May 2008

Leading North East architects, Dewjo’c, has strengthened its team with the appointment of five new employees.

David Fuller, Paul Reeve, Andrew Maisalu, James Pitchers and Rachael Stratton join award winning practice, Dewjo’c Architects.

David, 40, joins the firm as a senior architect, with a wealth of architectural experience both abroad and in the UK. James, 26, from Sedgefield, joins the company as an architectural technician, Andrew, 25 and Paul, 22, have been appointed architectural technologists and Rachael, 22 as marketing coordinator.

In his new role as senior architect, David is currently working on a diverse range of projects, including the £200million residential development at Middlehaven in Middlesbrough and the planning of the Bowesfield site, Teesside for BANKS developments.

In his new role as senior architect, David is currently working on a diverse range of projects, including the £200million residential development at Middlehaven in Middlesbrough and the planning of the Bowesfield site, Teesside for BANKS developments.

The other four recruits will be working from the practice’s stunning new Manor House offices in Sedgefield, a historic grade II listed building, which Dewjo’c has refurbished from a former Magistrates Court which dates back to 1707.

David said: “I am delighted to join such a prestigious and diverse practice as Dewjo’c and am very much looking forward to making my mark on some of the exciting and varied design projects that I will be working on.”

Andrew and Paul joined Dewjo’c five months ago from Scott Wilson in Middlesbrough, and McKeller respectively. James started in September 2007 from Niven Architects in Darlington, and Rachael is the newest appointment from RG Carter Construction in Suffolk.

Steve Agar, director at Dewjo’c said: “It is a very exciting time for Dewjo’c as we are experiencing a great period of growth and expansion. There are a number of new projects in the pipeline and we are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to the team. Each new recruit brings with them a wealth of skills and experience in a number of areas that will strengthen and add to the talent within our existing teams.”

April 2008

Dewjo’c triumphs with national architecture award

Dewjo’c is celebrating after winning the prestigious LSC and RIBA Further Education Design Excellence Awards 2008 for Usworth Sixth Form College.

The £10 million College based in Washington, Sunderland was officially opened last year by Lord Puttnam.

State-of-the-art Usworth Sixth Form College caters for 1,000 students. The building houses a learning resource centre, a computer learning unit and science laboratories.
A raked lecture theatre and multi-purpose seminar/function room with access onto a landscaped roof terrace is located on the upper level of the three-storey building.

Peter Walker, Dewjo’c Director, received the award and prize at the RIBA LSC Conference.

Peter said, “ Dewjo’c is delighted to be recognised at a national level for its design work in the education sector. Over the years the practice has built an understanding of the requirements of buildings designed for education purposes. We recognise that well considered design has a huge impact on learning and teaching experiences, but also that every building is different, which is why we apply an individual, creative approach to each new project”

Extracts taken from RIBA website:

The awards celebrate design excellence in the Further Education (FE) sector and entries were judged on their innovation, excellence, sustainability, adaptability and 'feel good factor.'

Usworth Sixth Form College was singled out for its bold design and its focus on sustainability that had created a welcoming place to learn.

March 2008

"See us at EAUC..."

Dewjo'c Architects will be at this year's annual conference of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges in Exeter from 31st March to 2nd April. As members of EAUC we are actively engaged in the debate on the principles of sustainable design and its application to building projects across the sector.

Director, Steve Agar and Project Architect, Mark Siddall, both with a wealth of experience in this field, will be at the conference to join in the debate and to share their knowledge with others interested in this most urgent of architectural topics.

February 2008

Dewjo’c appointed to Stockton Borough Council Framework

Dewjo’c has been appointed to the Stockton Borough Council Technical Services Partnership. The framework runs for three years and alongside framework partners; Billinghurst George Partnership, Dewjo’c will deliver Architectural, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and Structural Engineering Services to the council.

£5million international research facility complete

Building work is complete on a new £5million project to house Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing and Health on the Newcastle General Hospital site, as part of the Science City initiative.

The Edwardson Building forms an integral part of what is an important national and international research centre. It will house a suite of research laboratories with specialist equipment offices, a seminar room and support areas.

Dewjo’c also designed the Magnetic Resonance Centre alongside the Edwardson Building and the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) which is currently under construction, as part of a design consultancy framework agreement with Newcastle University.

Dewjo’c Director, Steve Agar, who oversaw the project, said: “Dewjo’c is immensely proud to work on such an important building, not only for Newcastle and the North East, but for the entire UK in terms of medical research and progression.

“Over the years Dewjo’c has been involved in the design of laboratory facilities and clinical research facilities both nationally and internationally, for clients including GlaxoSmithKline, MSD, Cardinal Health and Sanofi-Aventis. We drew on this experience when designing the Edwardson building and we are very pleased with the results.

“We worked closely with the University’s estate project manager, Dave Pearson, and the research team at Newcastle University to create not only a functional building, but one that will also attract and stimulate top quality research staff in an excellent working environment.”

December 2007

New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Unit handed over
The £5.5m replacement Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit for the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust was handed over on 10 December 2007.

As part of the rationalisation programme, the NHS is building a series of specialist units around the UK supplying the local region. Unlike all private pharma manufacturing companies, this unit is dealing with small quantities of many products (around 400) and therefore the challenge has been to design a facility incorporating recognised standards and procedures adopted for producing at an international commercial scale.

Part of the brief was to understand the existing processes of sterile, aseptic and topical manufacture and to develop them, with the client team, into new procedures, with new equipment, to satisfy the MHRA: the regulatory body.

Working with its in house process advisor to prepare a series of layouts to explore the various methods of manufacturing that comply with the ‘Orange Guide’, our expert knowledge of both manufacturing equipment and facility layout requirements led to an economical design with maximum equipment utilisation and flexibility for the many products that are being prepared now and those projected for the future.

Seasons Greetings

Fire Control Centre - Belmont Business Park, Co. Durham
2007 Office Development Building of the Year Landmark Award Winner
As last year, we have decided not to send a Christmas card but instead to make a donation to the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle upon Tyne.

November 2007

Culture lab wins commended award
Culture Lab at Newcastle University has won another award. The building scooped a Commendation Award at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Design Awards in the category of refurbishment/conversion.

Culture Lab is a Grade II listed building which was built in 1889 as the Grand Assembly Rooms and is now the flagship for research excellence at Newcastle and the dynamic hub of creative and critical practice across the University community.

Gateshead locals prepare to decide the future of their area
Gateshead Council has commissioned Planning Aid North (PAN), who are giving a group of 50 or more local people a crash course in urban design to give them the ability to objectively assess a place’s qualities and weaknesses, and to identify what makes a great place to live.

Residents are invited along to a series of workshops, aimed at developing their understanding of urban design and neighbourhood planning issues with a view to participating in the selection of developers and the creation of a masterplan for their area

PAN’s community project officer, Andrew McMillan said, ‘”We can demonstrate to local people what makes a ‘great place’. Regeneration is not just about building new housing – it’s about making places better for everyone for well into the future. These sessions were open to everyone and those who took part will have the chance to work with Gateshead Council to chose which developer will build in their area and have a real influence on the nature and design of their future neighbourhood.”

Dewjo’c architect Mark Siddall, who helped deliver part of the workshops said, “The knock on effect of high quality, thoughtful urban design goes beyond the aesthetic. It can actually impact on the social wellbeing and quality of life of local people by reducing crime, improving public health and easing transport problems as well as increasing property values.”

The redevelopment of Bensham, Felling and Teams is being carried out as part of the Bridging NewcastleGateshead, the government’s housing market renewal pathfinder and one of nine housing market renewal pathfinders in the North and Midlands.

The BNG programme aims to create great places to live through a variety of measures including improving properties, building new homes and, where necessary, clearing obsolete housing after significant consultation.

October 2007

Dewjo’c take control with prestigious design award win



Dewjo’c is celebrating after scooping a prestigious prize for one of its outstanding designs at The Journal’s Landmark Awards.

Dewjo’c’s design of the Fire Control Centre, at Belmont Business Park in County Durham, won the acclaimed award in the Office Development category. The Landmark awards honour buildings that have enhanced the region and the lives of those within the North East.

The centre, which is the first of only nine in the country to be built, is the prototype from which the other centres will be designed, replacing the 46 existing Fire and Rescue control rooms in England, and leading the way in innovative new building typology.

Dewjo’c strenghtens team as growth continues

Dewjo’c has strengthened its multi-national team with five new appointments. The new appointments signal continued growth for the practice.

Craig White and Keith Hodgson join the Newcastle office as architectural technologists, while Liz Waller takes up the role of interior designer and Joanna Hinchcliffe, who recently graduated from Newcastle University, joins as an architectural assistant.

New staff; New projects
Dewjo'c is adding new members of staff to its multi-disciplinary teams following a successful tender to carry out improvements to four London Underground stations on the Metropolitan Line.

Major refurbishment of university buildings starts on site

The grade II listedKing George VI Building at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, constructed in three main blocks between 1936-39, is currently home to a host of university departments, including Agriculture which will be relocated in September/October 2007 along with a large part of Biology.

The building is to be remodelled/refurbished to accommodate, amongst other users, the School of Education Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS) in a range of teaching and office accommodation. Also to be housed in KGVI will be the Staff Development Unit (SDU) and ‘QuILT’ (Quality in Teaching and Learning) together with some existing users.

The £2m project is being carried out over a very tight programme and within strict budget constraints. Effective management of the decanting, phased construction and relocations will be key to its success.

RICS Award handed to Culture Lab

On Wednesday 10 October Steve Baker and Mark Siddall presented the RICS Award for Building Conservation to Clare Rogers, Newcastle University’s Director of Estates, and Sally-Jane Norman, Director of the Culture Lab, in recognition of the refurbishment work undertaken at the Grand Assembly Rooms to create Culture Lab.

September 2007

Manor House move represents historic step for Dewjo’c

Dewjo’c is practicing what it preaches this week, after completing the refurbishments and moving into its prestigious new premises in Sedgefield, County Durham.

In preparation for this move, Dewjo’c refurbished the interior of the historic Grade II listed Manor House, breathing new life into the former Magistrates Court which dates back to 1707.

Steve Agar, the Dewjo’c director overseeing the move, said: “When the chance arose to move our Teesside office to Manor House in Sedgefield, we realised it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“Although Dewjo’c has redesigned the interior of many historic buildings for clients, it is rare to have the opportunity to practice what we preach and put our unique design stamp on our own premises. The last time we moved was 40 years ago.

“Dewjo’c has a rich architectural heritage stretching back over 100 years. Refurbishing the Manor House has allowed us to use this experience to make the most of the building’s historic past, yet create a modern work space fit for the present and the future.

“The refurbishment reflects where we are as a company and our ambitious plans for the future. It provided an opportunity to design a working environment which presents Dewjo’c as a truly 21st century practice. We know from experience how important a stimulating, creative working environment is, and we are delighted with the results at Manor House.”

Boasting an impressive entrance hall and grand staircase leading to first floor and second offices, Manor House also retains the former Magistrates Court’s basement prison cells.

July 2007

Hadrian House refurbishment complete

UK Land Estates commissioned Dewjo’c to transform Hadrian House, a 1970’s office block beside the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle in Septemeber 2005. The £3million refurbishment involved stripping out the interior of the building and creating a new entrance block. The refurbishment is now complete and Hadrian House offers 60 000 sq ft of prime office space.

Business Factory opens

Work was completed this month on a state of the art business factory in South Shields. The new centre for business will be a dynamic hub from which new businesses will be created and others helped to grow within South Tyneside. Two more centres will also open this year in Jarrow and Hebburn.

The building will be used by a variety of different people including clients, suppliers and the general public, so key to the successful design was the ability to create a welcoming space that would be comfortable for a range of users. As a result, the ground floor of the building will be split into different zones, including a reception area, an information point, a coffee area, a comfortable seating area, two ‘pods’ for informal discussions and two private meeting rooms.

Part of Dewjo’c’s brief was to give the interior of the building a contemporary feel, without being intimidating. This was achieved by including large areas of planar glass into exterior walls to provide a direct visual link between Market Square and the interior of the building.

Work begins on Science City research facility

Dewjo’c has designed the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) as part of the University of Newcastle’s Campus for Ageing and Vitality, located at Newcastle General Hospital.

The campus is one of four sites within Science City that will create a centre for excellence, allowing world-class research into ageing and vitality. It is being funded by the Wellcome Trust.

The new building continues work to turn part of the Newcastle General Hospital site into a new research park, as acute services are moved to the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital.

Clinical spaces and laboratories occupy the ground floor, while the first floor is a mix of open plan and cellular offices and meeting rooms. The building offers flexibility in many of the areas, should the University wish to expand the research facilities.

Steve Agar, the Dewjo’c director responsible for overseeing the project, said: “The Science City development on the General Hospital site is now really beginning to take shape – this is the third building Dewjo’c has designed here, having been involved in the development and planning of the campus for several years now.

“Once finished, the facility will allow scientists and healthcare specialists to carry out world class research into ageing, no doubt resulting in important developments for the future. Newcastle is at the forefront of emerging medical science and it is very exciting to be part of such an important project.”

Dewjo’c has also been involved in preparing a master plan for the campus and its future phases.

June 2007

Planning permission granted for city centre office development

A planning application for a significant new office development in the heart of Newcastle was granted on Friday 8 June.

Dewjo’c has designed the five storey building on Strawberry Place on behalf of developer Circle Red Properties.

Despite its modern feel, the development will remain sympathetic to the areas predominant brick and stonework. The penthouse office suite will benefit from stunning panoramic views across the city through fully glazed floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides.

Peter Swift, the Dewjo’c director who is overseeing the project, said: “The new building will enhance the Leazes area of the city, creating a modern new development that remains in keeping with existing structures.

“The building that currently occupies the site is viewed as wholly out of character with the area and the new building will not only enhance the local environment but also bring new business to Strawberry Place and will complement other new major developments in and around the Leazes area.”

Ross Hamilton, development surveyor at Circle Red Properties, said: “We are really pleased with the final results of the Dewjo’c design for the Strawberry Place offices. They offer an attractive, modern space for business in a fantastic location, yet the building fits perfectly with the existing architecture in the area."

Dewjo’c play part in regeneration of Teesside

A £4.5million project designed by Dewjo’c will see a former Teesside Department Store transformed into fifty luxury apartments, with the first show home opening this summer.

The former Co-op Department Store is a Grade II listed building. Permission has been granted by Hartlepool Borough Council to convert this landmark building into 50 luxury one and two bedroom apartments, with car parking on the ground floor and basement levels. Now the transformation is underway with 25 apartments already sold.

Park Tower boasts spectacular sea views on the upper floors and is positioned on the southern edge of the town centre at the junction of Park Road and Stockton Street. It has been derelict for many years although the ground floor was used as a night-club in the nineties.

Middlesbrough based developer Tony Collins said that the grandeur of the building and its prominent position prompted the decision to transform it into exclusive flats. He said: “Dewjo’c has done an exceptional job converting this unique building and it is exciting to see the transformation happening step by step. Many people remember shopping and working there and I am delighted to be bringing this landmark building back into use.”

The building is due for completion in November 2007.

May 2007

Businesses premises go green

Dewjo’c has been commissioned by Durham County Council (with Wear Valley District Council) to design environmentally friendly offices for an expanding industrial estate in Durham. Work is underway on the £2.2 million project, to construct fourteen single story office units designed to address sustainable and green design principles at Low Willington Industrial Estate.

The buildings use sustainable materials, integrating cedar boarding with contrasting brick and render panels all under a natural aluminium mono pitched roof. The grounds are planted with native tree planting to enhance the natural habitat, which also provides shade during summer months, whilst creating a natural barrier for noise.

Steve Baker, the Dewjo’c director responsible for overseeing the project, said:

“As members of the AECB: The Sustainable Building Association, Dewjo’c prides itself on its award winning work designing sustainable and environmentally sound buildings. With this particular project, we aimed to create a sustainable design, which embraces the principles of green design whilst providing a pleasant working environment."

The offices are due for completion in October 2007.

April 2007

Culture Lab wins RICS Renaissance Award

On 27 April 2007 Newcastle University’s Culture Lab won the RICS Renaissance Award in the buidling conservation category and has also been short listed for the RICS National Awards which take place on 19 October 2007 in London.

Culture Lab is part of the developing ‘Cultural Quarter’ on the university campus and is a project aimed at bringing together artists, local organisations and university researchers, enabling them to collaborate in new ways.

The RICS judges said: “Culture Lab is a flagship for Newcastle University’s new cultural quarter, successfully integrating a highly sophiticated technical environment within a building of histotical and architectural importance. It houses facilities including performance and exhibition space, recording studios, multi-media laboratories and an electronics workshop. The design approach recognised the aspiration of the client as well as the needs of the building and included the restoration of hidden historical features to maintain the character of the original 1889 building.”

Professor Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University, said: “I am delighted that the quality of such a sensitive conversion has been formally recognised in this way.”

Extract taken from Newcastle University’s website: www.ncl.ac.uk

College with Class

Opening its doors for the first time to students in September last year was the newly built Usworth College. Surrounded by mature tress and grassed areas, this new £10m sixth form college provides a light, bright learning environment for over 1,000 students between the age of 16 and 19.

Dave Geddis, Site Manager at the City of Sunderland College said, "We formed an excellent relationship with all the team. They were very professional and finished the project six weeks early and came under budget. The interest from other organisations within the education sector has also been very positive. The completed building is fantastic – first class."

In October 2006, Usworth College scooped the Journal Landmark Award for the best Public Sector Development. Representing the contractor, Balfour Beatty, on the night was Kevin Alden, Project Manager for Usworth College. After winning the award, Kevin said "The award was the perfect end to a very successful and enjoyable project, not just for the Balfour Beatty staff involved but also for the client and design teams. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the quality and effect put into the project. Congratulations go to the entire project team for a job well done."

Extract taken from Balfour Beatty company magazine Insight www.bbcl.co.uk

March 2007

Design for landmark site

Dewjo’c has been invited by CABE, in conjunction with Tees Valley Regeneration, to prepare design proposals for a new marketing suite to be sited on the landmark Middlehaven development in Middlesbrough.

As one of six regional practices, we were asked to prepare design proposals demonstrating contemporary design whilst complying with the client’s brief of a limited budget, employing ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ and achieving a zero carbon footprint.

We believe we have exceeded the clients aspirations with our designs for an exciting new visitor centre which will demonstrate the approach of the client, Bio Regional Quintain, and meet the needs of all the stakeholders whilst demonstrating our approach to contemporary architecture…………we await the results.

Culture Lab shortlisted for RICS Renaissance Award

Culture Lab has been shortlisted for the RICS Renaissance Awards 2007. The awards are designed to celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land property and construction.

Culture Lab is housed in the Grand Assembly Rooms on King's Walk. Designed in 1879 the building, which is Grade II listed, has been the subject of a £4.5 million transformation which retains original features such as decorative plaster work, columns and listed floors and introduces flexibility and future-proofing in terms of data and power infrastructure.

Being short-listed for the award is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the project, from the Culture Lab User Group and University Estates office, to the architects, Dewjoc, and the contractors, Interserve.

Usworth Sixth Form College walks away with commended award
The North-East’s third annual Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment Awards took place on 16 March 2007 and Usworth Sixth Form College received a commended sustainability award.

The judges said: “The building is an excellent example of a sustainable, low energy, deep-plan building. We were delighted to see that, where possible, natural construction materials were used to create an environmentally friendly building, maximising energy efficiency and minimising lifetime costs.” Judges were further impressed with the careful consideration that was given to building a college that uses minimal energy and expends low levels of CO 2.

City of Sunderland College are delighted with the final product. Dave Geddis, site manager at the College said: “The completed building is fantastic – first class.”

February 2007

Five Dewjo’c projects short listed for Renaissance Awards
The RICS Renaissance Awards 2007 has received a record number of entries this year. The awards are designed to celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment

Five Dewjo’c projects have been short listed. These are: St James' Gate Apartments , St James' Gate Office Building, Novus Business Centre, NET Park’s Research Institute & Incubator 1 buildings and University of Newcastle 'Culture Lab'

The eight category winners and overall project of the year winner will be announced at a dinner on 27 April 2007 at the Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne.

In 2004 the Devonshire Building won the Gold Award for Sustainability and it also received the Building of the Year title. This year another Newcastle University project, Culture Lab, has been short listed.

Culture Lab is housed in the Grand Assembly Rooms on King's Walk. Designed in 1879 the building, which is Grade II listed, has been the subject of a £4.5 million transformation which retains original features such as decorative plaster work, columns and listed floors and introduces flexibility and future-proofing in terms of data and power infrastructure.

More than any other project, Culture Lab signifies the University's commitment to trans-disciplinary research and is attracting researchers and creative practitioners from across and beyond the campus, especially visual artists, musicians, writers, dramatists, composers, humanities scholars and their colleagues in engineering, medicine and the sciences. The "Grand Assembly Rooms" offer a particularly fitting venue for this new collaborative undertaking.

January 2007

New Business Factory to open in the North East
Work begins this month on a state of the art business factory in South Shields. The business factory will be based in an existing building in Market Square and Dewjo’c has designed the interior as part of the project. The building will be used by a variety of different people including clients, suppliers and the general public, so key to the successful design was the ability to create a welcoming space that would be comfortable for a range of users.

As a result, the ground floor of the building will be split into different zones, including a reception area, an information point, a coffee area, a comfortable seating area, two ‘pods’ for informal discussions and two private meeting rooms.

Dewjo’c interior architect, Emma Gains, said: “We are delighted to have begun our first commission for South Tyneside Council under the new consultancy agreement. Dewjo’c has extensive experience designing buildings for business use, having just completed the Novus Business Centre in East Durham, as well as designing St James’ Gate Office Building II and the refurbishment of Hadrian House, beside the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle.