KIDS-EYE VIEW ON REGENERATING GATESHEAD
The Enterprise in Construction Challenge final at the Hilton, Newcastle.
Building on the unprecedented success of last year’s competition, Waring and Netts, the integrated consultancy for the built environment, was delighted to present the final of this year’s Enterprise in Construction Challenge at the Gateshead Hilton on Tuesday 4 July, as part of this year’s Tyne and Wear Business Week.
Initiated by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Challenge is delivered through a partnership of Waring and Netts, CITB-ConstructionSkills and Gateshead Council’s Education Business Links Service.
The first stage of the Challenge, which gives pupils from schools across Gateshead the opportunity to shape the redevelopment of a site on the banks of the Tyne, was launched on Friday 11 November at the Guildhall on the Quayside. Students were introduced to the Challenge by Kate Eldon of CITB, before being led on an architectural tour of Newcastle’s historic Quayside on the way to the proposed site by young architects from Waring and Netts. They then participated in an introductory design workshop.
Stage two kicked off in mid February, and initiated the students into the construction process and the principles of market research, with students submitting their work for judging. During this period, students also attended workshops with Waring and Netts, Gateshead Planning Authority and DESCO building services consultancy.
The finale of this six month project marked the culmination of three months planning by James Austin, Laura Massey and Liz Mather, architectural assistants at Waring and Netts. Laura said:
“This year’s challenge has been a tremendous success, with all the teams putting in an impressive amount of effort. The final design presentations showed creativity and attention to detail, with a significant amount of thought going into sustainability, structure and landscaping, which would all benefit to the regeneration of Gateshead.”
The Final was held at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead where the judging and the awards ceremony of the final presentations took place. The winning design, presented by Ian Mearns (Deputy leader, Gateshead Council), was awarded to Ryton Comprehensive School and their company ‘Crytone’. Their idea for a specialist sports centre on the Quayside, inspired by London 2012 and The Sage, was crisp, modern and responded to the surroundings incorporating sustainable ideas.
This year’s competition follows last year’s highly successful Enterprise in Construction Challenge. Designs last year included a fish-shaped aquarium building and a solar powered office. Prizes were presented for sustainability and quality of landscape as well as overall design, with students producing a very high standard of work.
Emma Lee, Service Manager at Gateshead Education Business Links, commented:
“Gateshead Council’s Education Business Links Service are delighted to have been involved in the Enterprise in Construction Programme. Since the challenge started in October 2005 pupils have worked extremely hard to complete the tasks and the final was a great opportunity to showcase their dedication and enthusiasm for the project. It was a very successful and rewarding day for everyone involved.”
11th July 2006
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