Xsquared Architects

Xsquared Architects have been involved across two years with a substantial suite of works at Willow Court that are designed to conserve, restore, re-present and make ready for a new use the key heritage buildings at the heart of the Willow Court complex, including the Barracks building. We noticed a piece in the August/September RACT magazine 'Jour... neys' that sadly overlooked this positive work at the site and penned the following letter to the editor to correct this oversight. We are delighted to report that editor Paula Sward has agreed to revisit the site with us and prepare a new piece that can put a spotlight on the great work that has been carried out. RACT members - look out for Paula's follow up piece in 'Journeys' in the new year. Here is the text of our original letter to Paula, edited to suit the format of this site: Dear Paula, I was a bit shocked and disappointed with your review of Willow Court in the August/September edition of 'Journeys'. Your piece lacked balance and reflection on the works that a dedicated group of organisations, including Xsquared Architects, have provided over the last two years for the Derwent Valley Council to stabilise, maintain, restore, re-present and get ready for new use the most significant part of the site, comprising the Barracks building and the adjacent Bronte building. I acknowledge that there remains much to be done at Willow Court more broadly, and that many buildings are in a sad state of decay, but the recent works at the Barracks and Bronte buildings give an indication, finally, after many years of stalled and ineffective efforts, of how good design and project management can deliver restoration, public presentation and the potential for a viable future commercial use. Your article failed to reflect on this at all. It may suit Mike Parr's personal sensibility to focus his Dark Mofo event on some more dilapidated aspects of the site, but it is ignorant of Leigh Carmichael to suggest, hopelessly, that he doesn't know what will become of the site, and ...Read More