5plus architects
Collaborations
www.5plusarchitects.com
5plus architects
Collaborations
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Architecture
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Masterplanning
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Interiors
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Graphics
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Branding
Foreword – Michael Taylor 12
5plus Architects – Collaboration 14
Photographer – Len Grant 18
Artist – Clair Graubner 22
Journalist – Jill Burdett 26
Consultant – Helen Curtis 30
Architect and Educator – Douglas W Cruickshank 34
Executive – Richard Kauntze 38
Architect – John Pardey 42
Studio – Sam Crothers 46
Model Maker – Philip Howard 50
Artist – Christopher Michael O’Neill 54
City Road Hotel, London – Andrea Cesati 58
Cyclist – Richard Salisbury 62
5plus Architects66
Credits78
Foreword
Michael Taylor
Michael is the former editor
of Insider Magazine, an avid
Blackburn Rovers supporter and
the founder of Think More, a
new business with the ambition
to create thought-provoking and
stimulating events.
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The death of Steve Jobs put the cult of
driven relationship between customer, supplier,
the mindblowing potential – for all of its flaws –
out too often – but when things work best –
the charismatic leader right back into the
contractor, customer – it encapsulates the
of the astonishing social experiment that and in harmony, it is when interests are imbued
spotlight. Yet the great technology innovator
shared vision of a job well done.
is Wikipedia.
with that collaborative spirit.
the remarkable power of collaboration and
The reason I mention all of this is because
An old system of control and command,
The team at 5plus get this very neatly. I must
teamwork that has made Apple such an
there’s still a rampant danger that change and
retention of capital and dispersement of
confess to a personal interest too - I’m up to
extraordinary success.
shifts in behaviour boil down to one man’s
discretionary largesse has got the world so far.
my neck in a new start-up business with all of
would be the first person to acknowledge
vision. True, Jobs really embodied that. But it
this swirling around my brain at the moment,
From the intense rigour of the designers and
wasn’t his role to make all the decisions and
A different organizational and societal principle
product managers, right through the business
dictate the strategy – it was his place to put is now more eagerly needed than ever. Maybe
analysis, the marketing messages, the
a vision into place which inspired everyone that sounds fanciful, but the high performers
It feels immediate and is essential to me. detailed training of the acolytes and product
to join him and to contribute to a series entering the business world now are
But it goes beyond that – as I’m sure you
evangelists in the stores, Apple is a company
of collaborations.
imbued with the values of co-operation and
will see from the contributions to this rather
sustainability. Organisations and businesses
delightful publication.
imbued with that sense of mission.
Evidence of the transformative power of
that don’t recognise this will risk alienating a
It seems counter intuitive to then hold that up
collaboration is all around us. The open
key part of the global talent pool.
as an example of a new form of collaboration
source software tools – indeed, it is the free
– especially when you consider how single
contribution of ideas that have made Apps
The construction industry has sometimes
minded and domineering Apple has been. But
such a rich part of the experience of using
buckled under the strain of competing interests
true collaboration goes way beyond the market
Apple’s iPhone and iPad. And think through
and agendas – contractors and suppliers fall
so I rather enjoy the necessity of collaboration.
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5plus Architects
Collaboration
It’s a state of mind.
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It’s a state of mind.
The subtle messages we all give away.
Last year our book celebrated our internal
But what about the unsung heroes? The last
team against the backdrop of our studio. minute print job and the seventh draft of This year we are celebrating our external
the model?
team, the professionals and friends who are
The company we keep; the clothes we wear;
part of our family – the painter, the maker, the Every cog in the creative machine must mesh
the music we listen to; the books we read; the
photograph taker.
with its neighbour. Many of the relationships
strength of tea we make.
within this book go back decades and as with
Our collaborators collaborated on the subject
A state of mind.
all families, counselling is sometimes required.
of collaboration. Their insights into our
industry are personal and thoughtful. Subtle
Imagine for a moment the cult of the
messages thread through each page; our
individual. An entire consultant practice
collective insecurity in getting a job just right
defined by a single name above the door. It’s
and our collective pride in achieving as if everything is defined by a single person
success together.
and the strength of their tea.
The essays within our book are not exclusive.
Then there’s the real world. One where the
There are many more people who make our
smallest project, the lightest touch, is defined
office tick-tock each day such as our clients
by a collective process.
and our professional teams.
But that’s the point.
You can keep the cult of me.
We embrace a collective state of mind.
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Photographer
Len Grant
Ace Mancunian and long term
friend of 5plus. Len is currently
editing a book documenting the
Trafford Town Hall project.
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And so on the morning of the first day we set
We’d met at a friend’s party and later 19
“Already these two are melting together/
up our outdoor studio in Chorlton, breaking
exchanged books. Some months later she
wrapping arm after arm/around each other’s
ourselves in gently. The old curtain was hung
proposed we work together on a new project
waists/releasing grins that make their between two of my lighting stands, their legs
for an arts festival. I’d had an idea on the back
cheeks ache.”
held down by a couple of bricks on either side.
burner for some time and this, I suggested to
Our subjects were willing enough: a woman
Linda, could be the time to do it. Let’s take
There were to be four locations – loosely the
days shooting; hours in front of this screen
doing her mid-week shopping; a trio of taxi
a background, any old background, set it up
compass points of the city boundary – and
and lots of good memories.
drivers; a couple of new mums happy to pose
on a variety of Manchester streets and invite
so the next week we headed north only
with their disinterested babies. It worked well.
passers-by to pose. Linda was intrigued.
getting as far as photogenic Cheetham Hill, a
Shooting the Breeze is by Linda Chase and
completely different Manchester.
Len Grant.
I’d encourage people to have their portraits
Weeks of discussion; dozens of emails; two
taken and Linda would chat to them, making
It was out of her comfort zone and, to be
notes that she’d later craft into her poems.
honest, out of mine. I needed a collaborator
“An hour passes, the front door opens/Lal
to give me the confidence to pull it off. Which
Kahn walks down his path/turns right and right
Over a couple of decades I’ve collaborated
led us to be photographing the new mums
again/to stand directly in front of our screen.”
with graphic designers, architects, engineers,
outside an abandoned takeaway in Chorlton.
other photographers, other writers but I’d
never before worked with a poet.
“Dad with his daughter on his knee/who
rises and falls like a carousel ride/as he
peddles the bike uphill.”
In Gorton our timing was fortuitous: the
In the afternoon we ventured to Wythenshawe
afternoon school run with plenty of mums,
where our ‘sitters’ ranged from Hallé violinists
dads, nanas and granddads picking up
to an intertwined teenage couple, unable to be
inquisitive primary schoolchildren a couple of
apart from each other.
streets away from where we had set up shop.
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Artist
Clair Graubner
Clair is one of the rising stars of
British modern art. We met through
our Creative Talent Initiative and
have subsequently commissioned
her interpretation of our completed
office building Chancery Place.
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Collaborating is an act of trust, a partnership
metaphorically speaking, but preferably in
and companionship. These are the best
between one or more people where the
the same chapter and definitely in the same
collaborations; the ones worthy of every hour
creative process is supported, encouraged
inspirational book.
spent honing thoughts, sifting through creative
and can flourish. Collaborating is making
pathways and compromising ideas; but even
oneself vulnerable to others and allowing
Listening and letting go of fixed ideas is a way
these might not be successful in reaching a
another person inside your head, giving them
of growing, but just as important is knowing
conclusion. However the journey taken will
great liberties to take your precious ideas and
when to be strong in your own conviction
have been one hell of an eye opener, and it’s
change them, mould them differently than you
of an idea, to ensure its development and
success is really measured in how many new
might think of yourself. It is a cognitive and
direction. Intuition plays an important role,
creative endeavours are subsequently begun
creative process which can open new doors
running with momentum, letting tangents
whose early seed of an idea germinated in the
and indeed introduce us to new friends as well
unfold like petals and thoroughly investigating
former project.
as experiences.
the possibilities whilst every collaborator
being in constant communication is key to the
When done well, collaborating can reveal
process as a whole.
new avenues of ideas and spur onward a
million more. If not handled well, it can cause
There should be a rush of excitement,
resentment and betrayal and should not be
an adrenalin high of a shared goal, and
done without groundwork to make sure all
a bubbling sense of anticipation to see
collaborators are well matched. Ideas do not
where the project will end. The feeling of
necessarily have to be on the same page,
a meeting of minds; an alliance of thought
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Journalist
Jill Burdett
Another Blackburn Rovers
supporter. Jill has witnessed
Manchester’s transformation over
the last two decades and now
helps 5plus tell our own story.
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Like coyotes, wolves and wild dogs the
It goes against natural instinct that sometimes
And the whole media world has undergone another blog. Where once you got a story
collective name for journalists is a pack.
journalists should work together, combine
a revolution.
topped and tailed and served up in a Sunday
resources, split the work. Surely they should
supplement todays news is ever evolving as a
If you have ever seen the press in operation
plough a solitary path, digging in dark corners
The internet may have changed the way we
descending on a doorstep or outside a
for secrets and scandal?
chose to receive information but the growth of
courtroom you will know it can be a feral,
story grows and develops.
social media is totally transforming how it Crowdsourcing information from the public,
is delivered.
largely through Twitter, is a hugely influential
predatory force. Sometimes for the greater
But journalists need information to dissect,
good, like MP’s expenses or doctors dealing in
analyse and pass-on and, phone hacking
death. Sometimes not, the McCanns.
aside, you don’t get that working in isolation.
News is now relayed instantly, as it happens,
eyes and ears more than ever before. And does
The news jigsaw has to be built. Contacts need
detail upon detail without filter. Everyone with
it matter that, as long as the truth gets out, it
Packs work together to better achieve their
to be cultivated, politicians seek to confide,
a Twitter account is a commentator, everyone
might be through more than just one source?
common goal and any bright eyed journalist
companies need a profile, people like to talk.
with an iPhone a photographer.
soon finds it hard to cover all bases single
It’s a two way deal, an establishment of trust
And it’s hard to know if old rules will catch up or
handed and realises that it’s better to have
and discretion, honesty and truth as well as
if new ones will have to be found.
someone watching your back.
courage and accuracy.
phenomenon. The public are the journalist’s
who tries to report a breaking news story alone
A sort of universal collaboration. Companies
So what shall we call this mass journalism? Journalists write blogs, tweet updates about
Call it collaboration if you like.
should use it wisely.
Just don’t mistake the positive collaboration for
stories, readers comment on blogs, journalists
the negative collusion, conspiracy or corruption.
use the comments as a source and write
A click?
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Consultant
Helen Curtis
When we need something printing
we turn to Helen and Print
Solutions. She is master of tight
deadlines and accommodating last
minute changes.
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Everyone thinks consultants cost money - not
of most things in this world be it print or
It’s a funny old world design and print! It’s
always true!
buildings. Without design we cannot have print.
either feast or famine, never anything in
They are there to ask advice or maybe seek
Print, to reproduce words, pictures etc onto
to cut back on marketing and not promote
the opinion of or to look to for information.
paper and different substrates. To produce
themselves, when really this is the time they
They willingly co-operate with clients, working
or write an imitation of coloured design.
need to collaborate with one another and
with one another to achieve the best possible
To produce a picture, if you like, a written
market themselves properly. The sprat to
solution to any given project.
imitation of printed type.
catch a mackerel scenario.
Their years of experience give them the
And within print we have the printer, someone
To summarise - design - print - promotions
knowledge to help others move forward.
who engages in the setting of type for and the
cannot be done without consultation to
Without consultants we cannot have design.
printing of books, papers etc.
come up with the solutions. But consultants
between. When its famine, companies tend
To design is to draw an outline of, to plan, to
contrive a scheme, to fashion in a pattern the
cannot consult without collaboration between
Without print we cannot have promotions.
composition and balance of forms in a picture,
scheme or plan.
To promote is to move forward and encourage
growth and development, be it a company or
Without design, how can you know what to
a product. It could be in the way of design,
produce? Design is one of the key elements
printed matter or promotional goods.
themselves and others.
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Architect and Educator
Douglas W Cruickshank
Douglas is an architect and
Educator, leading a year at
Edinburgh School of Art,
Architecture Department, where
Jon Matthews is a guest critic.
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I have worked both as an architect and as an
be it of two or ten, act when they recognise
educator for many years. Within both contexts
direction given from the power of the ‘idea’.
I believe the secret of collaboration is not
Consciously or unconsciously, it’s the glue.
just seeing the differences but learning and
sharing the similarities of all involved.
For a building to be an exemplar, architects
must tussle with the buildings’ architectural
An architect learns to collaborate early for
coexistence and contextuality. Form is
survival. Collaborating with our own thoughts
concurrently warranted by inside and
may seem a ridiculous proposition but it is
outside happenings and it’s enclosure by a
the first collaboration. We must learn quickly
realistic multifaceted, receptive and relaxing
that the ‘creation’ of a building is in ‘choosing’
covering with it’s any or many contextual
and that in choosing we form the basis of
obligations. Maintaining this and working
architecture. Thereafter other partnerships
together successfully with others who tussle
through the buildings requirement/need for
with other, equally, known and un-known
associations, forced or nurtured, must also be
complexities, requires strength that can only
acknowledged in the mind.
come with respect for each other’s work and
in celebrating our similarities.
Early learning to recognise similarities in
differences is the key, it allows the reflective
Collaboration is talking about ideas we share,
architect to act. It’s about ideas. Any ‘team’,
with respect to differences.
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Executive
Richard Kauntze
Richard is Chief Executive of the
British Council for Offices. 5plus
collaborate with the BCO through
Phil Doyle a member of The
Northern Region Committee and
Paul Norbury, Chairman of the
BCO NextGen Committee.
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Collaborating is one of those things which may
The list went on. A group of grandees of
specification? More than this, it has global
So much that is good in business, and
often seem blindingly obvious, but can equally
the day (and they really were rather grand)
currency. It worked, and continues to do so,
perhaps a great deal else, is generated from
often be elusive.
decided that enough was enough. In May
because potential rivals were prepared to
the chance encounter. Make people want to
1990, seventy founding members created
collaborate for the collective good. That rings
be there, and be proud to be there. Above all
History is dominated by great individuals.
an entirely new organisation they called the
as true today in the BCO as it did then.
else, ask them what they want and, if it can
How many parks or squares in the world have
British Council for Offices (BCO) and set in
statues dedicated to committees?
place a plan to make a better product for all.
Anyone who knows anything about offices
Property is a big cost to most businesses, but
The BCO was born out of the need to
The overriding characteristic was that they
(and perhaps even those who know far less)
is generally far, far lower than the cost of the
collaborate. For the reader old enough, cast
left their commercial rivalry behind when they
can tell very quickly what works and what
people themselves.
your mind back to the 1980s. Offices had
stepped into a BCO forum. The degree to which
doesn’t. Yes, it may well be better if it looks
become absurdly over-specified, a trend driven
knowledge and experience was shared was
striking, or even just smart, but what do the
Why waste the chance to create an
by institutions determined to protect their
quite remarkable, and continues to this day.
people who spend so much time there look
environment likely to generate a better
investments. Bullet-proof would have been
Soon after the first BCO specification for offices
like? Are they cheerful? If they can see and
business?
an understatement. Floors were designed to
was published. The fifth edition came out in
breathe properly, they are more likely to be
carry stresses which would never come close
2009, and preparation for the sixth is in play.
so. Get the lighting and the temperature right
So, there we have it – despite the absence
above all else. Make it flexible. Bring people
of committee statues, collaboration is
together and positively encourage serendipity.
worthwhile. Give it a go.
to being demanded. Air conditioning systems
were enormously powerful and used to a
It would be fair to describe this as a game-
fraction of their capacity, with the consequent
changer. What serious player in the UK
inefficiencies and wastage.
market would not make reference to the BCO
reasonably be delivered, give it to them.
The theory is reflected in the physical product.
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Manchester: Home of the BCO
2012 Annual Conference.
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Architect
John Pardey
5plus recently collaborated with
John on the large regeneration
project at West Quay Poole. John
is an architect and educator and
sits on the National Design Review
Panel of CABE.
“No man is an island, entire of
itself...”
John Donne, Meditation XVII, 1624
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Most architects will readily accept that the
one’s limitations were quickly exposed. For me
and we found ourselves designing a new John
relative strengths, and a complete avoidance of
business of architecture is a collaborative affair.
the first foray into a larger scheme came by
Lewis store in the centre of Cambridge. Then
egos getting in the way of creation.
Buildings are complicated things that need a
accident when I was asked to look at a group of
with an Irish practice, we designed a small
great deal of expertise to put together, from
1950s education buildings on a residential site
office block within a residential scheme on the
As the recession continues to bite, larger
structural engineers to make them stand up, to
that had been spot-listed.
outskirts of Dublin and two larger blocks of a
practices have understandably drawn
city centre regeneration scheme.
themselves in and fewer opportunities have
the ecologist who re-houses bats from roofs.
I had a great interest in what I see as the high
appeared. But in early 2012, a large mixed-
A university professor I once worked with
point in British 20th century architecture in the
In each case, we enjoyed working alongside the
use regeneration scheme in our back-yard of
calculated that even a small building involves
50s and 60s. I was asked by a large practice to
larger ‘mother’ practice and feeding off its ability
Poole in Dorset did allow us to work with 5plus
more than 50,000 decisions, surely too much
help out on a project that had been called in.
to orchestrate the big scale issues allowing
architects and again a mix of three different
us to get on with design for our particular
practices created energy and diversity and a
The Oaklands housing project was completed
piece. Recently, due to the onerous OJEU
fantastic scheme.
Much of my career has been a fairly solitary
in 2011 and involved fifteen different consultants
requirements, we could not have qualified for
one, perhaps subconsciously modelling myself
and my admiration for the expertise each
the ‘Schools for the Future’ initiative, but again
Collaboration has allowed us to explore larger
on one of my heroes, the Australian Pritzker
brought to the project was complete. I was no
by collaboration, we won an international RIBA
projects and enjoy working alongside other
prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt who is
longer an island.
competition and completed a new school in
excellent architects – we all have to specialise
London (we handled the design up to planning,
in one way or another – residential, commercial,
In the relative boom years many large
while they handled the contract), and it proved
educational and I feel lucky to have been able
But when opportunities arose for larger
commercial practices were awash with work
effective working alongside the larger practice.
to add a little spice and diversity to some large-
commissions and the practice began to grow,
and planners were urging design diversification
The key is without doubt each working to their
scale projects.
for one person?
famously a one-man band.
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Studio
Sam Crothers
Sam is the Managing Director of
Our Studio, a company 5plus relies
on to communicate our vision into art.
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We set up Our Studio just over 3 years ago
For us it’s about achieving the best result
Working closely and collaborating with clients
right in the middle of the recession. It was
we can and this requires good collaboration
helps both sides gain a greater understanding
a bit of a risk establishing an architectural
- with our clients, architects, artists and
of each other’s work flow and methods.
visualisation company when the construction
photographers.
industry was at rock bottom.
Sharing assets like 3d models will speed
It requires understanding, trust, sharing and
up the process of production especially
Since then we have noticed a real change
compromise and works better with like-minded
during the design development and concept
in the way people and companies work.
people and businesses who want to achieve
stage. Advances in 3d software and cross
They have had to adapt which has meant
the same goal. True collaborations are exciting
compatibility between programs allows us to
that collaboration has become an essential
and have energy.
utilise models from sketchup/revit/microstation
approach to delivering projects. Instead of
etc. that are being used to a greater extent by
being a Jack of all trades, collaboration allows
The impact of the recession on collaboration
companies to truly focus and master their core
has been a noticeable one for us. Businesses
skills then look to others for complimentary
are smaller and more flexible, people are more
Coming together at an early stage of design
skills when needed. Collaboration, when done
open minded and willing to work together.
can be a rewarding experience, creating more
properly, can build relationships, enhance
architects during the design process.
of a team spirit that bridges the gap between
creativity, add value, encourage innovation
I think we realise that we’re all in the same
and give a better sense of satisfaction.
boat and should support, enjoy and learn
more by working closer with each other.
client and visualiser.
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Model Maker
Philip Howard
Creative Service Industries have
made all our architectural design
models since day one. They know
the standard we want and always deliver.
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Here’s the thing.
As a firm we spend all our time creating and
And we know that trust can only come from
It is also very satisfying to be able to make
But the instant communication can bring
having good and detailed conversations right
physical something that was once only a
different restrictions. When an idea can be
from the start.
sketch in a notebook, an inspired thought, an
global within a few minutes there is a need
idea in the mind of the advertising executive.
to protect that inspiration, to keep the idea
producing one-off commissions, and we have,
over the years, made thousands.
5plus have always understood that. They give
secret and we are increasingly having to sign
as much as they can as soon as they can,
Our briefs are always varied, often challenging,
But when clients call in we have nothing to
are clear about what they want and believe in
limited only by time or budget and the
show them.
architectural models to help tell their story.
instant communication of e-mails and digital
And in a way that restriction is part of the
photography has been a god-send to the
collaboration process.
The products have all gone out so the only
From the first model of Piccadilly Gardens
visuals we have are photographs.
we have always felt a valued member of their
confidentiality agreements.
creative process.
It is about appreciating and valuing someone
team, part of the process rather than an add
When you are creating an oscillating 6m wide
else’s skills and input, respecting the project
Which means new customers need a high
on and it makes our job a lot easier and the
Lego display you need all the information you
and knowing the parameters of your own part
level of trust and confidence that we will, in
end result a lot better.
can get!
within it.
whether it’s eighty Brit Awards, battered old
Combining skills is the most creative form And we often extend that collaboration
suitcases for Adidas or a beautiful model.
of collaboration.
ourselves, working with other specialist
fact, be able to deliver what we say we can,
industries to get a piece just right.
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Artist
Christopher Michael O’Neill
We want to encourage new artists
and Christopher was the first
winner of our 5plus Creative Talent
Initiative. We staged an exhibition
of work by MMU students and
Christopher’s piece, which seeks
to give sound a more physical
representation, received most votes
from the audience.
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The concept for collaborative art began in the
Collaboration however has now become
1960’s when artists started to stray away from
second nature for artists; it is commonly a
the long possessed sense of individualism
‘means to an end’ and is used for several
within fine art; and more aptly tried to subvert
reasons, to better the production of art or to aid
traditional views about the role of artwork in
with the conceptual meaning behind art.
relation to institutions and the audience. This
subversion has now grown and holds its own in
Public participation has aided collaboration to
the mainstream of contemporary art practice.
become a more socially regarded form of art
practice; the acceptance of collaboration by
Collaboration can arguably take emphasis away
allows the artist to engage the audience with
from the individual and not necessarily need the
the development of the concept which in turn
personal experience of the artist.
creates a process of dialogue between the two.
At a practice level there has always been an
Collaboration has been a key development
element of collaboration within contemporary
in contemporary art; it has encouraged the
art, more notably between the artist and
artist to have a greater ambition to develop
curator. However this relationship still does not
art which fringes beyond their own technical
question or undermine the image of the solitary
understanding. Allowing the artist to focus upon
artist producing work without any immediate
concept and not be brought down by what
outside influence.
they are able to create, this in practice lets the
collaborator flourish in their specific field.
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City Road Hotel, London
Andrea Cesati
A £40m project to build a 23 storey, five star hotel of iconic design for the Montcalm
Hotel Group.
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This book is a collection of essays on how
The city wanted a landmark, a building to
others see collaboration.
enhance the existing character of City Road
For 5plus this project embodies our belief in
Collaboration in action can be inspirational.
but also make a clear statement of its future
The façade mock-up was produced in
potential.
Germany, assembled in London and exceeded
how the concept works in practice.
the expectations of everyone involved.
Working with Metalbau Fru our brief was to
Taking an idea and making it better. Finding
develop a realistic design mock-up of the
It was a challenging project, involving many
solutions and pushing boundaries. Making
facade and we wanted it to be as technically
consultants and detailed design reviews with
everyone give that little bit more.
and aesthetically ambitious as possible.
the team, and best demonstrates our work,
But keeping it all together.
This façade had to add performance as well
our ethos and our values.
This new build development contains a 270
as elegance, contributing to the building’s
We are all very happy with the result. But we
BREEAM excellent rating.
are happier with the way it was achieved.
key hotel, two restaurants, a spa, fitness
centre and swimming pool, conference and
Cue complex discussions, wish lists, lengthy
banqueting facilities, business lounges and,
meetings, detail upon detail, some honest and
on the 17th floor, a destination sky bar.
direct conversations and an acknowledgement
that individually we may not have all the
answers but collectively we do.
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Cyclist
Richard Salisbury
Richard is an enduro mountain
bike rider and Director of Pedal
Precision: Professional Bike Fit and
Cycling Injury Specialists. 5plus
supports Richard’s charity, Cyclists
Fighting Cancer.
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Riding bikes at speed just doesn’t work
workload is greater for a few minutes before
When a climb like Mont-Ventoux looms and
I know that cycling is very close to the hearts
without collaboration - fact. Having recently
swinging off and allowing a team-mate to take
a rider is not having a good day, a nod and a
of a number of the 5plus team. The whole
ridden from Paris to Nice with a group of eight
the strain. The riders behind can ‘luxuriate’
smile is all that’s needed to say: “my friend, we
motivation behind the Paris-Nice ride was
other riders, the need for collaboration was
in using up to 20% less energy than those
are in this together, stick on my back wheel and
to help raise funds and awareness for a very
brought into sharp focus on many occasions.
punching through the wind at the front and
I will help you conquer this particular beast”.
special charity called Cyclists Fighting Cancer
recover until their turn comes round again.
Descending down an Alpine pass at 40mph+,
which provide bicycles, both normal and
A climb of 23km that reaches over 1800m
specialist, to children fighting and recovering
from cancer.
corners coming at you in a flash and 12inches
In the meantime, there is an un-written code of
at the summit requires a special kind of
from the wheel of the rider in front of you,
the road cyclist in order to negotiate the many
teamwork so all riders make it to the top
means you abandon your normal parameters of
dangers of the road safely. The group swings
without breaking.
trust and swear-in to a whole new level of faith.
round bends in unison, avoiding manhole
The practice has very kindly agreed to work
with us and help lift the profile of the charity
covers and potholes like a school of fish
Two hours of collaborative suffering exposes
On the flat, collaboration can mean the
instinctively rolling one way or the other to slip
the strengths and weaknesses of each
difference between finishing a long ride together
past any given obstacle after the issuing of a
member of the team and those riding with you,
and ready to fight another day, or crawling
hand-signal that would have gone unnoticed
gain a window into the darkest and strongest
across the finish line spent and deflated.
to any non-cyclist passer-by.
parts of your being. By the end you will really
Working as a group we could maintain a
Collective suffering and a team ethic also
steady average speed of 20mph. Each
makes people bond faster and tighter than
This brings me to Pedal Precisions’
rider splits the wind on the front where the
almost any other social situation.
collaboration with 5plus.
know who your teammates are.
and raise much needed funds.
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5plus Architects
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Clients
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53N : Affinity : Argent : Ancoats Urban Village
JLL : Kajima : Knight Frank : Laing O’Rourke
: Praxis : Precis Holdings : Property Alliance
Company : ASK Developments : Aviva Investors
Group : Lambert Smith Hampton : Landview
Group : PRUPIM : Q Developments : Quadrant
: BAM Construction : BAM Properties : Barclays
Properties : Man Diesel : Manchester Airport
Estates : Rammon Group : Realty Estates :
Bank : Bardsley Construction : Bluemantle :
Group : Manchester City Council : Manchester
River Street Capital LLP : Royal & Sun Alliance
Bruntwood : CBRE : CEG : Central Salford :
College : Manchester Ship Canal Developments
: Royal London Asset Management : RAM
Christal Group : Colliers CRE : Countryside
: Marriott International : Marshalls : Mcinerney
Group : Royal Mail : Russells Contractors :
Properties : Cre8 : Creative Space Management
Developments : McLaren Property : Morgan
Savills : Seddon : Seven Capital : Shepherd
: CTP : Credit Suisse : Cushman & Wakefield
Sindall : Morley Fund Management : Mosley
Construction : Shepherd Developments : Squire
: Development Securities PLC : Drivers Jonas
Street Ventures : Mott MacDonald : Muse :
Sanders Solicitors : St Modwen : Taylor Wimpey
Deloitte : DTZ : First Choice Homes : Ford
Neptune Consultants : New East Manchester
: The Montcalm Hotel Group : Trafford Council
Campbell : Fulbeck Land : GVA Grimley :
Ltd : NM-UK Developments : Northern Group
: Travelodge : Trintech : UK Land And Property
Huntsmere : ISG : Indigo Planning : Investec
: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council :
: Urbo : Vision Development Co : Vita : Wates :
: ION Equity : Isis Waterside Regeneration :
Overbury Group Plc : Peel Holdings : Pinsent
Worthington Properties :
IVG : J Ross Developments : J Sisk & Son :
Masons : Platinum Revolver : PPG Metro Ltd
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London
Manchester
www.5plusarchitects.com
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