ICM - Leeds Design Agency

Some call it a Masonic Jamboree, others nothing more than a stereotypical glorification of flat caps, whippets and black pudding but I’m rather proud to say I’m from Yorkshire.

Yorkshire born (after a long drive with my mother in labour, just in case I was any good at cricket) and Yorkshire bred, the County has long-held a special place in my heart.

Yorkshire Day was first celebrated in 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, a group formed to protect the integrity of Yorkshire and it’s regions. There are celebrations across the County, many centering around the County hub of York.

The traditional reading of the Declaration of Yorkshire Integrity will take place on Yorkshire Day at four of the Bars (gates) of York. The first reading will be at Walmgate Bar at 10.45. The reading at Mickelgate Bar will be at 11:34 indicating the 1134 years since the first reference to Yorkshire and its Ridings. Further readings will then take place at Bootham Bar and Monk Bar with a final reading in St Sampson’s Square, at about 1pm, where a Yorkshire Day event, featuring two brass bands, has been arranged by York City Council. There is a Yorkshire Day Beer Festival at the Bay Horse, Marygate which will run throughout the day.

Falling this year on a Saturday, Yorkshire Day provides a great opportunity to get out and celebrate, whether you were born here, live here, visit or work here, I’ll certainly by raising a pint or t…

Read the rest...

We were all thrilled to hear of the safe arrival of Maddison Jaine Bentley on 9th June, first baby for our Studio Manager Melissa. Melissa and Matt brought Maddison in for us to meet last week and we all had a cuddle (with the baby) and went all gooey.

Here’s a photo of mum and baby looking very content and at ease.

I prefer this action shot though!

…

Read the rest...

Commissioned by Midlands Architecture & Design Environment and the Government office for the West Midlands, architects Sjolander da Cruz teamed up with engineering consultancy Buro Happold and Gwen Heeney the senior lecturer in ceramics at the University of Wolverhampton, to create a simple yet unique shelter that offers refuge for kids where they can meet and discuss their day, or possibly studies, with their friends and classmates. Located at a skate park in Wolverhampton, the Wolves shelter features undulating wave-like steel cantilevers over a brick terraced seating plinth, giving it a modern but at the same time natural design. The £75,000 project not only offers a personal space for kids to chill out with friends in the heart of the Midlands town, but also adds something unique to the area.

As long as it doesn’t encourage them to start hunting in packs I think this is a really good idea. Nearly every time you see teenagers at bus stops or benches they always seem to have found a unusual way to sit on them. The durability of the seating plinth and different heights they can sit at are perfect for the pack.

Maybe other places could follow suit, the Isle of Dogs, could have the dog basket. Catford near London could have the scratching post, then again maybe n…

Read the rest...