WAG » Bars/Clubs

Birnbeck Island Competition

Filip Visnjic — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:41:42 +0000

Year: 2007

WAG: Architects

Project Description: Ideas competition for development of a derelict but listed island resort and bridge/pier for UrbanSplash.

Estimated contract sum: N/A

Our latest competition submission for this exciting new project. Unfortunately, WAG was not shortlisted to procure project further. To see other entries/winner please visit RIBA competitions office.

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Site Analysis:
Weston-Super-Mare operates efficiently during the holiday season, but has a lot of spare capacity for the rest of the year. Part of the brief we set ourselves is to develop a business model for Birnbeck Island that can use this spare capacity as an opportunity.

Strategy:
Create a destination that supports and attracts the existing tourist market during the summer season, providing cafes, restaurants art, live music etc. For the rest of the year, the island operates as a new university and business think tank venue, specialising in ecology, new media art, IT – partnering with local hotels to use spare capacity as student accommodation..

Tactics:
1. Renovate the pier and the listed buildings on the island to provide cafe and restaurant facilities, fully online etc
2. Remove concrete pillars and platform, and build a new, state of the art, semi submerged auditorium – acting as a music venue in season and a lecture theatre etc for the rest of the year
3. Insert a new crane/funfair like structure, which can unfold to provide lighting, AV, umbrella etc functions as required
4. Create a field of wave/wind powered lights, across the local bay

Philosophy:
The geographer and cultural theorist Manuel Castells has argued that our contemporary condition can be described as a “bipolar opposition between the net and the self”, and he has suggested that if we are to take control of our futures, and the futures of our cities, then we need to build what he calls “bridges” between what he calls “the space of flows” (ie global information and capital networks) and the “space of places” (ie the real, local world and its ecologies). He argues that places that do not robustly plug themselves into the global space of flows risk economic and social stagnation. Our approach bridges these spaces, by working with ecological models that combine and synergise natural and social ecosystems.

Sustainability:
In developing this proposal we have applied best practice thinking regarding sustainability, which is defined as working to the triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit. We have developed a business model that turns problems with the local economy into opportunities, generating new business, culture and training.
The light field is a self powering system. We have maintained all of the important existing fabric, and have only introduced new structure where it can provide most value (all detailed specification will be according to Cradle2Cradle principles). We believe that there are opportunities for site micro energy generation – probably solar water heating and wind power… but to be determined….

Networks:
Birnbeck Island Bridge Ecology is an IT hub… kitted out with the latest AV, on-line and media interface gear
Media of all kinds are organised across the island according to Democratic Billboard principles: partnerships are formed with local councils, business and indeed multinational corporations. Space and time usage of the media infrastructure is allocated as:
20 % Art
20% BIBE
10% Local news/information
30% Local advertising
20% Global advertising

Sailmakers Building and New Residential Development

Filip Visnjic — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:28:41 +0000

WAG are currently working on this green new mixed use scheme in Limehouse, London. The development will contain a new residential block at the rear of the site whilst the existing listed building will contain a bar, recording studios, art and sculpture exhibition space, a yoga space and artists studios. The project is currently being prepared for planning. The scheme will collect rainwater, recycle greywater, and combine solar water heating with a sustainable combined heat and power solution for the new flats and existing building. The main structure of the new building will be constructed from structural timber panels (tying up around 200 tonnes of CO2 in the structure). Images shown here are work in progress.

About Sailmaker’s Building:
“the listed building at 11 West India Dock Road only retains its original front and east wall. A rare former sail makers warehouse which was subsequently used for making specialised equipment for steamship merits serious consideration for statutory protection.” GLIAS: GREATER LONDON INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY Notes and news — August 2000 “Threatened historic buildings in Limehouse Conservation Area” Tom Ridge

Nincomsoup Derby – Complete

Filip Visnjic — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:50:48 +0000

WAG have just completed this new outlet for Nincomsoup in the new shopping centre in Derby by Westfield. WAG have been working closely both with the client and Westfield to create this high quality foodcourt unit that reflects the quality and success of first Nincomsoup in Old Street, London completed in 2002. WAG would like to wish Ben & Tom at Nincomsoup all the success with their new store. About Nincomsoup:Nincomsoup is a fast food diner specialising in soups, juices and coffee. Nincomsoup was founded by two brothers Ben and Tom Page-Phillips to provide a healthy alternative to the usual fast food suspects that litter the high street.Nincomsoup’s aim is to provide ‘real food’ served with the same efficiency and convenience that we have come to expect from the big fast food operators. By ‘real food’ we mean food that provides a balanced diet, food that we can eat 365 days a year, food that feeds the mind as well as the body.

Planning appeal victory for Bohemia Place eco bar and art gallery

Jon Goodbun — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:50:40 +0000

The proposed development of an art gallery with ancillary café, bar and performance space at Units 6 and 7 Bohemia Place, London E8 1DU, has just been given the go ahead by the Planning Inspectorate.
In his comments, the appeal officer, David Kaiserman, described the reasons for Hackney Council’s previous failure to grant permission as “wholly unconvincing”, and supported our claims that the proposal would result in an improvement to the immediate urban condition, and greater local employment. He said that the scheme will “create a flexible and informal space within which a number of creative activities can take place, supported by a level of eating and drinking.”
Following some legitimate concerns raised by the council concerning the condition and management of the urban space of Bohemia Place generally, we offered to initiate a collective consultation and design process with the other users of the area. This decision is of strategic importance to the area, and the client Cem Gul, plans to move the project forward straight away.
The scheme aims to integrate the experience of the architecture and physical space of the bar with a website/blog/chat and virtual art space, through a wireless and bluetooth active virtual communications and interface environment. The construction will use recycled materials where possible in the construction, working with artists coordinated by David Hees of the recycling arts collective Project 142.
The roof collects rainwater for use in the bars’ toilets, and there will also be solar collectors located on the roof and south-facing wall for heating and energy generation. The client, Cem Gul, owns the local stone and mosaic wholesaler Artemis, who have supplied several WAG projects.
The team behind the project aim to have the venue open by the end of 2007.

For more images see http://www.wag-architecture.co.uk/?p=365

Nincomsoup – Derby

Filip Visnjic — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:59:07 +0000

WAG have been appointed to work alongside DAAM to design and procure a new food-court unit in Derby. The Eagle Center and Nincomsoup Derby are to open by the end of 2007.

WAG have previously worked on Nincomsoup with DAAM in 2001 and on new seating additions in 2004. We are also currently working on alterations to award winning Nincomsoup in Old Street.

More information coming soon..

Art Gallery and Bar, Bohemia Place, London

wag — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:47:59 +0000

WAG are currently working on a concept and design for a combined bar and art space in and around some railway arches in Hackney Central. The scheme aims to integrate the experience of the architecture and physical space of the bar with a website/blog/chat and virtual art space, through a wireless and bluetooth active virtual communications and interface environment. The construction will use recycled materials where possible in the construction, working with artists coordinated by David Hees of the recycling arts collective Project 142.The roof collects rainwater for use in the bars’ toilets, and there will also be solar collectors located on the roof and south-facing wall for heating and energy generation. The client, Cem Gul, owns the local stone and mosaic wholesaler Artemis, who have supplied several WAG projects.The team behind the project aim to have the venue open by the end of 2007.

Project 142 – Sailmaker’s Building, Limehouse, London

Jon Goodbun — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:46:22 +0000

WAG Have been asked by the recycling arts collective Project 142 to work with them to develop a brief and feasibility study for the 4 storey, listed Sailmaker’s building that they have recently leased. We are working with them and the owner to develop a mixed use sustainable scheme which will contain a new residential block at the rear of the site. The existing listed building will contain a bar, recording studios, art and sculpture exhibition space, a yoga space and artists studios. The project will be built and run as far as possible according to the ecological ideas of Project 142 and WAG.

Lane Hotel, Brick Lane, London

wag — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 14:24:16 +0000

Year: 2005

Project description: Feasibility study for new bar in hotel basement

Estimated contract sum: £480,000

In Collaboration with Russel Sage

Playground@Truman Brewery, London

wag — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 14:43:22 +0000

Playground @ Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
Year: 2004
Project description: Bar, Club, Cultural Centre
Estimated Contract sum: £2,000,000
WAG: architects/ project managers/ business consultants
Other Consultants: Atelier One, At Large
WAG were asked to complete a feasibility study and design a new type of cultural space. The project guru, David is currently raising funding, and will hopefully be realised. The venue would run on a non profit basis, funding arts activities and supporting charities. The brief required a flexible space that could at different times run as a bar, concert venue, cinema, market, and more. The solution was to design a fixed, ‘archetypal landscape’ within the space, which would house the fixed requirements such as fire escapes, toilets, kitchens etc. Above this landscape there will be a gridwork which would support flexible, moving elements, ranging from lighting ad screens to ‘pods’ containing cinema and bar spaces. The interaction between the fixed landscape and flexible machine would catalyse a broad range of events.

SSU Nightclub, London

wag — Mon, 30 Jun 2003 15:09:49 +0000

WAG personnel: architects and project managers

Project description: Nightclub interior within railway arches

Contract sum: £250,000

Year: 2003