Christopher J Blackburn RIBA Architect
Company
Architect Christopher J Blackburn formed the company (formerly known as Belvedere Architecture Ltd) in September 2011 after previously working at associate director level for a number or years in a medium sized architectural practice. Prior to this Chris worked in both the private and the public sector and has wide ranging experience on a variety of building types.
Our experience encompasses offices and business centres, housing and master planning, schools and nurseries, civic buildings, retail and commercial buildings, community, church and historic buildings.
One of our latest completed projects is the 20,000 sq ft business centre in conjunction with xsite architecture. The ‘state of the art’ £2.7m centre designed by Chris has achieved the BREEAM excellent environmental standard and features photovoltaic panels, highly insulated building envelope, solar shading, low energy light fittings etc. Chris’s previous experience of workspace facilities includes the acclaimed £6m Tanfield Lea business centre completed in 2009 and two previous phases of Consett Business Park.
Other completed projects include the construction of the new leisure centre extension to Jesmond swimming pool in Newcastle upon Tyne. This modernist design provides a gym and treatment room and yet blends well with the existing 1930’s pool. The leisure pod is fitted with the latest equipment and is now being much used by the local community. The extension was opened by Paralympic gold medallist Joseph Craig and was featured in the February 2013 edition of UK Construction magazine.
The Longframlington ‘open doors’ project follows on from the success of the award winning St Martins Centre in the Byker area of Newcastle upon Tyne. This multi-purpose community building designed by Chris, provides much needed facilities in the Byker area of Newcastle.
As well as designing new ‘state of the art’ business centres and community facilities we also have experience working on historic buildings. We have recently completed conservation repairs to the masonry and stained glass windows of the 12th century, grade 1 listed St Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh. We are currently working on several other listed churches.
We also have extensive housing experience. Projects have included private estate master-planning, luxury housing, eco-housing, city living apartments, starter homes, retirement apartments together with refurbishment of existing housing stock etc. We are currently working on a £4.5m care home in conjunction with CoachHouse8 as well as private housing.
Christopher J Blackburn RIBA Architect Ltd.
