BMHT Consultation Event Success

Over 50 local residents and community representatives came along to the public consultation event held in Ladywood last month for the latest Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) scheme we’ve been working on.

We have developed 3D models in BIM which allowed residents to take them on virtual journey through the proposals, giving them a clear idea of how the area will look when the development is complete. Sharing these drawings and models prompted comments and feedback which form a valuable part of the design process prior to the submission of a planning application. We also created a dedicated website which will help us keep local residents informed of the project’s progress.

blurtonvision.co.uk

blurtonvision.co.uk needs your help… the new web site allows anyone who wants to take part in creating news about the neighbourhood to tell a story.

You could write something, take pictures or videos or even just use your mobile to send text messages. We’d like to hear from any residents in Blurton Farm, Newstead or Old Blurton who’d like to help us keep everyone in touch with the latest news and events from around the community.

Get in touch with Rob Annable at Axis Design architects if you’d like to take part…

blurton vision PR page

YouCanPlan Lozells

After months of intensive collaboration with software developers Slider Studio, we can now announce the launch of our latest development in community consultation innovation. On behalf of Birmingham City Council and Urban Living we’ve created a 3D software platform for the Lozells neighbourhood that allows residents to see the latest proposals for the area by the city’s urban design team; then send feedback and chat with other residents and project team members.

slide5.JPG

The options can be viewed from above or from street level with the ability to switch between proposals from any point, helping the viewer make comparisons. It can be used both as an offline tool at venues without an internet connection and also online from home, outside of the usual time/location constraints for consultation events. The online option allows us to update the proposals as the project progresses and demonstrate the impact of the feedback we receive. Hopefully this project will provide a platform that Birmingham City Council can continue to deploy in future projects, commissioning 3D information to use in the software and for the creation of rapid protoyped models to use at public events.

YouCanPlan software YouCanPlan jigsaw YouCanPlan model base YouCanPlan model building

Visit the project web site and download the software at: http://vision-lozells.org

 *UPDATE: You can also see video footage of the software being used for the first time at a recent event by visiting the Lozells News web site. *

visit ecoterrace phase 2

Works is progressing well with phase 2 of the ecoterrace project and like the previous properties we’ll be taking part in some open days for the public. Come along and visit us!

4+6 Victoria sun space 2

107/109 London Road,
Chesterton,
Newcastle Under Lyme,
ST5 7JE

Open days:

  • 7th March 10am-2pm
  • 14th March 10am-2pm

4/6 Victoria Street,
Chesterton,
Newcastle Under Lyme,
ST5 7EW

Open days:

  • 18 April 10am -2pm
  • 25 April 10 am -2pm

be2camp

networkbe2camp.jpgWe recently took part in the be2camp ‘unconference’ in London. The aim of the day was to discuss and share ideas about how ‘web 2.0’ or social media tools on the internet can be used by the built environment.

Along with Micheal Kohn from Slider Studio we presented our first images on the development work we’re doing to create a virtual consultation tool that will allow residents to see the proposals for their neighbourhood in 3D. Users of the software will be able to walk around a model of their streets, see options and comment on the ideas.

The be2camp  event was a huge success and we’re looking forward to developing a similar forum in the Midlands.

A video presentation and a copy of the slides are available on the be2camp web page.

Brandwood End

Kings Heath, Birmingham 2001—present

Betton Road

A 1950’s estate of some 250 Smiths houses being redeveloped in association with Waterloo Housing Association, Birmingham City Council and the local resident’s Estate Development Group.

The new homes are being built in phases and the brief is quite simply to recreate the Arts & Crafts residential and environmental qualities of Bournville Village within modern social housing regulations.

Continue reading “Brandwood End”

Blurton, Stoke on Trent

Blurton, Stoke on Trent, 2005—present

blurtonvision.co.uk

Axis Design were appointed by Aspire Housing to provide consultation and masterplanning services for an estate of approximately 3500 households.

Alongside the standard methods of enquiry we provided a custom built web site to enhance the reach of the consultation process.

Continue reading “Blurton, Stoke on Trent”

Egghill

Egghill Estate, Birmingham 2001—2003

Egghill masterplanAxis produced a masterplan for the rebuilding of the Egghill Estate in south Birmingham, an estate of 560 dwellings built in the 50s and 60s. Working from an office in an empty ground floor flat, Axis carried out consultation with residents which leading to an agreed masterplan for new dwellings, road layout, open space, and proposed commercial uses.

Continue reading “Egghill”

Castle Vale HAT

Castle Vale, Birmingham 1995—2002

Axis have worked on the Castle Vale estate since 1995 on a number of projects from area based, Neighbourhood Strategy consultative design to the detailed design of houses, flats and bungalows.

Sopwith Croft

On both the Sopwith Croft and Watton Green areas we worked from a locally based neighbourhood design office meeting with local residents on an almost daily basis as we formulated the plans for their local areas. In both neighbourhoods we worked from the basis of large scale physical models which evolved as the consultation process moved to a consensus.

Continue reading “Castle Vale HAT”