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Beam Mobile Winner Announced!

Beam Mobile Winner Announced!

We are delighted to announce the winner of our international design competition - Mobile!

Threefold Architects in collaboration with the Jason Bruges Studios emerged triumphant against fierce competition from other shortlisted practices, Atmos Studio Ltd and Cottrell and Vermeulen.

Beam launched the search to find a design for an innovative, dynamic and highly interactive mobile facility that would stimulate creative engagement, learning and participation earlier this year. The competition received over 40 international entries. It has been funded by Arts Council England and CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), with the support of Wakefield MDC and the RIBA.

The panel of judges, which was headlined by international designer Wayne Hemingway and independent architectural advisor Irena Bauman, commented on the very high standard of work from all three short-listed practices in the face of a demanding brief.

Threefold and Jason Bruges Studio’s winning concept is for an unfolding wedge-shaped structure that offers exterior and interior spaces as well as a ‘place portraits’ concept --- information technology that ‘gathers’ information about the sites it travels to. The judging panel felt that Threefold and Jason Bruges exhibited a real grasp of the challenge Beam had thrown down – for a practical, multi-functional facility to get right to the heart of communities, engaging people in the places where they live, work and play – and to do it with delight!

The winning practice will now go on to work closely with Beam and its advisors on a detailed design ready for fabrication. Sponsors to help see the project through to completion are being actively sought.

Beam Executive Director and Panel member Robert Powell said:

“It’s been a real privilege for all of us to see the creative approaches of all three shortlisted practices. Threefold and Jason Bruges Studio’s ‘Wedge’ concept is a worthy winner and we are looking forward to working with them on the next stage. Their concept addresses the practical requirements of the brief but also possesses the ambiguous qualities of art that will arouse curiosity and create impact. Their team’s approach exemplifies Beam’s aims as an organisation bringing together the fields of art, architecture, learning, and public engagement.”

Beam appointed to co-ordinate art for BSF schools

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We are delighted to announce that we have been appointed by leading national construction organisation Taylor Woodrow (who were responsible for the construction of Frank Gehry's Pavillion at the Serpentine this year) to co-ordinate the public art scheme for a major Building Schools for the Future development in Sheffield.

Beam have already worked extensively with other schools engaged in BSF in Barnsley and in Sheffield but are very excited to be working with Taylor Woodrow on this public art scheme.

The scheme will help students, teachers, governers and parents alike to feel ownership of the artwork and its setting by giving them the opportunity to work with the artist during the design phase of the commission, and actively participate in some aspect of the installation of the artwork.

Guided by Sheffield City Council’s Public Art Strategy and BSF Culture (a website resource sponsored by Arts Council England and Sport England), Taylor Woodrow's overarching aim in including elements of public artwork at these new build schools is to: Unite and reflect the character and identity of the whole community of users.

The scheme will cover three schools in Sheffield Newfield Talbot School, Silverdale School and Yewlands School.

For more information about our work on BSF please contact James Moran-Zietek. james@beam.uk.net

Check out the news items opposite for the design briefs. Deadline for submissions 5.00pm Friday 5 September.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Public Art C

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/Volumes/x-change/16.JamesMoran-Zietek/BSF/Sheffield-BSF/01_Briefs_Ad_for_Distribution/BSF_YEWLANDS_Brief.pdf

Application Process

To register an expression of interest please send:

• A letter of application (maximum 1000 words) which outlines why you are interested in this project, your experience in this type of work and how you would approach the commission. X 3

• Eight images, with clear descriptions, of recent relevant work, preferably on CD or DVD and in PC compatible format (Word, JPEG etc.)

• A current CV x 3

• Details of two referees

• A SAE if you require the material to be returned.


To: James Moran-Zietek
BEAM
The Orangery
Back Lane
Wakefield
WF1 2TG

james@beam.uk.net

Deadline for Applications – 5 pm Friday 5th September 2008


Short listed artists will be interviewed in Sheffield on Tuesday 23rd September 2008



*Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a Department for Children, Schools and the Family (DCSF) programme to rebuild or refurbish secondary schools across England. The aim of the BSF programme is to transform the way in which education is delivered by providing 21st-century teaching and learning facilities.

Sheffield City Council and Taylor Woodrow Construction are working together to deliver the programme in Sheffield through the Sheffield Local Education Partnership (L.E.P).

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Public Art C

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Application Process

To register an expression of interest please send:

• A letter of application (maximum 1000 words) which outlines why you are interested in this project, your experience in this type of work and how you would approach the commission. X 3

• Eight images, with clear descriptions, of recent relevant work, preferably on CD or DVD and in PC compatible format (Word, JPEG etc.)

• A current CV x 3

• Details of two referees

• A SAE if you require the material to be returned.


To: James Moran-Zietek
BEAM
The Orangery
Back Lane
Wakefield
WF1 2TG

james@beam.uk.net

Deadline for Applications – 5 pm Friday 5th September 2008


Short listed artists will be interviewed in Sheffield on Tuesday 23rd September 2008



*Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a Department for Children, Schools and the Family (DCSF) programme to rebuild or refurbish secondary schools across England. The aim of the BSF programme is to transform the way in which education is delivered by providing 21st-century teaching and learning facilities.

Sheffield City Council and Taylor Woodrow Construction are working together to deliver the programme in Sheffield through the Sheffield Local Education Partnership (L.E.P).

Wakefield's 2nd Art Walk- August 13th

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Wakefield's 2nd Art Walk- August 13th

Join us for an evening of wine and culture, and art as venus across Wakefiled throw open their doors to the evening!

Start your walk here at The Orangery, where an exciting exhibition, drinks and free parking await you!

Further details and maps are available at participating venues, just look for the Art Walk logo.

Venues include, The Art House, Westgate Studios, Wakefield Gallery, The Coach House Gallery, The Wall Gallery, beam, The Interval cafe at Wakefield Theatre, Artplace and Mocha Moocho.

Row, row, row your boat! Beam Team Hit London

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Row, row, row your boat! Beam Team Hit London

The Beam Team took a day out of the office in June for the London Festival of Architecture!

Executive Director Robert Powell took part in the highly successful series of Lunchbox Talks held at the Architecture Centre Network's headquarters at Cowcross Street.

Robert was joined in conversation by international architect Will Alsop and John Orrell of Beam Partner Firm DLA Architecture. Their lively chat covered Beam's role as an architecture centre, how we work with practices such as DLA and Will's innovative plans for the New Orangery.

Following this lively exchange the Beam Team took in the sites of the Festival - fashion at Somerset House, Growbags at New London Architecture, the Grass Bandit's Sofa on the Southbank and Psycho Buildings at the Hayward - complete with rowing boats on the roof!

Beam's Executive Director Robert and Manager for Public Realm Projects, Jill Kelly took to the water!

To find out more about the festival check out: www.lfa2008.org

The Orangery hosts CABE Spaceshaper tasters

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The Orangery hosts CABE Spaceshaper tasters

Wednesday 30th of July, 10.00-12.00, The Orangery, Wakefield

Spaceshaper is a practical toolkit for use by anyone - whether a local community group or a professional - to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it.

The toolkit from CABE Space works by capturing the perceptions of professionals involved in running a space, as well the views of the people that use it.

Facilitated workshops allow discussions of the Spaceshaper results, debate issues of design quality and build a better understanding about how the space works for the different stakeholders.

The toolkit is positive and aims to raise aspirations, encouraging people to demand more from their local spaces. General information about

Spaceshaper can be found on CABE's website- www.cabe.org.uk

Tasters explain how Spaceshaper works, including the opportunity for participants to use the toolkit for themselves in a local public space.These events are free but places are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in becoming a Spaceshaper facilitator you will need to attend a taster session first.

You can register for a taster by emailing spaceshaper@cabe.org.uk

‘Creative Programme’ for Wakefield

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‘Creative Programme’ for Wakefield

Modus Commissions Beam in Unique ‘Creative Programme’ for Wakefield

Plans for the Modus Trinity Walk Wakefield scheme have taken an exciting new turn with the engagement of Wakefield based creative organisation Beam to deliver a pioneering creative programme for this major development.

The Creative Programme, with joint funding from Modus, Arts Council England, and CABE (the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment), will combine arts and learning activities with community engagement.

In partnership, Modus and Beam will embark on an innovative set of activities aimed at making Trinity Walk a thriving community asset as well as a commercial success. Through an exciting series of public events, site visits, artistic interventions, and workshops with schools and young people, Modus and Beam hope to inspire the people of Wakefield, encouraging them to learn about, and feel part of, good design, creativity and place-making in their city. The programme also involves artists in the design of both permanent and temporary public art for the scheme, with Wakefield-based DLA Architects providing guidance and advice.


Trinity Walk is a £200m scheme that will provide in excess of 500,000 sq ft of retail, and will link in with the rest of theshopping in Wakefield. Trinity Walk will include Debenhams, New Look, H & M and Peacocks along with 42 other shops and restaurants. The lower level, with a direct link from the car park, is anchored by a 92,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s. Further phases will include a new public library, 72 residential units and a 957 space car park. Modus started on site September 2007 and the scheme will be opening in spring 2010.

Mike Riddell of Modus said: “Modus has always upheld a strong commitment to connecting with local people and providing them with a sustainable community of which they can be proud. With the Trinity Walk scheme we want to take this interaction a step further. We’re extremely pleased to be drawing on Beam’s skills at public art and using the arts and involving people in learning about good design and place-making.”

Beam’s Executive Director Robert Powell said: “We are delighted to be working with Modus and their architects and partners on this exciting scheme here on our home turf. Modus’ relationship with Beam is a real meeting of minds and shared aims from different perspectives. Together we hope to provide opportunities for learning and involvement, bring something very special to the Trinity Walk development, and create a real sense of distinctiveness to Wakefield city centre.”