acanthus ferguson mann

Acanthus news

afm — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:23:07 +0000

In addition to his role as a director in the practice, Roger Goodliff has recently taken over as chairman of Acanthus Architects, the network of associated practices where Ferguson Mann is a member. Roger has been a board member since 2008. His first task has been to facilitate the new Acanthus website which is now live. To view visit- http://www.acanthus.co.uk

Lakeshore scoops Civic Trust Award

afm — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:47:31 +0000

Lakeshore, FMA's seminal conversion of Imperial Tobacco's HQ with Urban Splash scoops one of only two Civic Trust Awards for the South West Region. What the judges said……' Lakeshore's impact on the community should be considerable and long lasting….it is fitting that the scheme continues to uphold the fine architectural examples endowed by the Wills family. Overall the development is a jewel within this part of Bristol with landscaping that is as striking as the building.'

Lakeshore Official Launch

afm — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:57:17 +0000

Lakeshore launch celebration to be held in Bristol on Friday 1st March with a few words from Tom Bloxham, chairman of Urban Splash, Richard Hill of the Homes and Communities Agency and George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol and co-founder of Ferguson Mann Architects.

Topping out in Plymouth

afm — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:32:57 +0000

Cargo 2, the latest phase of our work at Millbay for English Cities Fund, was topped out at the end of 2012. This contemporary development of 34 apartments and 14 townhouses is being completed in the summer by Kier Construction with some of the apartments already sold.

Lakeshore hits headlines

afm — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:35:42 +0000

Lakeshore hits the headlines again with glowing review of it's eco credentials. Ground source heat pump installation working in tandem with heap pumps and bio mass boiler deliver nearly a 100% renewables strategy. See 'Architecture Today' article in EcoTech supplement page 10/11.

Multi purpose amphitheatre

afm — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:33:26 +0000

Ferguson Mann help community groups in Knowle West plan new amphitheatre on the northern slopes. Lead by Youth Moves youth and community worker Ben Carpenter a plan for a multi purpose amphitheatre performance space is emerging. The Wild Fest 2012 clip tells the story so far. Film clip

Going up on The Downs - an update

afm — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:57:53 +0000

Progress on site is now 'fever-pitch' with Simplyhealth's new offices progressing at a pace - the construction of the steel frame now clearly visible. Planning permission for this prominent headquarters office building was achieved by Ferguson Mann Architects earlier this year and completion is expected in the autumn of 2013.

George Ferguson elected as Mayor of Bristol

afm — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:32:17 +0000

‘The practice congratulates George on his election success!' To allow him to focus on his new appointment George will now be standing down as Chairman, a role he took on in 2000 following the appointment of the current directors, Christopher Balme, David Caird and Roger Goodliff. Whilst George's involvement in the practice has reduced over recent years, he will be missed and we wish him well with his new 'project'. Meanwhile it is business as usual at FMA with the award winning Lakeshore and St James Priory now complete. With 2013 approaching the practice is busy master planning and building mixed-use schemes in Plymouth, working on community buildings and churches in Bristol and the regeneration of Newport market, as well as delivering solutions for buildings at risk in Bath, Bridgwater and South Gloucestershire. Image credit: Dan Regan

Lakeshore shortlisted for 'best apartment building'

afm — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:47:19 +0000

Lakeshore has been shortlisted for best apartment building in the 'Sunday Times British Homes Awards 2012'. The winners are to be announced later in September.

Bristol: Retrofit City Exhibition

afm — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:37:16 +0000

FM is proudly featured in the current exhibition running at the Bristol Architecture Centre. Bristol: Retrofit City relaunches the Centre which has recently rearranged its exhibition space and opened under new management. Celebrating Bristol’s legacy of creative re-use of buildings and places, this exhibition presents a range of retrofit interventions and innovative visions for the future of Bristol.

Millbay Plot G

afm — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:49:46 +0000

The latest phase of the practice's work in Millbay has started on site - 14 houses and 34 apartments overlooking the docks area for English Cities Fund. This scheme sits alongside prizewinning Cargo, also by this practice, and together forms part of the Millbay Masterplan for the regeneration of the area.

Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, Bristol

afm — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:18:42 +0000

This visioning exercise, centred around Temple Meads Station in Bristol, was commissioned by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership to illustrate how the area might be transformed over the next 10 years or so.

RIBA Housing Awards

afm — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:19:11 +0000

Cargo, completed in 2011 for English Cities Fund, has been shortlisted.

Lakeshore features in RIBA Journal

afm — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:06:09 +0000

Lakeshore development showcased in RIBAJ article reviewing envelope design strategies used to deliver improved thermal performance whilst meeting requirements of the listed building.

Lakeshore scoops Eco Homes Excellent Award

afm — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:02:05 +0000

The low carbon environmental strategy is underpinned by one of the largest commercial residential ground source heat pump bore hole installations, in the UK. Working in conjunction with a biomass boiler installation the heat pump enabled the development to secure an Eco Homes excellent rating whilst delivering highly glazed facades to meet the Grade 2 listed building requirements.

Denbigh castle visitor centre completes for Easter.

afm — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:58:31 +0000

This low carbon building has an environmental strategy delivered through ground source heat pumps, low temperature underfloor heating, heat recovery and a passive ventilation strategy.

Planning submission

afm — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:22:13 +0000

Easterton rural housing development submitted for detailed planning for Comparo Ltd

Lakeshore

afm — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:56:31 +0000

Daily Telegraph 'British Home Awards'. Our conversion for Urban Splash of the Wills Tobacco HQ building in Bristol nears practical completion this month having been shortlisted for the British Home Awards – looking stunning as the lawns are rolled out.

St James Priory shortlisted for Daily Telegraph English Heritage Angel Award

afm — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:42:24 +0000

St James Priory was shortlisted for the prestigious Daily Telegraph/ English Heritage sponsored Angel Award for ecclesiastical conservation works. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/angel-awards/8769271/English-Heritage-Angel-Awards-Shortlist-Help-crown-our-Heritage-Angels.html

Luckwell Club Planning

afm — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:30:58 +0000

Modest infill site will no doubt prove popular in Bedminster, receiving planning approval for 14 new quirky homes.

St James Priory completes and opens

afm — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:33:59 +0000

The painstaking restoration of St James Priory completes after 8 years of planning and fundraising.

Conwy Castle Planning submitted

afm — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:26:56 +0000

Refurbishment of the existing Conwy Castle Visitor Centre for Cadw involving eye opening new entrance, interpretation, sales, and toilets within this important World Heritage site.

Newport Key Buildings Initiative appointment

afm — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:17:22 +0000

Newport City Centre Key Buildings to receive a facelift. FMA are appointed to lead the Key Buildings Initiative, a three year project, to upgrade many listed facades within the city centre. The first two of these projects are works to the Covered Market and the Market Arcade.

Denbigh Castle Visitor Centre

afm — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:10:22 +0000

New visitor reception building, for Cadw, within walls of medieval castle, receives Planning permission and Ancient Monument Consent in time to enable a construction program to deliver the completed building by Easter 2012.

Suspension bridge - under repair

afm — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:04:41 +0000

Brunel’s abutments are receiving much needed masonry repairs under the direction of our conservation team. Interestingly two listed building applications were needed as a county boundary lies along the line of the River Avon below the bridge!

Cheltenham scheme gets go-ahead

afm — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:36:32 +0000

Detailed planning permission has granted this week for 10 new apartments in Cheltenham. This contemporary scheme, designed by Ferguson Mann for private developer Comparo, sits on The Park, one of Cheltenham’s best regency addresses. The new building is a modern take on the regency villa and will provide a striking yet sensitive addition to the conservation area. Containing generous one and two bedroom apartments, it replaces two small semi-detached houses that will be demolished. Construction is hoped to start later this year.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

afm — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:00:28 +0000

BOVTS Rehearsal Studios achieves planning approval. A trimmed back version of the 2007 scheme, developed to match the economic times that we are all operating and fundraising within, delivers two much needed rehearsal studios for the school.

Cargo wins Gold

afm — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:19:37 +0000

Following the awarding of a Gold Standard at the earlier 'Building for Life' assessment 2010, Cargo has been selected as one of 10 schemes nationally this year to achieve a Gold Award.

Cargo wins Gold Standard at the 'Building for Life' awards 2010

afm — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:36:21 +0000

Cargo, a development of 134 homes and flats, with ground floor business space has been awarded a BFL Gold Standard in recognition of its high quality homes and how it addresses this waterside site. "This is an impressive achievement. I chair the judging panel and we thought that Cargo was an excellent, brave scheme, with a very impressive facade, on a challenging site." (Wayne Hemingway, Chair - Building for Life)

Water lot of options for Weston’s Tropicana!

afm — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:54:40 +0000

The practice has developed two options for the redevelopment of the Tropicana site for the Nightingale Group. Two very different approaches yet both provide dynamic, enclosed and heated water park spaces. First up, a completely new building with the water park occupying the centre of the design, enclosed by commercial leisure spaces, protected open courtyards and a new board walk that springs from the Marine Promenade. Swimming second is the conservation option a Lido that, retains the existing buildings and sensitively adds to them to provide a range of new commercial leisure accommodation creating a ‘European Style Spa’ and water park with the original iconic 1930’s Tropicana diving boards recreated as a centre piece to the design. Click here for more information (full water park option). Click here for more information (conservation lido option).

A Class Act

afm — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:26:00 +0000

One of Bristol’s national centres of excellence, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, has instructed FMA to submit a detailed planning application to link its two buildings at Downside Road, Bristol. Following on from FMA’s award winning dance studio at the school, the new copper clad rehearsal studios will be the biggest leap that the BOV has made this century. An appeal for the £750,000 cost is currently in progress.

Going up on the Downs!

afm — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:02:51 +0000

FMA have been commissioned to design a new purpose built 6,000 sq m HQ building for one of the country’s leading health firms – Simplyhealth. The site is one of the most prominent in Bristol and in the Redland conservation area, requiring the highest standard of design to replace what was NatWest Bank offices on the roundabout at the top of Blackboy Hill. Some of the existing concrete structure is being deployed in the new brick clad building, making both economic and environmental good sense.

A Great new Country House

afm — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:50:52 +0000

It is not often that architects get the opportunity to work closely with private clients on a major new private residence. We have been very fortunate in having some exceptional clients who would never settle for anything but the best resulting in a beautifully built neo-classical house, set in a spectacular garden on the hillside near Colerne in Wiltshire. It was the quality of the design that won over the planning committee, replacing derelict farm buildings on a site of outstanding natural beauty.

Cargo wins Town and Country RIBA Award

afm — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:52:58 +0000

The practice has picked up the RIBA Town and Country Housing Scheme award for the design of Cargo in Plymouth. ‘A large, bold, striking urban block, which crisply articulates its component parts in an array of quality materials’ (RIBA 2009)

Framework success!

afm — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:17:45 +0000

We are delighted to have been selected as one of only six practices across the south west region to be a part of the SWRDA framework for Architecture, running through until 2013.....which means.....CREDIT CRUNCH and Government willing, new opportunities over the horizon!

Breaking news

afm — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:50:22 +0000

Bristol city council says yes to Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Factory housing scheme! ThisIsBristol.co.uk

2009 Civic Trust Award for FM!

afm — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:12:46 +0000

Griff Rhys Jones announces yet another Award for our Royal William Yard scheme for Urban Splash with high praise for the standard of contemporary conversion, whilst staying in line with English Heritage’s rigorous requirements on the Grade 1 listed Clarence and Brewhouse buildings. “...this development contributes to the fabric of Plymouth as a whole by preserving a set of most striking and historically rich and significant set of buildings”. We congratulate all involved, and in particular a client with the vision and courage to take on this remarkable project. civictrustawards.org.uk

In the Spirit

afm — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:57:52 +0000

Our Bristol project for star developers Urban Splash, Lakeshore, has been hailed by English Heritage as one of the 20 best schemes in the country involving historic buildings, in their new publication “Construction Conservation in Practice”. It was described as “having an exemplary understanding of the site and worked in the spirit of the original scheme”.

Clifton Conservation Area victory!

afm — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:05:35 +0000

We are rightly proud to have gained planning permission on an important site in Clifton, in full view of Clifton Suspension Bridge. Located at the end of Sion Hill the site had been an empty bomb-damaged area since the war and we are the first to have succeeded in delivering a viable scheme that the planners could fully back. A small but active minority of local objectors had called the scheme ‘too contemporary’ but its high quality design and the overall benefits to the area meant it was passed with a large majority by the planning committee.

Award for Island

afm — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:53:07 +0000

The practice is proud to announce that Knightstone Island has won the national Redevelopment Category (five star award) in the Daily Mail Property Awards 2008. This project delivered 78 apartments and commercial space within new and listed grade 2 buildings. The island is located on the River Severn estuary and is connected to the Weston-super-Mare foreshore by a causeway.

Chris takes to the stage

afm — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:01:36 +0000

Chris Balme has added the Theatre Royal Bristol Trust to our prestigious list of Grade 1 listed building owner clients. He has been appointed as Consulting Architect to the Theatre Royal at this turning point in the Bristol Old Vic’s fortunes. We are delighted to be associated with this iconic Bristol institution’s revival – one of the oldest and finest theatres in the country.

Turning the Tide for Weston’s Grand Pier

afm — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:27:32 +0000

FM are one of the 6 contenders for the the rejuvenation of Weston-Super-Mare’s Grand Pier. Our proposal, which combines the notion of the Promenade with that of the Fun Palace takes visitors to an Upper Deck which will simulate the ocean cruise. The translucent pavilion will glow at night and has a wavy skin that is an accurate representation of Weston’s tides, the second largest in the world. For more information on the Grand Pier competition entry, see the Arts and Leisure section within the Projects pages of our website. Link to movie Link to animation

New Apartment proves Less IS More!

afm — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:31:19 +0000

The new show apartment in Urban Splash’s Lakeshore development was opened this week. Commanding stunning lakeside views it is the epitome of the Mies van der Rohe maxim that ‘Less is More’ and that God is in the detail. Furnished with architect designed furniture it gives new life to what was Europe’s most cutting edge corporate HQ, while maintaining the elegant simplicity that was its essence.

Secret garden?

afm — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:08:18 +0000

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Rosemoor Gardens, which includes our RIBA Award winning visitor centre building, was the only South West nomination by Independent on Sunday readers in their Secret Britain series. In truth it is not all that secret with visitor numbers around 120,000 a year, being more than double those estimated when we were commissioned to design what was one of the most environmentally friendly buildings at the time. What can we say other than it is a beautiful place and we recommend a visit?

Bristol gets on its bike...

afm — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:28:30 +0000

..with new cycle homes. As described in the Times in an article on 08.08.08. The piece talks about the Chocolate Factory development by Ferguson Mann, at Greenbank which includes 47 "cycle homes". Bristol has been recently named as Englands first "cycling city" by the Tranport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, in a campaign to encourage cycling inspired by the popularity of bikes in Dutch cities.

Chocolate Delight!

afm — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:31:53 +0000

Bristol Urban Design Forum delighted by FM’s Greenbank Chocolate Factory scheme: “This is a fascinating and to some extent experimental scheme and the panel was unanimous in supporting it.....There is little to question or criticise in this well considered and elegantly constructed proposal. We were interested to see the new house type for cyclists and the way in which the scheme turns its back on the road network to address the cycle path. Not only does this demonstrate a different set of priorities but also helps to improve the security on this stretch of the route.”

Barry stunned by new Library!

afm — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:39:09 +0000

What better reward could we ask for than recent comments from the Library’s users? ‘Sensational!’ ‘A joy’ ‘Focal point for the community’ ‘pleased with accessibility’ ‘Excellent combination of old and new’ ‘Excellent use of colour and space’ ‘One of the best libraries I have visited’ .... And ‘stunning’

Healing one of Clifton’s scars

afm — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:49:05 +0000

We have been commissioned by Bristol based Birakos Developments to build on a longstanding vacant site in the Clifton Conservation Area. This will complete the missing East end of Sion Hill with the development of seven new flats designed to respect the scale and materials of the existing elegant terraces. This is about to enter the consultation and planning process.

Boring but Important...

afm — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:47:50 +0000

Boreholes for Britain’s biggest residential use of ground source heat pumps are to start at Urban Splash’s Lakeshore scheme next month helping to make it one of the most energy efficient regeneration schemes so far.

Beautifully appointed bat house!

afm — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:45:40 +0000

Our latest completed building is a beautifully built stone bat house for a private client in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It doubles as a folly in the landscape and at current occupation costs over £50k per bat. Think of it as a great little stone mason’s job creation scheme!

St James Priory, Bristol

afm — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:51:39 +0000

Our heritage section, led by Chris Balme, has won the commission against strong national competition to take this Heritage Lottery funded scheme – for which we were instrumental in acquiring this funding – through to completion.

By George!

afm — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:56:12 +0000

Our Chairman George Ferguson has been commissioned by the Bristol Evening Post to write a regular Saturday column – as you might imagine this is far ranging with subjects so far including barriers to access, the loss of community pubs and environmentally friendly funerals!

Chocolate Factory Victory

afm — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:47:00 +0000

We have built on our reputation for regeneration with imagination by helping to save the Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Factory from demolition by supporting the local community with a creative alternative that keeps all the principal buildings to make a vibrant mixed use scheme.

Bristol’s historic centre

afm — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:57:49 +0000

FM have been retained by Bristol based developer Deeley Freed to work with architects Aukett Fitzroy Robinson on the masterplanning and design of the St Mary le Port quarter of the old. This project has the prospect of replacing the lost quarter of the city with appropriately scaled buildings and public realm and greatly improving the setting of the adjacent Castle Park.

Paintworks wins award

afm — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:18:38 +0000

Paintworks, the popular development of a former trading estate into a new mixed use creative quarter, has won a Bristol Civic Society Award.

Desert Island Rocks!

afm — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:49:29 +0000

Knightstone Island in Weston-super-Mare is now occupied. Opened by HM the Queen in July 2007.

The Queen opens Knightstone Island

afm — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:00:00 +0000

Despite heavy rain a large crowd turned out to watch the Queen formally open Knighstone Island in Weston Super Mare, the redevelopment of an island site embracing the repair and conversion of four Grade II Listed buildings, along with two new buildings and major public realm works.

Double at Housing Design Awards

afm — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:00 +0000

Two of the practice’s schemes were recognised at this year’s Housing Design Awards. The Cargo at Millbay in Plymouth was shortlisted and made it to the Exhibition of Excellence whilst Lakeshore, for Urban Splash, walked off with a Project Award.

Opening of Barry Town Hall & Library

afm — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:00:00 +0000

Won through competition, this new state-of the-art library facility has just been completed on site, together with the refurbishment of the Town Hall and the creation of a public square and park.

Clevedon Baptist Church opens

afm — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:00:00 +0000

The new church for worship and community use in the centre of Clevedon was formally opened. Arranged over three floors, the accommodation includes a fan-shaped auditorium for 350 people.