Creative Times

CREATIVE Times talks to directors of a small, medium and large architectural practice.

Paula Butterfield

Butterfield Architecture

Tell us about what you do.

I’m an architect, director of Butterfield Architecture. We specialise in architecture and design, often working with existing buildings - either refurbishing, remodelling or extending.

What is the main source of inspiration for your work?

As we deal with private clients, often working on their homes, it’s the clients or the buildings themselves that often provide the biggest inspiration. International precedent also provides a huge source of inspiration. A lot of time is spent researching and drawing together the best of the ideas.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working as an architect in Manchester?

The opportunities in the last 10 years have been significant. Manchester has become visionary rather than reactionary, and that has inspired and stimulated creativity. I think it has also encouraged talent to stay in Manchester.

Compared to London or other European cities, architecturally speaking there are less opportunities to test limits and boundaries - often resulting in projects that are not necessarily at the forefront of architectural excellence, although perceived to be advancing for Manchester.

Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of.

We worked with a Preston-based practice on a house extension for David and Brenda Taylor, which recently won Grand Design’s Best Re-designed House of the Year. It featured a cantilevered glass-walled swimming pool, which was both a design and technical challenge. We’re also working on Barton Arcade - updating a significant piece of Manchester’s heritage with a twist.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

I would say get a good grounding, and then decide if you want to work in a field that you are passionate about or one that’s more financially stable. Then, tailor your experience and drive to that end. Too often, architects miss out on opportunities as we’re so engrossed in the now and don’t look to our future.

What’s next for you?

To consider the current economic climate as an opportunity. More of our potential clients are likely to be high-end luxury homes/country clubs, or renovations and refurbishments for those for whom it makes sense to improve the houses or buildings they already own. For a long time sustainability has been a vogue topic but has now started to become a reality.

W: www.butterfieldarchitecture.co.uk

Ric Frankland

FKDA

Tell us about what you do.

I’m founding director of FKDA. We work on a diverse set of projects; from community buildings, school projects, housing, private residential houses to small scale office developments. I’m also an Associate Lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture.

What is the main source of inspiration for your work?

We don’t have a single source of inspiration. Our projects reflect an informed and original interpretation of the site, brief and budget. We try to create buildings that employ simplicity and sensitivity. We’d use the word ‘robust’ to describe our buildings; materials, forms and details that are not only resilient to day-to-day use but don’t easily date over time.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working as an architect in Manchester?

Since the 1996 bomb and music revolution, city leaders and some bold individuals have played a major part in delivering some extremely innovative and successful projects. In turn, this has inspired the younger architects. It’s raised the bar and created a healthy appetite to be successful. But, perhaps more importantly than the physical attributes, Manchester has great spirit. It’s progressive, modern, independent, radical and open.

Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of.

We’ve just completed the design and development of zero carbon house system. The really exciting part of the project is that it addresses a number of important issues that are often overlooked in house design. It’s not only meeting the Government’s sustainability objectives, it’s also challenging space requirements and affordability, and supporting communities. We’ve actually built a full sized mock-up of the house in Urbis.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but ensure that you always act professionally and diligently. Support design and the profession; understand its values and your importance in the changing construction industry – this will help you provide a good service and deliver better-designed buildings. Oh, and wear black.

What’s next for you?

Now that we’re almost five years old, clients seem to have more confidence in our ability to deliver larger and more complex schemes, so we’re now preparing a feasibility study for a large college building and a medium size housing development. We also want to focus on improving our architectural website oube.co.uk, and we’re investigating how we can collaborate more with other creative disciplines.

W: www.fkda.co.uk
W: www.oube.co.uk

Dave McCall

OMI Architects

Tell us about what you do.

I am a director of an architectural practice employing around 20 staff. I balance my time between the day-to-day running of the business and working as an architect on a number of schemes within the office.

What is the main source of inspiration for your work?

The context is fundamental to us. We take inspiration from architectural heroes such as Le Corbusier, Mies van de Rohe, Alvar Alto, CR Mackintosh, Patkau Architects, David Chipperfield, Tadao Ando, Benson and Forsythe, and James Stirling.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working as an architect in Manchester?

A strong Manchester-based architectural community cut its teeth on the warehouse conversions of the early nineties. We now have a confident city (led by an enlightened Council) that celebrates its Victorian heritage, whilst embracing good modern design. As far as disadvantages go…as a city, it lacks dramatic settings - hills, rivers and parks.

Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of.

A housing scheme we designed for the Guinness Trust on Boundary Lane in Hulme. Completed in 1997, it replaced a series of 1970’s deck access concrete blocks and consisted of 175 houses and flats, a couple of local shops and a community centre. It was one of the first residential schemes in the UK to challenge the low-density suburban developments that were prevalent at the time. Terraced building frontages were used to define a series of permeable streets and public squares. We created a recognisable neighbourhood that encouraged a real sense of community and civic pride. The design principles we adopted at Hulme helped shape Manchester’s approach to dense urban development in the city, and for it we received our first national RIBA Award for Design Excellence.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Get a business partner you respect and trust, who can share both the burden of setting up a business and the design challenges you will inevitably face. Phil O’Dwyer and I set up back in 1993 and our blend of skills has been fundamental to the architecture we produce and the success of the business we now enjoy.

What’s next for you?

The range of our work is becoming more diverse as the credit crunch begins to take affect. Our housing work is moving from private to social housing – we’re doing some exciting regeneration schemes in Moston, Rochdale and Oldham. We are also due to complete a major museum in Derbyshire early in 2009.

W: www.omiarchitects.com