Turning buildings into success stories

Jun 14 2007 By The Journal

Experts in the built environment are giving people the chance to see how their landscape takes form.

As a patron and continued supporter of Northern Architecture, creative specialist in the built environment Waring and Netts is celebrating Architecture Week 2007 by opening its doors to budding architects, designers and creatives - as well as those who just want a peek behind the scenes at how the company works.

On Thursday June 21, between 5pm and 8pm, people are invited to drop into Waring and Netts' current base at Hawthorn House behind Central Station in Newcastle where the team will be available to answer questions and talk through some of their latest work.

Andy Roberts, Waring and Netts design director, said: "It's a great opportunity for people to find out what happens before you actually see a new building or feature appear on the landscape.

"The creative process can take months and we bring together factors such as architecture, urban design and planning alongside construction management and building surveying under one roof, so we can see an entire project through from the design stage to the final realisation of a project and beyond."

The company is unique in that it often continues to support a project after it is fully constructed, most recently sponsoring Boldon School's first performing arts festival after designing the building almost four years ago.

Andy continued: "It is extremely rewarding to continue a relationship with a school that is actually lived in and see it function so well.

"Our work is always centred around people rather than the buildings themselves so - just as it will be good to see people enjoying our open house event - it is always a pleasure to see one of our designs actually living and breathing once the building is regularly used."

Currently celebrating its 50th year in business, Waring and Netts is a team of 120 specialists in all areas of the built environment, working to address the challenges of the natural and built environment.

The primary aim of the company is to create living, working, healing and educational spaces that are functional, sustainable and inspirational.

With sustainability forming a large part of the Waring and Netts ethos, the company is particularly pleased to see Northern Architecture selecting the theme of `How green is your space?' for Architecture Week 2007.

Andy said: "As energy-efficient building design becomes a hot topic in the reduction of the UK's carbon footprint, we have seen a distinct change in clients' wants and needs as people understand the benefits of low energy buildings, both in environmental terms and for cost effectiveness in the long term,

"When approaching a project, we like to take into account the surroundings as well as the structure itself.

"By making the most of the natural environment at design stage, we can create spaces that are kinder to their inhabitants as well as the outside world."

Waring and Netts strongly believes the `in between' spaces matter just as much as the buildings themselves.

Andy added: "From the materials we employ to the experience that people have when they move through a space, all have an impact on our expectations of the places we inhabit every day.

"We believe good design makes this happen naturally to create sustainable spaces that we can respect and enjoy."

If you would like to meet the Waring and Netts team and see how they work behind the scenes, feel free to drop in for a drink and a chat on Thursday, June 21 between 5pm and 8pm.

For further information on Waring and Netts, log onto www.waring-netts.co.uk