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Page\Park’s Theatre Royal extension illustrates the brash confidence of Scotland’s best architecture practice
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URBAN REALM IS USHERING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH AN EXHAUSTIVE SNAPSHOT OF THE ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY THAT RANKS 100 PRACTICES WHICH HAVE DONE MOST TO RESHAPE THE PHYSICAL MAKE-UP OF SCOTLAND. THROUGH A SERIES OF PROFILES AND INTERVIEWS IT LEAVES NO BRICK UNTURNED. It was no easy job but after many months of research, polling and tracking architectural awards we’ve arrived at the definitive list practices at work in the country today. Established since 2013 our annual rundown is now in its third year and takes the form of a three-stage process kickstarted by an online poll conducted via the Urban Realm website. Armed with a list of nominations we then collated fee data and information on the number of qualified architects to
get a better handle on recent success. In a shift from the methodology used in previous years however we have sought to move to a more dispassionate and transparent measure of design success. As such we’ve stripped out input from our editorial panel and focussed exclusively on award winning work from the Scottish Design Awards and RIAS Awards to reward design innovation, not just commercial clout. To anyone keeping a close eye on the Scottish architectural scene it can be
little surprise that Page\Park should rise to the top. Fresh from their move to an employee owned business the practice have enjoyed a period of critical and business success, winning plaudits for their work at Laurieston (alongside Elder & Cannon), an extension to Glasgow’s Theatre Royal and the West End Medical Practice, Edinburgh, amongst others. There is quantity as well as quality on display over the following 24 pages, confirming that Scotland remains a hotbed of design talent.
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Outstanding work at Laurieston phase 1A has seen architects Page\Park and Elder & Cannon showered with praise
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Page \ Park Architects
No. Architects: 30
Karen Pickering Director What has been your best work of the past year? Architectural projects take a number of years to come to fruition, so it is difficult to pin down the point when we might see it, as our best work. So this year it could be our initial discoveries, by model, historical research and measurement of the Glasgow School of Art that will shape the reconstruction. Alternatively it could be the sense of a new project emerging on the ‘digital drawing ‘board’such as the new centre for the War Blinded in Paisley. Maybe it is the glow of excitement when a project starts to emerge from the ground as at Caledonian University. Perhaps it is when the building is finally unwrapped and bursts into use such as at the Glasgow Academy. Or is it that moment of post build reflection when you see the project working over a period of time as at Laurieston for New Gorbals Housing Association or the Theatre Royal in Glasgow for Scottish Opera. Deep down wherever, and whenever in the process, our work needs to be the best we can do. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We have never sought to consciously grow, rather we have sought to modify, adjust, refine, reinterpret how we work together in relatio n to the projects we are tasked with. How
we worked yesterday and will do tomorrow will likely be quite different. This requires a degree of fleetness of foot, the ability to adapt to these changing circumstances by not being too precious about the dimension of the practice rather focusing on the remarkable synergies and dynamic of bringing skilled and creative people together. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? There is no doubt a transformation is underway in the production of our three dimensional environment. Historically the roles and responsibilities were clearly set, marked by the setting of each practice and discipline in their own bubble. In the new digital BIM world, the bubbles are coalescing – merging, so that it is as if we all stand upon a common stage as actors, or as directors in the stalls or producers on the backstage, crucially all participants in a theatre of production. The challenge is to understand in this new interwoven relationship, each of our roles, responsibilities and acceptance of different skills, at this new common table. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? From the perspective of experience we will always be wary of the hurdles we have jumped to get where we are now. To what extent should we use that wisdom to colour the energies and enthusiasms of young people? Future rising populations, dislocations, disasters, economic cycles, societal needs, environmental challenges will need the brightest and most
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Left - JM Architects cite their Holyrood Road student residences as their top pick for the year Top Right - The AECC is one of the largest schemes currently planned in Scotland Bottom Right - Keppie’s Ronald McDonald House marks a shift in direction for the practice
willing of our young people to attempt to bring decent, civic and caring settings for these changing circumstances. It is really not about recommendation, it is about necessity for us to nurture those who might potentially be good at imagining and making our inhabited world, just as we should do for those who are good at caring for us when we are sick and those who manage the monetary systems that make the world go round. The only qualification – the need to find a fair way of remunerating that employment for all. 02
jmarchitects
No. Architects: 39
Brian Thomson Managing Director What has been your best work of the past year? Our best piece of work completing this year has to be our student residential project for Edinburgh University at Holyrood Road establishing a significant new layer of history in the Old Town of the city. Developed from a John Hope masterplan we worked with Oberlanders Architects developing the built form and permeability of new closes and lanes along with careful consideration of the spaces between .At the heart of the development is a vast roof lit kitchen/dining area below courtyard level where more than 1000 post graduate students from around the world are encouraged to “meet and eat”. What key challenges doe the industry face going forward? As we emerge from recession I believe one of the key challenges URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
for the industry will be the ability to maintain quality in a market place where skills have been lost .Also the difficult times live long in the memory and many consultants appear to be continuing to price tenders unrealistically low or clients have established frameworks in the depths of recession when prices were very different. Clients in the public and private sector should scrutinise very carefully there selection procedures and emphasise quality in the assessment process interrogating in detail the team and personnel being proposed. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? I would recommend a career in architecture for my children but advise them that being an architect can be so much more than appears to continue to be taught in our schools of architecture.I believe that influencing and developing the built environment is a fundamental and important contribution to society and a rewarding career .In my view however we should expand the horizons of our students embracing and developing skills beyond purely design to encourage architectural roles for graduates as Project Managers, Client Representatives, Design Managers and Contractors. The MD’s of many contracting organisations are engineers, why not architects? 03
Keppie Design
No. Architects: 53
David Ross Design Director
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BDP’s setpiece Technology and Innovation Centre points to the future
What has been your best work of the past year? It’s difficult to pick out favourite projects from the last year. We are really proud of a lot of our current projects, and for different reasons. Our current workload includes exciting commercial office buildings, mixed use masterplans in high profile regeneration-led areas, school, college and university proposals and large scale hospital projects in four different countries. However, if I had to choose two that stand out, it would be Ronald McDonald House in Glasgow for the awards and critical praise it has received, and Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre for the progress our team has made with such a complex scale of project. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? Our growth plan is to focus on strategic project targets in the key sectors that we are being successful in, to develop our Manchester office in particular, and to continue to build a practice culture focused on ‘enjoyment of work’. What key challenges doe the industry face going forward? The key challenges are the same as they’ve been for the last few years; increasing levels of competition for decreasing amounts of work. Recruitment of the right sort of talent – particularly enthusiastic young designers - to fit with our practice aspirations remains challenging. And of course the complex correlation between procurement and payment remains akin to an unpredictable game of snakes and ladders. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children?
I’d still recommend a career in architecture to anyone…however, my children gave up listening to anything I said years ago. 04
REIACH AND HALL ARCHITECTS
No. Architects: 33 05
BDP
No. Architects: 44 Scott Mackenzie Director of Architecture What has been your best work of the past year? We are very proud that the completion of three of our major education sector projects, namely the Technology and Innovation Centre for the University of Strathclyde, the Sir Ian Wood Building for the Robert Gordon University and Inverness College UHI have been marked by Royal opening ceremonies. We believe that each will contribute enormously to Scotland’s economic, educational and cultural health for generations to come.
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What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We anticipate that we will continue to grow during 2016, and forecast that our turnover will increase by around 5% over the next financial year based on major opportunities in the retail, education, workplace and urbanism sectors. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? We continue to see very competitive fee levels, although with
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Left - Ellersly Road, Edinburgh, is CDA’s pick of the crop Middle - 3DReid enjoy critical and commercial success
current trends showing that contractor’s tender returns are rising following years in the doldrums we are hopeful on projects where fees are directly linked to construction value we may see this situation easing. We are harvesting the fruits of years of major investment in BIM, but with technology and innovation continuing to advance at a breakneck speed we cannot and will not rest on our laurels. 06
Archial NORR
No. Architects: 28 07
Comprehensive Design Architects
No. Architects: 29
Nic Saunders Design Director What has been your best work of the past year? Our residential project for S1 Developments on the former United Distillers’ site at Ellersly Road, Murrayfield is one of our favourite completed projects from the past year. This splendid site on a south facing slope with expansive views offered great potential. Our solution placed contour hugging terraces of townhouses and flats near the top of the site, leaving the mature landscaped grounds intact to serve as a secure shared garden. Innovative garden rooms provide very attractive spaces between the private and shared open spaces and offer great flexibility to suit different users’ living patterns.
We aim to maintain slow and steady growth through the coming year, responding to the wide range of project opportunities that come our way. Diversity of building types and the wide geographic spread of our projects has given us resilience in difficult times and is a strategy that we will continue to pursue. We have found that recruiting talented younger staff and providing them with the right conditions to develop and flourish is the most effective way of growing the practice. We prefer to maintain our rate of growth to the level at which this process can take place rather than pursue expansion for its own sake. What key challenges doe the industry face going forward? The challenges for the profession and the wider construction industry are much as they always have been. We need to make the building procurement process less wasteful and frustrating to all involved. In an economic environment where money is still very tight, architects need to be especially resourceful in finding deliverable solutions and fighting to retain quality where they can. We can enhance our value and reputation as a profession if we demonstrate clear thinking and an ability to solve the wider problems facing projects. 08
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elder & cannon architects
No. Architects: 7 09
Cooper Cromar
No. Architects: 23 10
What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead?
Right - Hypostyle toasted success with designs for Glasgow Distillery
Holmes Miller
No. Architects: 29
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3DReid
No. Architects: 30 Charles Graham-Marr Chairman What has been your best work over the past year? In addition to the larger scale hotel, retail, office and residential projects we have had the pleasure of working on smaller scale projects such as the Tudsbery Centre for the Thistle Foundation in Craigmillar, Edinburgh and the new church interior for the United Reformed Church in Avonbridge. The new-build Tudsbery Centre provides health & wellbeing facilities, with particular emphasis on supporting those with disabilities, in addition to offering a new Community Hub and office accommodation, for the charity. The Avonbridge church project is an interior remodelling to allow greater flexibility of use and facilitate wider community outreach.
The higher level challenges which the industry could be faced with are those national and international events and conflicts which give rise to market uncertainty. Foremost amongst these potential challenges are the EU Referendum and the Syrian situation. Then, even when market conditions are conducive to property investment and development, we are concerned that approval and procurement processes can often impede activity rather than facilitate it. Would you recommend a career in Architecture for your children? Always a great litmus test! I certainly wouldn’t discourage them from pursuing a career in architecture. I have been privileged to work with some amazing people, both colleagues and clients alike and in few other careers can you leave such a lasting legacy than the buildings you have helped to sculpt. 12
What’s the practice’s growth plan for the year ahead? We have been increasingly active in hotels and we intend to consolidate our position as market leaders in this sector. We will also continue to capitalise on our strength of expertise in retail, offices, residential and education as well as broadening the range of our involvement in niche projects. We also look forward to increasing involvement in bringing existing buildings into new use such as the conversions of Elliott House in Edinburgh and Pegasus House in Glasgow from offices to student residences. What key challenges does the industry face going forward?
Hypostyle Architects
No. Architects: 25
Gerry Henaughen Director What has been your best work of the past year? Hypostyle are particularly proud of the work we carried out on the St Julies Housing development in Croftfoot. This project won Sustainable Development of the Year and Affordable Housing Development of the Year at the Scottish Home Awards Herald Property Awards this year. As a practice we aim to provide >
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the highest possible standards of sustainability in our designs and this project was a great opportunity to demonstrate our achievements. This year Hypostyle were employed to carry out of a number of area studies for Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise (with Glasgow City Council). These studies considered landscaping, connections, transport, community facilities and possible opportunities for development. Following our in depth analysis we outlined recommendations for development in detail as well as overall regeneration strategies. These projects provided the practice with an opportunity to explore regeneration on large scale and we have now been appointed to take on some of the detailed developments as outlined in our reports. In addition the practice saw the competition of the Strathclyde University Business School refurbishment. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? Hypostyle expect to have growth in the fields of industrial, health and transport in the coming year. We would also expect to pick up future work in preparing area studies and masterplanning. Geographically we expect growth in the East of Scotland and Edinburgh and would plan to expand our Edinburgh office on the back of this growth We expect the residential sector to maintain a fairly stable growth the next year and Hypostyle will maintain a steady workload in this area. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? The key challenges for the architectural practice in Scotland are extremely low fees, combined with more responsibility and greater scope of service expected by clients. Something has to give in this scenario. The level of responsibility and service to be provided by Architects for clients is not commensurate with the fee levels provided. In comparison to a decade ago there are currently more architects chasing fewer projects for less fees. The project designer role seems to have been thrust upon the architect adding more responsibility for no significant fee increase. The art of architecture and its fundamental position in creating and defining the “society” and culture of our era is being lost to a utilitarian approach which fails to acknowledge the eclectic and pluralist nature of the human condition. It is not allowing the expression of the individual. Process driven prospects with little scope for design consideration are the norm. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? I would recommend a career in architecture to my children if they demonstrated an aptitude and interest in Architecture or the arts and had a grasp of construction science and its application. I would explain that the personal fulfillment achieved in an architectural career could be very satisfying. However I URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
Michael Laird are on a high following completion of City of Glasgow College’s Riverside Campus (see pg 50)
would also explain that very few architects actually get to fully “vent their creative spleen” on projects. The creative aspect of the work is often a small part of the job. Fulfillment often comes from team working and appreciating that you have helped to create a building or a place. Currently the salaries and remuneration of Architects are suffering and on sites electricians, plumbers, joiners and labourers normally earn more that Architects who work longer hours, have more responsibility and have trained for 7 plus years without salary to get to this position. 13
MICHAEL LAIRD ARCHITECTS
No. Architects: 19
Jeremy Scott Managing Director What has been your best work of the past year? We have been involved in some great projects over the past year which makes it very difficult to choose one! The City of Glasgow Colleges project has been a real highlight - with the Riverside Campus completed and the main City Campus due to finish in August 2016, this project is a huge urban success and the quality of design and construction makes
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intellectual expenditure and staggering costs involved, the energy that goes into every bid makes it heart breaking and demoralising when you are unsuccessful. There must be a better way! The economy remains challenging on two fronts. The ongoing independence debate is still an issue and, in simple terms, it is affecting investment in the Scottish economy. The slowdown in China is starting to hit the construction market quite hard, especially when you consider the recent effects the influx of cheap steel has had on our own industry.
Top - LDN are particularly pleased with their work to make libraries relevant once more Bottom - The Speirs Centre library in Alloa for instance has won national acclaim
Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? Yes! Architecture still remains a very exciting, unique and rewarding career, although it is getting tougher all the time with all the red tape and new legislation that stifles the creative process…. You just need to remain positive, proactive and every day still produce those wonderful sketches which keep the heart and soul going. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!!! 14
Anderson Bell Christie
No. Architects: 15 15
Ica Architects
No. Architects: 16 16
Hoskins Architects
No. Architects: 21 it a joy to work on. The first phase of our Woodcroft residential development, a mixed use development in St Andrews, and our fit-out for the Scotch Whisky Association are all stunning projects we have recently completed. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We are very optimistic about the future, cemented by the recent opening of our Glasgow office and the fact we have obtained some very challenging planning consents including a mixed use masterplan and student residences in Edinburgh and offices in Glasgow, all of which will ensure we are kept busy for the next few years! We have seen steady growth over the last two years and, with our current workload, we would anticipate the practice to continue to grow organically. The key to a successful business is to ensure a varied work base across a variety of sectors, and this will remain our strategic focus in maintaining steady growth. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? Public sector procurement remains a huge problem for the industry. Best value for the Government usually implies a lot of wasted effort for the construction industry. In terms of the
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ATKINS
No. Architects: 13 18 Simpson & Brown Architects with Addyman Archaeology
No. Architects: 18 19
LDN Architects
No. Architects: 23
Peter McIlhenny Partner What has been your best work in the past year? From the Speirs Centre, a new library in Alloa - continuing our track record for winning awards year-on-year – to the successful reopening of Thurso Library through to ongoing work in Halifax, at Piece Hall and incorporating another new library, we have a clutch of inter-related projects in very different contexts. We are particularly pleased to be involved in repopulating the country with buildings having a core use that many considered would be consigned to the past through the burgeoning availability of technology and lack of funding. >
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What key challenges does the industry face going forward? Challenges remain consistent, from balancing resources to expectations to the ratcheting-up of the requirements of PQQs and staying up with changes to legislation whilst still finding joy in our work. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? I would not recommend any career to my children, they are doing just fine with their own judgment, but I certainly would not discourage them from trying architecture. 20
AHR
No. Architects: 17 Brian McArthur Director What has been your best work in the past year? This year has produced a diverse range of projects across the country and abroad, covering all sectors – offices, education, civic, transport and landscape. We have also enjoyed success in some high profile competitions which is inspiring for us. We are particularly proud of: Keynsham Civic Centre BCO 2015 Best of the Best, Best Workplace; Glasgow Subway; Network Rail HQ Fit out; Liskamp Research Laboratory at University of Glasgow 2015 winner of S Lab; Al Maadi Tower, Egypt; Rising Rolls, Edinburgh; Midlothian Council Schools; Stranraer Gateway; Blackburn Skate Park; New Embassy projects – various cities; Dailly primary School; Tarbolton Primary School What is your practice’s growth plan for the year ahead? To grow modestly Consolidate newly opened middle east office To continue to support our offices in Eastern Europe To build on the success of recent competition wins To offer our industry leading R+D group research to our clients for mutual benefit What key challenges does the industry face going forward Whilst we were an early adopter of BIM in 2009 and all our projects are now delivered in BIM, we see this as a challenge still to be embraced industry wide. Whilst there are a few glimmers of private sector growth the challenge is to turn increasing optimism into actual development Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? There is no better job if recessions didn’t happen
AHR are amongst the first practices to deliver all their projects through BIM
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Groves-Raines Architects
No. Architects: 11
Dr J. Stewart Stirling Associate Director of Conservation What has been your best work over the past year? That’s perhaps for others to decide, but amongst the projects completed this year of which we’re particularly proud is Killiehuntly, located in a stunningly beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands. Shortly due to open to visitors (killiehuntly.com), this project has seen an historic farmhouse and steading brought back to life as high-quality visitor accommodation. The end result is a product of close collaboration with designers from across the world and something that we hope to take forward with a number of similar developments elsewhere in Scotland. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? Economic factors are clearly of huge importance and the politics behind them should be of interest to us all. Scotland is no different and we live in interesting times with much uncertainty ahead. GRA/GRAS have a relatively diverse client base which includes high-end private clients, local authorities and charitable trusts and one of the key challenges is to be able to respond to a contrasting and constantly shifting market. Having a great staff team based in the wonderful environment we have here in Lamb’s House in Leith is crucial to meeting that challenge. I’m confident that 2016 will be another good year for GRA/GRAS. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your
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Left - Groves-Raines are rightly proud of their Killiehuntly farmhouse conversion
Right - Threesixty have been steadily scaling up to tackle larger projects throughout 2015
children? Perhaps, but only if it came from what I thought to be an interest they had developed for themselves. I am a father to five children and in my experience love and encouragement are far more important to good upbringing than matters of career. I was a university lecturer for many years before rejoining private practice and have seen students come and go, though I believe those that have real talent usually do shine through and reach success in the end. A career in architecture offers a wonderfully rich and rewarding vocation, though to become successful demands talent, commitment and a diverse skill set. 22
Oberlanders Architects
No. Architects: 15 23
SUTHERLAND HUSSEY HARRIS
improve their effectiveness but will always be careful to carry spare capacity to take the opportunities we want to pursue. We are at a pretty good “fighting weight” now and working on larger scale projects that will hopefully fuel further growth and allow us to tempt even more talent into the practice. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? Public procurement and the position of the architect are two persistent challenges to the profession. We’re still not seeing a sea change in public procurement processes and this continues to undermine an architect’s value. Too few tenders go to anyone other than the most “financially advantageous bid”. There is rumour that those who had entered into frameworks in the “lean years” are now struggling to make them work. On a broader spectrum we continue to have our position/scope/fee eroded and we need to work harder to demonstrate the value, vision and drive architects can bring to a project.
No. Architects: 3 24
Threesixty Architecture
No. Architects: 17
Alan Anthony Managing Director What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We’ve been consistently growing for the past 3 years. Recently, this has been a deliberate investment on the prediction of an improving economy and it is now paying dividends. We are focussing on training and systems that will help our existing staff
Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? Yes I would. It’s fashionable to bemoan the time it takes to become qualified and the difficulty in achieving a comfortable income but we forget that, for the most part, we love what we do. No day is the same and, if we get it right, we can have a career that is stimulating and creative. Few other professions achieve that. We are all fully aware of the fragility of the profession in the face of economic melt-down but, even with that, I can’t imagine a better career. >
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Allan Murray Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 14 26
HLM
No. Architects: 7 27
SHEPPARD ROBSON
No. Architects: 14 28
Lewis & Hickey
No. Architects: 6 29
Collective Architecture
No. Architects: 18 30
MAKAR
No. Architects: 2 31
EMA Architecture + Design Ltd
No. Architects: 6
Ewan McIntyre Managing Director What has been your best work this year? In 2015 we started 120 new projects from small developments to large masterplans. We’re proud of them all so it’s hard to pick one out. We’re very pleased however with our Urban Eden project for Places for People. 212 flats and houses are being built near London Road in Edinburgh in a high density development of colony style housing and tower blocks of up to 9 storeys. The new neighbourhood is arranged around pedestrian focused streets and lanes with private gardens and minimal parking. The first blocks are nearing completion and have been very popular with buyers. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We’ll continue to strive to keep our clients happy, giving them what they want, when they want it, and adding value wherever we can. We’ve also put a lot of time and resources into our team over the past few years and we’ll continue to do that to ensure that everyone is motivated to do their best for the practice and our clients.
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Austin-Smith:Lord LLP
No. Architects: 11 33
Richard Murphy Architects
No. Architects: 12 34
Bennetts Associates
No. Architects: 11 35
Stallan-Brand
No. Architects: 13 36
susan stephen architects
No. Architects: 12 37
Aitken Turnbull Architects
No. Architects: 5 38
Hackland+Dore Architects Limited
No. Architects: 8 What key challenges does the industry face going forward? There’s not enough good architects to go round at the moment. As a profession we need to be making a better job of the education and training of new architects, in particular ensuring that they get the right experience to help them grow into well rounded professionals. Current procurement methods carry a risk that the profession could become reactive and as a result deskilled. We have a collective responsibility to avoid this.
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Young and Gault Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 10 40
Fletcher Joseph Associates
No. Architects: 5 41
A449 LTD
No. Architects: 1 URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
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Left - EMA warn that architectural training is not keeping pace with the industry Right - 7N are bringing canalside living to Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district
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NORD
No. Architects: 2 43 Gauldie Wright & Partners Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 5 44
7N Architects
No. Architects: 7
Ewan Anderson Managing Partner What has been your best work of the past year? 7N Architects have had a busy and exciting year in 2015 as the pace of major projects has picked up. We have enjoyed taking the India Quay project at Fountainbridge forward from our masterplan to detailed planning stage and completing the International Business Gateway masterplan in West Edinburgh. It has been a fascinating process working with the University of Glasgow on their campus masterplan and particularly satisfying to see Inverness Campus opened by John Swinney along with the completion of the final phase of housing at Westfield Avenue which started as one of the practice’s initial projects in 2009.
energised the practice and new studio has allowed us to make the most of this. It’s a joy to be working on exciting projects, in a great space with talented, motivated people. Our workload for the year ahead will allow us to continue with this positive momentum but growth will be tempered with a close eye on consolidation and keeping the studio the right size. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? The recession is over but things are still pretty tough, particularly in the crowded midfield of competitive bidding. But it seems that the way architects can contribute to the process of creating places is changing and opening up wider opportunities if their skills in strategic thinking are utilised much further upstream in the development process. Our work in recent years has included Charrettes, the Town Centre Toolkit, the Glasgow City Centre Strategy and design led engagement to inform the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park LDP which won an award for a Groundbreaking Approach to Local Planning. 45
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Konishi Gaffney Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 1 47
What is your practice’s growth plan for the year ahead? 7N has nearly doubled in size over the last year, culminating in a move to a great new studio space in a former chapel in the West End of Edinburgh. The expansion of the team has really
Helen Lucas Architects
No. Architects: 8
Honeyman Jack & Robertson
No. Architects: 5
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Purcell
No. Architects: 4 Shaun McCabe Associate What has been your best work of the past year? Securing planning and listed building consent for our work on the Edinburgh St James redevelopment is a major milestone we are extremely pleased to have reached. As part of one of the biggest regeneration projects underway in the UK, we are transforming St Andrew’s Hall with a new three-storey extension providing head offices for the St James Centre management, a restaurant and security centre. Our plans will respectfully convert 21-37 James Craig Walk into apartments and commercial space. Collaborating with the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, we’re also developing plans to redevelop the derelict Westmuir Street School for community and office use. What is your practice’s growth plan for the year ahead? Developing strong relationships between our clients and our people is central to Purcell’s future growth. We support our people to respond above our clients’ expectations by offering leadership training. As heritage leaders, we build on our conservation legacy by sharing our unrivalled knowledge. Being finalists for the sought-after Glasgow School of Art competition opened up new opportunities in Glasgow. As architects and designers, we remain focussed on bespoke residential and cultural sector work, building on the success of the National Mining Memorial Centre. We’ll also expand our masterplanning portfolio and demonstrate our value by donating expertise to enhance facilities at Seamab School in Kinross-Shire. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? My four-year-old daughter finds herself the child of two architects, and the grandchild of two more, so I suspect her current preoccupations with Lego and blocks may not be a passing phase! I am keen that she explores all the opportunities available to her and if she shows sustained interest in the profession, will enthusiastically and wholeheartedly support her in an architectural career. I’ll make her aware that an architectural education is lengthy and demanding, requiring great enthusiasm, commitment and endeavour, which leads to a profession that can offer highly enjoyable, varied, fulfilling, diverse, challenging and rewarding careers.
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ARPL remain focussed on their residential cultural sector work
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ARPL Architects
No. Architects: 6
Gordon Fleming Director What has been our best work of the past year? The most important work we have carried out this year has been to complete the Theatre Royal in Dumfries. Built in 1792 this is the oldest working theatre in Scotland and the Guild of Players has been trying for 20 years to keep the building open and in use. Working with a very low budget we have managed to completely refurbish the historic theatre and bring some adjoining buildings into use as support spaces, a new studio theatre and a new foyer. The transformation ensures Dumfries can retain this key town centre arts facility for the future. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? The last year has been exceptionally busy for us with a range of specialist projects in arts , education and conservation underway. Our staff have been very committed during this period and we hope this year to consolidate our workload hopefully at a more profitable level. We hope to use on the level of experience built up in the office to expand our capabilities in BIM and project delivery. We are loking to expand into new project types and new geographical areas particularly with more opportunities to develop our work in Ireland.
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Left - Purcell are rightly proud of their conservation legacy Right - Opfer Logan seek to break out of the silo of specialism through generalised problem solving
What key challenges does the industry face going forward? In many ways the challenges we are likley to face continue on from consequences of the last few years. Issues of procurement and profitablility are still paramount. The coming years are however likely to suffer from problems of lack of capacity in the industry and tender increases resulting from this. We are also beginning to see the impact of deskilling on the construction industry, an issue which will have an increasing influence on construction methods and capability. 50
Opfer Logan Architects
No. Architects: 4
Nicky Chow Director What has been your best work in the past year? We recently moved into our new offices. Located in the east end of Glasgow, it’s along the route between the city centre and the recent works for the 2014 Commonwealth Games so we feel it’s a strategic position to be in and amongst and very much a part of the city we want to be involved in regenerating. This has certainly been our most rewarding piece of work in the past year as it provides us with the environment which we work in every day and we are delighted that there have been like-minded companies around us.
eroded through the years. In the various ways that projects are procured I think there is a misunderstanding to what architects can bring to a project, although it’s up to us to promote ourselves accordingly. I am also not a fan of the way practices are categorised into specialist sectors and in particular how this reflects in the public procurement process. Architects are not taught to design specific building types. We are taught to problem solve and that is universal. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? I don’t have any children yet but we already have 2 architects in our household. I’m not sure how many is too many?! I would be happy for my children to pursue whatever they want as long as it reflects something that they enjoy and are passionate in as it’s something they will eventually wake up every day to do. If this happens to be architecture then that’s absolutely fine as I find it a very rewarding profession. 51
IDP Architects
No. Architects: 4 52
Stewart Associates
No. Architects: 4 53
Ian Springford Architects
No. Architects: 8 What key challenges does the industry face going forward? I believe the construction industry in this country suffers from over regulation and the role of the architect has continued to be
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Benjamin Tindall Architects
No. Architects: 8
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CRGP Limited
No. Architects: 5 56
bmj architects
No. Architects: 12 57
Carson & Partners
No. Architects: 6 58
SMITH SCOTT MULLAN ASSOCIATES
No. Architects: 8 59
GLM
No. Architects: 3 60
Dualchas Architects
No. Architects: 4
61 lma architects and planning consultants
No. Architects: 3
Stephen McGhee Principal What has been your best work of the past year? Much of our best work this year has been in terms of our team and strategy development and we have spent time and energy increasing the standard of our design output. We are seeing the benefits of this in projects currently in the design stages. The new hotel development on the Quayside in Dundee has to been our best project of the year. Although technically an extension to an existing hotel, the proposal is to build 110 new bedrooms and a restaurant around an existing 40 bed hotel which will trade throughout the construction period. What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We have seen a year of excellent growth exceeding our predictions and we will maintain that well into 2016. The first quarter of 2016 will see us takeover a Practice which will allow us to expand the client base into new sectors as well as increasing our staff numbers. Our plans are to develop and widen the products we sell into new markets and sectors in 2016; building on this year’s success. Our growth strategy includes continuing to invest in our staff and proving them with necessary skill to meet the challenges of our business plan. What key challenges does the industry face going forward? A skills shortage is certainly the biggest challenge facing the industry. Attracting the right staff is essential for business growth however talent retention will be a consequential challenge for many of us. URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
Public Sector Procurement is a growing challenge facing Architects. The processes and fee levels have always favoured the larger business as it’s still a risky sector for the smaller practices. The Contractor led process have resulted in a devaluation the profession and Architects need to grasp all opportunities to show the leadership, skills and creativity that they can bring to the design and construction process. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? Architecture can be a rewarding profession both in terms of remuneration and job satisfaction, however that is dependent on the position you hold, where you work and the sectors in which your Practice operates. The standing of the profession has been eroded over the years and is currently undervalued. The profession has a collective responsibility to demonstrate the added value that it can bring to its clients and regain its standing in the construction process. Notwithstanding all of the challenges that our profession faces I would still recommend a career in architecture to my kids. 62
Moxon Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 2 63
ROXBURGH McEWAN ARCHITECTS
No. Architects: 5 64
SASANBELL
No. Architects: 3
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Left - LMA have nurtured a reputation for hotel development
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Right - Annie Kenyon Architects have had to adapt to a newly challenging economic climate in Aberdeenshire
DTA Chartered Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 2 66
The Voigt Partnership Limited
No. Architects: 2 67
DO-Architecture Ltd
No. Architects: 2 68
Smith Findlay Architects Ltd
clients move into their homes and this I would say, is the most satisfying and exciting stage for myself and the team. Knowing that all our efforts throughout the project have finally been completed and delivered successfully. We have also enjoyed working with a local housing developer, re designing some house types which I hope will result in more creative and considered solutions being available to the wider market. The biggest success for 2015 however would be developing my business in a somewhat challenging climate in Aberdeenshire.
No. Architects: 4 69
Graham Mitchell Architects
No. Architects: 3 70
WCP Architects
No. Architects: 3 71
McLean Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 5 72
Annie Kenyon Architects
No. Architects: 5
Annie Kenyon Principal Architect What has been your best work of the past year? Over the past year we have had many exciting projects progress through various work stages. We have seen some long term
What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? I hope that 2016 is a continued success for AKA. In 2015 we welcomed some great new team members including a new Practice Manager, 3D Visualiser and a Passiv House technician all of which add to our fantastic team. Along with our existing architectural team, this has brought a new dynamic and gives us a the ability and confidence to deliver some very exciting projects. We will continue to work alongside our private clients and also have some very exciting commercial projects on the drawing board. Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children? I have 3 young daughters under 6 so careers are a long way away. However, yes of course, I would recommend a career in Architecture to them. I enjoy all aspects of my career - the creativity, the opportunities, diverse tasks and most importantly the people I get to work with from colleagues, contractors and clients. However, I would remind them that it is hard work and
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JAMstudio’s East Croft in Cluny; the practice is bracing itself for a ‘stormy’ couple of years in the north east
you need to put everything into it to succeed, from University onwards. It is all worth it though as to be able to ‘change people’s lives’ by providing them with well considered designed space to live in is pretty magical. 73
Macmon Chartered Architects
No. Architects: 6 74
INCH Architecture + Design
No. Architects: 2 75
JAMstudio Ltd
No. Architects: 1
based in the north East of Scotland. The low oil barrel price is having a very significant effect on Aberdeen, and there have been many thousands of redundancies made this year, with many more expected next year. We have downsized as a practice and cut our overheads by moving the office to cheaper premises, making us well placed to ride out what we think will be a very stormy couple of years for this part of Scotland. That said it’s not all doom and gloom, we have an almost full order book for the residential side of the practice for the whole of 2016 already, which is excellent news; it’s the commercial side that is not looking quite as rosy. We’re exploring new sectors to branch into, such as student accommodation, and have already got a good pipeline of work lined up.
What has been your best work of the past year? It’s been an interesting year for us, in terms of commercial work then it would be the Office refit for Aubin Group, based in Ellon, which will be completed early in January 2016. The brief was “funky not fancy” and the result has been a colourful practical office layout with some great features. On the residential front, we have a number of one off houses at various stages of construction just now, the most complex being the complete refurbishment and extension of a large B Listed House on Aberdeen’s exclusive Rubislaw Den South.
What key challenges does the industry face going forward? Staying relevant. I think it’s the single biggest challenge that I can see. When times are tough, many clients will be looking to cut costs, and really great design can be perceived as a “nice to have” rather than a necessity. Everyone involved in a project is going to be looking to try and maximise the fee they can garner, which means we will be up against agents and furniture companies who no doubt be offering some of our services, like space planning, for free. The old adage of you pays your money you takes you choice will always apply, but no one should underestimate how significant the downturn for the North East is right now, and really great design is probably going to suffer as a result.
What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? Being blunt 2016 is going to be all about survival for all practices
Would you recommend a career in architecture to your children?
Marie-Louise Dunk RIBA RIAS Founder Director
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Left - Scotland’s housing market is benefitting from an upturn
Right - David Blaikie Architects pride themselves on producing surprising work
Having started a first practice in London at the age of 24 and then worked full time in architecture as a practice principle ever since, with my husband also full time since we started JAMstudio more than 12 years ago, we made the choice a long time ago that it probably wasn’t appropriate to have children. We have a wonderful black Labrador, who comes to the office with us, and have guided a number of young trainees form doing their Part I through to become fully fledged architects, which has more than sufficed for not having a family. Would I recommend it? No, probably not. The hours are horrific, the work environment very stressful and becoming more litigious with every year that passes. If you are brave enough to go it alone, you need money behind you. The pay, for the time you need to invest, particularly is you run your own practice is laughable! That said I don’t regret doing it, and there are still large parts of the job I derive a great deal of enjoyment from. It’s a question of trying to get the right balance and it’s not easy! 76
Oliver Chapman
No. Architects: 2 77
John Renshaw Architects
No. Architects: 2 78
WTArchitecture
No. Architects: 4 79
John McAslan & Partners
No. Architects: 2
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HAUS
No. Architects: 6 81
ZM Architecture Ltd
No. Architects: 3 82
Arc Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 4 83
Rural Design
No. Architects: 5 84
Taylor Architecture Practice
No. Architects: 2 85
davidblaikiearchitects
No. Architects: 2 86
Morgan McDonnell Architecture Ltd
No. Architects: 6 87
No. Architects: 7 88
Craig Amy Architect
No. Architects: 1 89
cameronwebsterarchitects
No. Architects: 3
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A10 Architects are one of the youngest practices to feature in the UR100, having been founded in 2010
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CAG Architects
No. Architects: 3 91
A10 Architects Ltd
No. Architects: 2
Darren Glennie Managing Director
skills shortage in the construction industry. Youngsters have been put off joining the construction industry since the global economic changes in 2008, but combined with this there are less contractors investing in training and apprenticeships. The concern is that if not addressed soon the long term effects will be increased construction costs due to the lack of labour which will effect economic recovery. 92
Lynsay Bell Architecture
No. Architects: 1 What has been your best work of the past year? As the practice is relatively young, having being formed in 2010, various projects we are working on are at pre-site stage. The best work we have produced this year has been on two projects; Firstly the development of a Glasgow town centre site to develop a new student flatted development with church and community facility to the ground floor on a gateway site with significant constraints which is at preplanning stage. The second project, which has been an interior design project, has been the development of a new restaurant chain for a Rum Bar and Grill be rolled out across the UK.
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Kerry Smith Architects
No. Architects: 3 94
Simon Winstanley Architects
No. Architects: 3 95
ZONE Architects
No. Architects: 2 96
ICOSIS Architects
No. Architects: 3 What is your practices growth plan for the year ahead? We are ending 2015 on a positive note having secured several new projects along with being shortlisted for a significant framework which will be confirmed in January. In 2016 we are making plans to recruit additional staff in the first and second quarters initially to address the projects awarded while also taking a view on how we develop our London presence due to the level of contracts we have in and around London.
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Roots Architecture Limited
No. Architects: 1 98
MCGREGOR BOWES
No. Architects: 1 99
Fergus Purdie Architects
No. Architects: 2 What key challenges does the industry face going forward? I feel the biggest challenge facing the industry not just in the next 12 months but longer term is how we address the URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
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TBB Architecture
No. Architects: 1
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YOU’VE JUST SEEN THE BEST BUT WHAT REALLY MAKES SCOTLAND’S TOP ARCHITECTS REALLY TICK? HERE WE GET UNDER THE BONNET OF SELECTED PRACTICES AS THEY SET OUT THEIR STALL, OUTLINING THE WHO, WHAT AND WHY OF THEIR SUCCESS.
3DReid 36 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3BN. Tel: 0345 271 6300 Email: Edinburgh@3DReid.com
A449 LTD 266-268 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh EH15 2AT
45 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2PT. Tel: 0345 271 6350 Email: Glasgow@3DReid.com
Email: mj@a449.co.uk Web: www.a449.co.uk Twitter: @A449LTD Tel: 0131 563 5152
Web: www.3dreid.com Twitter: @3_D_Reid
Number of architects: 1 Number of staff: 1
Number of architects: 30 Number of staff: 58
Practice Statement: We are an RIAS Chartered Practice based in Edinburgh with a proven track record of delivering high profile refurbishment, extension and new build projects on numerous challenging sites across Scotland. Our reputation continues to grow and in 2015 we were double award winners collecting an RIAS Award and a Saltire Society Housing Design Award. We take pride in a role that allows us to interpret and improve how people interact with buildings and spaces and believe in the efficient use of budget, materials, space and light.
Practice Statement: 3DReid is an award winning practice which provides a high level of expert service to its clients in Retail, Office, Hotels, Airports, Residential, Education, Sports & Culture, Industrial & Urban Design. It has a combined workforce in excess of 150 people, with studios in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Working collaboratively across the practice, 3DReid takes full advantage of its geographic spread, design talent, depth of resource and range of knowledge and expertise to deliver the best value-adding outcomes. With offices in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, 3DReid Scottish offices make a major contribution to the practice working together as a unified group.
Services Provided: Full architectural services from feasibility to completion.
A10 Architects Limited 7N Architects 7 Randolph Place, Edinburgh EH3 7TE Email: info@7NArchitects.com Web: www.7NArchitects.com Twitter: @7NArchitects Tel: 0131 220 5541 Number of architects: xx Number of staff: xx
0/2 1213 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 3NG Email: info@a10architects.com Web: www.a10architects.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/atenarchitects/ Tel: 0141 649 2296 Number of architects: 2 Number of staff: 5
Practice Statement: 7N Architects are a design studio where architecture, masterplanning, urbanism and civic entrepreneurship are woven together in a dynamic approach to environmental regeneration and transformational change. The practice’s strength lies in a holistic approach to making better places through ideas led strategies that are embedded in their physical, social and economic contexts. An approach that always seeks to unlock the full potential of a project opportunity and deliver civic value and wellbeing in the widest sense.
Practice Statement: A10 Architects is a young vibrant and flexible architectural practice which operates a compact team providing a comprehensive architectural, Interior design and project management solution for clients. The practice from the outset has fulfilled what has always been regarded as the Architect’s principal role – to lead the Design Team in all respects and to ensure that a project is handed back to the client successfully completed, on time and within budget. We provide a full range of architectural services from inception to completion, including feasibility studies and master planning.
Services Provided: Architecture, Masterplanning, Urban Design, Public Realm and Civic Design, Regeneration and Placemaking, Community/ Stakeholder Engagement.
Services Provided: Architectural services, Principal Designer services, Interior design services, Feasibility studies, Master planning and Urban design, Project Management, 3D Rendering, Space planning
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Since then we have gradually diversified to become a ‘pan-sector’ practice with award-wining projects in Housing, Education, Health and Community sectors. We are based in Glasgow but work all over Scotland and northern England, with projects in locations as diverse as the Isle of Lewis and Newcastle.
assistants or technicians) Number of staff: 75 (Scotland)
Number of architects (Scotland): 17 Number of staff (Scotland): 36
Annie Kenyon Architects Ltd
Practice Statement: AHR is one of Europe’s largest practices encompassing 450 staff in 13 offices. We are passionate about design and the positive effects good design can have on our environment. Our collective experience and the creativity of our teams, combined with our commitment to innovation and design research, allows us to help our clients develop environments that respond positively to the particular challenges of a project and the wider social, economic and climatic issues we all face. AHR has a longstanding reputation for award-winning design and the creation of innovative places and environments where we live, work, learn and enjoy life.
Email: info@akenyonarchitects.com Web: www.akenyoarchitects.com
Services Provided: Architecture, Design, Civil and Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Lighting, Acoustic, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design
AHR Floor 9, No1 Cadogan Square, Cadogan Street Glasgow G2 7HF Email: glasgow@ahr-global.com Web: www.ahr-global.com Twitter: @AHRglobal Tel: 0141 225 0555
Services Provided: Architecture, Landscape, Interiors, Work place, Research & Development, Building Consultancy, Geomatics.
South Lediken Studios, Insch, Aberdeenshire AB52 6SH
Number of architects: 5 Number of staff: 11 Practice Statement: AKA is based in rural Aberdeenshire and carries out design-led restoration, conversion, extension and new-build projects with an emphasis on sustainability. The practice endeavours to use appropriate materials and promotes high quality energy efficient solutions in both restoration and new-build projects. Existing redundant rural architecture can be put to reuse for residential or commercial purposes through sensitive conversion based on a sound understanding of traditional materials and techniques and the potential of new interventions. We endeavour to create well considered beautiful buildings that are appropriate for their setting.
9 Bridge Place, Galashiels, Scottish Borders, TD1 1SN Tel: 01896 752 760 32 George Street, Dumfries DG1 1EH Tel: 01387 256 964 Email: enquiries@aitken-turnbull.co.uk Web: www.aitken-turnbull.co.uk Twitter: @AitkenTurnbull Number of architects: 5 Number of staff: 25 Services Provided: Architecture, Urban Design, Master Planning, Estate Strategy, Town Planning
Services Provided: The practice’s very early work was primarily based in the social housing sector. URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
Email: arch@cda-edin.co.uk Web: www.cda-group.co.uk Tel: 0131 2251111 Number of architects: 29 Number of staff: 60 Practice Statement: CDA is about: being good at what we do; taking pride in giving a good service; producing thoughtful, well balanced solutions; delivering the best quality of building that is possible in every case; enjoying what we do and making it pay.
11 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EN Email: office@arpl.co.uk Web: www.arpl.co.uk Tel: 01292 289777 Number of architects: 6 Number of staff: 13
davidblaikiearchitects David Blaikie Architects
Practice Statement: The ARPL philosophy is to work closely with each client to produce buildings which are sympathetic to both the immediate and broader environment. We are committed to providing an exemplary service to ensure all parties in the project team can deliver the result each project demands.
10 Deanhaugh Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1LY
Services Provided: Architectural services, conservation , design for sustainability, masterplanning. Principal Designer Services
Number of architects: 2 Number of staff: 4
382 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9HT
Number of architects: 15 Number of staff: 31
16 Moray Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6DT
ARPL Architects
Anderson Bell Christie Email: gen@andersonbellchristie.com Web: www.andersonbellchristie.com Twitter: @AndersonBellChr Tel: 0141 339 1515
CDA
Services Provided: Architecture, Masterplanning, Interior Design, Space Planning
Aitken Turnbull Architects 5 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2DP Tel: 0131 297 2350
Practice Statement: BDP is a major international practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists. We create outstanding places for people. Working in interdisciplinary teams we produce integrated, holistic and sustainable solutions. Our cumulative depth of experience gives us leading edge expertise across a wide spectrum of sectors. Originally established in 1961 as Building Design Partnership, BDP now has studios across the world. These combine local knowledge with the vision, values and infrastructure of a major award winning practice.
BDP 15 Exchange Place, Glasgow G1 3AN Email: scott.mackenzie@bdp.com Tel: 0141 2277900 Number of architects: 42 (excluding architectural
Email: studio@davidblaikiearchitects.com Web: www.davidblaikiearchitects.com Twitter: @StockbridgeArch Tel: 0131 332 1133
Practice Statement: David Blaikie Architects are an environmentally responsible, award winning, design led practice based in central Edinburgh and working throughout Scotland. “Our architecture is produced through careful brief preparation and detailed research overlaid with a rich cultural understanding to produce unique, site specific solutions that reflect our clients’ personal and commercial aspirations. Our work is honest, innovative and, we hope, surprising.”
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elder & cannon architects
Groves-Raines Architects Ltd.
Email: mail@elder-cannon.co.uk Web: www.elder-cannon.co.uk Tel: 0141 204 1833
Lamb’s House, 11 Waters Close, Edinburgh, EH6 6RB
Number of architects: 7 (Scotland) Number of staff: 14 (Scotland) Practice Statement: Elder and Cannon are a leading architectural practice with a portfolio of high profile projects and a reputation for innovation and high quality work within a wide range of building types. We specialise in a number of sectors including Conservation, Housing, Education, Commercial and Masterplanning, winning national awards in each category. Services Provided: Full Architectural Services including Conservatioon Accreditation.
EMA Architecture + Design Limited 42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4HQ Email: info@ema-architects.co.uk Web: www.ema-architects.co.uk Twitter: @EMA_Architects Tel: 0131 247 1450 Number of architects: 6 Number of staff: 19 Practice Statement: EMA is an architectural practice based in Edinburgh specialising in commercial mixed use masterplans & residential development. We pride ourselves on delivering practical and commercial solutions whilst making a positive contribution to Scotland’s architecture and urban design. The team at EMA are dependable and enjoy delivering solutions that enhance our client’s activities. At EMA we are ambitious to become one of the best architectural practices in Scotland. Services Provided: Masterplanning, neighbourhood design, development design, feasibility studies, full architectural service at all stages of the development process, planning applications and planning advice.
Email: practice@grovesraines.com Web: grovesraines.com Twitter: @GrovesRaines Tel: 0131 467 7777 Number of architects: 11 Number of staff: 25 Practice Statement: Groves-Raines Architects Ltd. is an award-winning architectural practice based in Edinburgh, dedicated to the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings. Established in 1972, the practice has been at the forefront of conservation in Scotland and Ireland for over 40 years, with a broad portfolio of award-winning projects. Groves-Raines Architects Ltd. has been instrumental in securing the future of some of the finest examples of our built heritage from dereliction and loss, including castles, country houses, farmhouses and lighthouses. The practice also produces imaginative and acclaimed contemporary designs, frequently introducing appropriate modern interventions into historic settings. We continually search for sensitive, elegant and sustainable design solutions which seek to complement and become timeless additions to their context. Services Provided: Conservation, restoration and sensitive modernisation of historic buildings, traditional architecture, feasibility studies, conservation statements and management plans, funding applications, condition reports, expert witness reports.
Number of architects: 24 Number of staff: 45 Practice Statement: Hypostyle Architects is a UK practice that works in all fields of Architectural Design. Specialising in Residential, Health, Education, Commercial, Master planning, commercial and Urban Designs, the practice understands the boundaries and process of creating visually dynamic and functional buildings. During their 29 years in practice, Hypostyle have established a broad and expanding client base throughout the UK, the middle east and Europe. We believe in design excellence and innovation in architecture and deliver functional, creative, sustainable, energy efficient and economic design solutions to our clients. Services Provided: Housing - Public and Private, Healthcare, Educational, Commercial, Public, Conservation, Industrial, Interiors, Masterplanning
ICA
Email: lorraine.robertson@hlmarchitects.com Web: www.hlmarchitects.com Tel: 0141 226 8320
Email: info@weareica.com Web: www.weareica.com Twitter: @weareica Tel: 0141 552 2194
Number of architects: 7 Number of staff: 21
5 Millar Place, Edinburgh EH10 5HJ
Services Provided: Commercial, Offices, Retail, Conservation, Education, Feasibility, Hotels, Housing, Student Accommodation, Industrial, Leisure, Sport, Master Planning, Sustainability
49 St Vincent Crescent, Glasgow G3 8NG Email: glasgow@hypostyle.co.uk Web: www.hypostyle.co.uk Tel: 0141 204 4441 Principle Contact: John Garrett, Gerry Henaughen, Guy Maxwell, Keith Stewart
2nd Floor, Ailsa Court, 121 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 2SD
Fletcher Joseph Associates
Number of architects: 5 (Scotland) Number of staff: 13 (Scotland)
Hypostyle Architects
HLM
Services Provided: Architecture, Landscape and Urban Design, Interiors, Environment
Email: info@fletcherjoseph.com Web: www.fletcherjoseph.com Tel: 0131 447 5000
Services Provided: Holmes Miller provide a comprehensive range of architectural design, masterplanning and interior design services. We work for public and private Clients in a number of key sectors; Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Justice, Residential, Sport and Leisure - across UK and internationally with projects in China, India and United States of America.
Holmes Miller 89 Minerva St, Glasgow G3 8LE Email: glasgow@holmesmiller.com Web: www.holmesmiller.com Tel: 0141 204 2080 Number of architects: 29 (Scotland) Number of staff: 52 (Scotland)
Number of architects: 16 Number of staff: 52 Services Provided: We are a 50 strong studio, dedicated to hotel project design and delivery. With our head office in Glasgow and an additional base in London we work throughout the UK and internationally. Our work is design led. Our team produce innovative, high quality solutions within budget and on time.
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Services Provided: With 5 UK offices and 2 overseas we cover the country and beyond and can resource accordingly - we are big enough to cope and small enough to care. Renowned for our abilities to deliver projects we are also award winning - ‘we design...we deliver’. We cover most work sectors in depth. JAMstudio
Keppie
Country Office: The Steading at Moss Side, Fetternear, Inverurie, AB51 5JX
160 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 4RL
City Office: 5 Golden Square, Aberdeen AB10 1RD
Email: dross@keppiedesign.co.uk, ktoner@keppiedesign.co.uk Web: keppiedesign.co.uk Tel: 0141 204 0066
Web: www.jamstudio.uk.com Twitter: @jamstudio_ltd Tel: 01224 646450 Number of architects: 1 Number of staff: 5 Practice Statement: JAMstudio is an award winning RIAS chartered architectural practice based in the north East of Scotland. We are passionate about great design and its power to create amazing spaces, whether for a one off family home or for an inspirational workplace. Whether you need to expand your office or design a new distillery, we have a vast array of experience in the commercial building sector. Our Commercial design services include architectural and interior design, furniture procurement and project management. Our expertise in residential and house design means we are very well placed to assist on domestic projects of any size. This has been reflected in a number of awards, both regionally and nationally, as well as numerous recommendations from highly satisfied clients. Services Provided: Feasibility studies, Design Concept, Space planning, Cost Management, Planning & warrant submissions, Contractor Selection and Procurement, Site Inspections and Sign off, 3D realisations, Interior design, Furniture Selection and Procurement.
Number of architects: 53 (Scotland) Number of staff: 145 (Scotland)
LMA
Practice Statement: Keppie are one of the UK’s leading, independent architectural practices. Headquartered in Glasgow, the company employs over 150 people in studios based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Manchester. Keppie count some of the UK’s top public and private sector companies amongst their Clients and operate across the UK and internationally.
Email: mail@l-m-a.co.uk Web: www.l-m-a.co.uk Tel: 01292 611727
Services Provided: Architecture, Interior Design, Town Planning
LDN Architects 29 St. Leonards Road Forres IV36 1EN Email: architects@ldn.co.uk Web: www.ldn.co.uk Tel Edinburgh: 0131 222 2900 Forres: 0130 967 3221 Twitter: @LDNArchitects
The Atrium, 6 New Road, Ayr KA8 8EX
Number of architects: 3 Number of staff: 11 Practice Statement: LMA is an ambitious practice with an established reputation for achieving high quality solutions through a collaborative approach to design. Our aim is to meet and exceed client’s development aspirations and we take great pride in delivering projects on time and on budget. Our core values professionalism, integrity and creativity are at the heart of everything we do. The practice offers both architectural and planning consultancy services which has significant added benefits for clients. Our client base stretches across the whole of the United Kingdom and Ireland and the practice has a broad range of experience across the hotel, residential, commercial, healthcare and education sectors. Services Provided: Architecture, urban design, masterplanning, town planning and interior design
Number of architects: 23 Number of staff: 36
jmarchitects 64 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 4NA Email: edinburgh@jmarchitects.net Tel: 0131 464 6100 59 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ Email: glasgow@jmarchitects.net Tel: 0141 333 3920 Web: www.jmarchitects.net Twitter: @_jmarchitects Number of architects: 39 (Scotland) Number of staff: 73 (Scotland) Practice Statement: jmarchitects is an award winning architectural practice with studios across the UK and extensive experience in education, community, health, social housing, commercial, private residential, retail, sports and leisure projects. We provide all of these services to both the public and private sector and have a professional, proactive approach to client liaison and customer care. Services Provided: jmarchitects has developed into one of the UK’s foremost architectural practices since its formation in 1962. We provide design services in architecture, masterplanning, urban planning, interior design, 3D visualisation and sustainability to both private and public sector clients. We have studios in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Abu Dhabi. URBAN REALM WINTER 2015 URBANREALM.COM
Practice Statement: LDN Architects is a practice of about 40 people working together in Edinburgh and Forres to create architecture which makes a positive contribution to the lives of its clients and the people who use its buildings. The practice is best known for public buildings, theatres, museums, law courts, churches, and for its creative approach to conservation. Services Provided: CAD Services, Church Quinquennial Inspections, Conservation & Restoration, Contract Administration, Design for Special Needs, Design Services only (Stage C), Drawing Service, Full Architectural Service, Listed Building Advice, Production Information, Refurbishment
macmon chartered architects Email: info@macmon.co.uk Web: www.macmon.co.uk Tel: 0141 332 7464 Number of architects: 6 Number of staff: 7 Services Provided: Our designs seek to create sustainable and healthy environments for their users and our work includes new build and refurbishment projects in: therapeutic design, healthcare, care of the elderly, community, housing, commercial, arts & leisure, education. We also provide strategic masterplanning services and are accredited PassivHaus low energy designers.
Lewis & Hickey Ltd 1 St Bernard’s Row, Edinburgh, EH4 1HW, UK Email: edinburgh@lewishickey.com Web: www.lewishickey.com Twitter: @Lewisandhickey Tel: 0131 343 6222 Number of architects: 6 Number of staff: 27
Michael Laird Architects 5 Forres Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6DE Tel: 0131 226 6991 Email: edinburgh@michaellaird.co.uk 53 King Street, Glasgow, G1 5RA Tel: 0141 553 5867
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Email: glasgow@michaellaird.co.uk
Number of staff: 38 (Scotland)
Web: michaellaird.co.uk
Practice Statement: Page \ Park became an Employee Owned Business on 1 December. Over the last year we moved from being a traditional architectural partnership into a forty strong employee owned model which combines the dynamic of a lively and creative collection of design groups, linked together by the strength of collaboration, e cient working, shared values and with the administrative strength of a common base.
Number of architects: 19 Number of staff: 52 Practice Statement: Michael Laird Architects is one of Scotland’s leading architectural practices responsible for some of the country’s most significant buildings and with many award winning buildings to our name. We are committed to creating imaginative, effective and sustainable buildings and to providing the highest standard of professional service for our clients. We strive to produce architecture that enhances the built environment through contemporary design, which responds sensitively to its context, is environmentally responsible and delivers real value for our clients. The team at MLA is committed to creating highly functional and inspiring spaces to live, work and learn. Services Provided: Architectural Design, Interior Design & Workspace Planning, Master Planning & Urban Design. Sectors: Commercial Office, Residential, Workplace & Interior, Education, Retail, Hotel & Leisure, Data Centre & Industrial, Conservation
Services Provided: Conservation, Arts & Culture, Masterplanning, Housing, Work, Learning & Health spaces, Briefi ng & Interiors
130 Cubie Street, Glasgow G40 2AF Email: info@olarchitects.com Web: www.olarchitects.com Tel: 0141 332 9300 Number of architects: 4 Number of staff: 8 Practice Statement: Opfer Logan Architects were established in 1997 and have gained considerable experience in new build and refurbishment projects through a wide range of building sectors. Our portfolio includes listed building/conservation, hotel & leisure, education, commercial, retail, industrial and residential (public and private sectors). We work closely with our clients to properly understand their needs providing a personal service and bespoke design solutions. We offer a full range of Architectural services from inception to completion and continue to enjoy repeat business and personal recommendations which stands as testament to our approach, expertise and working methods. Services Provided: Concept Design & Feasibility Studies; Local Authority Consents - Planning & Building Control; Tender Drawing & Specification Packages; Contract Administration during Construction
Purcell Email: info@purcelluk.com Web: www.purcelluk.com Twitter: @Purcelluk Tel: 01312 211565
Services Provided: Architecture and design, heritage and consultancy
Email: mail@pagepark.co.uk Web: www.pagepark.co.uk Twitter: @pagepark Tel: 0141 553 5440 Number of architects: 26 (Scotland)
Practice Statement: Collaboration and creativity is at the core of our approach and we strive to deliver considered buildings, places, and spaces from our studios across Scotland servicing projects throughout the UK. Our design-led approach often supports a vision of re-invention and re-use and is underpinned with a commercial awareness that ensures our proposals can be realised. We are active in many sectors and there is no consistent style and no standard solutions – just a most thoughtful response to each opportunity. Services Provided: Architecture, Master-planning
ZONE Architects Email: david@zonearchitects.co.uk Web: www.zonearchitects.co.uk Tel: 0131 551 1973 Number of architects: 2 Number of staff: 6 Services Provided: Design, Architecture, Interiors, Landscape
Stallan-Brand Email: Info@stallanbrand.com Web: www.stallanbrand.com Tel: 0141 258 5015 Number of architects: 13 Number of staff: 21 Services Provided: Architecture, Masterplanning, Design
The Studio, 9 Waterside Street, Largs KA30 9LN 20 James Morrison Street, Glasgow G1 5PE
Email: info@360architecture.com Web: www.360architecture.com Twitter: @ThreesixtyArch Tel: 0141 229 7575 (Glasgow) 01463 729 929 (Inverness)
Practice Statement: As architects, designers and heritage leaders, clients come to us when they need to make sense of complex scenarios involving historic sites, heritage buildings and building new structures and spaces. For seven decades we have been making sure our clients’ buildings are designed for use today and for future generations.
Stewart Associates Page \ Park Architects
Threesixty Architecture
Number of architects: 18 (Scotland) Number of staff: 36 (Scotland)
Number of architects: 4 Number of staff: 8 Opfer Logan Architects
variety of commercial, residential and conservation projects throughout Scotland.
Email: info@stewart-associates.com Twitter: @ArchitectsLargs Tel: 01475 670033/44 Number of architects: 4 Number of staff: 7 Services Provided: Chartered Architects providing bespoke design and management services for wide