Resident Artist for Arts and Crafts Gem
Winterbourne House and Garden is welcoming internationally renowned printmaker Sara Hayward as resident artist in a new project
State-sponsored culture
Alan Clawley finds similarities between Birmingham’s ‘modern’ developments and some of those post-war architectural monuments in Europe
Ikon Gallery marks 15 years in Brindleyplace
Ikon Gallery hosts a number of events next month to mark the 15th anniversary of its move to the former Oozells Street School in Brindleyplace
Déjà Vu
The Birmingham Press has been granted rights to use some pictures of historic interest showing how Birmingham has changed. As Alan Clawley explains, history has a habit of repeating itself.
Central Library not bursting at the seams
Loads of space in the new library of Birmingham, but what’s it for? wonders Alan Clawley.
Birmingham gallery awarded over £457k to modernise Grade-II listed building
Ikon Gallery has been awarded £457,387 by Arts Council England to replace, repair and modernise parts of its Grade II-listed building.
Manufacturing sector key for commercial property growth
Despite reports that commercial property investment in the UK fell last year, Midlands property consultants D&P Holt are predicting a more profitable year
Rallying to restore confidence in construction
A national Rally to Restore Confidence took place last week to encourage professionals working across all platforms within the built environment that 2013 is a year for positivity
Rooms with a view at Winterbourne House and Garden
Winterbourne House and Gardens has a new range of fascinating rooms for the public to experience and explore following its full restoration to its Edwardian glory in May 2010.
The Public on the up
The Public arts centre in West Bromwich attracted record visitor numbers in 2012
The art of the underpass
Alan Clawley shares some views of Birmingham’s semi-subterranean pedestrian history.
Birmingham Central Library: The latest ‘last ditch’ attempt to save it
Alan Clawley claims that reports of the imminent destruction of John Madin’s library are way off the mark and that the campaign to save it goes on.
Birmingham gears up for MIPIM 2013
Leading businesses across Birmingham are joining forces once again to attend the world’s leading real estate show next year.
Sir Albert’s Christmas card and coping with loss
Alan Clawley spots a confusing, yet festive, dichotomy.
Rally to Restore Confidence
The Forum for the Built Environment is holding a national Rally to Restore Confidence in building
Passionate about conservation
Alan Clawley believes history shows that the Council just can’t cope with anyone who displays too much passion for the past.
Saving Madin’s library?
The Planning Committee will be considering Argent’s Paradise Circus Planning Application on Thursday 20 December 2012.
Plans for city campus redevelopment revealed
The University of Wolverhampton has announced plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of its City Campus.
Chief government advisor visits University’s construction facilities
Peter Hansford, the UK government’s newly appointed chief construction advisor, visited Coventry University as part of his first week in post to see what the institution is doing to help drive forward the low carbon construction industry.
Selling Birmingham to investors
Ten influential advisers to global investors toured Birmingham last week to see the city’s increasingly compelling offer for themselves.
No Waterloo sunset for busy Dudley business
A Dudley-based manufacturer has tapped into the spirit of the Olympics to record its best ever year and is now setting its sights on a £2m turnover and the creation of new jobs.
The economics of regeneration
Alan Clawley writes: “We are not alone in being sceptical about the ability of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the RZ to rescue developments like Paradise Circus.”
There are historic cities and then there’s ‘Birmingham, its people, its history’
Alan Clawley believes Birmingham doesn’t capitalise on its historic assets and suggests a better way to make more of them.
Crest Nicholson hosts open weekend to raise awareness of FirstBuy
Crest Nicholson is encouraging people hunting for their first home in Birmingham to visit its Park Central development for a special open day which aims to raise awareness of the government’s FirstBuy scheme.
Ground breaking film to be shown at leading art gallery
The revolutionary, documentary style film, Cathy Come Home, directed by one of Britain’s most critically acclaimed film-makers, Ken Loach, is showing at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts on Saturday 10 November 2012.
Other views of Paradise
Digital images are annoying Alan Clawley as they are being used to manipulate the future architecture of Birmingham.
Last chance to see…
Alan Clawley believes that if buildings have lives they can also have obituaries written about them when they die.
Birmingham Library: Built in obsolescence
Alan Clawley takes issue with Birmingham City Council’s inability to find the wherewithal to carry out repairs in Birmingham’s Central Library.
Celebrate the art of walking
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts has teamed up with fellow Birmingham gallery Ikon and the National Trust to celebrate the art of walking with a day of walks, talks and feasting.
New RIBA President to visit Coventry University
Coventry University will welcome the incoming RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) President Stephen Hodder for a prestigious event next week