Architecture Awards 2020

44 2020 Architecture Awards BUILD Aug20107 Interior Design & Architecture Practice of the Year 2020 - Greater London TA16 architects was set up in 1977, starting with a most exciting project overlooking Piccadilly Circus in London. The practice underwent two major transformations – in 1990 through a change of directors and in 2005 through a merger - that expanded both its areas of expertise and depth of experience. Throughout all of these transformations and reinventions, Iolanda Costide remained its Principal. This year, already a catalyst for change, has brought a new element to the firm – Radu Axinte has now joined as director alongside Iolanda. A corporate member of the RIBA, the practice has been involved in a variety of projects not only in the UK but also abroad – in Romania, Nigeria, Kenya, Guinea and Pakistan. Moreover, it has affiliations in Romania and associated practices in Beijing and Pune. They have developed an expertise in housing, both private and social, education and community projects, healthcare, special needs, leisure and the conversion of historic buildings. Here, Iolanda spoke on the challenges that the firm – and the greater industry – is facing. “The biggest challenge architects and the construction sector will face (as highlighted by the recent city lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak) remains how to balance the accelerated growth of the urban population, and the need to provide it with high quality, high density housing, with a sustainable future for these ‘human activity mega hubs’. Architects will be the enablers in this process, their expertise undoubtedly leveraged by AI and digital technology as their tool of preference.” “Radu is your proverbial XXI C. ‘disruptor’, who will add sophisticated digital proficiency to the NTA16 legacy of design flair and knowledge.” N On this, Radu takes a moment to comment. “There is no doubt we are living a time of accelerated change fuelled by countervailing factors (the latest technological advancements and the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak). Architects need to understand and manage in the best way how these disruptions are reshaping the way we live. We are looking at a new age, where architects can easily access information to understand, to visualise context from micro to macro scale and to help develop a responsive and optimum built environment.” One main characteristic of the firm remains that it is a small practice and its partners are keen advocates for this approach and its advantages: the clients will talk to the principals, the individuals with the most design and building experience in the practice, throughout the duration of a commission. This provides continuity, as project cycles tend to be 7 - 10 years long. One such evolving project is the development of the grounds of a Grade II listed Georgian mansion in Greenwich, which started with the design of a mews style residential enclave, followed by the rehabilitation and conversion of the Grade II listed building into two splendid 4- and 5-bedroom units. The last phase is the design of a single-family home on the shore of the pond which occupies the centre of the site. The new design retains many historical and romantic references, a mix between traditional features and modern accents, quite suitable to such an unusual inner city setting. Company: NTA16 Architects Ltd. Co. Registered in England No. 630 0312 09 Contact: Iolanda Costide, Director, NTA16 Architects Ltd. Contact Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 20 7609 9888 Address: 32 Conistone Way, London N7 9DD UK Website: www.nta16architects.co.uk (in construction)