BFF launches new website

We have launched our new website at www.bff-architects.com.

Our news items will now appear in the News section of our new website at www.bff-architects.com/news.

This blog will no longer be updated but please do visit our new site to keep up to date with all our latest news.

Cambridge Arts Theatre receives Commendation at Awards Ceremony

BFF's refurbishment and remodelling of the front of house areas of Cambridge Arts Theatre has been recognised with a Commendation in the Sustainability Category at the Cambridge Design and Construction Awards.

Located in the heart of the City, Cambridge Arts Theatre is one of the region’s liveliest and most exciting venues, hosting a varied programme of drama, dance, music, comedy and pantomime. Burrell Foley Fischer was selected to resolve and expand the foyer and front of house facilities. The completion of Phase 1 more than doubles the amount of foyer space while also providing three new spacious bars and a new box office at the St Edward’s Passage entrance. The opening up of the St Edward’s Passage foyers provides views both into and out of the building, transforming the interiors from predominantly internalised spaces into places with an outlook.

The Campaign to Save Norton Folgate

Burrell Foley Fischer have assisted the Spitalfields Trust with their campaign to save Norton Folgate. Proposals submitted by the developers, British Land, on a site owned by the City of London Corporation, involve the demolition of over 70% of this important Conservation Area on the edge of the City.  The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and one of the special 'Liberties' of London, which were areas of independent local administration.  BFF's illustrations reveal the extent of the demolition that would take place, were the proposals given planning permission, and the inappropriate scale of the proposed new build.

Norton Folgate as it is today

British Land want to remove over 70% of the fabric on their site in the Elder St Conservation Area

British Land want to increase the volume of the buildings on the site by more than 50%

The BFF alternative plan establishes the quantum of new build and additions that are consistent with the character and specified limits to development in the Conservation Area.  It proposes a mixed use scheme that includes a high proportion of private and affordable housing as well as offices, retail, cultural and other uses.

A video tour of the area by Architectural Historian and Local Resident Dan Cruickshank can be seen on Youtube by clicking the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UMQBhsJCU7Y

Read the Evening Standard article on the campaign here

Oz Seekers Breakfast Briefing on Digital Cinema

Stefanie Fischer recently hosted an Oz Seekers Breakfast briefing, at the invitation of John Sullivan (D-Cinex and Light Cinemas), on the opportunities and challenges presented by small digital cinemas.

Factors, key to sustainable cinema operation, that were discussed included creating a good and memorable cinema experience; reaching out to a wide cross section of the local audience across the age and social spectrum; appealing to 15-25 year olds whilst creating an environment older cinema goers feel comfortable in and creating a distinct identity that resonates with the locality, all in the interests of encouraging repeat visits. 

Scala Cinema and Arts Centre, Prestatyn

The challenges presented by the range of existing buildings and the shells in new developments being offered to cinema operators were discussed. Stefanie used Palace Electric in the New Acton development in Canberra as an example of successful higher end linkage between new cinema development and other leisure and retail uses, to create a vibrant and distinctive new neighbourhood, in contrast to the linkages between multiplex cinema and fast food outlets and leisure uses on out of town sites.   

Click here to find out more about New Acton Canberra

Maths and Science Building at Kingham Hill School opens

The new Maths and Science Building, named the Veritas Building, for Kingham Hill School has opened.  Designed by Burrell Foley Fischer to preserve the coherence of the School’s architectural and aesthetic appeal, the exterior has been sensitively finished with a combination of Cotswold stone, timber, glass and zinc enabling it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The design of the building echoes the features of other properties on the site, uniting the different architectural styles to create a cohesive scheme across the estate.

The Veritas Building provides the School with six new classrooms, six state-of-the-art science laboratories, a seminar room, three science prep rooms together with office space for staff.

The two-storey building is designed around light-filled atria, reducing the need for extensive artificial lighting. The classrooms are large, bright spaces with generous windows offering glimpses of the world outside, and state-of-the-art technology to provide the very best learning experience for pupils. Each room includes the features required in a modern school, integrating interactive white boards and the use of projectors as part of the infrastructure.

The new laboratories are designed to the highest standards for schools, providing outstanding facilities for the school’s young scientists as they learn about the world around them.

Heritage Lottery Fund awards funding to Campbeltown Picture House

It has been announced today that the HLF have awarded £1,1m towards the refurbishment and remodelling of the Campbeltown Picturehouse.

One of the first purpose-built cinemas in Scotland, Campbeltown Picture House has provided the town with a centre of entertainment for the past 100years. From its origins in the silent movie days in 1913 through to the modern day and digital technologies the Picture House has provided an invaluable service to Campbeltown and Kintyre cinemagoers. As part of a three year project, its unique Glasgow School Art Nouveau design will be restored with new contemporary facilities added, including a second auditorium and a new café bar, so that it can operate as a sustainable community-based business.  A cultural hub for Kintyre, this much-loved building will then be able to screen films and live relayed performances of theatre, opera and music, and stage small scale drama, music and comedy.

Photo: Sarah MacDonald Photography

Commenting on the awards announced, Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Heritage is an ordinary word for something that is quite extraordinary.  The strands that weave the rich tapestry of Scotland’s history are too numerable to define.  Literature, buildings, industry, popular culture and wildlife are all an essential part of where we come from.  HLF is delighted to bring Christmas cheer to these presents from our past so that they can be cared for, enjoyed, learned from and celebrated well into the future.”

Jane Mayo, Chairman of Campbeltown Community Business, the charity which owns The Picture House, added the following “Magical fairy dust will certainly be sprinkled on Our Picture House.  Now we shall be able to recreate the 1930s unique interior with the fantastic wee houses restored to their original glory, and all allied to 21^st century comfort which is expected in a state of the art cinema today.  The restoration of this nationally important building will add to the other recent and ongoing improvements in Campbeltown.”

Campbeltown Picture House to receive funding from Creative Scotland

Congratulations to The Picture House Campbeltown on the award of £433,000 from Creative Scotland towards the restoration and upgrading of the Listed Grade A cinema, one of the UK’s oldest.

Campbeltown Picture House, which first opened its doors in 1913, will be restored and a second screen and modern café and foyer area will be created. Burrell Foley Fischer have designed the refurbishment and remodelling of the cinema. Refurbishment will recognise and maintain the historic nature of the A listed auditorium protecting its cultural heritage whilst also meeting the expectations of a modern cinema going audience, enabling the cinema to increase the diversity of programming within this rural part of the West of Scotland.

Jane Mayo, chair of Campbeltown Community Business, said:

“The redeveloped Picture House will provide the local community and visitors with a magnificent historic cinema equipped to modern standards and complemented by new facilities. The programme of films and live relays of international quality cultural performances, together with activities based on the heritage of the building and the evolution of cinema, will allow The Picture House truly to become Kintyre’s cultural and entertainment hub. The reopened cinema will provide employment and play an important part in the promotion of Kintyre as a unique visitor destination.”

Burrell Foley Fischer LLP announce appointment of new Principal, Aidan Ridyard

Burrell Foley Fischer LLP (BFF) are pleased to announce that Aidan Ridyard will be joining the practice, at Principal level, in October this year.

After studying at Birmingham School of Architecture, Aidan’s early career included ten years at Hickton Madeley Architects where he gained experience in the design and delivery of a range of projects for clients as diverse as theatres, conference facilities, and medical centres. He joined Broadway Malyan in 2006, establishing their new studio in Birmingham, and being appointed to the Board in 2009. His main role has been to lead Broadway Malyan’s education team, winning a number of prestigious design competitions, for schools, colleges and universities in the UK and overseas. He led the design teams for notable projects at Bournville College (Shortlisted for RIBA Award 2012) and Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College (Urban Vision (CABE) Building of the Year 2011) in the UK, as well as the British Council’s School in Madrid and the new American Community School in Doha.  Aidan has a particular passion for the design of spaces for teaching, learning and research, a philosophy running through a series of projects from schools to universities.  His recent project for Coventry University’s new Health and Science building will commence on site in the New Year.

Aidan will join the three founding Principals of BFF, John Burrell, Mark Foley and Stefanie Fischer, who have been in practice together for more than three decades.  They are recognised as one of the leading practices specialising in buildings for cinema, media and the performing arts, together with urban design, residential and educational design and the adaptation and restoration of historic buildings.  Their recent and current projects include the remodelling of the front of house areas of the Grade II Listed Cambridge Arts Theatre; a new Maths and Science building for Kingham Hill School in the Cotswolds, due to be completed later this year; the remodelling and extension of a former brewery depot building to form a new three-screen independent community cinema in Lewes, Sussex, recently submitted for planning; and a new build sports hall currently being designed for UWC Atlantic College, to respond to the historic terraced typology of their 160 acre grounds on the South Wales coast, with the Grade I Listed medieval St Donat’s Castle at its heart.   

“I am looking forward to a very new challenge.  I am delighted to be joining a firm with such an impressive portfolio across a wide range of sectors and with a high reputation for excellence in making very special buildings, crafted to address the unique challenges faced by their clients and genuinely loved by those who use them.  The opportunity to work with John, Mark and Stefanie, assisting them in taking forward the practice they have built up over more than thirty years, is both a great responsibility and enormously exciting.” - Aidan

“We are pleased that Aidan will be joining the practice this autumn and are looking forward to him becoming an integral part of Burrell Foley Fischer.  The practice has always celebrated the design process in its entirety, placing an emphasis on how our buildings perform in the reality of their day-to-day context and Aidan’s unique portfolio demonstrates he shares this philosophy.  We currently have an exciting range of commissions at feasibility stage, on the drawing board and on site and we look forward to building upon this with Aidan as part of our team; continuing the design ethos of the practice through our Principal led, client focused service.”  - John, Mark and Stefanie 

BFF appoints new Associate, Faye Davies

The Principals of Burrell Foley Fischer LLP are pleased to announce the appointment of Faye Davies as an Associate.

Faye has been the Project Architect for a number of projects at the Royal Society, including the refurbishment of The Centre for the History of Science and their current project to refurbish and remodel their kitchen and reception.  Faye is also currently Project Architect for BFF projects at UWC Atlantic College, including the remodelling of the Cavalry Barracks to form a Pre-IB Centre and the refurbishment of their Library, housed in the Medieval St Donat’s Castle.  She has also been contributing her expertise as a Conservation Architect to the refurbishment of the Picture House, Campbeltown.

Faye is on the RIBA Register of Conservation Architects and is currently studying for the Graduate Diploma in Building Conservation at the Architectural Association.

Breaking News - Smithfield Market Plans rejected by Communities Secretary

Eric Pickles, Communities Secretary, has rejected the proposal to build new office blocks at Smithfield Market retaining only the facades.

Burrell Foley Fischer prepared alternative plans for the redevelopment of London’s Smithfield Market, for SAVE Britain's Heritage and the Victorian Society.  The scheme proposes the restoration of the existing 19th Century Buildings to form a new cultural and retail hub, to complement the already burgeoning “Smithfield Quarter’. The impressive roofs of Smithfield General Market would be retained as a fantastic canopy and creating a beautiful light-filled interior.  The scheme makes available large areas, at multiple levels, without the addition of intrusive blocks.  The very extensive basement areas are brought into use as spaces for exhibition galleries, fashion shows and lecture halls. 

The successful outcome of the Pubic Inquiry follows two years of campaigning work 

involving BFF. This started when SAVE first asked John Burrell to look at the project in 2012. He immediately realised that it was not just the street facades that were important but also the magnificent formal roof structure covering the interior market spaces, and the spatial and development potential of the vast basements that originally linked Farringdon and Barbican stations which are hidden from view. 

BFF showed that was not necessary to demolish the above ground structures in a futile attempt to make a 'conventional' development site because the real value, interest  and 'cache' was embodied in the existing buildings, their street connections and the huge relatively uncontentious potential and value of below ground spaces, especially with the new Crossrail platforms soon to be  close by.

The campaigning document produced for SAVE by BFF showed how the street spaces around the market can become the focus of a major new urban space in London affirming the identity of the Smithfield quarter and its street life that is already underway.  John presented this evidence to the Public Inquiry.

Onassis Cultural Centre takes part in first Open House Athens

The Onassis Cultural Centre is open to the public this weekend as part of the first ever Open House Athens. Public buildings and private homes and businesses will open their doors as Athens adapts the idea first started in London in 1992; showcasing outstanding architecture for all to experience, completely for free. Open House initiatives invite everyone to explore and understand the value of a well-built environment.

Burrell Foley Fischer were commissioned to undertake the design and execution of the two auditoria spaces and bar/foyer areas within the constraints of a concrete shell structure that extends 9 storeys underground and 8 storeys above ground. The main auditorium is designed to respond to a variety of performance types including opera, symphony concerts, drama and dance and draws on design themes from Greek culture and its rocky landscape. 

BFF appointed as architects for the Depot Cinema Lewes

We are pleased to announce that we have been appointed as architects for a new community cinema in Lewes to be called the Depot.

The three-screen cinema will be built on the site of the old Harvey's Brewery depot and will show feature and independent art-house films, as well as hosting events, exhibitions and festivals.  A cafe/bar and restaurant will provide space for filmgoers to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat before or after the film.

We are delighted to have been selected by Lewes Community Screen, who will build and operate the new venue and are looking forward to discussing our plans with the public at two consultation days on March 29 and April 5.

BFF appointed as architects for The Picture House Campbeltown

We are delighted to announce that we have been appointed as architects for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Picture House, Campbeltown, on the West Coast of Scotland.

The Picture House is community owned and run, and is the oldest purpose built cinema in Scotland still showing films. It was established in 1913 and has now launched a "Centenary Project" to breathe new life into its historic building, which is Listed Grade A. The unique interior will be refurbished to bring it up to the standards expected of a modern cinema going audience, whilst respecting the historic building in which it is housed. Enhanced front of house facilities will be provided and the feasibility of a second cinema auditorium will be investigated.

BFF worked, with the cinema's owners and operators, on an initial scheme design that contributed to a successful first stage bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Following a competitive process, we have now been appointed to lead the design work for the refurbishment project. Through our long association with many independent cinemas throughout the UK, we are very aware of the importance of these venues to their local communities and we are delighted to be able to contribute to the future of such an historically important and much loved cinema.

Jane Mayo, Chairman of Campbeltown Community Business, said:       

"The Board of CCB is very excited that it has been able to assemble such an outstanding design team. The fact that such excellent specialists have committed themselves to this important project to restore and enhance our historic building, emphasises the importance of the cinema not only to its local community but also nationally within Scotland, the United Kingdom and even on the world stage."

Planning permission secured for Newlyn Filmhouse

We are pleased to announce that Planning Permission has been secured for the Newlyn Filmhouse.  The two-screen digital cinema, with a cafe/bar, will be created in a former fish store on the Coombe in Newlyn, Cornwall.

BFF have worked with the owners over the past five years to find a suitable site in the area for their vision of a new cultural cinema.  Externally the conversion will make use of existing large shuttered openings at ground and first floor level and retain the character and appearance of the building as a former light industrial building.  The internal design of the screens will take inspiration from venue's coastal location, whilst providing state-of-the-art digital projection facilities and comfortable seats.  

The film programme will include a wise range of independent and world films, feature documentaries, archive films and cultural activities, including live streamed events such as plays, opera, dance and exhibition openings.  The Filmhouse will compliment and enhance the existing cultural and commercial enterprises in the town, including the Newlyn Gallery and the Newlyn Art School.

Merry Christmas from all at Burrell Foley Fischer

Seasons Greetings from BFF on Bankside

We have moved .......

We have moved offices.  Our new contact details are as follows:

Telephone: 020 7620 6114

Address: Isis House, 67-69 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HX

Email: mail@bff-architects.co.uk

BFF projects open to the public as part of Open House London 2013

Three Burrell Foley Fischer projects will be open to the public as part of Open House London, taking place on 21 and 22 September 2013.

The Peltz Gallery, Birkbeck School of Arts

The Peltz Gallery was created as part of Burrell Foley Fischer's 2012 refurbishment and remodeling of The Birkbeck School of Arts reception area and adjacent spaces.  The gallery is a flexible exhibition space for digital and material displays, small-scale performances, lectures and meetings.  The space allows a constellation of research and creative activities to happen at the heart of the historic building in Gordon Square, once home to members of the Bloomsbury Group's Viginia Woolf and then Maynard Keynes.

The Peltz Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition entitled "Touching the Book", which explores the history of literacy for blind and visually impaired people in nineteenth century Britain and Europe through the development of embossed literature and runs until 30 October 2013. 

Stratford Picturehouse

The four-screen new build cinema with exhibition, cafe bar and restaurant facilities opened in 1997.  It provides a landmark development, central to the urban regeneration strategy for Stratford East, within the context of a new public square and cultural quarter.  The Independent commented "While the rest of Britain goes crazy for the bland multiplex, East London is now home to two picture houses which are also architectural masterpieces".

The Royal Society

The Royal Society, the UK's national science academy founded in 1660, is based at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace.  Burrell Foley Fischer's refurbishment completed in phases over the past decade has facilitated better use of a unique set of Listed Grade I Nash buildings by providing a coherent, high profile, architectural setting for the Society's activities. 

Visit the Open House London Website

Dance Studios at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts wins Chilterns Building Design Award

The new Dance Studios at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, design by Burrell Foley Fischer, have been judged the Overall Winner at the Chilterns Buildings Design Awards 2013.  The awards are organised by the Chilterns Conservation Board and the Chiltern Society to encourage the highest possible quality of building design and thus conserve and enhance the character and outstanding natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills.

The building is the first phase of a three phase project for new, professional standard, performing arts facilities and comprises five new dance studios set into a landscape of Registered Parks and Gardens and within the curtilage of two Grade II* Listed Buildings.  

The new studios are designed to sit comfortably in a green part of the site, taking a soft approach to its architectural form to mask its bulk and scale. The wild meadow grass roof, lowered eaves and randomly spaced timber posts along its elevations are designed so the building will ultimately recede into its wooded setting.

The award was given for:

"The development of a handsomely shaped building which demonstrates changing rhythms; fits well within its garden setting and brings together function and beauty with calmness and serenity".

Mayor of Islington officially opens new BFF designed housing

The Mayor of Islington, Councillor Barry Edwards,  has officially opened the latest Burrell Foley Fischer project completed for the London Borough of Islington, to reclaim barren underused problematic garages to create a new Mews in Vulcan Way. 
 

The transformation of the area of tarmac and dark empty undercrofts brings fifteen two bedroom flats and two five bedroom family houses to the empty ground level of existing first floor flats.  They all now have better insulation, level access and a more attractive safer busy mews to look out on.  The proportion of the houses offered for sale, to assist with funding the social housing, have all been snapped up. 
 

Vulcan Way before the development

Vulcan Way following the development

This development is the latest in a long term BFF initiative, pioneering the development of underused, marginal ground level spaces around estates, mostly owned by Local Authorities. Using the experience and ideas gained on previously completed schemes BFF embarked on a series of studies for LB Islington in 2008. All ten of the LBI projects selected to go forward are either now complete or will be starting on site this year. 

These schemes on marginal land not only provide new housing on sites previously 'unseen' and not regarded as potential development sites, but are also an opportunity to design out anonymous areas that attract anti-social behaviour.  This results in the neighbourhood being happy to welcome new dwellings and more activity.

From barren car park....

... to new attractive and safer Mews.

Work starts on Cambridge Arts Theatre's ACT II Building Project

Construction work on Cambridge Arts Theatre’s ambitious ACT II project to create much-needed new public spaces for the Theatre, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, has begun. 

From September, audiences entering the Theatre from St Edward’s Passage will be greeted with a large, light foyer. There will be extended bar spaces with new seating areas, making it easier to buy refreshments before shows and during the interval. At the same time, the current Peas Hill entrance and foyer will be comprehensively refurbished. The increased space and improved facilities will make it easier and more enjoyable to move around the building. 
 

The redevelopment plans have been scheduled to minimise the impact on the Theatre’s regular programme of performances. Whilst the construction works will last 17 weeks, there will be a break in performances for only 10 weeks over the summer. The box office will be open as usual, and the works will be completed in time for the opening of the autumn season in mid-September.
 

Unveiling the designs the Chief Executive of Cambridge Arts Theatre, Dave Murphy said: “This project is great news for our audience and is a significant step towards the realisation of our overall ACT II vision for our Theatre. We are incredibly grateful to all the organisations and individuals that have made such pioneering and generous donations to fund this first phase of our works.”