Blog

25/01/12 - It's our Second Birthday! -

Where did those two years go!

Today is a great day as it is our Birthday, its hard to believe its already been two years since I set up Yelo in January 2010.

The last two years have been a blur but equally an incredible journey.

I must say a huge thank you to each and everyone of our much valued friends, clients, consultants and supporters who have contributed to our success.

In the two years since we started up we've moved into a larger office, recruited more staff and worked on some really major projects in Brighton and with your support I hope we can repeat that cycle.

I mentioned we value your support and so to say thanks we are planning to have a bit of a party in the Spring (when it is a bit warmer!) please look out for your invite.

In the meantime if you haven't seen our office in central Brighton please get in touch and come on over, I'd love to also take you for a great coffee in Brighton's best coffee shop - Small Batch

As you can tell we've been very busy these last couple of years and have worked on everything from Climbing Centres through to Language Schools with lots of residential projects inbetween.

Here's a couple of our projects:

Brighton Dome - New ticket Office, Call Centre Suite and Office Refurbishment.

The project above was a real success for us. We were invited to compete in a design competition against some pretty well known architect brands and well we won! Simple really; we pitched the best design, had the best team (selected by us) and came in on budget, what more could you want from an architect?

One Hove Park - 71 New build apartments

This is our sort of project! Great client with an equally great brief. We've designed a contemporary 5 storey building that makes the most of the site orientation and gives every resident the home that really desire:

Gardens designed by Chelsea award winner Nicholas Dexter
Balconies that are large enough for a table, four chairs and a balcony allotment
Oversized apartments with huge triple glazed windows.
Great views over two parks.
Secure underground parking.
A location next door to Hove Park yet within two minutes walk of the train station.
A roof full of solar panels.
Extensive tree planting, a communal garden and a dedicated wildlife garden.
An electric car club.
A stunning art installation in Hove Park courtesy of the very talented Richard Wolfstrome

As you can tell we're proud of this one and can't wait for construction to start later in the year.

Time to sign off, please keep well, keep working hard and most importantly keep in touch.

Best wishes

Andy

Remember our first consultation is always completely free of charge.

Yelo Architects 01273 608444

20/12/11 - Architecture and Travel -

Travel is inextricably linked with architecture but interestingly you don’t necessarily need architecture first for a place to become a tourist destination and Brighton historically is a good example, tourists initially came for the water.

In the 18th Century Dr Richard Russel claimed that sea water had healing benefits either by drinking it or by bathing in it. This led to the aristocracy following the latest health craze and heading to Brighton which then developed architecturally; initially with bathing machines and then later by hotels as others followed the trend.

This link between water, travel and architecture entered my thoughts a few weeks ago whilst amongst a mountain range in Switzerland, my destination a sublime spa hotel encapsulated in a piece of architecture that stuns me every time I visit.

As the only thermal springs in the Graubünden canton in Switzerland, Vals, too became a destination through its water.

The architecture came in the 1960’s via a huge hotel complex of 1000 beds built around the spring which by the 1980’s had gone bankrupt. Interestingly the whole complex was then bought by the village and they commissioned architect Peter Zumthor to redesign the baths. Even when the baths opened in 1996 Zumthor was still relatively unknown as an architect. However, only two years later this seminal building became a protected building by the Canton Graubünden which is an incredible achievement. The Hotel and the Therme are now probably one of the greatest spa destinations in the world.

The building is a stunning experience of calmness, wonder, and discovery that affects all of your senses. Fortunately cameras are banned in the spa but do visit www.therme-vals.ch for more images and information. Alternatively if you’re feeling brave view Janet Jackson’s video of the track Every Time on Youtube as it was filmed in the spa!

The hotel has also been redesigned by Zumthor and I would recommend a stay in the yellow stucco suites and also a meal in the adjoining Red Restaurant.

For me the water and the architecture is the biggest draw, it simply has to be experienced to be believed.