Project Office is a design and research collaboration of staff and students based within the Leeds School of Architecture at Leeds Beckett University. It is an architecture consultancy concerned with ethical, social and resilient architecture and design. We work with like-minded communities, organisations and individuals. This book covers our work from January October 2015 to September 2017

Stott, CR

Warren, S

Leeds Beckett Repository

Project OfficeVol 3Project Office is a design and research collaboration of staff and students. It is an architecture consultancy making ethical, social and resilient architecture. We work with like-minded communities, organisations and individuals.Project Office has undertaken more than 25 projects, most within the Leeds City region. It offers a full architectural service that includes feasibility studies, design guides and design advocacy, research, fabrication and construction. Students and staff work together to produce design and research for organisations such as charities and community groups who are unable to afford standard architectural consultancy. Student participants are always paid for their time, either through the University currency of ‘credits’ awarded towards their degree, or financially working directly for Project Office. Project Office’s approach equips students with a fantastic learning experience relating to real world complexities through the vehicle of live projects, whilst simultaneously supporting the needs of socially conscious organisations.Project Office is co-directed by;Craig Stott MEng, BArch, MA, ARB, FHEAandSimon Warren BA(Hons), Dip(Arch), ARB, RIBA, SFHEA/ ABOUT USRichmond Hill Parkour Playground Activity DayPhoto by Graham DaveySTaLRC Alumni Competition Presentation EventPhoto by Graham Davey/ PEDAGOGIC BRIDGEDesigners are well placed to challenge the contemporary paradigm of neoliberalism through their practice. It follows that design students should be exposed to these realities during their formal education. This is one of the reasons Project Office exists. For architectural education to remain relevant, students’ incredible talent and energy must be harnessed to critically address the societal, political and environmental issues facing humankind.It follows that, if designers are able to decide to act as agents of change, then educational institutions can also choose an ethical and social position as a starting point for educational projects. Such ‘Anchor Institutions’1 can “promote economic, social and cultural regeneration” by embedding themselves within their local community and working with regional partners to bridge the pedagogic gap between practice and academia. Thus the role of universities becomes one intent on advancing society for the greater good through the productive output of student endeavour, in addition to the classic creation and dispersion of knowledge.1. Social Mobility Advisory Group (2016) Working In Partnership; Enabling Social Mobility In Higher Education. London: Universities UK, 24. Edited excerpt from; Stott & Warren (2018) ‘The Pedagogic Value of Architectural Co-Design’ in Ferdous & Bell (eds) All-Inclusive Engagement in Architecture. NY: Routledge.“Over the last 8 years a partnership with Project Office has been a positive force for change and investment in our community. Working with committed staff and students we have created and delivered a large number of successful projects including small scale work – local landscaping ideas and initiatives, to the building of a new £750K community building. The effect of this work on the community and the community association has been to help transform the area, raise local people’s aspirations and create a safer environment. The partnership between Project Office and NWCA continues to flourish.”“The benefits to New Wortley are clear, we have well developed plans that are truly community led and influenced, and access to a resource that allows us to dream big and deliver a vision of New Wortley as a successful thriving neighbourhood. This way of working really fits with our strengths based model – focusing on the assets and talents in the community.”“The benefits to students is the chance to work on live projects that have a great chance to be delivered, learning about consultation with real people and understanding the challenges and opportunities.”Bill Graham, Community Leader, New Wortley Community AssociationPhoto by Graham DaveyCompleted in May 2016, New Wortley Community Centre is the culmination of enthusiastic participation by local residents and volunteers with Leeds Beckett University. The process took over six years and involved 196 individuals including community members, professionals, and staff and students from Architecture, Landscape, Graphics, Cultural Studies, Product Design and Architectural Technology./ NEW WORTLEY COMMUNITY CENTREThe outcomes are a result of an experimental co-design process where exposure to working professionally in multi-disciplinary environments equipped students with the necessary skillset for professional careers whilst simultaneously providing vital support for a third sector organisation.Photo by Will Phuc TonPhoto by Will Phuc TonThe original high street has been deconstructed since the slum clearances of the 1960s. New Wortley no longer has a centre and lacks urban cohesiveness. The new centre is a small civic building that recreates an urban situation by fronting on to New Wortley’s main thoroughfare becoming a local landmark for the community and the start of re-establishing the high street building line.Red brick and grey zinc remind people of the predominant material colours originally seen throughout the area. Large windows permit passers-by to see into the centre as a response to the invisibility of social life within the area. The architectural concept, a ‘work of many hands’, underpins New Wortley Community Centre, where discrete elements have been the design responsibility of specific student participants. Project Office has managed and choreographed the work into a singular architectural statement.The new building has proved a remarkable catalyst attracting a host of fresh users, volunteers and opportunities. Previously just 2 members of paid staff and 8 volunteers ran the organisation; today the centre has 21 members of paid staff and 53 volunteers. Consequently, NWCC now plays a pivotal role in the city’s most disadvantaged community.Photo by Will Phuc TonNames of all 196 contributors are engraved on the entrancePhoto by Will Phuc TonIn 2017 Project Office won the Live Projects Network Category at the SEED (Social Economic Environmental Design) Awards for the process underpinning the New Wortley Community Centre./ SEED AWARD WINNERThe award was collected at the SFI2017 (Structures for Inclusion 2017) Conference at Portland State University, Oregon. Project Office was also invited to present the ‘Story of New Wortley’ at the conference.Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor said: “Everyone here at Leeds Beckett University is proud of the pioneering work of our University’s Project Office. Simon Warren and Craig Stott have led a talented team of students and staff in ground-breaking work. The New Wortley Community Centre is everything a building should be; functional, sustainable and beautiful. Their international award demonstrates very clearly the world class nature of the work undertaken at Leeds Beckett University.”“The New Wortley Community Centre project has empowered all actors involved, realising their shared vision in a meaningful and sustainable way.Project Office was key to this success, coordinating the energy and potential of both the community and Leeds Beckett University. We commend their evolution and implementation of such a coherent design strategy in a complex and fluid context.”SEED Network Awards Judging Panel 2017Photo by Graham Davey/RICHMOND HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL PARKOUR PLAYGROUNDBA2 & 3 students tackled the design in groups, including planning an activity with school pupils determining requirements for their Parkour Playground. The completed work was exhibited at The Tetley Centre for Contemporary Art and Learning, attended by pupils, staff, students and the public.The winning proposal, chosen for its clever way of achieving inclusive use was designed by students Tarran Coward-Willis, Alex Moriarty, Matthew Glegg, Daniel Peinado and Alex Rinder.Richmond Hill Primary School, widely recognised as forward thinking, resides within one of Leeds’ most disadvantaged areas. To further their Outdoor Learning Module the school sought to develop a parkour playground.Pupil drawings and student design work Exhibition of work at The TetleyPhoto by Graham Davey“I had the privilege of working with Project Office on the Richmond Hill playground project. Our aim was for the children to act as ‘the Architect’; they formed a brief, made models and worked together to design their dream playground.”“This was an invaluable experience which helped develop my drive and passion for architecture, understanding life’s economic and social realities and how they can be overcome through creative design and not seen as a hindrance.”“This is now at the forefront of everything I do, throughout both university and my professional career.”Alumna Laura KershawRichmond Hill Parkour Playground Activity DayPhoto by Graham Davey/ BRAMLEY HEALTH & WELLBEING CENTREManor Park GP Surgery in Bramley intend on providing a place where healthcare, social care and third sector colleagues can collaborate and innovate to provide improved methods of treatment outside the non clinical environment.BA2 students were set the task of designing a building that met all Manor Park’s needs whilst being flexible enough to host a range of activities and allow future development.The design work will be used to support the client’s fund raising.Health and Wellbeing Centres allow users an opportunity to live longer, healthier lives that are full, active and independent through a more holistic response to patient care.An initial sketch scheme by BA2 student Louis Smith Co-working SpaceSocial Hub Space/’HAUS’ - 30 CHAPEL STREET, BRADFORDThe School of Architecture runs a week long work placement programme for undergraduate students called ’Speed Dating’. Many Leeds city region practices participate each year, including Project Office. A group of BA2 & 3 students undertaking a Speed Dating work placement with Project Office devised an initial brief and concept design to aide SoCo’s fundraising for the next stage of the project.“Just want to say how impressed we are with your designs, it far exceeded what we were expecting and you have presented us with a huge amount of work that we will be able to use, not to mention that we are seriously reconsidering the name of the project to use ‘Haus’”. Kamran Rashid, Director SoCo CompanyIn the heart of Bradford’s historic Little Germany, the SoCo Company is establishing a hub for innovation and enterprise for start up companies and individuals.A proposed urban strategy at Otley Courthouse by BA2 student Dominiq Oti/OTLEY COURTHOUSECurrently the Courthouse’s desired reach is limited by a lack of specialist facilities and a main auditorium of just 140 seats. BA2 students redesigned the town block in which the existing building sits to include a new 400-seat auditorium, exhibition gallery, and associated ancillary spaces. The ideas generated are now being discussed by the client with the local council. Otley Courthouse is a community arts centre in a re-purposed nineteenth century magistrates court, run by volunteers.Photo by Sarah Gharbi/ CRESCENT ARTS SCARBOROUGHWorking closely with the client, BA2 students produced proposals for converting and extending a derelict sunbathing building, originally constructed in 1924, into the new home for Crescent Arts. In conjunction  with Scarborough Council this work is being developed into a feasibility study with grant funding by the Architectural Heritage Fund.Crescent Arts supports and promotes contemporary visual arts and artists in Scarborough offering exhibitions, studio space, professional development, workshops, film screenings and artists’ talks.“Project Office understands the education and nurturing of young talent, and does a good job to promote it by actively demonstrating the value of architecture.”Alumnus Steven McCloy“Architecture, indeed, everything that is built, cannot help playing some kind of role in the lives of the people who use it.”Herman Hertzberger/ ALUMNI PEDAGOGYThe institution’s association with its students is almost severed after graduation. By extending pedagogy, through a competition, Project Office explores new possibilities between the School of Architecture and its former students, linking academia and practice.Competitions provide a valuable strategy within an educational setting as they expose the entrant to the canon of advancing architectural knowledge and empower them with the ability to challenge the establishment. Consequently the architectural competition is a relevant tool to push the boundaries of architectural education, here of live project education, as it confronts the contradictions of advancing knowledge, experimentation and production of real work for a client. As alumni competitions are framed in an educational setting, the learning outcomes of participants are of equal importance to the quality of entries. This methodology ensures continued pedagogical value in the transition between formal education and the profession. Recent alumni are vital and unencumbered fledgling professionals and through entering alumni competitions are provided a space to fly.Edited excerpt from; Stott & Warren (2016) ‘Experimenting with Alumni Pedagogy’ Conference Paper at ICC 2016 The Competition Mesh. Leeds Beckett University.Alumnus Steven McCloy Presenting at STaLRC Competition EventPhoto by Graham DaveyProject Office Presenting the Story of New Wortley at SFI17 Photo by Lancelot Coar/RESEARCHIn addition to the two PhD studies Project Office supports, numerous research outputs are produced, a selection of which are listed below:Project Office’s research explores the underpinning pedagogy and social value impact of architectural live projects.Stott & Warren (2018) ‘The Pedagogic Value of Architectural Co-Design’ Book Chapter in Ferdous & Bell (eds) All-Inclusive Engagement in Architecture. New York: Routledge. Stott & Warren (2018) ‘Competitions and Educational Structures’ Book Chapter in Theodorou and Katsakou (eds), The Competition Grid: Experimenting With and Within Architecture Competitions. London: RIBA Publications.Stott & Warren (2017) ‘The Making of a Liveable Community at New Wortley’ Conference Paper at AMPS 2017; Cities, Communities and Homes: Is the Urban Future Liveable? University of Derby.Stott & Warren (2017) ‘Advocating a Co-Design Methodology Across Academy and Community’ Conference Paper at AAE 2017; Architecture Connects. Oxford Brookes University.Stott & Warren (2017) ‘The Story of New Wortley’ Invited Presentation at SFI17 Structures for Inclusion Conference. Portland State University, Oregon.Stott & Warren (2016) ‘Experimenting with Alumni Pedagogy’ Conference Paper at ICC 2016 The Competition Mesh. Leeds Beckett University.Stott & Warren (2016) ‘Emergent Community Governance; a new model of socially sustainable transformation in New Wortley’ Conference paper at SEEDS 2017. Leeds Beckett University.Morley Newlands Primary School2013 to 2014Fareshare Office2010Basement Arts Leeds2012Garden Gate Hunslet2012 to 2013Old Chapel Studios 2011Arc LightOrwin House2010 to 2011House of Hope Haiti2011Hunslet Urban Framework2012 to 2013Leeds Film School2014The Orangery Beam2013 to 2014Bardsey Scout Hut2014Nunburnholme Heritage Centre2015/ PREVIOUS PROJECTS “There are a million ideas that can change the world, but if you don’t build it, it doesn’t exist.”Cameron Sinclair/ WHO WE ARESIMON WARRENProject Office Co-DirectorI am interested in the role of the architect. How do architects practice with ethical grace and respond to climate change and energy depletion imperatives? How should architects make their skills available to underrepresented communities so that they can make positive changes to their environments? I am currently working towards a PhD; the working title is ‘Live Project Pedagogy - Architecture in the Making’.CRAIG STOTTProject Office Co-DirectorI am interested in the impact of ‘Live’ project learning within architectural education by establishing its value for both the students involved and the communities who act as client for the work undertaken. The intention is to utilise the power of student design to foster ecological and social sustainability in deprived communities through this pedagogic tool.PROJECT OFFICE STAFF 2013-2017Hanzla Ashgar / Part 2 Architectural AssistantGraham Davey / Part 1 Architectural AssistantPaul Hansell / Part 2 Architectural AssistantAndrew Pye / Part 2 Architectural Assistant / Architect/Vol 3.PROJECT PARTICIPANTSSTUDENTSAaron JonesAdam LloydAlex BingleyAlexander MoriartyAlexander SpencerAlexandra RinderAli JasimAmy FergusonAndrew EnglishAnna RosiakAshley MurrayBarney StonelakeBen ReganBen RimmerCallum BleasdaleCallum Hairsine   KrebsConnor BucklerDaniel FoxDaniel PeinadoDaniel WrightDelphine BoardmanDominiq OtiEdward Baxter- GarbettFrancis HenryHardev SinghHarry CoxIdris Idris HaladuJack HyslopJack WhitehouseJamie WilliamsJason PaleyJoseph ChapmanJoseph JohnsonJoshua JenjeJosiah SherwoodKate HopkinsKieran DobinsonLaura KershawLeyla ScarlatellaLouis SmithMagdalena PanasewiczMaira Salfate HerreraMarco ChanMaro AntonakouMarvin SchmittMatthew GleggMatthew RichardsonMegan FitzmauriceMichal MaksymiszynMohammad FarooqMohit GeraNadia LuharNathan Aston Nathan BlackledgeNicholas CurtisNoor Al-BoininRaheem JohannesonRahim RazaqRay BantugReece SmithRhiannon EvansRob HiltonRoberts OpincansRoss Kennedy Ryan AinsleySameerah KhalidSamuel RichardsonSarah GharbiStuart NormanTarran Coward-WillisThomas FordThomas O’CallaghanTin HoTobias BridgerTristan CoxUmer MahmoodVanessa BaerWestley ForleoWill PageWilliam GainsWilliam MaddinsonTUTORSAndrew DuFeuAndy EdwardsJen ChalkleyJessica Bryne-DanielLauren MoriartyMaurice ShaperoRobin BrinkworthSteven HeywoodORGANISATIONSBig LotteryLeeds Beckett      University CONSULTANTS / CONTRACTORSDobsons ConstructionChippendale ProjectsGiddy FrogCOLLABORATORSGareth RobertsNicholas WrightDaniel WallaceDaniel Ingram-BrownKaty ShawNuala CavanaghRachel ConnorBen LearDan Hird Jonathan CrosbyNeil MastermanRicky AdamCLIENTSNew Wortley Community  AssociationRichmond Hill Primary  SchoolCrescent ArtsManor Park SurgeryOtley CourthouseSoCo BradfordSTEERING GROUPAmy Featherstone Dominiq Oti            Irena Bauman        Janet Mulcrone      John Orrell             Les Webb              Project OfficeLeeds Beckett UniversityB504, Broadcasting PlaceWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9EN+44 (0)113 81 26752e: projectoffice@leedsbeckett.ac.ukt: @_projectofficei: project_office_leedsw: leedsbeckett.wixsite.com/projectoffice

Project Office Volume 3

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Project Office Volume 3

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