BUILD - Architecture Awards 2017

46 Build 2017 Architecture Awards ver the past seven years GW Architectural Ltd have gone from strength to strength as a practice and seen their portfolio of work span across several sectors of the industry, whilst maintaining the core area of the business in the private residential market. The firm offers a comprehensive ‘concept to completion’ service from initial concept design all the way through to ensuring the project is successfully delivered on site by the main contractor. Guy outlines how the company approaches each different project, and how they work very hard in order to achieve the company’s main aims. “Every project brings its own challenges and difficulties and we address these all on an individual basis. We have faced a variety of different ones over the years from looking at pre-fabricated construction methods to avoid inclement weather conditions to complex waterproofing systems to deal with contaminated ground conditions. We are always proud to detail the best possible solution for our clients ensure that the end product we deliver is design defect free” Making sure the client is always put first, the firm takes time to understand what exactly it is that the client needs, and the company strives to deliver a unique design, of which Guy is keen to point out. “Always looking to go further than the clients’ basic requirements, we strive to deliver more to our clients than simply proving a functional building or new room to their home. We believe that every project, no matter how large or small, should provide an innovative space that is truly unique to them. We do this by taking the time to listen to client needs and aspirations and to understand the end use of the scheme in order to deliver a truly bespoke design.” With a similar approach to every project, the process which works for the company is implemented, ensuring that the client will receive only the best work from the firm. Guy notes that with many assets to the firm, there is never a problem too big, as there is always someone from the company available to help with any issues. “We approach all of our projects in the same way, regardless of size or value and always strive to deliver the best possible service to our clients. We initially focus strongly on the concept design of our schemes to ensure that the brief is met, design options have been fully considered and client has inputted into the frozen design. We also have a strong technical arm who review the buildability & construction detail of the project to ensure that the main contractor can deliver the scheme with minimal input from the design team. We are of course always on hand to help when required!” An ever changing industry can be difficult to navigate at times, but Guy explains that the company is always looking to adapt to the changes required by the clients. With new solutions being implemented with every client, old or new, GW Architectural Ltd are able to stand out in the industry, working hard to satisfy all its clients. “The architecture industry in the North East can be at times, very functional, but with more and more of the general public obtaining an understanding of design quality, we are starting to see a lot of our clients shifting away from the norm and trying to do something far more contemporary. In an area with significant listed buildings, conservation areas & areas of outstanding natural beauty, the real challenge is providing design solutions which complement and enhance the architecture and landscapes we already have in place.” When discussing the future, Guy believes that the firm can build on its current successes. Expanding their client base within the area, and building new relationships, there are plenty of exciting new projects coming up which Guy hopes will see the company’s burgeoning reputation grow even more. “The future looks bright for the practice. As we continue to grow in the area, our skillset has not gone unrecognised. We have been forging relationships with new principal contractors and developers across the region and hopefully you will see some of our larger projects coming to fruition in the not too distant future. I hope we can continue to see design quality and innovation grow across the industry and more and more projects being constructed that we can look at decades in the future and still be proud of the ideas and schemes we have delivered.” Best Family Living Architecture Practice - Newcastle GW Architectural Ltd are a friendly and innovative architectural practice based in Newcastle upon Tyne who have been established since 2010. We invited Guy Whitehead to tell us more. Contact: Guy Whitehead Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Clavering House, Clavering Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3NG, UK Phone: 0191 2696963 Web Address: www.gwarchitectural.com AR170077 O