blog.strakt

mfg! is a great funk (soul, gospel, northern soul, afrobeat, dance-floor, jazz, rare groove, boogaloo and latin) night held on the last Saturday of every month at the Bull’s Head, Moseley. I would highly recommend a visit.

They also have a nice new blog.

We were very pleased to help them with their flyers…

The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design at Gosta Green had the private view for their end of year show last Wednesday. The particular faculty that was of most interest to us was the School of Architecture. We developed their yearbook, which was a great pleasure, and while developing content gave us a chance to look closely at the high standard of work that came out of the School this year.

The Creative City Awards started out as a celebration of success for businesses who have participated in the BSCI (Business Support for the Creative Industries) programme. This year is the first year the awards have been open to all businesses, regardless of participation on the BSCI programme.

We were lucky to have received support through the BSCI programme. Initially came the feasibility grant which helped us to market and promote our business, mainly through the production and distribution of a self promotion brochure. Then we were successful in our application for the creative space grant, which was a huge help in getting us from working at home to our studio in the Custard Factory.

We were extremely pleased to find out that we have been short listed for this years Creative City Awards. The category we are forward for is the ‘Most Promising New Business Start Up’ Award. The award ceremony takes place at the ICC on the 19th July.

More info about the Creative City Awards here.

Dear Chris, Michelle and Stas,Well done for submitting your entry and coming second place!

On Monday, 5 distinguished jurors viewed the entries; Martin Field (ULI), Marc Reeves (Birmingham Post), Mary Martin (Pro-Vice Chancellor, UCE), Kenny Brown (Turley Associates) and Nicola Hopwood (Glenn Howells Architects). I attach their comments below.

Martin Field, who will be co-ordinating the publicity suggested a celebratory reception to congratulate you all, and an opportunity for you to explain your scheme to the audience. The date, time and venue will be confirmed but it will be around the last week of March. Moreover, Terry Grimley, arts and culture columnist for the Birmingham Post, will interview you for a piece he is writing on the competition and the Wholesale Market site.

Well done for your achievement. Here are the judge’s comments:

Strengths:

• Good integration of archaeological site with public park
• Broad range of uses
• Good use of water and varied grain with the finer grain emulating the historical patterns
• Similarly, block structure follows historic grain
• powerful masterplan image
• masterplan models surrounding area
• Phasing achievable

Weaknesses:

• Judges led to believe that new development sunk below street level and would be detrimental to connectivity
• 3 blocks on ridge felt to be inappropriate in height and location
• The creative hub on wrong side of development, not addressing Digbeth Media Zone
• Parts of the masterplan work better than other parts, such as the finer grain is commendable, but three long buildings on the block further north creates unusual geometry
• Overall, masterplan doesn’t come together as a ‘piece of city’
• No link to the church
• No environmental consideration

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