ACANTHUS WSM ARCHITECTS
NEWS
St Hilda’s Crescent, Leeds
December 2017
Our latest off site manufactured housing scheme, consisting of seven family houses is being constructed by Osco Homes on behalf of Together Housing Association. This forms the second phase of the highly successful regeneration of the St Hilda’s area, Cross Green. Although work on site has only recently commenced progress is impressive with homes being made water tight before Christmas.
Utilising Modern Methods of Construction the timber panel system is manufactured at HMP Hindley near Manchester. The aim is to train serving offenders giving them the necessary skills to work in the construction industry with some already employed by Osco Homes following their release.
The scheme has attracted a lot of media attention and was recently featured on BBC Look North.
Sutcliffe Buildings, Settle
November 2017
We were delighted that a small refurbishment project, recently completed in Settle was shortlisted for the Best Affordable Rural Housing Development 2017 by Inside Housing. Our associated heritage consultancy, Woodhall Planning and Conservation and Acanthus undertook the complex £750,000 restoration of a Grade II listed building in the centre of Settle on behalf of Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association. These prestigious awards are considered an opportunity to celebrate the very best residential development across the UK and are judged by an expert panel.
"The easy option would have been to sell the building," said Joanna Chambers, Head of Home and Growth at LYHA, "but with high demand for affordable homes in this rural community where many local people are priced out of the market due to second homes and a lack of good quality rented properties, we saw the opportunity to invest in and add value to the existing community."
This refurbishment, which involved years of planning and design yet only 6 months to complete, saw the complex conversion of this historic building into nine modern apartments. The new homes sensitively combine Victorian architecture and modern day living. High levels of energy-efficiency was introduced, making them not only affordable to run but beautiful homes to live in.
Charity Bike Ride/Team Building
October 2017
Congratulations to Darren Parr and Joe Keighley who recently took part in Strategic Team Group’s Charity Bike Ride in aid of Reuben’s Retreat and Candlelighters Trust. The tough 80 mile ride took in Holme Moss twice and despite a succession of punctures was a fantastic day.
Well done to everyone who took part raising £1800 for two very good causes.
Team Building:
Our annual team building event took place earlier this month when teams of between 3 and 4 people were dropped blindfolded in various rural locations around the Peak District. Armed with a series of challenges requiring interaction with local residents and the collection of some obscure scavenge items teams had to race back to Leeds via multiple locations. Amazingly all teams returned within 20 minutes of each other, lured no doubt by refreshments!