Design News

[Mike]

Crap Cycle Lanes

[mr_e]

Is it really architects to blame for that or highway engineer type people?

The Warrington Cycle Campaign link from that article is great, including some real "wtf!?" moments.

[Mike]

I don't think Architects are to blame, I just think that the AJ had a good chuckle over the book!

[Mike]

Student folding plug design. Genius idea for a 3pin folding plug. Amazingly simple and I am sure laptop makers will be all over it soon. Down with the uber plugs!

[mr_e]

You can tell it's a good design because the response is usually "why didn't I think of that first!?", and it's obviously practical. The multiplug adaptor is a thing of beauty, would certainly clear up the cabling under my desk.

[Mike]

Damien Hirst sketches a doodle as a tip for a cabbie. The cabbie's tip is worth £12k. Nice.

[Mike]

Billions of pounds of education funding suspended by the new coalition until an emergency Budget can be announced on 1 July 2010. Architects working on BSF schemes currently will be very nervous about this announcement and I am sure it will lead to redundancies at various Architecture practices up and down the country. Especially considering Michael Gove's comments about Architect's creaming money off the BSF programme (a total misunderstanding I hasten to add). It is concerning that his comment is made when our fees are a pittance - it is the bidding process that actually causes all the financial waste in the industry.

Very worrying times. If this continues I will have to re-consider moving plans. There is taking a risk and there is being financially suicidal.

BD Online article regarding the same cuts (but with less information).

[Andy]

Billions of pounds of education funding suspended by the new coalition until an emergency Budget can be announced on 1 July 2010.

That's Conservatives for you; people get more of their own money but services suffer. It looks like it might be back to the days of the photocopying budget... I had a blanket ban at Bedford for 3 months and it wasn't easy or fun.

Very worrying times.

For you and me both. I shouldn't be directly affected as such as I've got 2 responsibility points, in a financial stable school and teaching what is still a shortage subject. However, other colleagues will be and a lot of our support staff are worred - I'm worried for them and the children's progress as a great deal of them (especially Ste) really help to make the children progress. In terms of future progression, it means that there is likely to be a lack of SLT jobs as they'll cut them due to funding. Oh well....

Personally, I think you're wise to hang fire on the move. There may be a double-dip in the recession and that won't be good. Hopefully Black Wednesday won't return.

[Mike]

There has been a distinct drop in interest this week so I guess that lots of people will be in the same boat. I think it is not a problem to worry about until we have an offer (or there is a problem with work). Till then sitting still and waiting.

[Mike]

Michael Gove (education secretary) attacks Architects and Consultants fees again. Funny how this is the area where he considers money is wasted and not the government created bid process which wastes millions.

I am sick of Architects being classed as the front fall guy in construction but in reality facing an eroded role and weakening influence. Problem with the radiator, Architects fault; problem with the structure, Architects fault; problem with the budget, Architects fault and my personal favourite "contractor decides to build it differently to my design" yet it is still the Architects fault.

[Mike]

Historic Manchester Firestation on London Road is to be finally re-developed by Britannia Hotels. They lodged a Planning Application for conversion into a 227 bed hotel, function space, bar and restaurant.

This was bought early in the 21st century by the Hotel Chain with the promise to renovate. Manchester City Council believe this promise has been broken (effectively) and want to compulsory purchase the property.

[Mike]

Wired design mashup. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

[Mike]

French start building a castle from the 13th Century using only tools and materials which were contemporary at the time. It looks like fun!

[Mike]

Mirrored Field by Bruce Munro. Nice idea and beautiful photographs. It took 140,000 CD/DVD's to create.

[Mike]

BSF project review has been completed and it looks like BSF is dead in the water. Oh dear. It does not appear to be a good day for Architects.