Bluecoat Centre for Contemporary Arts

Islington Mill is now on site. Here are some images of what is comming…. https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/islington-mill/

Here are some photos of a venue we completed pre pandemic in Leeds. See more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/power-corruption-and-lies/

When we opened Handyman Supermarket, part of the vision was to retain it’s character, appearance and name. We recently decided we needed to alter the frontage to open up the facade to deal with the need for greater ventilation. In replacing the windows, we also decided to reimagine the frontage. We have survived the pandemic and now offer a more welcomming, eye-catching and pleasant venue The rear room is also showing the football. We look forward to welcomming you back.

The Handyman on Smithdown – behind the scenes at one of Liverpool’s best loved independent venues

Photos by Warren Millar

For the record, we didn’t ever want to turn it into apartments. We loved it as a shop and converting it to a bar and brewery was the closest thing to keeping it as existing. I think this is known as artistic licence, but worth it for a good story.

In the last year we worked on a couple of restaurants that due to workload, having a little one (baby), now semi lock down, have not managed to visit and photograph the finished spaces. However, others have been to Madre in the Albert Dock and have provided good reviews and some decent photos. We hope we can all enjoy a visit soon:

https://confidentials.com/liverpool/madre-albert-dock-reviewedhttps://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186337-d19658478-Reviews-Madre-Liverpool_Merseyside_England.htmlhttps://www.cheshirelife.co.uk/food-drink/restaurants/restaurant-review-madre-albert-dock-liverpool-1-6513044https://www.thisismadre.co.uk/

In the last year we worked on a couple of restaurants that due to workload, having a little one (baby), now semi lock down, have not managed to visit and photograph the finished spaces. However, others have been to Power Corruption and Lies in Leeds and have provided good reviews and some decent photos. We hope we can all enjoy a visit soon:

Power Corruption and Lies:

https://confidentials.com/leeds/power-corruption-and-lies-call-lane-leeds-reviewedhttps://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186411-d19760867-Reviews-Power_Corruption_Lies-Leeds_West_Yorkshire_England.htmlhttps://yorkshirefoodguide.co.uk/blog/power-corruption-lies-leeds-review/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/classy-new-edition-call-lane-power-corruption-and-lies-leeds-bar-review-1373189https://www.powercorruptionandlies.co.uk/

We have been busy transforming Huyton Village by rejuvenating the high street through our overarching vision for the precinct. The first phase of our interventins is now complete, with more shop fronts and landscape changes underway. See more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/huyton-shopfronts/

Architectural Emporium’s summer camping trip took us to mid Wales this year at https://www.fforestfields.co.uk/ We had a wonderful time walking, canoeing and paragliding in and around the beautiful campsite. We also had a few of our most recent beers that we brewed at the Handyman including a collaborative brew with our friends at Falconer Chester Hall Architects. Toby, Luke, Anna, Michael and Ben enjoyed paragliding with the brilliant Alistair. His company can be found here: www.crickhowellparagliding.com

On Friday we submitted the attached scheme for planning permission. The application includes the creation of a new cafe, a new gallery, making and event space, nine artist residency spaces with a communal apartment, two new apartments and the creation of a new lift and staircase to improve access and extend the courtyard garden vertically. You can read and see more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/islington-mill/

As proud owners of Handymans Supermarket and long standing friends and residents of Smithdown Road, Architectural Emporium would recommend you all attend the upcomming festival. Kev (also from Handymans and Kelly’s) and Andy (from Craft) together with some support from Franks, friends and some of the other venues do an amazing job of transforming Smithdown Road and the surrounding area each year for the community to enjoy a variety of cultural events, mainly focussed around music but with lots of events for all ages. It is a truly brilliant festival and has changed perceptions in the area and in part kickstarted the boom of great venues, shops and eateries along the road. Kev and Andy put in an unbelievable amount of love, skill, effort and time into creating the festival and do it all for free. The festival is not profit earning and supports the local venues and the Whitechapel Centre. Please come along. We hope you can make it and that you enjoy the wide variety of events on offer…..

Heswall Home

Architectural Emporium recently worked collaboratively with Elevate architects and CW studio Landscape Architects to submit a reserved matters application for a housing scheme in Ludlow. As the previous outline scheme did not conform to council guidance regarding road loayout, access, tree protection or interface distances, the smasterplan was completely redesigned. The adjusted scheme featured a larger village green as the focus of the development, two more defined crescents overlooking the riverside park, two formal avenues and five additional houses. The adjusted layout increased efficiencies and offered greater value to numerous properties as they overlooked better quality open spaces. It also featured a more structured distribution of the small terraced blocks forming streets and squares. A footbridge over the railway line that disected the site was designed together with a further footbridge over the river linking the proposed development with a neighbouring area of housing. Affordable housing is accommodated within the developments with numbers increased. The larger house types are arranged along tree lined crescents and avenues mostly overlooking the village green and the riverside park. A simple pallete of materials is used throughout the scheme, drawing on the local vernacular and other high quality housing schemes. Variety is offered within the development but some common features such as window boxes unify the scheme.

Architectural Emporium recently revisited a house that we worked on some time ago. Works have been recenty progressed and here are some photographs from inside and outside. The front has been clad in hit and miss cedar planks. A new window opening has been introduced where the garage has been converted into an office. New matching masonry has been introduced here, with new Velfac windows throughout. Internally the staircase has been painted in a block colour, with colour introduced elsewhere with eye catching features.

Architectural Emporium have designed a number of the changes to Camp and Furnace over the years, from re-lining the entrance funnel, to creating mezzanine levels within Camp. AE have produced various visions for how the space could be altered and improved visually and functionally. Most recently, we have produced a vision for the re-imagining of the lobby area, with a new glazed entrance, lighting rig and arrangement that massively increases capacity of the space by rationalising the entrances into the space. There are also plans for enlarging the capacity of Camp by reorganising the bars and toilets. Furnace is to be altered through a lighting scheme that allows the space to change to suit its various events. Works are currently in progress, so the images are a mix of visualisations and completed interventions.

Having already updated the original Rudy’s pizzeria in Ancoats in Manchester, AE worked closely with our client to establish a design strategy for future Rudy’s, which will adapt to each environment. The second was established on Peter St in Manchester and the third has just opened in Liverpool. All within very different existing buildings and designed to feel unique, they also feature some elements that have been repeated and refined along the way. Rudy’s in Liverpool features a large island bar under an existing rooflight and arched opening. The design enhances existing features within the space. When we accessed the space, we found a fully functioning largely black restaurant with corrugated white plastic panels and blue sky lighting features. The acoustic ceiling with its sound system was retained but painted white. Everything else was removed and a challenge was to inject an element of rawness in line with other Rudy’s restaurants into the finished interior. The floor was retained and where previously marked by partitions and furniture, this is now on show. Formally boxed in columns have now been exposed to reveal raw brickwork, steel and concrete. The low cost fit-out is focused around key features such as the pizza oven, the visible mural and the island bar. Rudy’s is now ranked amongst the best pizzeria’s in the world by the Guardian, Hardens Guide, and Where to Eat Pizza. It was named the best Pizzeria in the UK by Trip Advisor. Photos by James Maloney and AE

We recently produced this innovative solution for a derelict terrace in Anfield. The aim was to rejuvenate the high street with business incubator units. Affordable and inventive accommodation was mixed into the existing terrace with rear garden space linking the development to the open land behind. Apartments would be accessed through a house with its floors and walls removed. It would essentially be forming a covered courtyard between the adjacent business incubator units and home to the Community Land Trust. A staircase and lift would take home owners and visitors to a rear deck providing access through private gardens to the homes. Further external area would be provided in the form of platforms on the back of the rear outriggers, accessed via new rooftop dormers. To the front, the existing bay windows are retained as shop fronts. A new restaurant is proposed overlooking the square.

Architectural Emporium have designed a new event, conference and venue space in Liverpool’s Baltic Quarter. Set within a series of warehouse spaces, the design strategy involved constructung new corridors for fire escape and to allow each space to function separately, offering flexibility. Each accessible corridor is complimented by a new mezzanine level above that adds height and character to the main event hall. A new stepped volume at the entrance accommodates a kiosk, with tiered levels overlooking the main hall. Toilets and a bar have been located underneath making the whole space useable, flexible and multi leveled. Two further spaces are located either side of the main hall. One is a sound proof black box for gigs and performances and the other is a more light and airy space, which will eventually accommodate mezzanine studio spaces with a field kitchen underneath.

Global Grooves are a Tameside based company who deliver and inspire Carnival activity across the UK. AE were appointed to create artist workshops, studios and storage alongside a music/dance studio and R&D theatre space. On the other side of the site, an artist residency and accommodation is located. You can see more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/global-grooves/

Last weekend, we took the office away to Smugglers Cove, near Aberdovey. It is a fantastic campsite with secluded plots on the river together with the ‘Boy John’ boat. It is owned by one of our clients, although the weekend was work free. Here are some photos….

Our friends are establishing a new affordable and ecological laundrette in the Anfield/Everton community. A warm and welcoming space for arts and social activities. This is not an Architectectural Emporium Project, but one that we support wholeheartedly. We wish them all the best:

Andy, Luke and I spent the day brewing our American Red Ale. It all went to plan (more or less). Here are a couple of photos…. One showing Luke in the copper carrying out the clean up and one showing the way the grain formed during the mash tun clean up (genuinely only slightly tweaked to prove the beer provenance). Back to the day job tomorrow….

At the RIBA Awards last night, Walk the Plank won an award. Architectural Emporium won Emerging Practice of the Year and our client won the best client award. It’s been a great nine years of emerging, but we are now grown up enough to display our award thoughtfully alongside Andy’s favourite footballer and my nephew’s favourite rappers. We are developing a wall of fame. Maybe one day, when we have emerged fully, we will hang them properly. You can read more here: https://www.architecture.com/awards-and-competitions-landing-page/awards/riba-regional-awards/riba-north-west-award-winners/2018/walk-the-plank#

I attended a post completion meeting today and took some photos of our recently completed Neopolitan pizzeria in Manchester. You can read and see more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/

We have been so busy that we haven’t managed to update the website for a while. Here are some links to some recently added jobs:

Islington Mill: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/islington-mill/

Homebaked Phase 01: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/homebaked-phase-01/

SHAP: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/1843/

We are proud to anounce that Walk the Plank has been shortlisted by RIBA for an architectural award. You can see more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/walk-the-plank/

Last year Architectural Emporium designed Hinterlands, a warehouse complex comprising three main spaces for hire. It features a series of interventions that allow visitors to navigate safely between spaces, change levels and it also conceal necessary services, therefore maximising space for events. Hinterlands is the forthcoming second venue for the people behind Constellations and is located in the cains brewery. Attached are some sketch 3ds produced as part of the process. The build is ongoing with an opening imminent. Our friends at Tomfoolery produced this promo video: https://hinterlands-liv.com/

Michael joined us in November and has been making a great contribution to the Emporium, but we have only just managed to get him up on the website. You can read more about him and see how happy he looks in our very own prison cell here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/about/

Architectural Emporium have designed a hotel and public house in Prescot, whuch recently achieved planning approval. You can see more here: https://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/prescot-hotel/

The Green Room went on a trip to Southport to enjoy the festivities at the amusements, Tap and Bottles and then back to Liverpool via Birkdale’s finest chippy and Hard Times and Misery Pop Up in Crosby

Here is a mixture of completed shots taken recently at Walk the Plank. Some were taken by Simon Buckley from Not Quite Light and some by us. You can see all of the job photos and a bit more of an explanation here: http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/walk-the-plank/

Walk the Plank are an outdoor arts organisation famed for spectacular shows. They employed Architectural Emporium to create an office hub, training facility, workshop and rehearsal space all on one site. The scheme combines the many different activities that Walk the Plank used to operate across Greater Manchester into a single location on a light industrial site adjacent to a railway viaduct. The intention is to encourage greater collaboration and streamllined working practices for their creative work. Shows can be designed, built and rehearsed on a single site. The first key decision was to organise the site to allow for successful industrial processes and work flows. With noisy and unsightly surroundings, the second key decision was to utilise the final existing industrial unit as a protected external courtyard. This provides the key workspaces and training facilities with good views, fresh air and a sense of community. The planting scheme reinforces the intention to create an urban oasis. The final major design move was to replicate the industrial surroundings in materiality, but utilising an abstraction on the existing pitched roof forms to create a dynamic and eye-catching volume in which to work. Bold bespoke gutters and the sculptural placement of openings add a playful flourish to the exterior. Internally a series of different spaces have been created to suit different working practices, processes and people. A feature wall sits between the primary office, circulation and hub spaces, creating working booths, display spaces and hot desk spaces. The corridor features a wall of plywood panels designed to conceal the shared toilets and create informal meeting areas. The scheme features a vibrant set of materials, colours and textures to enliven the interior. Working with existing site geometries and limitations, a faceted geometry runs through the spaces, linking the many different uses found within the portal frame and pyramid structures.

Architectural Emporium have recently upgraded Rudy’s Neopolitan Pizzeria in Manchester by adding more covers, a new bar and proving cabinets. The bar was conceived as raw home kitchen. Architectural Emporium are now working on their second restaurant between Albert Schloss and Brewdog on Peter St in Manchester

We are almost there. Here are some recent progress shots of our development in Salford for the famous outdoor arts company Walk the Plank. The scheme involves the construction of a new build pyramid (hub) building of offices, meeting rooms, kitchen and social space, which looks onto a private courtyard. The other side of the courtyard is lined with a training bay, with the rest of the portal frame structures used as workshops for constructing their amazing structures.

We have finally (more or less) finished work on the Handyman (for now) and open to the public tonight. Here are some shots from our trade launch last night…… You can see and read more here: http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/handyman-supermarket/

Today, we carried out a workshop at Homebaked to consider design options for the apartment above the bakery, which is now on site. We had a very creative discussion with the client, artists, joiners and the three young trainees working on the build. It was a very successful workshop with all contributing towards defining a way forward.

Here are a few progress shots of the build of our very own brewery tap….. Andy and the workmen are making are great progress. We are looking forward to the job completing so that we can welcome Andy back to the office, although we may have lost him to the pub and brewery game altogether

The Handyman Supermarket opened again for a pop up event this weekend. As part of the official LIMF after parties, we opened our doors and hosted some great acoustic music. Here are some photos taken by Eekiboo. You can see them here on the Echo site: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/take-sneak-peak-inside-new-13378630 or review this lovely write up by Independent Liverpool:

“Like a lot of people, we were absolutely devastated when this closed. It may look exactly the same but what is happening inside is amazing. It’s turned into an incredible bar with some pretty special beers on.

The brew kit was lifted into place today at the Handyman Supermarket. We carried out acoustic tests tonight and the space is starting to take shape.

Luke and Anna returned from site today with the attached photos of the progress. Works are almost complete. Just in need of a few finishing touches. We are looking forward to the completion in the coming weeks….. See the job page for more details.

We have been busy building the volume in the centre of the space (largely by Mel), but with some help from child labour and other friends and workmen. The volume will comprise two ground floor bars (one for the front room and one for the rear), a small kitchen, toilets and staircase and hoist up to the brewery and cellar on the mezzanine. Here are some progress shots…..

We visited Islington Mill in Salford today to discuss the adaptation of the Mill to create new artist gallery, studio and residency spaces with new access towers. The building and surrounding spaces form a wonderful creative community. It is a very exciting new job for Architectural Emporium.

Today, we visited Walk the Plank. Significant progress has been made on site as the scheme nears completion and awits the finishing touches such as the bespoke joinery, staircase, balustrade and decoration. The scheme features a series of refurbished portal frame workshops and training spaces arranged around a former portal framed structure that has had it’s roof removed. This space becomes the focal point and aspect for the scheme. New walls are formed in concrete brickwork around the courtyard. The training space and Hub edge the courtyard. Inside the hub a variety of work and meeting spaces are arranged within an off set sinusoidal clad pyramid. We are looking forward to seeing the brilliant outdoor arts company occupy the site

Handyman Supermarket opened in a temporary capacity for Smithdown Rd festival. We hosted a series of great bands, comedy acts and Little Ninja classes for toddlers. It was fantastic to see the community coming together to enjoy a series of different activities. Thank you to all that attended. Money from the temporary events will go towards the build of our brewery tap and function space, which will serve the community with a variety of different uses.

Last night, we opened our doors for the first time since people passed through them for spanners and nails. We opened with a pop up bar constructed from counters found in the space and conserved for this event. We enjoyed a great night. Thank you for coming. We hope you enjoyed yourselves. We are open again tonight for more fun and tomorrow for some comedy. Next weekend is a miny hammer and nail film festival. Come down to see it, before we open properly in July. Profits made will go towards the build.

Todays site visit to Walk the Plank featured an excellent performance and the hoisting of the metal splat logo. It was also fantastic to see the cladding almost complete and the green gutter largely installed. There are two months left on site to complete this exciting arts scheme that will allow Walk the Plank to focus their disperate operation onto one site in Coben Street, Salford. The scheme features office, training, workshop and rehearsal space.

Landlord works at Handyman Supermarket are almost complete. Handyman Supermarket is Architectural Emporium’s new business venture with some close friends and talented people. Here is a link to some photos of the space before we set it up as a pop up venue for the Smithdown Road festival 29 April-1st May. The grand opening will be this summer. Funds raised from the festival will go towards the refurbishment. Watch this space for progress shots of our pub, brewery and cultural venue….. http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/handyman-supermarket/

AE were recently commissioned to design a giant industrial connect 4 to enliven the Night Garden at Camp and Furnace. Luke says he had to let our client win. The structure was built by CCR Wrought Iron and the discs and lighting was by Kirk Signs.

Today we visited our project in Salford to see the site progress. Here are some shots from our enjoyable day seeing an imaginative and unusual scheme take shape. The scheme sees Walk the Plank merge its operation onto a single site on Cobden Street. It features new office, training and workshop space set within existing portal frame buildings and a new build pyramid. Primary spaces benefit from light and air from the courtyard we have created within the final portal frame structure. Work is due to complete in June.

Still a work in progress, but please follow the link to see where we are up to:

Mossley Hill House

Bluecoat Centre for Contemporary Arts

http://www.wallpaper.com/travel/uk/london/restaurants/the-distillery#185257

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/londons-best-cocktail-bars

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/best-drink-cities/

We will be enjoying its delights on Sunday

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-places-eat-liverpool

A few places we worked on and love are featured here: Pen Factory, Buyers Club, Camp and Furnace.

Also featured are a few favourites such as Maray, Black Lodge, Bold St Coffee, Liverpool Cheese Company and Etsu

Our house is nearing completion from a construction point of view, with loads more finishing, DIY and decorating lined up, but here are some recent photographs of our progress…. The ground floor has been extended back and sideways with a sunken kitchen and dining room. The stair becomes a bench and storage trunk. Terazzo floor, dark marble worktops, sepele windows and doors and pine joinery are used within the space. Picture windows and large doors connect the space with the garden. The extension and patio is constructed in blockwork and partially clad in copper. The first floor featues four bedrooms. The front two have pitched ceiings with the roof expressed within the space. A stringerless staircase takes you up to the loft, which features a bathroom with deep soaking bath, dressing room and a view over south Liverpool. The dormer is copper clad to match the colour of the roof tiles and the ground floor extension.

In an effort to fulfill our dreams, the practice is diversifying with the help of our friends in beery places. Kev and Trish from Kelly’s Dispensary have teamed up with us to form Handyman Supermarket, which will be coming soon (ish) to Smithdown Rd. We have all also joined forces with Colin Stronge from Buxton Brewery and Susan O’Neill to from Handyman Brewery. The brewery will be located above the bar on Smithdown Rd eventually, but we also plan to collaborate with the best breweries to produce amazing beer. At the weekend, we brewed our first beer with the help of Mark and his team at Runaway Brewery. Here are some photos of the brewing process together with some shots of our Supermarket…..

Here is a collection of before and afterwards photographs showing 186 Portobello Rd when we first came up with a vision for the building with our client. It also shows the finished scheme 9 months on. In a relatively short space of time, an unloved public house, which had many of its original features removed has been reborn. The key to the success of the development is maximing as many different inter-related gin-based uses under one roof

Here are the latest photos from site where the steel frame for the new build office pyramid is now complete #CobdenWorks @walk_the_plank_

Here are some recent shots of our latest London project: a gin hotel, bar, distillery, restaurant, museum and dining rooms…. http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/distillery-portobello-rd/

Here is a link to a quick run around Architectural Emporium latest project, a gin hotel, museum, distillery, restaurant and bar… https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedUK/videos/1644348882259928/

We recently added two extra mezzanines to Camp, with bespoke balustrade details for the 700 person pantomine bingo called ‘Bongo and the Beanstalk’. We never thought Camp and Furnace would need an extension, but pantomine bingo is a big draw.

The steel frame at Walk the Plank Site Merger has started going up. The pyramid is emerging and Anna is pole dancing to celebrate. #cobdenworks

See a video of our newest Bar here:

https://www.facebook.com/TimeOutLondon/videos/10154151704872405/

Read more here:

The Distillery, Portobello Rd

See  for more info: http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/northern-lights/

In the Cains Brewery, we have created low cost creative workspace and artist studios for the Royal Standard in collaboration with Miles Falkingham. Here are some photos from our latest site visit.

We have produced a small book to describe the unique, involved and rewarding design process carried out at Homebaked in Anfield. Over a period of a year and half and approximately 20 workshops with artists and the local community, we have designed a scheme in collaboration. It features 26 varied light and airy affordable apartments over a series of community shops that re-establish a high street. The scheme also features a series of external spaces threaded through the development. They collect people and try to recreate the sense of community originally found in the terraced streets of the area. We will be posting the book online, so that you can find out more about how we work and what we have created……

The Gables is a large house extension with new build faceted structures added to the rear of a large detached property. The steelwork structure has started to be erected so you get an early impression of the spaces we are creating. The house will provide living accommodation for a family with a severly disabled child. Specialist rooms and support areas are created specifically to meet the needs of the child and his carers. Greater and varied ceiling heights will further enhance the sense of space for all.

The new home for Portobello Rd Gin, which will include a history room, blending rooms, a working distillery, a bar with priest hole, a spanish restaurant, private dining room and small hotel on Portobello Rd is nearing completion. We visited today today to check up on progress. We are looking forward to seeing the finishing touches go in.

Work has started on site in Salford. The site merger project is under way, with much of the demolition already carried out. Walk the Plank will occupy the site, with office, training, workshop and rehearsal space created for their incredibly creative work to be planned, prepared, practiced and produced on one site. We are looking forward to seeing the new build pyramid emerge alongside the refurbished portal frame buildings.

http://www.liverpoolconfidential.co.uk/entertainment/spirit-of-kazimier-set-to-rise-again-on-the-dock-road?e=30442

Exciting proposals designed collaboratively by AE and the Kazimier Collective are in the pipeline, with a change of use application currently being considered by the council.

We have created a book to describe the unique design process carried out when working with the bakery, community land trust and Anfield/Everton community to design a block of 26 apartments, shops and landscape solution for the site on Oakfield Rd. The book is coming soon….

The green room members takes a literal and coordinated approach to their clothing choices. Fortunately there isn’t a wedding in our office today

Here are some photographs of my site visit this week to our gin museum, distillery, bar, restaurant, private dining room and hotel. It is starting to take shape.

Baltic Creative Release Northern Lights Teaser Trailer

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/oct/13/alt-city-guide-to-liverpool

Architectural Emporium designed, have contributed to or are currently working on 7 of the places listed in the Guardian’s guide to Alternative Liverpool (Bluecoat, Camp and Furnace, Invisible Wind Factory, Buyers Club, EBGBS, The Kazimier Garden and The Royal Standard – Northern Lights).

Northern Lights is progressing well on site, but before the job is finished, we have posted some existing and proposed visualisations of the scheme. Based in Cains Brewery, Architectural Emporium has designed the scheme with Miles Falkingham for Baltic Creative and The Royal Standard. It features artist studios and creative workspace. For more information, see the Northern Lights job post…… http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/northern-lights/

Heebie Jeebies is an essential part of most nights out in Liverpool, but the basement was under used and Architectural Emporium were asked to re-imagine the fantastic brick vaulted space with a new night club and bar inspired in part by the film, From Dusk Till Dawn. Previously, the bars were squeezed into the ends of the vaults, with corridors between, making seating difficult to plan. We totally changed the venue by relocating the bars to the centre of the plan, allowing a circulation route around them, with the various vaults occupied with comfortable seating, the stage and a DJ booth. Now the venue divides in three, with a bar to one side, a new private area is located behind the cloakroom curtain and a nightclub and venue to the other. Two lighting rigs run through the centre of the main vaults to give the venue ultimate flexibility. A curved canopy marks the basement entrance with neon used to animate the ends of the vaults internally.

We took an afternoon off to enjoy the Liverpool Biennial, taking in a pub between each venue. Mollie planned our route navigating the Biennial map, which took us to The Oratory, Toxteth, the Dingle and the Baltic Triangle. We stumbled across some great boozers on route that none of us had been in before (The Empress and the Globe). We also took in the brewery tap and Baltic Social. Afterwards, we visited the opening of our most recent bar/nightclub, EBGBS in the basement of Heebie Jeebies. It was a great way to start the weekend.

A month in to her time with AE, and Mollie is now featured on our website. See the about page for more information. Today she is leading us all on a tour of Liverpool Biennial artwork and interventions, before we visit the opening of Heebie Jeebies basement. Alongside arranging days out, Mollie has made an immediate impression at the Emporium, contributing to a number of jobs and producing a book that explains the Homebaked design process.

Whilst little Sam enjoyed his first day at school, his dad and one of his surrogate uncles (Toby) stole his colouring pens and tried to make sense of the Bluecoat jigsaw puzzle. This was following a very useful workshop with the client group looking at the various strands of the Bluecoat’s operation in isolation.

The attached leaflet has been produced by Homebaked to explain the unique process we have been through to co-design a fantastic scheme for Anfield. It has been driven forward and inspired by the input of local people via a series of interative workshops led by AE and Homebaked. It also explains the fundamental design characteristics of our proposed scheme, which is unique to the place and process. For more info: http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/homebaked/

To try to explain all of the thinking behind our proposals for Homebaked (a community housing and mixed use scheme in Anfield), we have produced some additional imagery….. Please see the project page for more info: http://www.architectural-emporium.co.uk/project/homebaked/

We decided to take a short break in the lakes this August bank holiday to get all of our families and a few friends together to camp in Pooley Bridge. Here are some photos of our little outing……

Asked to advise on the vision for Hifi’s refurbishment, it was a nice excuse to visit Leeds and see some old and some new haunts and people. Good to see and hear Shears Yard and Wire are doing well.

Architectural Emporium successfully secured the exciting task of reimagining the Bluecoat, working up to and including RIBA stage 2. We are excited about this great opportunity and are looking forward to starting to unlock its huge potential and improve its viability.

The Architectural Emporium designed gin museum, blending rooms, distillery, bar, restaurant and hotel is under construction and things are moving quickly on site. Here are some photos from our recent site visit….

Architectural Emporium designed the masterplan that helped our client to purchase the island of Obonjan and started things going for the festival island that has recently opened. Another local architect has delivered our vision, but the island has just opened and here is an early review of the magical place: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/aug/13/croatia-obonjan-island-summer-festival

Architectural Emporium were asked to produce a vision for a vacant site on Liverpool’s historic waterfront, that would form part of a wider vision to green the docks to increase visitor numbers and improve the environment. It was proposed in our outline vision that a garden development with public greenhouses would transform this part of the docks. A series of green bridges and floating decks would connect the park to the surrounding dock walls and allow visitors to use the water for activities such as swimming and kayaking. A series of transparent cubes of different scales would populate the site and the dock, with different climates created within, fostering different environments for unusual plants from around the globe. Raised paths would weave through the cubes and the surrounding external spaces to educate, stimulate and engage visitors with a brave new green world. The scheme is speculative.

Architectural Emporium have been working with Baltic Creative to convert part of the Cains Brewery site into artist studios, managed workspace and a theatre. The scheme is starting on site soon

Architectural Emporium have been looking at ways of refurbishing and extended this amazing gatehouse building in Woolton. Set within parkland, it is in need of some love and attention.

Architectural Emporium have been working on this ongoing conversion of an interesting mid century house. The scheme features upgrades to the external envelope, conversion of the garage and eventually a loft conversion as shown in the lego model

Walk the Plank is due to start on site in the coming weeks. Here are some photos of the recent event held in the existing warehouse space. We are looking forward to the works commencing soon for this inspiring and creative client…..

Architectural Emporium have been working collaboratively with The Invisible Wind Factory/Kazimier to look at how to convert their new space for immediate use and for future development. Here are some official photos by Ben Morgan of Omphalos at Invisible Wind Factory. The recent and first show in the new space was fantastic and we are very excited about the next phase of works on the drawing board

Toby and Jess make the bold leap into suburbia. Mike Carr and his team have removed all the first floor ceilings, with a new bathroom created in the loft occupying half the floor plate, taking advantage of the views over south Liverpool. A dressing room utilises the eaves space within the loft, with four bedrooms beneath without the need for wardrobes. The roof form is expressed within three of the bedrooms. The chimney breast brickwork is a feature within the new staircase and the main bedroom. A stringerless staircase links the first and second floors. A copper dormer pops out of the roof, with a deep soaking japanese bathtub set underneath the window. The copper ground floor extension is coming soon.

Portobello Road Gin Distillery, Bar, Restaurant, Hotel progresses well with the basement tanked, structural openings made and structural alterations inserted.

Stripped out, sandblasted and bars going in. Good meeting to further define the vision for the interior. We are looking forward to seeing it develop over the next couple of weeks

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