erect architecture's residency at the Camden Arts Centre we have invited five experts (artists and scientists) to produce a piece about the wild edges of the garden at the centre. There will be short presentations, walks led by the artists, discussion and mapping. The event will inform the nature trail, which we are conceiving as part of our residency together with artist Ashley McCormick.

Please spread the news about the event on Saturday, August 20th. The more people there the better for a lively exchange.

The event is free, but places are limited and Camden Art Centre are taking bookings on 020 7472 5500 or find the link here: camdenartscentre.org.

Finalists at the Architects of the Year Awards - erect architecture

2011-08-03T15:38:00.007+01:00

erect architecture are finalists in the category 'Education'. A year after our Commendation at the Young Architects of the Year Awards we are suddenly finding ourselves in the very illustrious company of household names. The award will be given to the best body of education projects in the primary and secondary school sector. We have to wait until November however...

S Norwood Hill Centre shortlisted for Brick Awards

2011-08-03T15:31:00.002+01:00

erect architecture featured in new publication "Urban Playground Spaces"

2011-08-02T11:55:00.004+01:00

Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playpark and Playcentre, Norwood Park Waterplay Playground (see image) and Evelyn Court Play Area are all featured in "Urban Playground Spaces" published by Monsa.

The Lawns Play Area opens

2011-07-20T16:17:00.000+01:00

The Lawns Play Area in Upper Norwood is now open to the public!

Sth Norwood Hill Children's Centre featured in BD

2011-07-14T12:20:00.008+01:00

The South Norwood Hill Children's Centre at Cypress Schools in Croydon has been featured in this week's Building Design's Building Study. See here for a link to the BDonline website with the article written by Oliver Wainwright, available to BD subscribers.

Shortlisted for Battersea Arts Centre

2011-06-08T14:54:00.000+01:00

erect architecture has been shortlisted for the remodelling of the Battersea Arts Centre.

RIBA Award for Kilburn Adventures

2011-05-19T17:00:00.007+01:00

We are thrilled!
And it came with Buck's Fizz and (spot the detail ... RIBA) cupcakes!

It was a wonderful team, who achieved this: LB Camden (client), Developing Projects (project managers), Tall Engineers (structural engineers), Huntley Cartwright (QS), The Quoin Consultancy (CDM), The Building Exploratory (legacy project), Kier Wallis (main contractor), Apes at Play (subcontractor playstructures).

Notre Dame play area gets planning permission

2011-05-09T09:53:00.004+01:00

We have just received planning permission for the redevelopment of the play area on the Notre Dame Estate as part of the Play Pathfinder scheme in Lambeth. This scheme has been developed through a series of consultations with local residents, and is to provide a central play structure and a nest swing, as well as landscaping to complement the adjacent listed Orangery building.

erect is now a RIBA Chartered Practice

2011-05-01T11:12:00.002+01:00

erect longlisted for WAN 21 for 21

2011-04-13T10:22:00.000+01:00

which will be a selection of 21 leading emerging practices (internationally) to watch in the 21st century. The award is run by World Architecture News. See here for the full longlist.

Playground in Clapton Common nearing completion

2011-04-13T10:03:00.000+01:00

Kilburn shortlisted for RIBA Awards 2011

2011-03-31T15:48:00.001+01:00

The Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playcentre has been shortlisted for this year's RIBA Awards. The decision will be announced on May 19th.

Architecture Today features Kilburn play scheme

2011-03-29T11:09:00.004+01:00

Mark Dudek considers our play scheme in the wider context of play in the city as well as current politics. Click here to be directed to the article in this month's AT.

Dexter Road APG update event

2011-03-25T17:19:00.005Z

Prior to submitting the planning application for Dexter Road Adventure Playground we held a public event on site. We presented our final proposal in light of the changes to the funding. (Click on image to enlarge)

The proposal was developed following the list of priorities set out by the users. It focuses on:

Modernising the current building and the provision of an external canopy. The building will allow the APG to support local community activities and provide a more welcoming, greener entrance to the site as well as a large sheltered outdoor area.
The design development of the play structures. Some images of our study models are below.

The concentration of the play structures in the central area and the provision of a large green open space. This will allow further development and expansion of the structures in the future as more funding becomes available.

Playscapes blog

2011-03-23T15:50:00.001Z

For those following play projects ... there is a great little resource, which frequently manages to brighten up our inbox ... the playscapes blog. It now also features a discussion forum, where tips can be exchanged.

Cypress Children Centre completes

2011-03-15T17:00:00.008Z

For more images and information go to projects.

Kennington Park Play Centre submitted for planning

2011-02-09T11:13:00.004Z

erect architecture in residence at Camden Arts Centre

2011-02-04T17:39:00.006Z

erect architecture will be in residence at the Camden Arts Centre. Together with artist Ashley McCormick we will explore the wild spaces of the Garden at the Centre throughout the next year.
Taking Root will kickstart with a family day on Sunday April 10th - inspired by the exhibition of Arte Povera artist Pino Pascali.

Kilburn South Proposal invited by Architecture Foundation

2011-02-03T16:23:00.000Z

The Architecture Foundation invited erect architecture to prepare a proposal to turn council premises (a single storey cabin building) into an exciting hub for regeneration in Kilburn South. Our inhabited wall of vertical allotments and a cafe would change through people's interventions (the design went hand in hand with a community engagement and building project) as the project went on. It created an exciting new facade to the cabins and communicated the ongoing change afar. For the winning proposal klick here.

The crooked house is taking shape

2011-02-02T22:53:00.001Z

erect architecture at BSEC

2011-01-31T17:54:00.000Z

erect architecture has been chosen to participate in a Charette 'Design my Learning Space Live' at this years Building Schools Exhibition & Conference BSEC, which runs from 24-25. February at ExCel.

Broadway Market completes

2011-01-28T19:03:00.000Z

Our Room for London - A weather(vane)

2010-12-07T12:00:00.009Z

Perched on the roof edge of the Queen Elizabeth Hall our room is a weather vane. It rotates in the wind and changes its views accordingly. It celebrates the exposure to the elements, which is often kept out of cities.

Not only does the weather determine the view inside the vane, it also talks about the weather to the city. Its shiny presence reflects its surroundings, sky and city during the day, lights during the night.

The room is about views. In prevailing wind conditions, the picture window in the tail allows the lounging visitors to enjoy views onto St Paul’s cathedral. The panoramic window in its nose opens up across the river down to Big Ben to the left. When the wind changes the views change. Each stay in the vane will be determined by the conditions of the day.

Near the site of the Festival of Britain the weather vane re-enacts some of the experimental and futuristic spirit of the history behind the Southbank location.

Rumour has it that over 500 entries were submitted for the Artangel/ Living Architecture...

Special Commendation for erect architecture at Young Architect of the Year Awards

2010-11-08T23:09:00.008Z

Building Design called it 'the closest-run competition in years': After 3 hours of deliberation the jury awarded us second place with a special commendation for our 'impressive body of built work'. BD quoted jury member Fran Tonkiss of the LSE: 'These are socially engaged, very useful buildings for real clients, showing great sensitivity for materials.'

We are thrilled about the commendation, which has only been awarded for the second time in the history of the YAYA.

Vote for Dexter Road APG

2010-11-03T14:45:00.005Z

Local residents please get voting (Band 3 - Option C) for more funding to be allocated to works to the Adventure Playground in Dexter Road! A new canopy and an under 5s area will be added to the project. New play structures will explore the history of the site, which was heavily implicated in the Brixton Riots. The structures echo the previous urban fabric playing with issues of domesticity and public life.

Autumn impressions in Kilburn Grange Park

2010-11-02T21:48:00.000Z

We went back to see the adventure playground in autumn. We found it merging into the park. Materials are weathering to become a continuation of the surroundings, structures play with bare trees and colours with autumn leaves, vistas open to enable renewed discoveries and tweak the character of spaces.
We were also excited to see the biodiversity roof of the play centre is indeed flourishing. It was designed to be an extension of the landscape. The plants now emphasize the undulation of the zinc roof edge - the manmade topography, which contains the (eventually hopefully quite) wild growth.

erect architecture presents work at Architecture Foundation

2010-10-09T10:26:00.001+01:00

On 1 November all five finalists for the 2010 Young Architect of the Year Award will speak about their work at the Architecture Foundation. The event starts at 7pm.
The winner of the award will be announced on 4 November.

erect architecture finalists for Young Architect of the Year Award

2010-10-08T10:30:00.012+01:00

October 7th was big: We not only won the international Making Space Children's Award, but were also shortlisted for the Young Architect of the Year Award. What a day!
Click hear for more info and the full YAYA 2010 shortlist.

Kilburn Grange Park Adventure wins international Children's Making Space Award

2010-10-08T09:57:00.004+01:00

We are very honoured to have won the international award given every 5 years. Even more so as it is awarded by children - the very people the project was conceived with and for. We could not think of a bigger compliment for the adventure playcentre and playground. At the end of a project with much creative involvement of young people it feels like it has come full cycle.
More soon on the judging process and hopefully a link to the film the children's jury made about the selection process, which outlines their criteria for a successful project for young people.
A total of 75 schemes were submitted originating from 26 countries. Our project also received a commendation for the Making Space Architecture Award.

Planning Submitted for Streatham Common Play Space

2010-09-14T17:13:00.011+01:00

Planning has been submitted for the proposed play space on Streatham Common! Following consultation with users of the Common and the Friends of Streatham Common a design has been developed that allows play to occur in and around the canopy of three enchanting mature oak trees.

It is also intended that the play space forms part of a wider educational experience for the mature Oak woodland.

Kennington Park consultation coming up

2010-09-08T17:04:00.006+01:00

Public consultation for the new Adventure Playground and One O'Clock Club in Kennington Park will take place on 9th of September from 17.00 to 20.00 and on 10th and 11th of September from 10.00 to 13.00 at St Agnes Church. Come and have your say!

Notre Dame playground submitted for planning

2010-09-08T13:19:00.013+01:00

A planning application has now been submitted for Notre Dame playground. Preceeding the submission were positive consultations with residents, which fed into our designs for a "Frankenstein" tree structure and informal landscaping. The project is part of the Play Pathfinder programme in Lambeth.

Kilburn Adventure playground shortlisted for Making Space 2010 Awards

2010-09-02T19:37:00.002+01:00

The international award is given every 5 years to the best architecture and design project for young people. The winner will be announced during the award dinner on October 7th in Edinburgh. For more information, also on the two day conference, see Play in Scotland's website.

Topping out at Cypress Children Centre

2010-08-26T08:34:00.000+01:00

Work Continues on Streatham Common Play Space

2010-08-19T15:00:00.001+01:00

We have been busy surveying the trees on Streatham Common and we think it's turning out rather well; here are some of our photographs. Look out for a planning application being submitted soon.

Roly-poly at Studio in the Woods 2010

2010-07-19T09:36:00.003+01:00

Studio in the Woods is an annual summer school, which explores architecture, landscape and importantly making. This year we traveled to the Isle of Wight where we spent the weekend - in the baking sun - rolling down (and walking up!) the hillside whilst weaving our roly-poly. Other groups' projects were a solar mirror, a wigwam, a treehouse and a horizon platform. For more reports of the event see Architecture Today, the Emap Blog or Building Design. Studio in the Woods was originally conceived by Piers Taylor of Mitchell Taylor Workshop and this year held in collaboration with the Isle of Wight Architecture Centre.

erect architecture at Streatham Big Day Out

2010-07-03T17:00:00.000+01:00

erect architecture have been involved in the Streatham Big Day out, and have taken the opportunity of this art and cultural extravaganza to showcase our new proposal for a play space on the common.

We asked local residents to draw their dream play spaces and comment on our design for an educational play space that engages with three beautiful oak trees and the mature woodland on the East of the common.

Ideal Learning Spaces exhibition opens at Chingford Foundation School

2010-06-23T21:41:00.004+01:00

Our exhibition in Chingford Foundation School opened yesterday with a talk to the teacher assembly, which outlined the ideas their students have for a new improved school environment.

The project was an investigation into the nature of great spaces for learning to constitute a brief for the planned renewal of the school.

On a trip to London yr7 and 6^th form students were inspired by spaces, which may lend themselves for learning. We then explored the ideas we collected to formulate ideal learning spaces and applied those proposals to improve the existing spaces within the school. The students were introduced to methods of spatial planning, aspects of architecture and learned ways of analyzing architectural situations as well as making spatial proposals. They used different techniques of working and communicating ideas such as sketches, collages and physical models – all tools of the architect or spatial designer.

The ideas and a manifesto for a new school were presented to the school in form of an exhibition as well as spatial interventions illustrating the proposals.

Adventure playground opens

2010-06-01T20:29:00.001+01:00

Despite pouring rain a crowd gathered to storm into the playground the second the drawbridge was lowered. It was a busy and wild day exploring the new facilities. The climbing structure was the biggest hit, but first steps were made to experience and transform the site through free-running with Parkour Generations, making bird boxes as well as roof-seeding with self-built catapults.

Kilburn Grange Park Adventures opens

2010-05-19T17:23:00.000+01:00

It is rapidly approaching completion...
The Kilburn Grange Park adventure playground and play centre will open on Saturday, 29th May.
The afternoon (12 and 4pm) will packed with treasure hunting, free running (with Parkour Generations), roof seeding (with big catapults), making things, simply exploring the facilities and much more. Come along and be adventurous!

Studio in the Woods this year on the Isle of Wight

2010-04-26T19:35:00.008+01:00

It has always been such a great event, hence erect architecture and many other practices will again be running groups during Studio in the Woods this year. It is the intense event of the year where we all get full on stuck in and explore architecture through making of structures, which we design in reponse to the site. The event is accompanied by lectures and discussions.
Excitingly it will be hosted by the Isle of Wight Architecture Centre this year so please see their website for more details.

2010-03-27T21:51:00.004Z

Keenly observed by the client, this clean-lines, no-frills glass extension to a basement flat in West London is nearing completion.

erect is now CHAS registered

2010-03-27T21:32:00.004Z

It was a lot of work, but erect architecture have now been CHAS assessed and we are pleased to say that we are compliant designers. CHAS vets Health and Safety methods and procedures of professionals.

Design My Learning Space Live!

2010-03-27T13:58:00.010Z

A hub of creativity and the BSEC 2010 (Building Schools Exhibition and Conference)

Students and teachers from 10 BSF schools teamed up with 10 young architecture practices to explore design ideas. The event was organised by Surface to Air in conjunction with EC Harris, Building Magazine and the RIBA Young Practitioners Panel.

Together with six keen students from Hounslow Manor School we explored the school’s ambitious brief focusing on accommodating different learning styles and facilitating communication within the school and with the wider community. Our design looked at:

- adaptable teaching spaces suitable for different group sizes and types of learning, with display opportunities to communicate ideas and project outcomes

- active circulation zones with small-scale learning and break-out spaces

- a generous and centrally located hub and meeting/studying space housing different functions for school and wider community, from e-learning café, event space to everyday study zones

- a welcoming entrance area communicating the school’s ethos and

- external spaces inspiring outdoor learning and socialising and offering a range of creative, healthy living activities for break and lesson time.

The jury highly commended our designs and we enjoyed a bottle of champagne after a fun, hectic, full-on day in the Excel Centre.

The builders call it 'The Crooked House'

2010-03-26T20:11:00.006Z

The name becomes gradually more obvious as the steelwork proceeds. Once the new dormer is in the crooked house will be properly crooked.

Kilburn climbing frame taking shape

2010-03-22T20:33:00.001Z

Bold and daring in areas, cozy and hidden in others such as the birdsnest hidden in the yew tree (skeleton visible above): The big climbing structure in the Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playground is taking shape. The structures are exploring playing in and under trees. The big climbing tree will be craned in next week... See also for weekly updates on flickr.

Kilburn play centre celebrates topping up

2010-03-19T20:39:00.001Z

Though we seem to have missed the actual ceremony (was there one?), we are very excited to see the new play centre now progressing fast. It was great to enter the fully enclosed building for the first time and seeing all these thoughts built, the space is alive! For weekly updates on the entire site and external views see also the link on flickr.

Cyress Children Centre on site

2010-02-05T18:54:00.004Z

Works for the Cypress Children Centre have started on site. A new building will wrap around the existing nursery, which will also be comprehensively refurbished. Works are due to complete in August 2010.
The children centre is the first phase of the remodelling of Cypress Infant School, a competition erect architecture won in 2007.

Lambeth playgrounds on site

2010-01-11T16:23:00.000Z

Construction has begun on several playgrounds in Lambeth as part of the Play Pathfinder programme. Amongst it is a large inclusive waterplay park in Norwood Park which offers creative and co-operative play. The water park will be dominated by a new water storage tower, drawing people from afar.

Ground broken for play centre in Kilburn Grange Park

2010-01-07T18:07:00.001Z

Ground has been broken for the adventure playground and play centre in Kilburn Grange Park, the old cabins are gone.
We are taking weekly photos of the progress, which can be seen on
www.flickr.com/photos/exploringadventure

erect architecture wins Best Primary School Design Prize

2009-11-26T18:20:00.001Z

It was a full-speed-steaming-heads Charette day in the beautiful Fulham Palace ... and many proud people at the end: erect architecture and children and parents from Larmenier and Sacred Heart Primary School (Hammersmith) won the best Primary School Design Prize at the Hammersmith and Fulham Schools Design Conference. The original brief was to design a new storage system for the hall. After a discussion and analysis session it became clear that the issues were wider: A solution was needed to resolve the school's restrictions posed by an overbooked hall. The proposal was to create a new sheltered multifunctional outdoor space adjacent to the hall, which can be used for events, lunching, classes, breaktimes and PE. The design was strongly influenced by the mature trees, which dominate the school grounds. The proposals for the built structures were presented in form of drawings, models and sketches ... and weren't the pupils creative in their model building?

Planning permission for Adventure Playground

2009-11-02T18:04:00.001Z

Planning permission was granted for the adventure playground in Kilburn Grange Park. Start on site is scheduled for 7.12.2009.

Planning permission for Cypress Children Centre

2009-09-09T17:52:00.001+01:00

Planning permission has been granted for the Cypress Children Centre. The centre constitutes the first phase of the extension and refurbishment of Cypress Infant School, a competition erect architecture won in 2008. The new building embraces an existing pitch roof nursery building. The newbuild picks up on the typology and continues the roofscape. Internally the roofscape defines and characterises the rooms, visual diagonals are created and diagonal views opened up to enlarge and enliven the spaces and create a relationship with the beautiful surrounding woodlands. The works are scheduled to start on site at the beginning of 2010.

Planning submitted for Adventure Playground

2009-09-07T13:18:00.004+01:00

Planning has been submitted for the adventure playground in Kilburn Grange Park. The above image shows a concept model of the climbing frame. Throughout the scheme the design centres around trees. (Hi)stories, experiences, but also manufacturing processes influenced the proposal.

For more information about the proposed scheme please contact Susanne on t: 020 70332779 or e: st@erectarchitecture.co.uk.

The playground will open in spring 2010.

Overwhelming public support for Kilburn Grange Park adventure playground

2009-07-17T18:10:00.000+01:00

Following a month long period of workshops with children and the public in general, erect architecture prepared a concept design for the adventure playground. The outline proposals were consulted with the public during the Kilburn Festival last Sunday. Throughout the day we spoke to more than 60 adults. Everybody was in support of the scheme. A few voices emerged in support of the sustainable aspects of the scheme: Habitat creation and the use of sustainable materials. The public also took a keen interest in the different boundary treatments, which range from planting and a haha to a climbing frame usable from inside the playground as well as the park. It was important that we avoid imposing fences.
Throughout the afternoon Parkour Generations run very popular free-running workshops in the park with participants ranging from 5 to 40 years of age.
The Building Exploratory run creative workshops making sunprints and shadow sculptures.
Even local MP Glenda Jackson popped in - attracted by the geodesic dome structures outside our marquee, which were built by the children during the structural workshop two weeks ago. She was very supportive of our efforts to encourage children to take more controlled risks during play (and the free-running workshops run by Parkour Generations) as well as the explorative aspect of the workshops and the models and structures produced by the children during the natural and structural workshops.
If you have not seen the scheme but would like to get involved and voice your opinion please get in touch (email st@erectarchitecture.co.uk or t.020 7033 2779) and we will post you the current plans.

Studio in the Woods 2009

2009-07-14T12:44:00.005+01:00

It's a shame it flies by so quickly...Each year, during three intensive days in the woods, architecture students explore space through formulating a site specific response and very importantly the process of making of their proposition.
After having observed the amount of wasteage during the wood cutting process in the previous year, we set the group the task to work with waste only. We soon settled for a site in the grid of a 25yr old managed forest - drawn by the lack of romanticism and human scale. The trees are originally planted at a 2m grid. During its life all low level branches are continuously removed to encourage straight growth and obtain better timber after felling. This results in a high canopy sheltering a very bare ground. After a morning investigating the grid and its strong sight lines we settled on a design. During the mapping process we realised that the forest appeared much more gridded than it actually was. We decided to draw emphasis to the incompleteness of the perceived grid (the trees which had been felled during the forest management process). A canopy was set out along the existing sight lines. It drew support from the trees, but sagged where trees were missing, disturbing its regularity and giving it its organic shape. Branches of already felled trees were used to weave the structure entirely without any mechanical fixings. The woven canopy was finally raised towards the natural canopy far up - and set disturbingly just below headheight of the visitor.
When light fell through the canopies late in the afternoon a play of light and shadow dissolved the weave and the space beneath.

Studio in the Woods is organised by MitchellTaylorWorkshop. The groups were tutored by Piers Taylor & Mole Architects, Gianni Botsford Architects & Kate Darby Architects, Toby Lewis, and erect architecture.

Nature as adventure

2009-06-26T17:43:00.000+01:00

It got very messy! During a creative workshop the children experimented making things with natural materials. The children produced amazing models of landscapes and shelters. Many techniques were tested. A straw re-inforced adobe roof (we had to study to learn that!) and a woven roof were particularly impressive, but so was the cave and rock landscape ... and the waterscape ... and the wilderness, ... and watching the many muddy hands making them.

The workshop was run by erect architecture and formed part of the consultation process for the adventure playground in Kilburn Grange Park.

Adventurous structures

2009-06-25T17:26:00.002+01:00

A structural workshop happened yesterday for the Kilburn Grange Park adventure playground. The children first learned basic structural principles. After sketching proposals for structures they went on to put into practice what they had learned in the morning and build large scale models in the park, on the grounds of the future adventure playground. All structures were features the children imagined as part of the adventure playground: A tunnel was entered via a Magnolia tree, a jagged slide descended in circles around a fruit tree, a dome-den showed great structural discipline (Buckminster Fuller would have loved it!). A very poetic treehouse was completed by the leafy canopy of another Magnolia tree, a bridge was built across the path and a tower erected so tall that our structural engineer Toby could not reach the top (and he is 2.00m tall!).
The workshop was run by Tall Engineers, erect architecture and The Building Exploratory.
All structures, which survived the very intensive testing (the tunnel exploded due to overcrowding), are on show in the yard of the old nursery building.

Ian Law exhibits portraits

2009-06-25T10:17:00.000+01:00

Our favourite model maker has turned painter ... his paintings are on show next week, details above. We are looking forward to see his work.

Cranston Estate playground opens!

2009-06-19T13:36:00.003+01:00

Yesterday our new playground opened with much gusto in Cranston Estate, Hackney. At the core of the estate erect architecture created a new play and meet hub for the community. The design defined different degrees of nature: From the left alone to the tamed, to machined and worked natural materials. The design allows for different degrees of transformation by the users. Throughout the design process we had worked with the children to intruduce playing in nature and with natural materials. And...the first dens are now popping up around the bushy edge.

Adventures with Parkour Generations

2009-06-19T13:23:00.003+01:00

This week young people explored adventure during two workshops with Parkour Generations. Jumping up walls, over big bolders, balancing along railings and many other things challenged the children to take (controlled) risks, learn to move in ways never explored before and explore their built environment differently.
The sessions were part of the engagement and design process for the Kilburn Grange Park adventure playground (more details below).

What is adventure?

2009-06-15T11:52:00.004+01:00

It was a great sunny afternoon when the Kilburn Grange Adventure Playground project kickstarted on site last Thursday. During the public consultation the young people (and adults) turned their ideas about adventure into signs, which were put up in the park afterwards.
Too many great ones to all mention them in this blog but above is one of our favourites (and...'hero inside you' and...'into the wild' and...'mountains' and...'hidden spaces' and...'lost' and...)

Be adventurous! Get involved in the making of a new adventure playground for Kilburn Grange Park

2009-06-05T17:47:00.005+01:00

erect architecture, Parkour Generations and The Building Exploratory are leading free, fun creative workshops in Kilburn Grange Park:

What is Adventure?
Thursday 11th June, 3.30-8pm, everyone welcome
- explore what it takes to design and build an adventure playground
- make statements and signs to share your ideas about and experiences of adventure
- explore what the new Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playground could be and share your comments

Movement as Adventure
Tuesday, 16th June, 3.45-5.45pm open to 7-11yr olds*
Thursday 18th June, 4.30-6.30pm open to12-14yr olds*
- explore adventurous ways of moving throughout Kilburn Grange Park with Parkour Generations
(If you don’t know who they are – have a look www.parkourgenerations.com - you will be amazed!)
Wear any training clothes and basic running shoes. Bring water.

Nature as Adventure
Wednesday, 24.6.09, 4-6.30pm for 7-14yr olds
- explore adventurous building methods to make shelters and structures with natural materials.
Wear suitable clothes as you might get a bit mucky.

Kilburn Festival
Sunday 12th July 1pm-5pm
- see the results of the creative workshops and the ways participants have informed design proposals for the new Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playground
- share your comments
- make sunprints and bricolage
- explore adventurous ways of moving throughout Kilburn Grange Park with Parkour Generations*

All events are happening in and around the old nursery building (near the tennis courts).

* In order for unaccompanied children to take part, parents will need to complete a parental consent form, which you can obtain by calling us on the number below.

If you don’t have the chance to come along but want to share your comments email Susanne: st@erectarchitecture.co.uk or call 020 7033 2779.

Ian Law will be showing his paintings

2009-06-01T17:57:00.002+01:00

One of our favourite model makers is moving to Berlin. Alles Gute! But before he leaves there will be an exhibition of his paintings. Where? He will let us know soon. In the meantime - above a little taster.

Play at BodySpaceMotion

2009-06-01T11:43:00.001+01:00

Playing and adventure: There are still a few days left to explore a play on a different scale in the turbine hall of the Tate Modern. Robert Morris' 1971 exhibition BodySpaceMotion features giant seesaws, tubes to roll around with, spaces to squeeze yourself up into. The exhibition lasts until June 14th.

Kilburn Grange Park Adventure Playground Events

2009-05-29T17:44:00.005+01:00

Consultation events and creative workshops for the new Adventure Playground will be starting soon. We are also planning free-running sessions with Parkour (www.parkourgenerations.com) for 8-13 year olds. The dates of the events will be published here in the next few days. In the meantime - have a little ponder:
What was your favourite adventure? What is adventure?

Competition win: Camden Adventure Playground

2009-05-18T10:36:00.002+01:00

erect architecture won! Consultation for the new Camden Adventure Playground, which includes a play centre, is starting now. More details soon.

Bootstrap Buildings Dalston re-open

2009-05-13T13:04:00.012+01:00

Bootstrap Company celebrated the completion of the works to Printhouse and Fitzroy House last Friday. The opening party was so well attended that our designs were nearly invisible amongst all the people ... but we are not complaining: The buildings are turning into a lively and creative hub. It is great to see how the transformation impacts on the streetlife on Ashwin Street, which has become a popular refuge just off Kingsland High Street.
(We have also been told that Cafe Oto puts on great gigs...)

Shortlisted for Camden Adventure Playground and Centre

2009-04-22T12:40:00.002+01:00

erect architecture has just been shortlisted for the Camden Adventure Playground and Centre, but until we know the result we will sit tight on the details. The other shortlisted are muf architecture art and Kinnear Landscape Architects.

Exploring - with the users: What is play? Processes featured in Building Design's Drawing Board.

2009-02-11T12:10:00.006Z

This week's (Feb 09, 2009, issue 24) Building Design Drawing Board focuses on two of erect architecture's recent playground projects, Found Sound and Cranston Estate. In the interview we discuss our methods of involving users in exploration and design from the very beginning, appropriating forgotten spaces and found objects to widen the brief as well as challenge and expand the conception of play and the site. The process not only instills a sense of ownership but during the workshops the participants obtain skills which allow them to change and add to the playgrounds in the future.
See BDonline for the full article.

RIBA Design for Education Charette

2009-02-10T14:08:00.001Z

erect architecture was selected to take part in the Design for Education Charette, which took place at the RIBA on Feb 6th.
Our clients for the day were 4 year 7 pupils from Southfields Community College in Wandsworth, a 1400 pupil secondary school also offering an extensive range of adult education classes as well as community facilities.
During a long and intense day we made a proposal for the re-design of the external school grounds. The formulation of shared use spaces for school and community as well as measures to create a social environment whilst deterring the formation of gangs were at the centre of our investigations.

Found Sound - a musical instrument

2009-02-04T11:52:00.000Z

From the outset of the Old Ford Primary playground project, erect architecture were keen to involve children into the conception and building of their playgrounds. We wanted this involvement to go beyond producing children's drawings and talking about it. It was important for us to include an element of learning and spatial awareness. We had proposed to create a Musical Instrument, which was to be conceived and built in a series of experimental workshops with yr 2 pupils once the playground was complete. How did we go about it?

A brief introductory talk supported by video clips demonstrated the creation of sound through experimenting with found objects. The pupils went on to experiment with different sounds and techniques using many collected, recycled and found objects. The sounds were soon to be focused on expressing emotions: happy, sad, excited, calm, scary (tying in with the curriculum: ‘Who am I?’ ‘What are my emotions?’ ). During the following session the children built small installations to explore these emotional sounds spatially.
Based on these installations, erect architecture proposed a concept for the final built piece: Found objects were to be suspended within a cube to define four different emotional spaces: The open happy space challenging children to jump in order to reach bright sounding objects is followed by the curved low anticipation tunnel with ambiguous sounds. In a surprise moment, the tunnel opens up into the tall and sombre calm space, complete with chair and tree&sky view. Different floor finishes support the different sound qualities. The children mocked up the volumes of the three different spaces according to their spatial requirements (’How tall does it need to be to be reached by jumping?’) whilst the frame was erected by an artist/contractor. After exploring the sound quality of the found objects, the children placed the sound objects within the frame and assisted the suspending of the objects. The opening performance is pending...

'Processes' - Upcoming lectures

2009-01-27T16:21:00.002Z

'Processes' will be the topic of our upcoming lectures at Bath University (Thu, 29.1., 6.30pm) and Plymouth University (Thu, 12.2., 6.30pm). We will be looking at projects on our drawing board, talking about developing stories and engagement.

Studio in the Woods 2009

2009-01-27T12:14:00.000Z

It was such an inspiring event last year (see participation for pictures of last year's badger seat) ... we are going back! erect architecture will be taking part in the SitW2009, the 4th annual Studio in the Woods for architects and students from 9. -12. July.
During a long weekend site specific installations will be designed and explored through construction. SitW will take place in the beautiful countryside around Kemerton in Gloucestershire. Other tutors include MitchellTaylor Workshop, Mole Architects, Gianni Botsford and Kate Darby. Visiting critics will be Ted Cullinan, Peter Clegg and Charley Brentnall.
The studio is organized by MitchellTaylorWorkshop. For more info and registration form see www.mitchelltaylorworkshop.co.uk/studio.asp

Playing AND Exploring -- Welcome shift in policy making

2009-01-03T12:46:00.006Z

We always believed in it and sometimes had to fight hard for it: Playing and the need for exploring, creativity, challenge and adventure…and nature.
From our very first playground, Haggerston Park, we designed playspaces following these core beliefs. Now they are official…and being listened to! Increasingly clients request playgrounds, which follow the Play for England Guidance: Design for Play. This guidance emphasizes the need for children to play in natural environments, which provide a scope for discovery and re-interpretation. Play should be challenging and enriching.
We think this is an exciting and encouraging development, which will, aided by recently released funding streams, overhaul many British playgrounds in the very near future. Gone are the days of metal slapped on tarmac approach. Imaginative play, natural materials and more challenge is what is asked for.
In a current project, the Cranston Estate project, we took these objectives to the people from the very outset. To introduce the children to natural materials we went with into the grounds of the adventure playground and collected existing natural materials with which the children made their own explorative model proposals for the new playground. The objectives were to introduce the children to natural materials as well as to architectural processes, enabling them to understand and express their own ideas for the new playground or elements thereof. When we presented our concept design to the community during an event, we lured the residents into the green fringes of the site. Adventure trails led past improvised dens to the site where first design proposals were exhibited and consultation took place. The arrangement asked the community to explore and understand the existing in order to envisage the new. Whilst we consulted with older children and adult residents, a den building workshop engaged the younger ones.

Semi-detached, postwar ... and sustainable?

2008-10-08T21:37:00.003+01:00

Yes! erect architecture have just been commissioned to transform a postwar semi-detached house in East London into a low carbon, sustainable home.

Cast-aways set different scene

2008-10-08T20:42:00.009+01:00

Just after the stranding on the island the cast-aways had to discover they were not the only ones there. A travel agent already flogged low carbon holidays on the undiscovered paradise island and was not amused by the arrival of the shipwrecked. For the stranded however, island survival life kicked in. A shelter was quickly erected, animals fended off (immediately marketed by the canny agent as the paradise island safari park). Messages in bottles were sent via passers-by, enticing people outside venues on the surrounding mainland to take up different forms of communication with the island. The call for rescue culminated in a SOS dance, which proved successful as all returned safely to erect architecture's studio for rum punch to discuss the event.

For many (including ourselves) it was a brave thing to do, using this public space (a traffic island) in such a deliberately different way, interacting and provoking, re-imagining space. We were astonished by the numbers of people happy to join in, some even inventing their own roles and takes (such as the travel agent) to the event.
Not only did the event inspire very curious moments, it also made some others, who could not attend the event (so we got told), spend time on the island afterwards imagining what the inhabitation of this space could be like. Intriguing and almost tempting not to go through with the actual event next time (after much noise about it happening beforehand to get the imagination spinning) - only to keep the imagination open and not limit the possibilities by creating closure through the event itself. But then, we are architects, not nihilists...and we do like a bit of strangeness and fun.

Cast-away was erect architecture's contribution the London Open House's GreenSkyStudios programme.

Cast-away

2008-09-19T11:01:00.023+01:00

erect architecture has revealed the theme for the GreenSkyStudio exploration: Cast-away.
Cast-away is an impromptu play exploring the drama of public space. Set on a traffic island in Shoreditch cast-away scenes are played out - responsive to the environment and its people. Cast-away inspires a different experience and inhabitation of the existing public space.

Colourful thank-you

2008-09-19T11:01:00.022+01:00

Shortly after our new playground opened at Old Ford Primary School a fat envelope arrived at erect architecture's studio filled with the most colourful self-made thank you cards from the pupils......very touching. Some children had immediately incorporated the new play experience into their card designs. The cross threw us - did the climbing experience feel rather challenging or was it inspired by the tall mounds? The teachers assured us of the latter.

Upcoming lectures

2008-09-19T11:01:00.018+01:00

erect architecture will give talks at
University of Bath on January 29th, 2009 (Barbara Kaucky and Susanne Tutsch)
Plymouth University on February 12th, 2009 (Susanne Tutsch)

GreenSkyStudios

2008-09-12T13:25:00.013+01:00

erect architecture will be part of the London Open House's Green Sky Studio programme on sustainability: 'From 24. to 26. September London's up-and-coming and established architects will be inviting you into their studios to reveal how they are helping to design a greener world.'

Sustainability for us goes beyond green credentials. It is about engaging users in a meaningful and challenging way...whilst having fun.
During the day, our recent work will be on display in our studio. But then....
.....we will all go out for an impromptu play exploring drama of public space.
Refreshments as well as accessories will be available in our studio.

Do you dare? Friday, 26. September 2008. Studio open from 4pm to 6pm, leave for the exploration at 6pm. Bring enthusiasm.

Forest Playground nearing completion

2008-08-22T17:28:00.008+01:00

erect architecture's Forest Playground, phase 1 of a series of new playgrounds and structures for Old Ford Primary School in Tower Hamlets, is nearing completion. Activities, light, geometries and materials pick up on qualities of playing and being in the woods. One by one different landscapes and play experiences will transform the remaining playgrounds. Seeing it all coming together in quality, too, we are proud of our contractor! And...the guys on site seem to have developed an affection for it. We are now all looking forward to see the kids coming back to school and exploring this transformed space!

Studio in the Woods 2008

2008-07-11T14:56:00.026+01:00

All of us spent the weekend in the woods in Gloucestershire to … build things. Studio in the Woods is a weekend workshop for students and architects to construct experimental architectural installations designed to reveal an aspect of place.

Gianni Botsford and Kate Darby’s group spent the weekend in a large ditch surrounded by nosy cows. Grappling with the scale of the landscape, the group built a huge wooden truss formed by the topography of the ditch. On the final day all participants and tutors lifted, turned and placed the truss as a positive ‘cast’ further down the field. It was an awe inspiring experience of landscape and scale. See the video here
Piers Taylor and Meredith Bowles’ group cracked complex geometries stacking planks - without any mechanical fixing - to build a bird hide with exclusive views of the sky. Powerful and calm within the natural surroundings it now sits on a peninsula in the lake.
Toby Lewis’ group dived into the lake to ground their jetty. Beautifully detailed with seductive geometries, the installation connects the flatness of the lake with the vertical forest edge. It rises up high to offer a look-out seat in the trees. Not even put off by the prospect of having to lift (with bare hands) the final part into the trees at 4m height the group even carried on after most people had left.
And our group, we built a badger and sky (the badgers are rarely spotted) watching platform in a clearing in the woods….some called it positively ‘anarchic and pleasure driven’ – and so it was! (see: homepage > projects > participation > studio in the woods)
Talks and crits with Ted Cullinan, Peter Clegg and Charlie Brentnall were woven into the programme throughout the weekend, enthusing and inspiring.

Do we sound pathetically enthusiastic? Well those who were there know what a great experience it was.

Studio in the Woods is an annual event organized by Mitchell Taylor Workshop, see Mitchell Taylor Workshop's website for more pictures.

Studio In The Woods 2008

2008-05-13T12:35:00.002+01:00

erect architecture has been invited to participate in the Studio in the Woods, organized by Mitchell Taylor Workshop. The studio is a three day educational programme to encourage the development of an architectural agenda through the direct experience of construction. Students and tutors will, in the woods in Gloucestershire, construct experimental architectural installations designed to reveal an aspect of place…….We are very excited! All students (and architects) interested in roaming the woods for a few days discussing and making things, meeting people should sign up on the link above.