PURCELL PULSE
2024 Purcell Day Out
To celebrate EO Day on 21 June, Rachel Morgan (on behalf of Board and Trustees) delivered a lunchtime Webinar presentation ‘What EO means at Purcell’. The presentation illustrated the impact of EO and how it benefits us as employees but also our clients and wider society. The presentation illustrated numerous examples of how we can be proud of being Employee Owned.
Here is the link to watch the presentation if you were unable to attend on the day >>>
EO Presentation
MENTORING
By Kit Stiby Harris
Donald Rumsfeld famously said there are three types of facts: known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, the last of which he referred to as “the difficult ones.” I feel this geopolitical platitude can be applied to a career in architecture – I am certainly more aware now than ever of how little I know, and it feels that with every passing day and increment of experience, this knowledge of ignorance only increases. But it is the omnipresence of those unknown unknowns which is so unnerving, and it is for this reason that I believe so fervently in mentorship.
I have had the great privilege of an evolving conversation with Will Holborrow, who agreed to mentor me when I joined Purcell in late 2022. Since then, we have had fascinating discussions around – among other things - his long involvement with Historic England and his work surveying vast institutions, and for my own part my interests in the confluence of conservation and design. His insights reveal knowledge which
can only be gathered through experience, but through talking to him I am aware, at least, of the possibility of finding those things out for myself –light cast on things hitherto concealed.
We in the London studio are developing a nascent relationship with the London School of Architecture, where I teach design and design history. Last summer we had the pleasure of welcoming a budding architectural student, Eniola Opeseyitan, into our ranks as a mentee. I am not alone in wanting to express my gratitude to the whole studio for the way Eniola was made to feel so welcome, but also the care, encouragement and tuition given by those he worked directly with. Demetri Zacharia and Tobias Batkin, I feel, deserve special mention. It is the hope that we can continue to offer support and guidance to prospective students as they navigate the early hurdles of a career in architecture, and help to broaden access into the profession.
Teaching on a design course has, I fear, taught me more than I have been able to impart, and above all it has taught me how to ask questions. Will has challenged me during our conversations with questions I had not previously thought of, let alone had the answers to, and these questions have been highly instructive. Likewise, asking questions (perhaps especially the ones we consider to be obvious) can throw new and invaluable light on our own work and processes. The more we form patterns of work, the more we are tempted to see these processes as impervious to critique – and this conceit of experience can be wonderfully laid bare by the innovation and energy of youth. In other words, the mentor needs the mentee just as much.
All of this is neatly summed up by the American artist Robert Irwin, whose conversations with Lawrence Weschler over the course of thirty years are so eloquently recorded in Weschler’s book Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees:
“Every time you do something, make something, it’s final in a way, but it’s not. It immediately raises a great set of questions. And if you become a question addict, which I am, you immediately have something you need to pursue.”
Earlier this Spring, Purcell and the City of London Corporation launched their Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit, kicking off several exciting events involving the practice.
The toolkit was launched at Merchant Taylor’s Hall on Threadneedle Street, with speakers including our very own Head of Sustainability, Laura Baron, in addition to representatives from the City of London Corporation, Historic England, and the Museum of London.
The toolkit aims to provide decarbonisation guidelines for some of the oldest and historically significant buildings in the capital, with over 600 listed buildings in London’s Square Mile.
ISBA
Our education sector leads/champions had another successful stand at ISBA, which once again provided us with numerous contacts from the independent schooling world, some of whom we have already had meetings with!
The upcoming General Election was one of the conference’s most discussed topics, with how changes to VAT might impact the sector and any future works.
MIPIM
RAAC DOCUMENT GUIDANCE
By Max Thomson
REINFORCED AUTOCLAVED AERATED CONCRETE (RAAC)
Guidance on Listed Buildings
Last month saw the official launch of our Guidance to RAAC in Listed Buildings Report at the Houses of Parliament – we had a fantastic turn out, with the room at full capacity!
C20 Society Director Catherine Croft, Parliamentary Policy Advisor and report co-author Chris Waterman, and structural engineer Stuart Tappin joined Purcell’s resident C20 expert Jon Wright, building surveyor Alex Baldwin, and report author Max Thomson for a panel discussion on RAAC, convened by Liz Smith.
The panel was followed by a lively drinks reception in the Churchill Room.
The Manchester Museum Courtyard project is on track to being one of our most decorated projects in recent years – perhaps most notably, it was the recipient of the prestigious Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design at the Civic Trust Awards, illustrating the project’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
It has also been shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year, the AJ100 Community Impact of the Year, and the AJ Architecture Awards, as well as winning several Museums + Heritage Awards earlier this year.
It’s been another successful year at the RIBA Awards for the practice, with several high-profile projects winning accolades.
In London, three Purcell projects won RIBA London Regional Awards.
The National Portrait Gallery (in collaboration with Jamie Fobert Architects), Battersea Power Station (in our role as Brick Conservation Architects and Heritage Consultants) and Hampstead House (as Heritage Consultants supporting Coppin Dockray’s remodelling) were all decorated with Regional Awards at the ceremony in May.
In the North East, the Bishop Auckland project – a collaboration with Niall McLaughlin Architects – was hailed as a ‘valuable extension’ by RIBA judges. The restoration and improvement of the 900-year-old, Grade-I listed Auckland Castle was handed the top prize at the RIBA North East Awards, winning Best Building as well as the Conservation Award and Regional Award.
RICS
Purcell has also featured multiple times on this year’s RICS shortlists – Oxburgh Hall, Boston Manor House, Ledston Hall, and the Flying Boat Hangars are all up for regional awards.
KAVHA
Between 18th and 21st June 2024, Lucy, Alistair, Hugh, and Hui Li from our Hobart and Melbourne studios travelled 1600km off Australia’s east coast to Norfolk Island. Their objective… to conduct a comprehensive sitewide condition audit of selected built heritage assets within the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).
During their visit, the team developed inspection templates to assess structural integrity and prioritise maintenance based on historical importance and public accessibility. In their downtime they explored the majestic Moreton Bay Fig Trees and the tranquil Cockpit Waterfall.
Over the past five years, our Australian teams have led various conservation, management, and maintenance projects at this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their dedication to preserving and enhancing Norfolk Island’s cultural landscape.
Po Leung Kuk:
Our Hong Kong team are excited to have reached a significant milestone: we have officially completed works at Po Leung Kuk, overseeing much needed structural repairs, defective external render, and repairing existing metal windows, to the Grade I-listed historic Main Building.
The works were completed in time for the annual Handover and Inauguration Ceremony. The building dates to 1932, when it was established by Chinese merchants as an antikidnapping society; it has since evolved to provide sanctuary to refugees and victims of domestic abuse.
National Reconciliation Week in
From May 27th to June 3rd, Purcell’s Australian studios engaged in a range of activities for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2024. Designed to foster understanding and appreciation of shared histories, cultures, and achievements, NRW also emphasizes the nation’s journey towards reconciliation and the ongoing efforts needed for meaningful change.
In Melbourne, the Purcell team ventured into the Royal Botanic Gardens, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, alongside First Nations
Australia
guide Uncle Den. There, they learned about native plants, Aboriginal plant uses, customs, and the enduring connection to Country. Uncle Den, sharing a poignant poem he had penned, which added a personal touch to the experience.
C20 POST WAR HOUSES
A note from Jon Wright, Purcell’s resident C20 expert...
Following on from working on three listed Post-War houses, Purcell:Modern members have been working on a campaign to contact all owners of domestic buildings from the period. There are now over 120 such houses in the country and many have not had any conservation attention before.
We have drafted a letter, setting out the Purcell offer and our expertise with Post-War buildings. With each one, we will include a postcard produced from the superb drawings provided by Kit Stilby-Harris and Dan Press.
Each member of the group has been busy writing up short histories so we can all learn about the buildings and give a personal touch to the letters. Purcell Modern now has a membership of over 35 from all over the practice, and this initiative should hopefully illicit some interest and spread awareness of our growing expertise on buildings of the 20th
Queen Mary University of London Library
The new library extension at Queen Mary University of London, designed by Purcell, has been unveiled!
The sensitively extended new facility can accommodate double the number of students, researchers, and faculty members, with the state-of-the-art space now able to service 10,000 visitors a day.
Project lead James Murray said “We wanted to refurbish and enhance the qualities of the existing St John Wilson building and reconfigure it to work better for students and staff. We are really proud of the result – it looks beautiful, it’s preserved the adjacent public spaces, and it has super green features like a green roof, highly insulated external envelope, solar panels on the roof and an abundance of natural light.”
Churchman House Cupola
The project to reinstate the removed cupola to Norwich’s Grade I-listed Churchman House was positively featured in the Eastern Daily Press! The city centre building, which dates back to 1730, is currently used by mental health charity Rest.
Clandon Park HIA
The Purcell HC team are preparing heritage impact assessments for essential works at Clandon Park, following the 2015 fire, in various conservation packages.
The works include various small-scale, nonstructural masonry and timber repairs and more structural repairs associated with
Brooklands Air Museum
A pressure chamber on show at Brooklands Air Museum. A rare moment where the heritage of the contents outweighs the building!
stabilising leaning chimneys and replacing temporary timber propping added in after the fire, including to support fireplaces previously supported by the floors.
We are also advising on the vision scheme, which will welcome the public back into the building through a series of sensitive interventions including walkways, a stair core, roof terrace and interpretation.
LONDON & SOUTH
Prior’s Gate, Winchester
Cheyney Court, Winchester
We have started on site at Cheyney Court, a Grade I-listed 15th century Elizabethan timber framed building.
Prior’s Gate is the main entrance into Cathedral Close in Winchester, dating back to the 15th century. We recently carried out a Condition Survey to inform future repairs.
The Courts, Bristol
Take a look inside our recently completed project, formerly the Old Magistrates’ Courts, Bristol!
We’re excited to announce that The Courts is officially open to the public! This vibrant new hub will serve as a cornerstone for young creatives in Bristol, offering fair and accessible opportunities for those aspiring to enter the creative sector.
Colchester go crazy!
On Friday 28 June, Colchester’s Castle Park played host to the Purcell Colchester Team Crazy Golf Tournament 2024.
Everyone played tee-rifficly but Dan Whent raised the par with a hole in one and continued to play like Tiger Woods to become our champ.
It was an un-fore-gettable evening, rounded off by a par-tee in the local pub.
Bisnow Life Sciences Conference
Francesco Miniati attended the BisNow Life Sciences Conference.
WEST
EXTERNAL ISO AUDITS 2024
Following the SGS auditor visits in Colchester, York, and Cambridge, the external ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 audits have been completed with no major non-conformances raised. We will consider any feedback/observations included in the audit report as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, however, we can confirm it was a very successful audit.
The Business Management team would like to thank everyone who contributed to making the audits smooth and successful, whether it was general support or participation in the audits –your contribution is much appreciated
EAP in AP
As part of Purcell’s ongoing commitment to the well-being and support of our employee owners, I am delighted to announce the introduction of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for the Asia Pacific region. This program is designed to provide a range of confidential and professional services to help you navigate personal or work-related challenges and enhance your overall well-being.
What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
Our EAP is a comprehensive and confidential counselling and support service available to all employees. Whether you’re dealing with stress, work-life balance, personal relationships, financial concerns, or other challenges, the EAP is here to assist you.
How to Access the EAP:
To access the EAP, simply book a phone counselling appointment by using the link: https://eapassist.com.au/booking-form/
or visit the digital treatment programs and register online, these can be found here: https://eapassist.com.au/treatmentprograms/
Purcell’s allocated Helpline Number/Access Code is 0407086000
Your use of the program is completely confidential, and your privacy will be respected.
We understand that everyone faces challenges from time to time, and believe that providing this resource will contribute to a healthier and more supportive work environment for all of us.
If you have any questions or need more information about the Employee Assistance Program, please feel free to contact Myself, or any of the other Purcell PALS at Always in your cornerVerit, que nonvoltorum hus num
“Together
With the launch of the refreshed Collective Ambition we have also updated our company mission statement to reflect us as a business (See above).
After the update of the company font to poppins we have also updated the brand guidelines to ensure we are consistent across the business in what we are producing, these can be found on Connect here please take the time to familiarise yourself with these.
Welcome to Purcell
Phillip Lee, Colchester
Jessica Hague, Cambridge Graham Theobald, Norwich
Holly Houghton, Bristol
Abbey Rutherford, Manchester Florentina Punga, London
Daniel Romero, Oxford / London
Olivia Reid, PoW Kristie-Lee McAreavey, Manchester
Daniel Sanders, Norwich
Michaela Thompson, London
Ash Khalife, Manchester Town Hall
Henry Eyres, London
Joao Mendes, London
Rebecca Swain, Colchester
Marta Gazikca, Cambridge
Thomas Hopkins, London
Alitsia Lambriandou, Oxford
Freddie Singer, Cambridge
Noel Pong, London
Harry Freeman, London
Paul Taylor, Colchester
Owen Davies, London
Alex Peacock, London
Welcome to Purcell
Jessica Hale, Colchester
Goodbye to
Stephen Athanasio, Canterbury
Sarah King, Cambridge
Hedy He, Oxford
Rowenna Malone, Group & Central (Colchester)
Charlotte Davies, London
Bev Kerr, York
Gayle Mault, Group & Central ( London)
London
Malcolm James, Bristol
Lucy Woodward, Manchester OTH
Canterbury
Leane St Louis, Group & Central ( London)
Hannah Machado, Group & Central ( London)
VIshal Mistry, Bristol
Brittany Chan, Hong Kong
Mazin Kishysh, Manchester
Kieran Lishman, Oxford
George Wade, Oxford
Kristian Abrahamsen, Manchester OTH
Will Tankard, London
Hosea Cheung, Oxford
Christopher Clayton Davis,
Annabel West,
John Bacon, Manchester OTH
David Cooper, Oxford Helena Juckes, Oxford
Ferne McGregor, Norwich
Bonnie Wong, Canterbury Ian Chau, Hong Kong
Luca Scanu, Colchester
Jacasta Stobart, Norwich
Tracy Erskine, Norwich
Phoebe Blay, Norwich
Congratulations to the following people on their promotions within Purcell.
Neil King to Associate
Jess Flower to Associate
Crista Popescu to Senior Architect
Zhor Boukerrou to Senior Architect
Christine Moran to Associate
Gary Owen to Associate Partner
Jen Bennell to Associate
Ross Whittle to Senior Architect
Sam Riley to Heritage Consultant
Tracey Rowe to Senior Graphics Assistant
QUALIFICATIONS
Congratulations to the following people
IHBC Accreditations:
Qualified as Architects:
Qualified as Chartered Building Surveyor:
Tom Goodwin
Joe Cox
Max Thomson
Lucie Clark
Tobias Batkin
Brilliana Harley
George Moore
Aleks Gutowska
Congratulations to all our Purcell Day Out Awards Winners!
ENERGY:
Prue Vercoe – AP
Craig Woods – East
Nicola Smith – L&SE
John Piercy Holroyd – North
Jordan Grimes – Operations
Ellie Atherton – West
QUALITY:
Hugh Jones – AP
Colin Staff – East
29 Belgrave Square [Theo, Bruno, Elisa, Sorina] – L&SE
Gemma Birchall – North
Laima Puzaite – Operations
Lucy Salter – West
RESPECT:
Lucy Burke-Smith – AP
Alasdair Jones – East
Joe Cox – North
Joe Mills – Operations
Emily Pye – West
EVOLUTION:
Anita Krivickas – AP
Derek Hunter – East
Max Thompson – L&SE
Matthew Northover – North
Siobhan Warrington –Operations
Emma Bryant – West
TEAM:
Theresa Chan – AP
Sally Humphries – East
Nansi Jones – L&SE
York & Edinburgh Studio –North
Graphics Team – Operations
The Humanities Building Team – West
(Lester Whitby, Crista Popescu, Carl Crozier, Francesco Miniati, Derek Hunter, Suraj Sankar, Joelle Tung, Justin Metcalfe, Nicola Hewes, Lauren Pickard, Emilia Panova, Lucy Wood, Lina Sticinskiene, Camille De Waele and James Timmins)
It has been both a privilege and a great learning experience to have been the West Region’s trustee for the past four years. During my tenure, I have received insight into the many facets that come with successfully running our practice, from financial reporting and risk management, to developing our people and celebrating success. It has been particularly rewarding to see our culture continue to positively evolve now we have been employee-owned for more than three years and to see all staff be able to interrogate and contribute to our practice strategy in the Collective Ambition roadshows. For me, the part of the role that I found most worthwhile, was attending the Quarterly Trustee
Emma Bryant’s time as a trustee for the West has come to an end...
meetings and being able to discuss current concerns and topics with Mark and Liz – this helped fulfil the key aims of the Trust – monitoring current health, future direction and holding the Board to account. It has been rewarding to be part of the Trust’s evolution over the years as we have refined and developed our role, growing in confidence and knowledge. I look forward to seeing this continue as we move towards 100% employee ownership in the years to come and will continue to contribute in my role as a regular employee!
“
OUR TRUSTEES
ALASDAIR JONES Chair of Purcell EOT, Associate
RICHARD HENSON Operations Partner
JOAO ESTEVES
London & South East Trustee Associate
SUE LAWRENCE Non-Executive Trustee, Director of Independent Directors & Trustees Ltd
BURKE-SMITH Asia Pacific Trustee, Associate Partner
NICK DE KLERK
London & South East Trustee Associate Partner
MULLARD West Region Trustee, Architect
KIRSTY JERMAK East Region Trustee Regional Studio Manager
MORGAN North Trustee Architect
CAITLIN
LUCY
RACHEL
PURCELL PALS
Action for Happiness Calender
Last month’s calendar was Joyful June. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s essential to make time for joy and satisfaction.
“Joy is often described as a deep sense of contentment, satisfaction, or happiness that comes from within. It’s not necessarily the same as feeling happy all the time or experiencing fleeting moments of pleasure. Instead, joy is a stable and enduring emotion that arises from a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something greater than ourselves” (Frunzac & Maxson, 2024).
Cultivating joy in our lives requires intentional effort and practice. Here are some practical tips for discovering joy in everyday moments:
• Focus on what you can control: Identify areas in your life where you can exert control and focus your energy on those aspects rather than dwelling on things beyond your influence.
• Express gratitude: Practicing gratitude involves recognising the good things in your life and expressing appreciation for them.
• Assume positive intent: Approaching situations with the assumption that people have good intentions can help foster more positive relationships and reduce feelings of anger or frustration
Helpful link for you to look at: https://www. mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometownhealth/speaking-of-health/tips-forembracing-joy-in-daily-life
MONDAY TUESDAY
ACTION FOR HAPPINESS
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY SUNDAY
PURCELL PALS
Awareness days to celebrate
July is National Picnic Month! Why not organise a picnic with your office either outside or in the office!
24th July 2024: 24/7 Samaritans Awareness Day
https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/ campaign/samaritans-awareness-day/
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH – from Jordon Grimes
In previous years I have communicated with you all in June about pride month, sharing my previous experiences growing up
This year I thought I would share some facts about pride that you may not have known and help you to understand the true meaning of Pride as despite what some may think, it’s not all rainbows and partying!
1 – The Pride Flag
Gilbert Baker created the Rainbow Flag, the international symbol of LGBTQ+ communities in 1978. It was originally eight colours, but it was later reduced to six – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet – by removing hot pink and blending turquoise and indigo into royal blue.
2 - The World’s Largest Pride Celebration
Sao Paulo’s Gay Pride Parade began with a modest 2,000 spectators in 1997, but it has since grown to millions. The Guinness Book of World Records ranked Sao Paulo’s parade as the largest Gay Pride celebration in the world in 2006, with 2.5 million attendees. It hasn’t been beaten since!
3 – Why is June Pride Month?
June is the month in which the Stonewall Riots of 1969 are commemorated. The Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay club in New York’s Greenwich Village, was raided by the New York City police on June 28, 1969.
This provoked a wave of protests and violent conflicts in local bars and neighbourhoods, serving as a catalyst for the global gay rights movement. The first official Pride parade took place the following year on Christopher Street Liberation Day on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Following that, in 1971, cities all around the world held Pride marches and celebrations.
4 – Brighton is the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the UK
Brighton’s image as the UK’s LGBTQ capital is 200 years old, and its inhabitants are proud of it. This vibrant hub became a secretive escape from London in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After World War II, people wishing for a secure environment to explore their sexuality heard about Brighton’s gay and lesbian clubs and pubs.
Brighton Pride, the UK’s largest and sparkliest pride celebration, showcases Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community each August. The weekend-long extravaganza begins with a raucous procession through the city’s ‘villages’ and ends with a party in Kemp Town, live music and cabaret in Preston Park and a dog show.
The Norwich studio has made me feel welcome and as I reach my fifth year at Purcell, I feel that even more so. I can be myself at work and I feel accepted, something that many to this day do not and hide away from being their true selves.
Stephanie Wilson North Lucy Mansfield East
Josh Cordrey London & SE
Emily Pye West Fiona Lauchlan West
Hugh Jones Holbart
Rory Keenan London & SE
Neil King London & SE
Charlotte Nelmes-Vincent, London & SE
Terri Moylan North Ola Urbanska London & SE
Virginia Polignano East
Emilia Panova West Yolande Steyn London & SE
Jordon Grimes East
Justin Morris West
Purcell Voice Have your say!
We are currently looking at the Voice in detail with a look to rebrand and relaunch in September of this year. Being discussed is the name, our branding, a refreshed pitch process that shows transparency and promotes successes etc, Connect page refresh and promoting the EO message. We want to continue to build on the previous hard work of the Voice and ensure what we are doing is as good as it can be!
Watch this space!!
Thank you to all those that took the time to feed back on the agile working policy, lots of great points made. It has been collated and fed back to the board and the Council is awaiting further update.
Thank you to all of those that responded to the Electric Car Scheme. The answers will be collated and shared with the board and a final decision made at their next meeting.
JORDON GRIMES Chair / East
NANSI JONES Deputy Chair / London & SE
JUSTIN MORRIS West
REUBEN POWELL London & SE
CHARLOTTE ROBERTS Voice Secretary / East
ADY FUNG Asia Pacific
JOSEPH COX North
JAMES TIMMINS East
Purcell branded notebooks are now available in every studio, if you haven’t grabbed yours already please see your local support team and get one today!
Following a successful pitch, employees are now able to give blood using the agile and flexible working policy, individual employees are to speak with their line managers to arrange convenient times.
SONIA BALLANCE West
LINDA MOTT Asia Pacific
SAM SHERWOOD Manchester
ANNA GOLDRIN North
MARTA GALMARINI
Please continue to send in your stories and suggestions for the months ahead by email to: purcellpulse@purcelluk.com