Just having lunch in Park Square, Leeds. It feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre just around the corner! The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming. This is the life. Local sandwich shops and coffee shops on hand. Now then, where did I put my deckchair?

A long Bank Holiday weekend ahead so make the most of the sunshine, the relaxation and not having to be at work. You might end up doing the garden or the DIY but a change is as good as a rest, so they say.

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend whatever you’re doing.

Now, I don’t know about you, but my memories of Uni are living in a ramshackle house with storage heaters that had to be switched on 12 hours before you needed them, gaffer tape to seal the draughts in your windows and queues to get on a computer to type up your latest essay, which you were used to writing by hand. What can I say? The times they are a-changing! Nowadays, students are used to en-suite luxury accommodation (can’t complain too much, as we have been involved in a number of these projects!) and amazing University Campuses.

Take the University of York. I went there recently for a course and thought I’d walked into a post-modern, experimental universe.  The architecture is truly amazing. Each building captures your imagination and has a story to tell.  There’s a sense of balance; ‘Ying and Yang’, with the architecture working in harmony with itself and its surroundings.  This is well deserving of the RIBA award it received in 2011.

The whole development has been really well thought out and is a great place for learning – and sleeping.  Even though the student accommodation doesn’t seem to have a bar on campus ‘yet’, you’re literally a stone’s throw from the lecture rooms, so not far to roll out of bed in the morning. Having said that, I do remember ‘A Pound A Pint’ nights! Maybe things weren’t so bad in the good ole days after all!

“Roll up! Roll up”! The impressive Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Built in 1857, this Edwardian gem has undergone a number of architectural changes, including the addition of the domed and glazed roof in the 1890’s to keep the shoppers warm from the cold rain outside!

Kirkgate Market was the platform for ‘Penny Bazaar’ in the 1880’s and Marks and Spencers are due to make a return to their roots when they re-open a heritage and coffee shop in March. You may find you’ll need more than a penny now though!

Over the years, Kirkgate Market has literally taken a battering.  Although it withstood the bombings in the Second World War, it could not withstand the fire in 1975 and required substantial structural renovations, following the destruction of two thirds of the market. We weren’t on that job!

The new, improved, Kirkgate Market has expanded and is not only a great example of creative architecture, its’ goods and services are diverse too. So, if you want to put up a shelf, buy some thermal socks, woo someone with flowers or have a hair-cut, get yourself down to Kirkgate. 

Built in the Victorian Era and designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, the striking Leeds Corn Exchange is only one of three remaining corn exchanges in England. However, nowadays, rather than trading in corn or other agricultural commodities, purchases are expected to take place with hard cash!

Over the years the Corn Exchange or Beehive, as known by some (Well, just James Brady actually!) has undergone a series of improvements to restore it to its architectural splendour. In 1990, after years of gradual dilapidation and a reduction in trading, the Corn Exchange re-opened after a much needed overhaul, including a watertight roof! The Exchange evolved and a mixing pot of quirky, independent, shops soon opened, with an emphasis on alternative style, such as handmade jewellery and skater clothing. New staircases were installed to the opened up balcony and basement. The building was vibrant and thriving once again.

Twenty years later, now under new ownership, the ‘upmarket’ Corn Exchange is home to the established Piazza restaurant by Anthony and other eateries, as well as a few independent swanky fashion shops. Although the use of the building may have been a contentious issue over recent years (proposals for a concert hall and an unsuccessful upmarket food emporium) the Corn Exchange remains a structure that is versatile and can adapt to modern day needs.  Its’ grandeur is still very much alive.

Thought for the day: A great architectural design can stand the test of time, provided it’s structure is preserved.

Quebec City, located along Saint Lawrence River, is a rare jewel, best seen in the depths of winter.  Here, the architecture is inspirational, romantic and eclectic. There is an olde worlde feel about Quebec City, which charms you and a distinctive French influence, evident in the architecture, the cuisine and of course, the language!

Here’s our Q – C of the city:

Quaint – Wander down some of the beautiful, old cobbled streets.

Unesco World Heritage site – the citadel forms part of the fortifications in the Old Town. These fortress walls are the only ones left in North America.

Eleven – the number of architectural styles identified in Quebec City from the end of the 18^th century to the modern day, including Neo-French Renaissance.

Bruce Price – the talented architect from New York who designed the inspirational Château Frontenac.

Extreme temperatures – wrap up warm. Temperatures can fall to -16°C in January!

Carnival de Quebec – described as the ‘hottest winter party’ in late January to mid- February.  Look out for night parades, snow sculptures, sledge races and even canoe races in in the Old Town.

Quaint Quebec

Innovation Fire’s most outstanding building -

It has to be the opulent Château Frontenac, an impressive, luxury hotel, which opened in 1893. Prominently overlooking the old town and resembling a castle, with its’ turrets and cannons in front, the Château Frontenac is truly breath taking. Although the architecture has a regal air about it, the design also takes into account the climate, as its roofs are constructed of copper to resist the harsh winters and the fluctuations in temperatures.  It’s no surprise that Château Frontenac was designated a place on the National Historic Sites of Canada list in 1980.

Chateau Frontenac

There’s also a real passion for ice in Montreal – ice skating, ice hockey, ice cold beers (Les 3 Brasseurs microbrewery), ice sculptures and when it’s cold enough (which it always is!) the Ice Hotel. Here, even the chandeliers and ‘glasses’ in the ice bar are made of ice!

The innovative Ice Hotel is a perfect example of architecture and nature coming together as one. Each year the Ice Hotel is painstaking built with precision and style, with individually themed bedrooms and ice sculptures, including furniture. Well worth a visit, but make sure you wrap up!

Toronto at Night – The CN Tower Lighting Up the Sky

Built in 1976 as a telecommunications hub and also holding the title of  world’s tallest tower (553.33 metres / 1,815.5 ft) until 2009, the CN Tower is now a haven for sightseers – and thrill seekers alike.  If the lift doesn’t get your heart racing, the reinforced glass floor on the 113^th level surely will. Or how about the hands free ‘Edge Walk’ around the roof above?

Though the Looking Glass – The View from 113th floor !

The CN Tower is certainly worthy of the accolade of one of the modern engineering ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.  From the main support pillar, built using slipform construction methods and raised hydraulically to the concept of the external elevators, enabling them to be used in case of a fire (powered by emergency generators at ground level).  Even at night, the design concept is evident with the CN Tower illuminated by LED lights.  It looks quite surreal.  Definitely worth seeing – even from the ground!