We are pleased to announce the well-deserved promotion of three members of our team – Emily Harper, James Davison and Thierry Lye – to the position of Associate.

These promotions come as a recognition of the exemplary contributions that Emily, James and Thierry have made to our practice, both in project work and through their contributions to the various internal working groups of Austin-Smith:Lord.

Emily has played a crucial role in preparing and leading Austin-Smith:Lord’s Health and Wellbeing plan. Her dedication to creating positive and healthy environments, both for Austin-Smith:Lord and for our clients, has been invaluable to our practice and aligns seamlessly with our commitment to health and wellbeing. She is currently working on the V&A Storehouse in London, due for completion later this year.

Thierry is a valuable contributor to our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Quality Assurance (QA), and Building Information Modelling (BIM) working groups. His efforts are greatly appreciated in contributing to our practice’s reputation for excellence. Thierry worked on the recently completed Life Sciences Innovation Centre in Inverness, and is currently providing architectural services on Ayrshire Hospice.

James, a key member of our Landscape Architecture team, has consistently demonstrated his expertise and dedication. His contributions have helped to elevate our Landscape Architecture projects and he continues to play a significant role in our Practice. He is currently working on Phase 5 of the award winning Park Hill regeneration project, providing Landscape Architecture services.

Please join us in congratulating Emily, James and Thierry on their well-deserved promotions. We look forward to their continued success and the further positive impact they will undoubtedly have.

We are delighted to have been appointed to this important public sector framework and especially delighted to be awarded the top ranked, number 1 position following a competitive procedure assessing quality and cost.

The four year Architectural Services Framework (Lot 1) will be utilised by Carmarthenshire Council and neighbouring authorities of Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea and has been established to provide an efficient, value for money procurement route to access high quality consultancy services to support the authorities in delivering a wide range of construction projects. The framework agreement allows services to be called off through direct award or further mini competition.

It is anticipated that the framework will cover the following types of project:

• • Primary schools
  • Secondary schools
  • Early years / nursery / day care facilities
  • Special educational needs and learning facilities
  • Sheltered housing and care homes
  • Housing developments and maintenance
  • Leisure facilities
  • Tourism facilities
  • Public sector buildings
  • Visitor centres
  • Storage buildings
  • Community facilities
  • Cultural and historical facilities
  • Commercial and industrial premises

Austin-Smith:Lord Executive Director and Framework Manager, Martin Roe commented,

“We are looking forward to collaborating with the participating authorities and delighted to have been recognised as the top ranking architectural practice. The framework objectives chime precisely with our own in seeking to maximise the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area, ensuring a positive local impact. The framework also aims to encourage a focus on the circular and foundational economy, maximising sustainability and carbon reduction opportunities.

“We have a long and proud history of delivering projects in the region tracking back to the first PFI school in Wales at Pembroke Dock, the first BREEAM Excellent school in Wales in Llanelli and the delivery of significant parts of the Garden for Wales. Following sustainable principles, we are currently helping to deliver significant repurposing projects including Carmarthen Hwb, Swansea Community Hub and the grade I listed Old College, Aberystwyth.

“Participation in the framework will allow us to foster strong collaborative relationships, share knowledge and deliver significant community benefits.”

Park Hill Phase 2 in Sheffield has secured ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ and ‘Sustainable Renovation of the Year’ at the Dezeen Awards 2023. Recognised as Europe’s largest listed building, these accolades commendably spotlight the project’s pioneering efforts in sustainable solutions for ageing housing stock.

Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed by Urban Splash in 2016 to design and deliver the landscape design for Phase 2 of the Park Hill project, working closely with London based architects Mikhail Riches. Much of the original iconic landscape infrastructure was still present and in redeveloping the landscape a light touch was employed, respecting and working with existing terrace levels and retaining as much of the original retaining wall infrastructure as possible, stripping away the tired 1980s and 90s interventions.

We are now currently working on the landscape designs for phase 4, which is currently out to tender, and are undertaking sketch designs for phase 5.

Chris Moor, Landscape Architect at Austin-Smith:Lord said “The recognition at the Dezeen Awards is a shared achievement that underscores our collective commitment to sustainability and the preservation of historical value”.

Park Hill Phase 2 named best project as Dezeen Awards sustainability winners revealed

Our specialist Conservation Architecture services can be accessed through no less than three major conservation frameworks covering the whole of mainland UK.

We have most recently secured a place on the Scotland Excel Building Construction Consultancy Framework for Lot 7 – Conservation Architecture. The framework is available to all Scotland Excel local authorities and associate members and recognises our specialist skills and dedication to contributing to the preservation of Scotland’s architectural heritage. Our position on the framework also confirms our commitment to paying a Real Living Wage and delivering community benefits reflective of the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes.

This latest appointment compliments our position on the prestigious Cadw framework in Wales under Lot 1 – Lead Consultant (Architect). This conservation consultancy framework was established to assist Cadw in the conservation and heritage of 129 monuments throughout Wales which they manage on behalf of Welsh Government Ministers. These monuments range from prehistoric ritual and settlement sites, Roman forts and towns, ruins of medieval castles and abbeys, Renaissance houses and chapels to industrial complexes. They also range in size from a single standing stone to large castles and abbeys.

Our position on the Pagabo Professional Services Framework, Lot 15 Heritage covers England, Scotland and Wales as one of only a small number of practices selected to provide comprehensive, multi-regional specialist services. The framework is openly available and free to access for all clients, enabling them to secure our specialist conservation design expertise through direct award or further competition.

Martin Roe, Executive Director at Austin-Smith:Lord said “A significant proportion of our services are delivered through frameworks which enable our clients to access our skills and expertise efficiently and effectively, taking advantage of fixed rates and fees against pre-agreed service contracts. Being included on these highly specialist frameworks is a testament to our conservation team’s dedication to the preservation of our cultural and built heritage and a reflection of the experience and expertise that they hold.”

For further information please contact:
Matthew Dyer, Associate: Head of Conservation
matthew.dyer@austinsmithlord.com
+(0)7936 367 451

We’re delighted to be shortlisted in the inaugural Built Environment – Smarter Transformation Accelerate to Zero Awards; for the Diversity & Inclusion Award and Just Transition Award.

Many thanks to Circular Glasgow, DYW Glasgow and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce for all your support and encouragement on our Net Zero journey, and to Sonali Patro who joined us on a placement as part of the Step Up to Net Zero initiative.

We look forward to continuing our work with the young learners at St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow, via the Climate Heroes programme, to inspire them to consider opportunities in the design professions and construction industry and how their creativity and passion will be critical in our future Green Economy.

You can view the full shortlist here: https://be-stfest.org/accelerate-to-zero-awards. Congratulations to all!

We had a fantastic night at the first High Achievers Evening in the new Fitzalan High School, designed by Austin-Smith:Lord. Congratulations to everyone involved in this event, and to the excellent results achieved by pupils, teachers and wider staff team. 33 pupils received awards across years 11, 12, & 13 for their outstanding results and exceptional grades.

We are honoured to have sponsored these awards and look forward to developing our ongoing legacy commitment with the school in the years to come.

Tim Young, Director and Head of Education at Austin-Smith:Lord said “We’re delighted to be able to support Fitzalan high School in recognizing and rewarding the achievements of the pupils, which are truly exceptional.

We’re really proud to have played a part in bringing the project to reality – it’s been a hugely important project for us as a local architectural practice, and one we were fully committed to giving our best on.

Our own mission is to ‘enhance life and environments by design’ and what better way to demonstrate that than in helping to deliver this project and provide future children with fantastic learning opportunities, raise aspirations and inspire!

Martin Roe, Executive Director at Austin-Smith:Lord said “Our team at Austin-Smith:Lord were super excited to be able to attend the first event in the new building and look forward to a long association with the school and supporting Fitzalan into the future. Exciting times!”

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to George Chatzikostis, who recently joined our Landscape Architecture team.

George has a strong background in education-focused projects and has shaped external spaces for many schools, taking concepts from design to reality. He has also left his mark on numerous residential and commercial projects, offering innovative design solutions with a practical mindset.

George has a keen eye for detailing and is dedicated to problem-solving in challenging schemes.

Welcome to the Creative Collective, George.

Austin-Smith:Lord’s CEO, Graham Ross, has been appointed as an Honorary Professor at University of Dundee. Graham will be working with staff and students of Architecture and Urban Planning at Duncan Of Jordanstone College Art & Design.

Dundee is the UKs’ 1st and only UNESCO City of Design. This global designation as a Creative City acknowledges Dundee’s thriving design sector, its rich design heritage and a commitment to apply design and design thinking to enhance the city’s quality of life. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design is the creative heart of the University of Dundee. The School of Architecture and Urban Planning at DJCAD was ranked 1st in Scotland for Architecture in the Guardian Complete University Guide 2020.

Graham said, “It’s a privilege to be asked to fulfil this role. I hope I can help progress positive initiatives with the University and external partners during my tenure.

This appointment reflects on team work undertaken in collaboration with my colleagues at Austin-Smith:Lord and our many respected collaborators, and strengthens our practice’s relationship with Higher Education.

Promoting Lifelong Learning and Knowledge Sharing are amongst our key guiding principles at Austin-Smith:Lord. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn by combining practice and research in collaboration with colleagues at the University, at Austin-Smith:Lord and in the wider design community.”

Kirsty Macari, Co-Head of Undergraduate Programmes (Architecture and Urban Planning / Contemporary Art Practice) DJCAD, University of Dundee, said “DJCAD is delighted to have Graham join us as an Honorary Professor. His knowledge and passion across not just architecture and planning but to the wider design thinking community is valued and we look forward to collaborating over the coming years.“

Plans for University of Gloucestershire’s exciting new £5.8million digital and cyber hub are now available to view, with the consultation underway.

 The new facilities, designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, will provide students with a learning space that resembles as closely as possible the environments they will experience in real-life scenarios while working in industry.

 With funding from the Office for Students (OfS), the University will create the state-of-the-art teaching and learning space at its Park Campus in Cheltenham. Providing the latest digital and cyber technologies for students, the hub will be a centre of excellence for students, ensuring they graduate with the skills required locally and nationally.

Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed to help develop the University’s brief and provide the design for this hugely exciting project. You can now view the plans on the Cheltenham Borough Council planning portal here.

Representatives from Austin-Smith:Lord, the University and Kier Group – who have been appointed as the main contractor for the project – will also be available to show the plans and answer any questions at a drop-in session on Wednesday, 9 August in the Owen Building at Park Campus, Cheltenham, between 4.30pm and 7pm.

Neil Farquhar, Senior Architect at Austin-Smith:Lord said “Further to completing the highly successful Business School building at the Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester, we are delighted to be working again with colleagues at University of Gloucestershire to deliver the new digital and cyber hub at the Cheltenham Park Campus, providing architecture, landscape and interior design services. The project has great relevance to the developing digital and cyber industries in Cheltenham in particular and seeks to help fill the skills gap across the whole of the country.”

The outdated Reynolds building is set to be demolished in Autumn 2023 to make way for the new digital and cyber hub, subject to demolition permission being granted in August. Building work on the new centre is set to start in December 2023, subject to planning permission being granted in October.

A webpage has been set up where regular progress updates will be provided, including any movement on dates, FAQs, and news of any possible disruption to local residents. A quarterly newsletter for local residents is also planned.

The aim is for students studying traditional degrees (BSc/MSc/MEng), higher apprenticeships, professional short courses, Digital Skills Bootcamps, and new Higher Technical Qualifications to move into the new centre in Spring 2025.

The labs in the new centre will provide innovation testbeds for the application of advanced and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain, and cyber physical systems. These testbeds will be used as learning spaces for the development, and the delivery, of multi-disciplinary subjects such as HealthTech, EduTech, LegalTech and Bio-Informatics.

University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Marston, said: “The redevelopment of the Reynolds Building will provide a new centre of excellence for digital technologies in the heart of Cheltenham, helping to address the UK-wide cyber skills gap by educating the computing and engineering leaders of the future.

“It will also build on the university’s existing links within the burgeoning cyber sector in Cheltenham and the South West, working with these partners to increase the appeal of STEM subjects, with a particular focus on making study and careers in this area more accessible and attractive to women and neurodivergent individuals, and raising aspiration in disadvantaged communities.

“Supporting a key economic priority locally and nationally, this new centre will help forge Cheltenham’s position as a world class hub for cyber and computing. I’d encourage people to come to the drop-in session to find out more, ask any questions and to feed back through the consultation.”

Congratulations Shakespeare North Playhouse, winner of Project of the Year (£20-50m).

Austin-Smith:Lord were a guest of Kier at the Construction News Awards on 13 July.

Fantastic Achievement!