The second visit of the day was facilitated by architect Karl Pedersen from local firm Mullarkey Pedersen Architects, who gave the students a tour of the new Bishop’s Gate Hotel development on Bishop Street. This project involves extensive refurbishment and extension of a listed building within the walled city conservation area and the students were given an insight into all the difficulties that designers and builders come up against in a scheme of this nature.
Architect Karl Pedersen explaining the issues that can arise on a project involving a listed building.
The project was partially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through the innovative HLF Heritage Enterprise scheme. The scheme is the first to be funded this way in the UK. Additional funding was provided through the Urban Development Grant, administered through the Department of Social Development. Their grant included a contribution from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, as the building is a Grade B listed building. The remaining shortfall from these two grants (approximately a third) was made up by Inner City Building Preservation Trust, based in Derry.
Course Director Pat Condren commented, ‘I am grateful for the support given to us by two old school friends, Fiona and Karl, who were only too happy to facilitate our visit to Derry. It is vital that students are given regular opportunities to meet professionals working in the Built Environment so that they can understand the connection between what they do in the classroom and what is happening outside.’ He continued, ‘we are lucky to have a great network of ‘friendly employers’ who are always willing to support us with visits, advice and in some cases vital placement opportunities. I believe these visits will give the students a thirst for personal development, giving them something to aim for as they progress through the Foundation Degree and beyond. The ability to understand entrepreneurship will afford them a chance to grow in confidence as long as we are able to also give them the knowledge and skills they need to gain vital employability skills in an improving Built Environment.’
