Karis News

Students at Blatchington Mill School are developing proposals for sites around Brighton and Hove that they feel need improving.

Using the example of the King Alfred redevelopment, the design and geography students are developing their ideas and understanding regarding the built environment and its importance. Working up design options for run down, derelict sites around the city, the students will receive professional advice and regular feedback from developers Karis and will be presenting their final proposals at a special exhibition later this year.

The Project was launched in January by Karis Community Liaison Co-ordinator Heather James who will be reviewing and advising the students as the projects progresses. Josh Arghiros Karis MD, who attended Blatchington Mill as a pupil, said: “This is a really exciting project for the students and one that we hope will inspire them. As a local company we welcome the opportunity to support the students in this way. Young people have great optimism and energy and we are very impressed by their enthusiasm and commitment.”

The students have now identified sites across Brighton and Hove and architect Janine Graham of HOK Sport Architecture, who is designing the new King Alfred sports centre, spoke to the students regarding the range of issues they will need to consider to develop their ideas into a sound proposal.

Maggie Ellis of Blatchington Mill School said: “These are all gifted and talented students who will undoubtedly benefit from the professional advice offered by Karis and their architects, HOK Sport Architecture. Working with outside experts enables the students to develop a greater understanding of how their learning is relevant beyond school. It helps to show the cross-curricular nature of the skills they are learning and provides them with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real life situations. The ability to interact with experts in different fields widens students’ learning experience and allows them to work with like minded individuals beyond their immediate peers, fostering team work and independent learning.”

Sites and proposals identified by the Key Stage 3 students, years 7, 8 and 9, include:

* The Disused Ice Rink at Sussex Square

New Ice Rink and Associated Leisure

New Ice Rink and Indoor Skate Park

* The West Pier

New Pier

* Land beneath the West Pier and adjacent disused paddling pool

Kids Chill Out Zone

* Toads Hole Valley

Music Centre

* The Disused Rugby Club Building in Hove Park

Hire Shop for Sports Equipment

* Goldstone Retail Park

New Shopping Mall

Heather James of Karis, who reviewed the students work recently said: “I am impressed by the amount of the work that has already been undertaken by the students and I am looking forward to seeing their ideas develop. I’m sure they will produce some stunning and interesting proposals and hope that this project will encourage them to apply the knowledge they are learning in school to real life situations and future career options.”

Work has started on the redevelopment of Orange Row in North Laine, a former slum with a history of poverty into a stylish London-esque Mews.

In the era of the pod-living phenomenon, Karis are working with local company Integra to convert the traditional former stores in Orange Row into 13 live/work units. Brighton architect Alan Philips has been commissioned for this £1.3 million project which will completely transform the street. New granite cobbles will be laid and local crafts people are designing and making metal streetlamps to complement the streetscape.

The 13 properties will provide vale for money environments for living and working when they are finished in September. Although small, no luxury has been spared with each one featuring a high level of design in an open-plan format. All 13 are self-contained and will have state of the art facilities such as broadband connections, stylish interiors and electric heating, ideal for artists and small businesses.

Orange Row is a narrow street backing onto Gardner Street making access awkward however, Integra’s expertise and experience was fully utilised and they have managed to overcome this challenge. Joe McNulty, Integra’s Managing Director says “This sort of project can be tricky as we are effectively building 13 houses in a very tight space however we have an extremely experienced team who see these small inconveniences as exciting challenges.” He goes on to say, “We are very excited about seeing the finished product of this once neglected street restored into a buzzing environment for small business and artists.”

Josh Arghiros, Karis Managing Director said: “Orange Row is in the heart of the North Laine and these proposals will regenerate and enhance the area.”

English Heritage is confident that the proposals for the redevelopment of the King Alfred site will gain their approval.

Karis, Frank Gehry and members of the design team met with English Heritage on 20 January to clarify elements of the scheme and provide additional information. Following these discussions English Heritage has stated in a letter to the City Council: “We are convinced that a scheme that we could support is achievable”.

Previous advice offered by English Heritage focused on three areas: the perimeter blocks, views and the public realm.

English Heritage has now advised that they are convinced that the scale of the perimeter blocks is acceptable. The letter further states that the impact of the proposals on long and medium range views is minimal and has been dealt with satisfactorily. The letter offers advice regarding the design of the perimeter blocks and the layout of the public realm, issues which are already being addressed by Karis/ING.

Karis Managing Director Josh Arghiros said: “We welcome the support of English Heritage and we are encouraged by their advice. Frank Gehry and the design team have spent two years designing this project and we are confident that any outstanding issues can be resolved to the satisfaction of English Heritage.”

Karis is working to provide further information for English Heritage and will be submitting a revised environmental impact statement to address outstanding issues within the next few weeks.

Background Information:

The King Alfred Project is a £290 million mixed use development by Karis/ING Real Estate Developments UK Limited. The project is being designed by Frank Gehry and will provide a state of the art indoor sport and swimming centre, designed in collaboration with HOK Sport; 754 homes, including 280 affordable homes; new public realm including artwork by British sculptor Antony Gormley.