The Chapel is a hub of remarkable creative talent and it’s never more exciting than when we can collaborate on projects that showcase our mix of skills and help our mutual customers get the best result from the brief. Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Chapel resident, Richards Urban Design.

Colin Richards, who leads the Richards Urban Design consultancy, is an expert in planning and urban design and works on projects that range from planning and design feasibility, outline and detailed design plans to strategic masterplans for planning and development companies across the UK. He’s also one of our most active proponents of the Chapel’s team approach with his approach to visualisation and the communication of his proposals for urban planning projects invariably winning acclaim for their ability to bring a scheme to life.

Often the result of a collaboration with the Chapel’s graphic designers, 3D modellers, artists and illustrators, Colin’s presentations reflect a truly bespoke and very flexible consultative service. His approach enables him to communicate his practice’s ideas in ways that traditional planning organisations simply don’t have the in-house resources to emulate and at a cost that makes sound economic sense too.

With more than 20 years’ experience in urban design, planning and architectural advisory services between the team, Richards Urban Design’s Chapel collaborations extend further than the culmination of the visual representation stage. A current project has called on the expertise of fellow resident and chartered architect, Bizzy Blue Design, to produce detailed plans as Colin progressed the outline scope for a 125-unit and care home project for Gleeson Strategic Developments.

As Colin explains, ‘the urban planning and design process is very creative; it follows that the way we present our ideas should always embrace the best medium to communicate these ideas. Working among creative professionals at the Chapel gives us the opportunity to work with the best people for the job who can, quite literally, paint the picture of a scheme perfectly and help our clients envision how our ideas will work. It’s not uncommon for us to employ the skills of a designer to produce a 3D model of the plan, an illustrator to produce an artist’s impression of the environment and others to create a website and brochure to support the whole process. Together, we can bring a fresh approach to urban planning, with a creativity and independence that really does turn heads.’

If you’d like to find out more about Richards Urban Design and the scope of work the team undertakes or, to talk about a prospective project, visit www.richardsurbandesign.co.uk.

If you’re interesting in running your own business from the Chapel, we currently have office space that is available to rent on flexible, competitively priced terms and with everything you need to get up and running in no time. For more information, please call Chris on 023 8033 3991 or email chris@ichapel.co.uk.

Peter Jarvis is an artist and illustrator and, when he’s not lecturing design students at Southampton Solent University and showcasing his work at exhibitions around the country, you’ll find him at his drawing board beneath the bell tower at the Design Chapel or, as he puts it, his sanctuary.

A specialist in fine art watercolours and architectural illustrations for over 25 years, Peter is determined to follow 19th century artist, William Morris’ belief that “everyone ought to be taught to draw” and teaches various design subjects to the city’s university students. He teaches illustration, computer and video game design, animation, decoration, CGI, interior design and other architectural subjects and will often bring students to the Design Chapel to see how this fascinating space is being used.

But, undoubtedly, it is Peter’s illustrations that have captured the interest of a loyal fan base that always takes the time to attend exhibitions that feature his work and which are held around the country. At the end of September, a collection of his framed paintings will feature in an exhibition at Southampton University’s Showcase Gallery to mark the 175th anniversary of Southampton Docks. Peter was commissioned to paint four pictures for the anniversary, which will be presented as corporate gifts and limited edition prints.

The paintings of a sunrise over Fawley, the container terminal, cruise ships and a view of the Eastern Docks will be on display at the Showcase Gallery with Peter’s sketchbooks and photographs as part of a wider show that includes memorabilia from the early days of the docks, which date back to 1838. It’s likely that, following the reception of his paintings at the exhibiton, Peter will be invited to host a one-man show in the future, which will give him the opportunity to present more of his representations of the incredible landscape at Southampton Docks.

Peter has been a resident of the Chapel for nine years; since it became the redesigned creative hub that it is today. Home to a number of creatives, Peter regularly collaborates with them on his commercial work, including producing illustrations and artists impressions for building and urban landscape development schemes.

You can see examples of Peter’s work in his online gallery and read his blog at www.pjarvis.co.uk.

If you’re interesting in running your own business from the Chapel, we currently have office space that is available to rent on flexible, competitively priced terms and with everything you need to get up and running in no time. For more information, please call Chris on 023 8033 3991 or email chris@ichapel.co.uk.

Peter’s impression of Tudor House in Southampton

Want to find out what life is like at the Design Chapel, one of Southampton’s most inspirational creative communities?

Take a look at this video produced by Eileen Danielsen who visited the Chapel recently to interview resident cartoonist, Maria Smedstad, creator of Em Cartoons, and you’ll see why it’s easy to get creative and stay focussed in this beautiful environment. CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Office space has recently become available at the Design Chapel, so if you can see yourself working a short walk from the city centre, with free parking and Southampton Common on your doorstep, why not come and talk a look for yourself?

For more information about the Design Chapel’s facilities and rental terms, please call Chris on 023 8033 3991 or email chris@ichapel.co.uk.