Here's one I did earlier! - Respite Care Home

I was passing Motherwell Town Centre with the girls and Sandra(wife) and I took this quick snap of a building I designed and delivered almost 10 years ago.

We won the commission (GCA Architects, Coatbridge) when I was a Trainee Architect. It was a local competition of about 6 firms and I prepare the competition entry which of course we won.

Therafter, PHEW (Parental Help Evening's and Weekends) was to become my baby for the next 3 years.

David McKendrick (PHEW Secretary) was the Client Representative having been involved with the charity for quite some time. Effectively the brief was to deliver a 14 bed respite care Hotel for both adults and kids with learning difficulties. The Project comprised bedrooms (all ensuite), gym, sensory room, swimming pool, games room, hairdressing area, bar, reception an admin, carers drop in centre and day accommodation including lounge and dining spaces.

The Plan was centred around a sensory garden which was truly sensory ie not a few herbs stuck in the corner. We had a very large water feature which made loads of noise including a glass fronted fish tank, stainless steel water channels and a small external pool which was ramped so that wheelchair users could dip their feet in the water! We also had a mirrored wall with a swing cantilevered off it and the kids loves watching their reflection in the mirror!

The building is still looking good and I believe working well for its users.

Self Building

Kenneth Martin, owner of Block Architects, shares his top 5 tips on business self build projects.

If you would like to see more videos of Kenneth, please click here

Urban Realm report on Block Architects Glasgow Office

Urban Realm's web site report on Block Architects recent Glasgow opening - Read the article here

Pushing our Business Forward with ActionCOACH

Just thought I would write a quick blog regarding our ongoing business coaching with ActionCOACH.

On Friday 4th Dec I spend a fantastic day at Celtic FC where myself and other business owners enjoyed the hospitality of ActionCOACH at our MAD 90 Day Coaching Seminar.

For those of you who don't know what this is MAD (Massive Action Day) is a full day workshop where we work through the various areas of business development in order to set our Goals for the Next 90 Days.

Block Architects – 90 Day Plan
Dec 2009 – March 2010

These are the Key Goals for the next 90 days:-

Financial Goal – Hit targets and achieve growth in Turnover.

People Goal – Find 30 minutes every Friday to round of the week and have some wiffle time.

Personal Goal – Work hard on ‘myself’

These are the General Goals for the next 90 days:-

Re-examine Licensed Model Business
Review existing and new Strategic Alliances
Track sources of Lead Generation
Monitor and Improve Lead Conversion rate
Review the Company Procedures Manual
Review long term Goals both Personal and Business
Write and Publish ‘How to Guides’
Prepare ‘How to Podcast Guides’
Implement off site back up

FACEBOOK

We have just created a Fan Page on Facebook where you can link in with business contacts who are right into social media and are interested in keeping up with minute by minute updates re block architects. Become a Facebook Fan of Block Architects.

"I'll Never Do Another Opera"

Podcastmatters caught up with "The King Of Architecture" Kenneth Martin at an Entrepreneurial Exchange event. In the video above Kenneth reflects on what he did before Block Architects.

Building Warrant or Not?

I have returned last night from another client who was directed by a solicitor in the purchase of the flat. As it turns out the flat does not appear to have a building warrant and as such I have been asked to anticipate what is involved to get a Certificate of Comfort.

A Certificate of Comfort would allow the sale of the property but does not strictly mean that the works are in full accordance with the building control regulations.

The moral of the story here is that any development or property alterations should have the appropriate paperwork in place. This client bought the property 11 years so you can tell how time catches up with you.

Please make sure that all of your paperwork is in place.