NEWS AT HAMILTON ARCHITECTS

JULY 2011

ENHANCED TOURISM FACILITIES AT CRUMLIN ROAD GOAL
Hamilton Architects are currently undertaking conservation and refurbishment works to the Grade A Listed Gate House and Administration Building at Crumlin Road Gaol. We were appointed on the Design & Build contractor’s team as Conservation Architects for this project which was one of the first conservation projects committed on the gaol site. The refurbished buildings are due to be completed in October 2011 and will provide new tourist, education and conference facilities. Opened in 1845, Crumlin Road Gaol is one of Belfast’s most distinctive landmark buildings and is the best complete Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland.

JUNE 2011

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPY CENTRE OPEN IN TEMPLEPATRICK
A Donkey Riding Therapy Centre designed by Hamilton Architects was officially opened in June 2011. The Centre at Ballypalady near Templepatrick is the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust’s sixth centre in the UK and includes an indoor riding arena and stables for the donkeys. The centre offers a free donkey-riding therapy service to hundreds of children in Northern Ireland who have special needs and disabilities.

MAY 2011

WE HAVE MOVED!
Hamilton Architects moved into new purpose built offices on Joy Street in Belfast City Centre on 20 May. Known as Hamilton House, the four storey building occupies a highly prominent and convenient location in Belfast’s prime business district to the south of the City Hall in the Linen Conservation Area.

Belfast Architectural firm sweeps the board at regional and national RICS Awards
Hamilton Architects and its associate practice Kriterion Conservation Architects have won a total of five coveted RICS awards in as many days.
At the RICS Northern Ireland Awards ceremony on 17 May 2011, Hamilton Architects received four accolades for the Crescent Arts Centre and the Pier Head Ferry Terminal in Liverpool, whilst Kriterion Conservation Architects was commended for its work on the Antrim Courthouse.
These are Northern Ireland's most prestigious awards which celebrate excellence in the built environment and highlight the outstanding standard of work produced by local building professionals.
The historic Crescent Arts Centre received three RICS accolades: The distinguished and esteemed Project of the Year prize, Winner in the Community Benefit category and Highly Commended in the Building Conservation category. The Crescent Arts Centre will now go forward to the International RICS Awards which culminate in a grand final ceremony in London in October.
One of Northern Ireland’s finest listed buildings, the Antrim Courthouse, was Commended in the Regeneration category.
Last week the Pier Head Ferry Terminal in Liverpool won the RICS North West Award for Tourism & Leisure at a presentation ceremony held in Manchester. The state-of-the-art Ferry Terminal was shortlisted from an original entry of 70 projects.
Paul Millar, Partner of Hamilton Architects and Kriterion Conservation Architects said: We are delighted to win these five awards for three prestigious projects of local and national importance. As a practice what we do best is creating buildings for people and these awards recognise the entire team’s contribution to conserving our built heritage, delivering projects for the community and enhancing tourism.”
RICS Northern Ireland Director, Ben Collins said “In challenging economic conditions, it is encouraging to see visionary construction projects being undertaken to such high quality. The diverse range of entries reflects the wide reaching impact of construction professionals in the economy and in local communities.”

Crescent Arts Centre team - RICS Awards 2011 - (L-R): Kieran Mooney, Braecom; Stuart Robertson, Bennett Robertson Design; Neil Moore, Hamilton Architects; Keith Morrison, WYG; RICS Chairman Professor Alastair Adair; Kieran McMullan, Edmond Shipway; Lynda Bryans

Antrim Courthouse team - RICS Awards 2011 - RICS Chairman Professor Alastair Adair (2nd from left) with Gary Shaw, Catherine McFarland and Reggie Hillen of Antrim Borough Council

APRIL 2011

Award recognition for Hamilton Architects and the Ulster Museum
Hamilton Architects successful regeneration of the Ulster Museum was rewarded at the hotly contested Belfast Business Awards ceremony held on 14 April 2011 at Belfast City Hall. The Practice received a Highly Commended Award for Best Regeneration Project, recognizing our involvement in the monumental Ulster Museum project which has significantly improved and revitalized an area in Belfast.  Mark Haslett, Partner of Hamilton Architects said, “The refurbished Ulster Museum has already won many prestigious awards on a local and national level, but we are proud and delighted to receive recognition from our own city council.” Seven organizations were shortlisted in the Best Regeneration Project category, which was won by Titanic Quarter. The cream of the Belfast business world was recognized at the Gala Ceremony hosted by BBC Broadcasters Sarah Travers and Mark Simpson.

MARCH 2011

OPERA HITS A HIGH NOTE WITH DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
NI Opera and sponsors Hamilton Architects last night (24 March) welcomed the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuiness MP MLA, to an opera taster event in advance of the company’s first production of Tosca, which comes to the city next week.
NI Opera is staging Puccini’s Tosca – a thrilling tale of lust, murder and power – as never before in Northern Ireland.  Each act of the three-act thriller will be staged in a different iconic building in the city, with the audience, singers and orchestra moving between venues during the performance. 
This moving production will be a first for Derry and for Northern Ireland, and is intriguing opera fans and novices alike.  The buzz around the production was added to last night with an event hosted by key sponsors, Hamilton Architects.  Guests were treated to a sample of arias sung by local Derry-born singers, Aaron O’Hare and John Porter, two members of the NI Opera chorus who will perform in Tosca.
Seamus McCloskey, Partner, Hamilton Architects, said: “We are delighted to host this event, in advance of NI Opera’s first production.  It is great to see the Deputy First Minister taking such an interest in the cultural life of our city, of which he is an avid supporter.”
Roy Bailie, Chair of NI Opera, added: “We are really thankful to Hamilton Architects for hosting this great event tonight.  We are delighted to see so many people, including the Minister, lending their support to our first ever production and we hope the people of Derry and further afield will be thoroughly entertained by our production of Tosca next week.” 

(L-R)Seamus McCloskey, Hamilton Architects; Roy Balie, Chairman, NI Opera; Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MP; and NI Opera singer, Aaron O’Hare.

ATTWOOD CONFIRMS FUNDING PACKAGE FOR FORMER TEMPLEMORE AVENUE SCHOOL
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has confirmed funding for the refurbishment of the former Templemore Avenue School in East Belfast.
Hamilton Architects design team was awarded this project last year but it was put on hold primarily due to lack of funding. “We are delighted with the news that the Minister has secured funding which will allow the East Belfast Community Development Agency to proceed with this much needed community project,” said Mark Haslett, Partner, Hamilton Architects.
Announcing the funding, Alex Attwood said: “This is great news for the people of East Belfast. I have managed to secure crucial funding for the refurbishment of the former Templemore Avenue School and this is a much needed boost in an area which requires significant regeneration. The former Templemore Avenue School is a local landmark which must be preserved. My vision is that it can become a focal point and a valuable resource for people in both communities which border the school.”
The Department’s funding of just over £2.0 million is part of a combined £4.6 million investment package which will greatly enhance a contested interface in east Belfast and provide a much needed shared facility for both sides of the local community.

FEBRUARY 2011

OPERA PROVES A SOUND INVESTMENT
NI Opera, the new regional opera company, today announced its first funding boost thanks to support from Hamilton Architects.
Hamilton Architects are the first corporate sponsor to lend support to NI Opera’s production and have been encouraged by NI Opera’s commitment to showcasing young Northern Irish talent and their innovative use of spaces and buildings to stage its performances.
Seamus McCloskey, Partner, Hamilton Architects said “We are delighted to assist NI Opera in bringing this unique art-form to Derry which will further enhance the arts in our cultural city. We hope our sponsorship will go some way to support young NI talent and bring opera to a whole new audience.”
Tosca, a thrilling tale of lust, murder and power, will be performed as never before in N.Ireland. Each act of the three-act thriller will be staged in a different iconic building in the city, with the audience moving between venues during the performance - St Columb’s Cathedral, the Guildhall and St Columb’s Hall. This multi-site production will be a first for Derry and for N.Ireland, and promises to keep audiences on their toes from start to finish.
The Tosca cast features internationally-regarded Northern Irish singer Giselle Allen; Mexican tenor Jesus Leon; and some of the island’s finest younger singers.
Oliver Mears, Artistic Director, NI Opera added: “We are really pleased that Hamilton Architects have given their support to our production. Choosing Derry as the location to showcase our first opera was very important. Not only is it a beautiful and historic city that lends itself well to the story of Tosca, but it is also an exciting time to be here with the UK city of culture title and the thriving arts scene.
Tosca will run on 31st March, 1st April (matinee) and 2nd April 2011. Tickets priced at £15 / concession £12 are now available from the Millennium Forum box office. For more information on NI Opera, or to find out how you can help support the Tosca production, visit www.niopera.com.

JANUARY 2011

Access Award for historic Crescent Arts Centre
The Crescent Arts Centre was recently awarded a William Keown Trust Access Award at a ceremony held at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh. This prestigious award recognises the team's contribution to providing an accessible, user-friendly environment in one of the Belfast’s most historic listed buildings which reopened in April last year. 
Adrian Blythe, Director of The William Keown Trust cited “A lot of thought has gone into the refurbishment from a disability point of view including signs on doors in both raised letters and Braille, automatic lighting in corridors and toilets, a passenger lift that fully complies with accessibility standards, the provision of induction loops in multi-purpose rooms, controls mounted at suitable heights and excellent disability toilets provision.
The Crescent Arts Centre has made every effort to provide an inclusive environment and they are committed to equality of provision for all of their visitors, staff, and students.  They engaged with end-users to set priorities and find design solutions to provide modern, flexible, accessible arts spaces and facilities for a range of diverse users, accommodating all their different needs.”
Founded by Bill Keown thirty years ago, The William Keown Trust highlights the achievements and promotes the dignity of people with disabilities.

Photo (Left to Right): Neil Moore, Hamilton Architects; Keith Acheson, Crescent Arts Centre; Trevor Taylor, William Keown Trust; Moya Fitzpatrick, Hamilton Architects; Sam Clingan, Gilbert Ash.

DECEMBER 2010

LOCAL SPONSORSHIP IS A KNOCK OUT SUCCESS FOR ST. GEORGES BOXING CLUB
St Georges Amateur Boxing Club in Belfast has received much needed funding from Hamilton Architects.  The club hit the headlines in October when rising young star Christine Gargan won Ireland’s first ever silver medal in the 2nd European Youth & Junior Women's Championships in France.
This year has been a successful one for St Georges with boxers achieving provincial, national and international recognition, four Nine County Junior Champions, an all Ireland Youth Champion and a European medallist, and this support from Hamilton Architects is much appreciated.
“The funding provided by Hamilton Architects has been quickly used to provide new training equipment and badly needed competition kits for our boxers. Community sporting initiatives like St Georges have limited sources of funding and rely heavily on money raised from their own fundraising and local businesses,” said Jim Clinton, Chairman of the club.  
The boxing club has had a very positive impact on the local community over the years not only for the sport itself but also for promoting good health and fitness, self-discipline, respect and self-confidence amongst local young people.
“We are delighted that our donation has already been put to good use and will go someway to support the sterling work that Jim and his team does for the local community,” said Paul Millar of Hamilton Architects.  Seamus McCloskey of Hamilton Architects who himself boxed for the Ulster Senior level in the 70s and early 80s said, “I appreciate the huge beneficial impact a boxing club has within a community and I am very encouraged by the work carried out by St Georges A.B.C.”

NOVEMBER 2010

Limerick Greyhound Stadium provides a new World Class entertainment and sporting venue.
The new flagship Limerick Greyhound Stadium Complex which incorporates the new 15,000sqft headquarter offices for the Irish Greyhound Board was officially opened at the end of October with special guest Brendan Smith T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food.
Hamilton Architects’ Partner Seamus McCloskey stated “This is the next generation of stadia design and the best so far developed by Hamilton Architects in conjunction with the Irish Greyhound Board.” At the official Opening Chairman Dick O’Sullivan complimented the team and thanked Hamiltons for delivering the “Daddy of them all” in stadia design.
With a capacity for 2,900 spectators located over four storeys the stadium has been designed so that all levels are directly interconnected allowing the bustling atmosphere to permeate all levels and incorporates the latest developments in building and environmental efficiency. With panoramic viewing and versatile catering and corporate entertainment facilities, the stadium is one of the best equipped sporting venues in Ireland and will host almost 2000 races a year.
Speaking on the new facility, Irish Greyhound Board Chief Executive Adrian Neilan said "The stadium will have a capacity attendance of 2,900, putting it among the top rank of greyhound racing stadia on an international scale. It will boast an impressive restaurant, private hospitality suites and gallery bars, all of which will be a significant attraction for people in the Mid-West region."

Left-Right: Dick O’Sullivan-Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, Seamus McCloskey-Partner Hamilton Architects, Brendan Smith T.D-Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food.

‘Donkey Magic’ coming soon to N.Ireland
The construction of the new Donkey Riding Therapy Centre for the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) is well under construction and is due to complete in early 2011.
The Centre at Ballypalady near Templepatrick will be the Trust’s sixth centre and when complete will include an indoor riding arena and stables for the donkeys. The centre will offer a free donkey-riding therapy service to hundreds of children in Northern Ireland who have special needs and disabilities.
CEO of EST, John Akers, met with the Regional Strategy Board for Special Educational Needs to introduce the Head of Children and Young People Services and her colleagues to the riding therapy that will be on offer. He said: “Everyone seemed incredibly enthused by the facilities and services we will have available at our new EST Belfast Centre. Donkey therapy has been life changing for many of the children who visit our five centres that already exist so we’re looking forward to bringing a little ‘donkey magic’ to Northern Ireland!”

OCTOBER 2010

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SKILLS CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENED
The new Environmental Skills Centre was officially opened by Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning at South Eastern Regional College’s Newtownards campus. The Centre is to become a hub for sustainable development and renewable technology, which will include standalone curriculum and services as well as embedding new developments into existing areas such as motor vehicle, plumbing and engineering.
At the opening event the Minister said: “This state-of-the-art facility provides an ideal environment in which further education and business sectors can cooperate to their mutual benefit. The cutting-edge skills honed here will provide a huge boost to both the local community and economy, whilst also helping to drive the sustainable energy and renewable technology agenda forward.”
The Principal and Chief Executive, Ken Webb said: “I am really delighted with the new Environmental Skills Centre and would like to thank the Contractors and my staff who have completed this building to such a high standard. It certainly reflects the high quality learning environment we seek to offer. These new facilities allow us to ensure that our curriculum reflects the current needs of industry and prepares students and businesses for the developments and environmental challenges which face us all.”

Dominique Burke, Hamilton Architects, Keith Major, Kennedy Fitzgerald, Professor Deirdre Vincent, SERC Governor and Terry Francis, SERC.

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning performs the official opening

ROYAL ULSTER ACADEMY OF ART EXHIBITION BACK AT THE AWARD-WINNING ULSTER MUSEUM
For the fourth year running, Hamilton Architects’ are again proudly supporting the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts by sponsoring the ‘Hamilton Architects Fine Art Printmaking Prize’. The £500 prize has been awarded to Helen Paisley for her etching piece ‘Ne Mot I’.
The 129th RUA Annual Exhibition is open to the public from 15 October to 14 November 2010 at the Ulster Museum, continuing a tradition initiated by Arthur Deane, Director of the Ulster Museum, eighty one years ago in 1929, and brings local art to the wider community. The exhibition features work by 194 artists – Academy members, invited artists and those selected through open submission.

CARDBOARD CITY OF CULTURE
As part of Culture Night in September, staff from Hamilton Architects’ Derry office worked with Primary 6 class from Oakgrove Primary School to create cardboard structures of key buildings in the city. The city’s first Cultural Night has been hailed a great success and Oakgrove Primary School children were very creative in their efforts to build a cardboard city.

HAMILTON’S NEW OFFICES WELL UNDERWAY IN THE LINEN CONSERVATION AREA
The construction of Hamilton House located in the Linen Conservation Area at Joy Street in Belfast city centre is well underway. The prestigious Georgian-inspired energy efficient building will provide new high specification office space in one of Belfast’s prime business districts. The unique four storey building fully complements the Georgian streetscape and has been designed to meet the needs of modern office occupiers with a specific emphasis on energy performance.
Having outgrown our current offices on the Upper Newtownards Road, Hamilton Architects will move into new offices on the second and third floors of the new building when it is complete in early 2011.
The site shares a city block with two significant listed buildings. The design, crafted from red brick and stone with a feature barrel roof in copper finish, is inspired by the rhythm and elegance of the Georgian terraces which characterize the area.
The building will provide office units from 1,500sqft to 7,300sqft with a high internal specification. Letting agent Ciaran Hughes of RHM Commercial LLP commented "we are encouraged by the level of recent enquiries and we believe the client is offering a quality product which will meet the demanding expectations of prospective occupiers in terms of location, specification and aesthetics. It also represents a highly cost effective solution with its enhanced green credentials."

SEPTEMBER 2010

Hamilton Architects celebrates Culture Night with City of Cardboard
On Friday 24 September Derry will join 20 other towns and cities across Ireland and beyond, to offer an amazing array of cultural activities and Hamilton Architects are playing their part to celebrate this day of entertainment, discovery and adventure.  
Staff from Hamilton Architects Derry office are joining forces with Primary 6 class from Oakgrove Primary School to create cardboard structures of key buildings in the city. 
Seamus McCloskey of Hamilton Architects said “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting cultural event whereby we can bring our design skills to young children who are keen and eager to learn.”
Hamilton Architects and Oakgrove Primary School will be designing and displaying their imaginative cardboard buildings from 1pm-6pm at the Richmond Shopping Centre on Friday.

July 2010

Derry~Londonderry wins its bid to be City of Culture
Derry~Londonderry has made history after winning its bid to be the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013.  At 7:30pm on 15 July 2010 it was announced that Northern Ireland’s maiden city had won the judging panel’s vote, over the three other shortlisted cities Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield to take the prestigious title. 
The momentous win means that in 2013 Derry~Londonderry will play host to a year-long celebration of culture in the city, opening its doors to visitors from across the world.  Our office at Queen Street in the city is looking forward to being part of the celebrations.
The historic announcement was made at the Pier Head Ferry Terminal building in Liverpool, designed by Hamilton Architects.

Ulster Museum wins Art Fund Prize
The Ulster Museum has won one of the most prestigious museum prizes in the world - the coveted UK Art Fund Prize. The museum picked up the £100,000 prize at a ceremony in London last night, beating competition from the Ashmolean in Oxford, the Herbert in Coventry and Blists Hill Victorian town at Ironbridge.
The competition involved an on-line public vote as well as a rigorous judging process led by broadcaster Kirsty Young.
“Although the prize was not awarded for architecture, Young said, you could not fail to be impressed with how the building – essentially 1960 brutalist welded on to late Victorian – had been transformed so successfully and it was now "building a lasting legacy."
She continued “In many ways it is like so many of the UK's provincial museums, with its Victorian paintings, stuffed animals and meteorites. But Young said: "Provincial museum is a terrible phrase because there is nothing provincial about the Ulster Museum. It stands as a brilliant example of what a museum should be and has to offer and wouldn't look out of place in any major European city.”
The museum reopened in October last year after a three-year redevelopment and is now Northern Ireland's busiest visitor attraction with over 420,000 visitors to date. “We are delighted on Northern Ireland’s behalf,” said Tim Cooke, Director of National Museums Northern Ireland. “This is the first time in Northern Ireland’s history that a prestigious cultural prize of this nature has been awarded to an institution in the region.  This prize will encourage us as we endeavour to play a meaningful role at the heart of our changing society”.
Stephen Deuchar, director of the the Art Fund, said the Ulster Museum was "a brilliant example of a museum that is passionate about its public". He added: "The redevelopment is stunning, capturing its visitors' minds and hearts with exceptional creative flair."
The museum has also been shortlisted for the RICS National Awards, Community Benefit Category, which will be announced in October.

June 2010

May 2010

RICS awards the Ulster Museum for it’s significant benefit to the community
The Ulster Museum’s design team led by Hamilton Architects picked up a prestigious RICS Award this week. The Ulster Museum was awarded the RICS Community Benefit award at an award ceremony in the Great Hall at Queens University Belfast.
Accepting the award, Mark Haslett of Hamilton Architects said “We are delighted that the Museum has won this award.  As a practice what we do best is creating buildings for people and this award underlines the importance of this building to the people of Northern Ireland.  The entire team has worked together to create a building which is accessible to everyone.”
The Ulster Museum’s significant contribution to the community of Belfast in particular and of Northern Ireland in general cannot be over emphasised.  This major refurbishment has created a more friendly and welcoming building encouraging the wider community to visit.  The museum is most likely the highest profile ‘free to enter’ visitor attraction in Northern Ireland and since reopening last October visitor numbers stand at over 355,000.
The Ulster Museum has also been shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize, the UK’s largest single arts prize and last week received the Permanent Exhibition award at the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence in London.

Ulster Museum awarded at the Oscars of the Museums World
The Ulster Museum was awarded at the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence – the Oscars of the Museums World – at a prestigious ceremony on 12 May in London.
The Ulster Museum beat off incredibly stiff competition from The Ashmolean and Natural History Museum’s Cocoon to scoop the Permanent Exhibition Award and was commended for it’s reopening Marketing Campaign. The judges were particularly impressed by Ulster Museum’s very striking interpretive mix, which has successfully ensured that the museum’s objects serve the narrative and are not subordinate to the surrounding architecture. 
The Awards aim to recognise and celebrate best practice within the world of museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions and were presented by broadcaster and journalist, Simon Calder.
The Ulster Museum was awarded at the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence – the Oscars of the Museums World – at a prestigious ceremony on 12 May in London.
The Ulster Museum beat off incredibly stiff competition from The Ashmolean and Natural History Museum’s Cocoon to scoop the Permanent Exhibition Award and was commended for it’s reopening Marketing Campaign. The judges were particularly impressed by Ulster Museum’s very striking interpretive mix, which has successfully ensured that the museum’s objects serve the narrative and are not subordinate to the surrounding architecture. 
The Awards aim to recognise and celebrate best practice within the world of museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions and were presented by broadcaster and journalist, Simon Calder.

United Nations award for the Crescent Arts Centre and Hamilton Architects

The Crescent Arts Centre and it’s restoration team, Hamilton Architects, Gilbert Ash and Braecom have received a MAB UNESCO* Award in recognition of the work done in protecting the swift habitat throughout the environmentally sensitive restoration of the Crescent Arts Centre.  NIEA’s Chief Executive John McMillen presented Hamilton Architects’ award to David Fletcher at the ‘Under One Roof’ Festival on 30 April organised by the RSPB and the Crescent Arts Centre.   
The Crescent Arts Centre is home to one of N.Ireland’s largest remaining swift colonies.  While the renovation was in the early planning stages the NIEA, Crescent Arts Centre, architects and contractors worked closely together to incorporate swift nesting sites in the building and to agree a works schedule that would minimise disruption during the nesting season. This ensured the needs of birds and builders were accommodated at every stage.
This award is a great achievement by the whole team involved in this prestigious project and acknowledges the excellent work that was done for the swift colony.

*Man and the Biosphere (MAB), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

APRIL 2010

Hamilton Architects’ refurbishment of the Crescent Arts Centre complete as centre re-opens
Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre has officially re-opened following a £7.2 million refurbishment and restoration project by Hamilton Architects and Hall Black Douglas that has doubled its capacity and injected new, cutting-edge facilities into the historic 135 year-old landmark city building. (Hall Black Douglas were architects on the scheme design, whilst Hamilton Architects worked on the detail design to deliver the completed project).
The Centre, one of the city's most revered historic venues, has been carefully restored to maintain the integrity of the building, preserving as many original details as possible, and now provides a vibrant rehearsal, performance, exhibition and arts education space.
More than half of the structure had fallen into disrepair and much of the old centre was not fit for purpose.  The new-look Crescent Arts Centre boasts state-of-the art facilities, comprising a multipurpose space with retractable theatre seating, a dance studio, galleries, workshop spaces, a photographic studio, and a café.
The event marked one of the biggest capital investments made in Northern Ireland’s arts infrastructure in the last ten years.
The ambitious project, which took 18 months to complete, was supported by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), Arts Council Northern Ireland (ACNI), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Crescent Arts Centre and the general public.
To celebrate its re-opening, the centre has a week-long ‘Crescent Overture’ festival of the arts which offers lunchtime and evening recitals, free taster workshops and guided tours of the building.  Events include a reading with Pulitzer Prize winning author and new patron of the Crescent Arts Centre Paul Muldoon, Bellydance, Puppetry, Figure Drawing or Lego workshops, an afternoon with Shakespeare and lots more workshops and performances by local and international artists.
Full programme details for the ‘Crescent Overture’ festival are available on www.crescentarts.org.

FEBRUARY 2010

NEW ARDS CONSTRUCTION SKILLS CENTRE NOW OPEN
Hamilton Architects handed over the new £3.6m construction skills workshop facility to the South Eastern Regional College in January 2010.  The new centre will provide workshops and ancillary accommodation for the five vocational skills, namely Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry and Joinery, Brickwork and Motor vehicles.  The new integrated facility replaces out dated substandard accommodation and will be of benefit to the whole community.

MULTI-MILLION POUND MEDICINES MANUFACTURING FACILITY NOW COMPLETE
Victoria Pharmaceuticals, a new purpose built facility in the grounds of the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast, is complete and will improve efficiencies and contribute towards the highest quality patient care. The facility will provide specialist medicines for a wide range of patients including intravenous feeding solutions for neonates, ophthalmic preparations, controlled analgesia and cancer chemotherapy.  It will also produce and supply a range of pharmaceuticals to hospitals and primary care in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK, and is the only facility of its kind throughout Ireland.

JANUARY 2010

CIVIC TRUST NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR CHINESE COMMUNITY & RESOURCE CENTRE
The Chinese Community & Resource Centre is one of only three projects from Northern Ireland to receive special recognition from the Civic Trust Awards National Panel for their strong community initiative and for the positive impact on the people they serve. Designed by Hamilton Architects for the Chinese Welfare Association, the Centre has been commended by the judging panel for “the positive impact it provided to the local community”. The £1.4m centre comprises staff offices, a multi-purpose hall, training room, library, conference room, user room, creche and playground and is widely used by the local community.

NEW DAYCARE FACILITY OPENS IN LISBURN
The new Lisburn Assessment & Resource Centre has been completed and handed over to the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.  The refurbishment of the existing facility and the new build extension will provide a much needed Daycare Facility for adults over 19 years old with learning disabilities, increasing the number of available day-support places to 100.  The new facility fully meets the needs of its clients, who require a range of support depending on their behaviour, general health and mental health.

DESIGN QUALITY ON THE CRESCENT ARTS CENTRE, BELFAST
The Crescent Arts Centre has been used as a case study for the Design Quality Indicator (DQI), an initiative from the Construction Industry Council. The DQI is a method of evaluating the design and construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings.  On the Crescent Arts Centre use of DQI was seen by both the client and Hamilton Architects as an opportunity to facilitate a dialogue between end-users and the design team in order to inform a wide range of stakeholders about the design. By engaging end-users through DQI the Crescent Arts Centre were able to set priorities, develop consensus and find solutions to the challenge of preserving a historic Victorian landmark for Belfast while at the same time providing modern, flexible and accessible arts spaces and facilities for diverse users. 

For more information on this case study go to:
http://www.dqi.org.uk/website/buildings/casestudies/crescentartscentre/default.aspa.

PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR NEW EXECUTIVE EDUCATION CENTRE AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY
Planning approval was granted in December 2009 for this project which will rejuvenate the existing B1 listed Riddel Hall building on the Stranmillis Road, Belfast, creating the highest quality seminar and syndicate rooms for executive education.  The building, previously used as a Halls of Residence, will be refurbished and extended to provide a mainstream facility of further education for Queen’s University.

DECEMBER 2009

RIDING THERAPY CENTRE TEMPLEPATRICK
Hamilton Architects have been appointed by the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) to design a Donkey Riding Therapy Centre.  EST is a UK based charity dedicated to providing riding therapy with donkeys to children with special needs and disabilities.  At present EST have five Centres across the UK, based in Sidmouth, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Ivybridge and the development at Templepatrick will be their sixth Centre.  The Centre at Templepatrick will help children in Northern Ireland who have so far been unable to access this unique riding therapy. The Charity is currently raising funds to develop the Centre and have launched a ‘Buying a Brick’ Appeal.  To buy a brick and help EST to reach their target and build and equip the new centre in N.Ireland go to: http://www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk

OCTOBER 2009

HAMILTON ARCHITECTS ARE THE WINNER OF THE UTV BUSINESS EYE ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
At a glittering awards ceremony at the Culloden Hotel on Friday 16 October, Hamilton Architects were awarded the Architect of the Year award. 

 The event now in its third year rewards the very best of the Northern Ireland business community.  Hundreds of entries were received across the 15 different categories and the winners in each case beat off stiff competition, with over 50 firms submitting an entry in some categories.
Paul Millar, Partner of Hamilton Architects said “We are thrilled to win this prestigious award and were extremely proud to accept it on Friday night.”  The Architect of the Year Award recognizes and honours the individual or firm of architects responsible for making a significant contribution to development in both Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.
“Our work spans both public and private sectors throughout Northern Ireland and we have many key projects which we believe make a significant difference to the development of Northern Ireland and people’s lives. As a practice we are proud of our achievements and are confident we deliver buildings fit for purpose and fit for people,” continued Paul.
Hamilton Architects’ entry was judged on key projects including the refurbishment of the Ulster Museum, the Chinese Community & Resource Centre, a new Medicines Facility for The Royal Group of Hospitals, a Daycare Facility for adults with learning difficulties for the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and the Greysteel Regeneration project.

UNDISCOVERED BOX OF DELIGHT AT THE REVITALISED ULSTER MUSEUM
Award winning Hamilton Architects are overwhelmed by the public’s positive reaction
With the official opening of the new revitalized Ulster Museum only days away, Hamilton Architects today announced their pride and delight in being involved with such a monumental building which is a legacy to the people of Northern Ireland.
Paul Millar, Partner of Hamilton Architects said that the refurbishment and opening up of the Ulster Museum is without doubt Hamilton Architects’ key piece of work this year. “We are extremely proud of what we have achieved and are thrilled with how we have transformed what was a tired space into an open, accessible and organic living museum,” said Paul.
At a special event for family and friends of the Ulster Museum’s staff, the excitement of visitors – young and old - and their visible delight of discovery was very humbling added Paul.  “As a practice what we do best is creating buildings for people and, given the significant importance of this building to the people of Northern Ireland, we are overwhelmed by the public’s positive reaction.”

The refurbished and revitalized Museum has been opened up to create additional gallery space, completely refurbished galleries, state-of-the-art visitor facilities and a new restaurant opening out to Botanic Gardens.  Parts of the building, previously used for offices, have been given back to the open gallery space, and stunning stained glass windows which were partially hidden can now be fully appreciated in the main orientation gallery space and the Living World gallery.
The museum officially opens on 22 October and normal opening times will be Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm throughout the year. Admission is free.
For further details on the Ulster Museum please visit the museum's website.

Read Simon Calder's views on the museum in an article in The Independent (17 October 2009).

PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR NEW CLONMEL STADIUM
Planning permission has been granted for this project which involves the demolition of the existing stand and associated buildings and the construction of a new 12,000sqft greyhound stadium to cater for up to 900 people.

NEW CHURCH CENTRE TO ENHANCE LOCAL COMMUNITY AMENITIES
Hamilton Architects have been appointed as architects to design a new Church Centre for Knock Methodist Church, Belfast. 
The new Knock Methodist Church Centre is to be built on land behind the existing centre which will be demolished once the new centre is constructed.  The single storey development will comprise a main hall/auditorium with stage (250 seat capacity) and a minor hall for youth organisations and Sunday School.   The centre will include a social/meeting area and dedicated youth lounge, meeting rooms and offices.  The building will be used by the whole of the local community for sport and leisure activities, pantomimes, conferences, church functions, church administration, private prayer, uniformed youth organisations and other youth groups.

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED ON NEW SPORTS VIEWING STAND, INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CARLOW
Work commenced on site in September to construct a new €2m sports viewing stand for the Institute of Technology Carlow. BAM Contractors have been appointed to build the new stand which will seat 650 people and includes changing facilities and seminar rooms.
The ground floor internal accommodation includes four team changing rooms with dedicated showers, toilet and treatment facilities, referees room, treatment room and public toilets. The first floor accommodates three large seminar rooms which are subdivided by sliding / folding partitions, offices and welfare facilities. It is anticipated it will be completed by February 2010.

NEW ARTS CENTRE FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY
Hands That Talk, a registered charity, has appointed Hamilton Architects to design a new £1.4m Arts Centre in Dungiven for the deaf community.
The new innovative centre will serve the entire deaf community in the North West region providing a multi-purpose exhibition space, café/gallery, associated classrooms, video editing suite and two office units to let out. Hands That Talk was set up in early 2000 as a direct response to the enormous gap in provision for those people in the community who are either deaf or hard of hearing. The Charity is peopled by volunteers from all sections of the community and since its establishment, has grown to be the largest Deaf Community in Ireland and is the only Deaf Community organisation of its kind in N.Ireland. Hamilton Architects have extensive experience in community related schemes and are delighted to be involved with this caring community project.

NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR ARMAGH GAOL
Our associate practice, Kriterion Conservation Architects, has been appointed by The Osborne Group as conservation architects and designers to redevelop Armagh Gaol.
This commission involves the restoration and regeneration of the complete gaol site to include conversion of the significant listed buildings to provide a destination hotel and associated tourism development accommodation, providing a new sustainable use for the vacant buildings whilst also preserving the Gaol’s architectural integrity and historic importance. The conservation works will include retention of details of heritage merit and careful detailing of alterations and insertions.
Armagh Gaol, a Grade B+ listed building located within the Armagh Conservation Area, is one of Northern Ireland’s most important historic buildings The Osborne Group and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust were selected by Armagh District Council earlier this year to start developing proposals for its regeneration. The Osborne Group has previously transformed Oxford Gaol into the critically acclaimed and award winning Malmaison hotel.
The site is a flagship project of great importance to the City's continued growth over the next decade and will give the Gaol a new lease of life whilst greatly benefitting the local community and enhancing the tourism industry in Armagh and N.Ireland as a whole.

WINNER OF THE HAMILTON ARCHITECTS’ FINE ART PRINTMAKING PRIZE
Gemma Daly was awarded the Hamilton Architects’ Fine Art Printmaking Prize of £500 at the official opening of the 128th Annual Exhibition on 1 October in The Northern Bank, Donegall Street, Belfast.
Gemma’s work ‘Vertical Heights’ is ¾ Collograph (a collage of tactile and relief textures on a backing board which, when inked and printed, will exaggerate the relief and transmit it to the damp paper creating a rich and varied surface) and will be on display at the exhibition during October. This is the third year Hamilton Architects have sponsored the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts.

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