New building supports new ways of learning

Coventry University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing is moving into its new £55m home this week in time for the students’ arrival at the end of September.

Still Birmingham’s biggest roundabout

Alan Clawley takes issue with the plans for the redevelopment of Paradise Circus.

Death of Louis Carus

Alan Clawley laments the passing Louis Carus and wonders what will replace the Conservatoire’s Adrian Boult Hall.

Architect of the Year 2012

The shortlists of architects in the running for the title of Architect of the Year 2012 has been published by Building Design magazine.

First time buyers encouraged to make their ‘FirstBuy’ at Park Central

Crest Nicholson is encouraging those people hunting for their first home in Birmingham to visit its Park Central development and find out how the government’s FirstBuy scheme could help them purchase a new property.

Birmingham Science Park’s iCentrum building to become a Cisco ‘living lab’ showcase for collaborative technology

An international ‘living lab’ showcase for state-of-the-art collaborative technologies will be created by global network and communications giant Cisco at Birmingham Science Park

More than skin deep

Alan Clawley fears that John Madin’s legacy is being obliterated from Birmingham’s architectural heritage

Trees, buses and vistas – Welcome to Paradise

Alan Clawley has spotted that plans for the redevelopment of Birmingham’s Paradise Circus seem to be lacking something.

Being a member of the public in The Public

If you are wondering what to do with children over the school holidays – as the heavens open and the downpour continues – then make your way to West Bromwich and visit The Public.

Martineau Gardens wins Best Green Space Award

A Community Garden and oasis for wildlife, in Edgbaston, has been recognised as one of the best community run green spaces in the country by winning a prestigious Green Flag Community Award today.

Coventry University students win the EWB Challenge

Coventry University engineering students recently emerge victorious after beating more than 2000 competitors to win first prize in the EWB Challenge, run by Engineers Without Borders UK

Conservation group in search of new trustees

Birmingham Conservation Trust, the building preservation trust that saved the Back to Backs and is now working on Newman Brothers Coffin Works, is looking for new volunteer trustees. Could this be you or someone you know?

Thomas Vale selected as joint venture partner for Birmingham Science Park’s £35 million Digital Plaza

Birmingham City Council-owned Birmingham Science Park has selected Stourport-on-Severn based Thomas Vale Construction as the joint venture partner for its £35 million Digital Plaza development.

Bauhaus at the Barbican

Alan Clawley sees similarities in the celebrated Barbican in London and the seemingly doomed Central Library in Birmingham.

Midland architect doing well down south

Involvement in a state-of-the-art simulation suite at the Royal Free Hospital in London is the latest in a long line of high-profile healthcare contracts secured by midland architects Johnson Design Partnership (JDP).

Licensed venues urged to tighten up on fire safety

A health and safety body is urging pub, club and restaurant owners in the West Midlands to tighten up on fire safety, to make sure staff and customers are properly protected against potential tragedy.

Coventry University building wins architecture award

Coventry University’s The Hub has won a prestigious award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at the annual regional awards ceremony last week.

New U: How good old buildings survive

“Given an owner who is minded to do so, any sound building can be adapted to a new use”, writes Alan Clawley. Here are some examples.