December 2005

Lugansk Art Gallery

http://www.artgallery.com.ua/




Lugansk Art Gallery is currently one of the largest Ukrainian galleries dealing with online sales of "magnificent, high-quality artworks created by professional Ukrainian and international artists". According to the Gallery's site, its core business is selling artworks and creating commission artworks (commission portraits, commission paintings, copies of paintings, commission sculpture and various commission handcrafts) - all works by its artists are original, and are supplied with an Originality Certificate. The Gallery also arranges and conducts personal and group exhibitions, as well as taking part in the development of different art projects and in various culture events both in Ukraine and abroad. The Lugansk site is well-designed, and available in a multitude of languages, including English. The interface is excellent - users can browse by artist, style, genre, medium, material, price or size, with each artwork illustrated using good quality images of the painting in its entirety as well as an actual-size detail - if a piece of work then takes your fancy, the site also offers online ordering and worldwide delivery. With the added attraction of a very good Art Directory, featuring more than 600 links to art and culture-related resources, the Lugansk Art Gallery has managed to create a site that is rich, interesting and useful. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 11 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: cul-200805-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Ukraine
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Culture » Products
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November 2005

Interior Design by Adrienne Chinn

http://www.adriennechinn.co.uk/




Adrienne Chinn is an interior designer working in and around London. Established for six years, the company describes itself as having "a wealth of experience from dozens of major projects". The site features interesting reviews of these many projects, enlivened by good quality photographs and an insightful commentary from the designer. Other sections cover the history of the company, details of its fees structure, and a series of useful articles written by Adrienne Chinn. However, the site's highlight is undoubtedly its two excellent links directories - a "Design Directory of Interior Design Suppliers in the UK", with hundreds of links organised into more than thirty categories, and a smaller "Directory of American Interior Design Firms, Interior Designers and Architecture Consultants Operating in the USA". With a design that is simple but quite functional, Adrienne Chinn has created an impressive site - an engaging showcase for her work as well as an important interior design resource. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 6 Nov 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: int-210805-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Interior Design » Services
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October 2005

Sponge

http://www.spongenet.org/




Sponge is a network of young property and construction professionals who share an interest in sustainable development. According to the site, "these individuals generally work in, or are associated with the development of our built environment; from bricks and mortar through design, engineering and planning to communities and regeneration". The aim of the site is to allow members to make the most of Sponge and of each other's enthusiasm and knowledge, providing information on events run by Sponge and relevant events run by other organisations, as well as information on how Sponge is getting involved with other projects and influencing policy. Up to date and attractively designed, the site also provides a discussion forum, useful links to other websites, and an excellent 'Library' section giving access to interesting and informative documents uploaded by Sponge and Sponge members. Overall, Sponge is a rich and innovative site that really excels at engaging with its users. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 20 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: sus-160805-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Sustainability » Resources
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September 2005

New Start - Community Regeneration Online

http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/




New Start describes itself as "the first choice weekly news magazine in the UK for all involved in community regeneration". It was first published on 5 February 1999, and exists "to provide news, comment and analysis for all concerned with regeneration, physical, economic and social, and to stimulate debate and discussion of policy". Totally independent, both editorially and commercially, New Start aims to be a prime source of job opportunities in regeneration through its recruitment advertising pages, as well as providing up-to-the-minute editorial content. As well as providing information about the hard copy magazine, the attractively-designed New Start site is a valuable resource in its own right - content includes extensive news coverage, job vacancies, public notices, an excellent 'features' section packed with interesting articles, and a well-organised links page. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 21 Oct 2008].



ENTRY NUMBER: reg-280805-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Regeneration » Resources
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August 2005

Building Products Index

http://www.bpindex.co.uk/




The Building Products Index is a detailed, searchable database of UK building products and materials, includings thousands of links. The site has always been very clearly organised, but a recent redesign means that it now boasts a sleek and attractive interface to go with it. Users can search the BPI database either by manufacturer or brand name, or by product or material. Search results are displayed simply and cleanly, and now include access to downloadable PDF files of manufacturers' literature (for which free registration is required). All in all, the Building Products Index is a sophisticated, easy-to-use and highly convenient resource, deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 15 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-141002-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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July 2005

Planum - The European Journal of Planning Online

http://www.planum.net/




Planum calls itself "the European online journal entirely devoted to planners", and is a vast and impressive resource. The site features articles, images, videos, reviews, the archive of the European biennials, websites' presentations (more than 5000 listed), news, journals (more than 6000 articles listed), "all for planners and for the whole community of people involved in city development and environmental protection". Moreover, Planum is a truly international affair, with eight European nations represented on its editorial board. The design of the site is professional, albeit with a slightly quirky menu system. Overall, Planum is so rich in content, it's difficult for a description to do it justice - the best thing is to let your mouse explore its depths, and savour the delights within. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 28 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: pla-110104-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: International
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Planning » Resources
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June 2005

White Ink Architects

http://www.whiteink.co.uk/




Belfast-based White Ink Architects were established in October 2001, and their new website acts as a portfolio for their work. It contains both completed and ongoing projects grouped by type, including commercial, residential, private houses, interiors, conservation and consultancy. Additional features include information on the partners, awards won by the practice, and its design philosophy. With the aim of showcasing their work and allowing potential clients "to see what we have done before committing to working with us", White Ink Architects explained to Sapling that they had "tried to keep the website simple and easy to use, with a focus on pictures describing our work". Against their own criteria, the site is therefore very successful - neat and easy to navigate, with effective use of images, and - fading effects aside - a refreshing absence of architectural gimmicks and pretensions. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-290605-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Services
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May 2005

Abacus USA Construction Index

http://www.construction-index.com/




Abacus USA Construction Index is a directory of recommended online resources for US architects, engineers and other construction professionals. Its is an excellent resource, with a searchable index providing access to 1,500 websites, online documents, case studies and newsletters; alternatively, the site can be browsed by resource type or topic. The homepage is perhaps a little busy, but otherwise the site is well laid out, with a simple and uncluttered design. Note that while the construction-index.com site is currently being rebuilt to focus on US content only, UK content can now be found on a sister website, Archinet UK Building Directory. awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 23 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-030903-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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April 2005

Cinema Treasures

http://www.cinematreasures.org/




Cinema Treasures is an excellent, groundbreaking website devoted to movie theatre preservation and awareness. Users can add news items and cinema details, or comments about those already listed. The site's coverage is global, listing more than 370 classic movie theatres in the UK alone, including a useful page devoted to the threatened Newcastle Odeon. An excellent site, attractively designed, and truly interactive. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 28 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-141103-03
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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March 2005

Bentheim

http://www.bentheim.co.uk/




Bentheim is a London-based interior designer offering what it describes as "cutting edge interior design within budget constraints for retail, restaurant, exhibition, office, hotel and some residential design". The overall aim of the website is to showcase the interior design work of David Bentheim, and it does this extremely effectively - mainly through high quality images of his work for clients such as Wagamama, the Natural History Museum and Iberdrola, and through brief textual annotations that help convey something of Bentheim's design philosophy. To complete the picture, the website also includes background information about the company, a client list, news of upcoming designs, and a page of links to useful resources. With an eyecatching, intuitive interface and excellent quality content, Bentheim has created an impressive site, deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 28 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: int-130205-06
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Interior Design » Services
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February 2005

Photojournalist Victor Strelkovsky - Back in ex-USSR

http://www.svsphoto.com/




Launched in July 2004, 'Back in ex-USSR' is a showcase for the work of Belarussian photojournalist, Victor Strelkovsky, who describes his photography as "a matter of life" for the last sixteen years. That's certainly the way it seems too, with Strelkovsky working as a photocorrespondent for the Belorussian association of friendship and culture affairs with foreign countries, Literature and Art weekly, and the national newspapers The Soviet Byelorussia and The Republic. Strelkovsky's work, organised into a series of themed galleries, is the product of "a great number of journalistic trips and journeys around his country - Belarus. The country of deep forests and blue lakes, the country of the Chernobyl tragedy, the country of childhood, love, sufferings". Some of the images of Chernobyl's effects, for instance, are eerie and chilling; at the same time, others portray the beauty of the country's landscapes, or the humour of its people. The site also includes an interesting biography of the photographer, and a page of links to photography and art resources; Russian and English versions are provided. Overall, this is a fascinating site, containing some stunning and evocative images. By offering such a rich insight into a country few people know anything about, its arrival can only be welcomed. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Mar 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: cul-081004-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belarus
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Culture » Portfolios
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January 2005

Newspaperindex - Online Newspapers Worldwide

http://www.newspaperindex.com/




Newspaperindex.com is a simple but effective concept, providing a list of online newspapers in every country of the world. The site benefits from clear selection criteria, stating that "we collect and maintain links only to websites containing local, free and independent news from each country. You will not find links to sites that solely grab information and content from other sources, local or sport news. We only include websites with free public access that have a local editorial staff of independent journalists and in most cases a printed version as well. Another important thing is that we only accept news sites that are daily updated". If the site's intention is "not about collecting links [but] evaluating quality news sites and presenting the best sources for your worldwide research" it certainly succeeds. Navigation is simple, and the design and layout of the site is clear and attractive; furthermore, the site is provided in English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Spanish and German versions. Overall, Newspaperindex is an excellent resource - a great idea, expertly executed. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Nov 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: oth-101004-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Denmark
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Other Information Resources » Resources
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