Updated DESIGN PROTOCOLS with "Gold Standard"

Here is an updated version of a "Design & Architectural Protocols" slideshow I put together some time ago. The important bits are the "Gold Standard" page and the protocols themselves - too often, things are either replaced with the same or, for new builds, the first design that comes to mind. I'm thinking of everything here, from walls and fences to furniture.

Note: when you start the video it becomes much clearer.
If it doesn't play immediately just reload the page from the navigation toolbar

Cheaper is more expensive

When you are responsible for the repair and maintenance of a huge stock of buildings, many of which are in very bad repair and have limited funds, the impulse and the norm in Hackney is to spread it out as much as possible. - only have the necessary work done, to the minimum standard.

It's a false economy of course, but one that is bought into time and time again.
And it's a false economy that we all pay for with a reduced quality of life.

It seems best to get the cheaper option to get more things done, and it may be, in the short term, but it wont last long because whatever it is, it will be unserviceable in no time at all and have to be replaced.
So you've alienated everyone by giving them the cheapest and in the end it'll cost twice the "cheapest" price - perhaps even twice the "quality" price because the quality item may last five times as long.
On top of that you've gained the enmity of the user and reduced their feeling of self-worth.

Then there's the added cost in time for running around replacing things, the extra paperwork plus the inconvenience to the recipients of waiting for a replacement.

I would argue that the apparently more expensive option is in fact almost always the cheaper, more prudent option in the long run, not just materially but sociologically and psychologically as well.

Good thoughtful design pays for itself many times over in a multitude of ways.
DW

NEW Wardens surgery this Wed - before eTRA meeting

This Wednesday 29th, immediately before our 7pm

enhanced Tenants & Residents Association meeting
(with councillor Kelly & Hackney Homes officers)

...is the first
"Wardens Wednesday Surgery" at Beecholme
from 5pm to 6.30pm
(next Wed & all future are to 7pm)
(Here is a newer poster I did today, Tue rather than the version I rushed off over the weekend
and which came through your letterbox - if you live on the estate)

and here's the reverse

(click on the poster to bring it up about A3)
...............
After this first Wed surgery
all subsequent Wed surgeries will run from 5pm to 7pm.

(I hope to have improved on the poster for the those)

Why not drop in to the surgery and meet the wardens
then stick around for the TRA meeting.
You wont be sorry if you do...
...and you'll be made very welcome.

David White, TRA secretary.

NEW ART GALLERY in Prout Road - shows & workshops

PURGE PROJECTS
are opening a new show on Friday 15th of May
and they are planning a kids workshop on Sunday 17th of May (2-4pm)

www.purgeprojects.co.uk info@purgeprojects.co.uk

----
What used to be the old furniture factory in the Prout Road workshops (but has been empty recently)
is now occupied by artists workshops and a new gallery:
----

VULPUS VULPUS
4-5 Prout Road
----
Please support them as they are the ideal people to have there, not just
because they will hold kids workshops and shows, but because it
helps in our fight to keep the Old Tram Depot from being re-developed.
Our argument to the council and planners was based largely on the basis that
the depot is occupied in large part by working sculptors, artists,
designers and art galleries (there is a student art gallery and an
art project gallery in the main building)

PURGE PROJECTS
4-5 Prout Road, London E5

www.purgeprojects.co.uk info@purgeprojects.co.uk
----
There's a new show open on Friday 15th of May
and they are planning a kids workshop on Sunday 17th of May (2-4pm)
----

Bike shelter up & Clapton Panel NEWS + UPDATE

(see the article below this one to find out how to object to the Pond House demolition application!)
.............................

UPDATE Thur 23rd April:
The bike shelter is ready to occupy!
  
•
Thanks to match funded grants
from The Levy Special Projects and the EIB
 with help from procurement to source the Broxap shelter as we wanted instead of the usual galvanized sheds
•
 
I had a chain welded to the padlock and secured it to the shelter and
bitumen has gone down over the footings.
I have already contacted those people who reserved a space and who
had given me a phone no.
I will be knocking on your door if you reserved a place but haven't heard from me yet.
Try and have £30 on hand for the key deposit (refundable).
......................................

If you have any queries or would like to put your name down on the waiting list
just email: bike@beecholme.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------

reminder of previous post

 

  
Update Wed 8th April
I've just been told that the bike shelter is being delivered to site to be erected next Thursday 30th April and should be up that day. I will try and buy the DOD rated padlock before then.
(Below: finished "footings" for the bike shelter)

To those who have a space reserved: have at least £30 deposit (returnable) for the key ready.
The lock with 10 keys will be somewhere over £300 and perhaps up to £400.
If you lose a key you will lose your deposit and have to pay another £30+ to get another one, so be warned - don't lose your key.......................................................................

Update Tue 31st March
As noted yesterday (below), the prep work for the bike shelter is going in now.

Mon 30th March: Secure Bike Shelter preparations.
Tomorrow morning at about 8.30am I will have the pleasure of showing the crew who are digging the holes for the shelters corner concrete pockets where to place them.
That is, within the bitumen area in front of the community hall.

We're still waiting for a delivery date from the manufacturers but the order has gone out so it's just a matter of time. For those who reserved a place, be prepared to pay between £25 and £35 as a deposit for the key - which will be refunded when you hand the key back in - which will pay for the £250 to £350 high security padlock and extra keys. This is a DOD approved padlock so bolt cutters would just be blunted in the attempt.


----------------------------------------------------

  
NEWS NEWS NEWS
By the way, as a member (and sec) of our TRA I was elected to
the Clapton Panel, the neighbourhood panel for Clapton along with our TRA chair.
I have now been elected to the position of secretary to the Panel and elected onto
the Residents Liaison Group which meets with councillors and the
heads of Hackney Homes and Pinnacle.
I'm also on the Neighbourhood Investment Board.
As sec of the panel I have created
a new website with
a lot of info you may find both interesting and useful.

Check it out at
http://claptonpanel.wordpress.com/

Oppose the Clapton Pond "Pond House" development. A grade II building replaced by 4 storey rabbit hutch!?!?

Object to planning application no.2008/3077
(demolition of Pond House for re-development)
and
let your views known by writing to the planning officer
Steve.Fraser-Lim@hackney.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8356 8056
by 27th April.
and/or
you can object/make a comment about the planning app with their on-line form:
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?formid=ENV_PLANNING_SEARCH_APPLICATIONS_COMMENT
but make sure you
say "I wish to object..." leave your full contact details & specify app no.2008/3077
or it will not be counted as an objection, only a comment.
.........................................................................................

Take a look at the full illustrated plans at
http://www.claptonpond.org.uk/Pondlife/Appearance_of_development.html
to see exactly what they are proposing.

..........................................................................................

(click on the screen grabs below to see them full size or
click on the link above each one to go to the site directly)

below: NEW LINK

http://www.claptonpond.org.uk/Pondlife/Pond_House_application.html

below: http://davehill.typepad.com/claptonian/2009/04/the-pond-house-group-writesa-developer-is-proposing-to-convert-an-important-historic-heritage-building-in-the-clapton-neighb.html

below: http://www.claptonpond.org.uk/Pondlife/Pond_House_newscuttings.html

below: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pond-house/

more coming over the next few days
check back for news and a form letter to send to the planners

David White (sec. B&C TRA)

Bird sings at the Beecholme Estate - NEW REPLACEMENT VIDEO

Bird sings - again.
2nd video new today Tue 21st April 2009
Replaces the video previously posted here.
This is a new video of the same bird singing. At least I'm pretty sure it's the same bird.
I had to tape it as it was so loud and seems to vary day to day.
It's hard to believe it's 2 minutes from central Hackney and 200 yards from the Lea Bridge roundabout.
Hope you enjoy this one even more than the last - there's less background traffic noise.

Next TRA meeting (with officers) 29th April

click on the poster above to see it about A4