Racing against the clock and following a series of cryptic clues, participants will once again pit their wits against each other to uncover Manchester’s hidden architectural gems during Treasure Hunt 2013.

Organised by independent architects Lisa Raynes and Jane Leach, the event is part of the Architects Solo Practitioner’s Group (SPG)’s contribution to this year’s RIBA Love Architecture Festival and ties in with the Housing Conference.  It takes place on the evening of 25th June and is designed to raise awareness of the city’s proud architectural history and legacy for the future.

“We first ran the SPG Treasure Hunt in 2011 and were delighted with the response,” explains Lisa, “82 people, 14 teams discovering our city anew – there was a wonderful atmosphere.  Our hunters were pretty happy with the prizes too!  The event is open to everyone, so we hope that lots of non-architects will enter and find out for themselves just how rich Manchester is in architectural heritage and innovation.”

“What we’re really saying to the business community,” adds Jane, “is ‘So, you think you know Manchester?  Then it’s time to step up to the plate and test that knowledge against your peers.’ With half of the teams already committed to taking part, it looks like this may be one of the Festival’s most popular events. We would encourage anyone with an interest in architecture and a secret passion for hidden treasures to register as soon as possible!”

The SPG Treasure Hunt begins at 5.30 pm on 25th June with drinks and introductions at The Hub, Portland Street.

Expected to take around two hours, the hunt itself will be followed by an informal reception and prize-giving back at the Hub at about 8.00 pm.  

Participants can choose to register as individuals or in teams and the registration fee of £15.00 per head is being used to finance ‘prizes, surprises and pitstops’ along the way

Those interested in registering should contact Lisa at [email protected] to book a place. or book through eventbrite

Here at Raynes Architecture, we've just had some of our completed schemes photographed. Click the pictures in the slideshow for more information.

We've also won a handful of planning consents, including this one off new build house in Northenden.

We've just completed a minor adaptation at a local nursery to allow a wheelchair bound infant to start his education! Click the picture for more information...

And we're on site with a number of projects including a 2 storey office extension in Salford.

We visited Copenhagen in May 2013 for a weekend without kids. Here are our top tips...

1. We stayed at the Hotel Alexandra. Crammed full of mid Century Furniture.

2. We took a canal trip to orientate ourselves

3. And saw the Little Mermaid. (She's tiny) and the recently completed Opera House

4. Ate at Geist. Über cool contemporary Danish food. (With interiors far too dark to photograph on the iPhone)

5. Saturday took us to the Danish Design Museum. Mid century design heaven.

Even the toilets and the lockers were a masterpiece

6. Then we headed to Normann Copenhagen for some retail therapy, and then on to Norrebro, where we ate at Galven

More Copenhagen observations:

You're more likely to get run over by a push bike than a car.
People wait very patiently for a green light before they cross the road, and I'm not sure why. Is jaywalking illegal? Push bikes stop at lights too.

On Friday night we ran into several sound systems. The first was cycling round the city with a band of followers. The second was a very heavy baltic Dj set in a public square. Both were promoting upcoming festivals. The city seemed to take a very liberal attitude towards its youth.

Good design is adopted throughout the city, there's not a pastiche building in sight.

Women and girls are very natural looking, wear trousers and don't flash the flesh. They seem to age more honestly and better. There's no make up or fake tan anywhere.
Older women tend to wear their hair short and undyed. And everyone is slimmer- much less obesity.

Baby's are in rather large pram systems rather than umbrella pushchairs- I guess that's because people tend to walk more or take the car. Although Saturday did seem to be daddy day!

The public transport is ok, but we had trouble with the ticket machines every time- screens not working, printers not working and old daisy wheel printers

On sunday we visited Christiania. a crazy place. It's a rather green part of the city surrounded by water was overtaken by a commune and people live outside the law. There are 3 rules, no photos no guns and no running- it panics people.
The buildings have fallen into disrepair and ramshackle shanti structures have appeared. It's easy to see here, what happens if planning rules don't exist. It's a cross between Camden and a permanent Glastonbury. With a couple of earthships scattered around. Kevin McCloud would be quite happy here. Here's what Wikipedia says... http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania

I sneakily took some Photos as you ca see below.

A sound system on a bicycle!

We spotted a car charging (first time I've seen one)