Build Architecture Awards 2016

Build 2016 Architecture Awards 80 Company: MBA* [Matchbox Architects Ltd] Name: Neil Scroxton Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.matchboxarchitects.co.uk Address: Chaff House, Strixton Manor, Strixton, NN29 7PA Telephone: 01933 697229 BA* [Matchbox Architects Ltd] is an award winning architecture practice offering a wide range of services. In February 2016 we achieved Paragraph 55 planning approval, which is awarded for a building in the open countryside of outstanding and innovative design. The scheme aims to have a minimal impact on the site so that it can be removed as easily as it can be constructed. Initiatives such as Northampton Alive have presented opportunities to help sculpt the local built environment, which we are pleased to be involved with. A major challenge for the profession locally, and indeed nationally, is the lack of consistency between local governing bodies and national policy. It has been too easy for individual planning departments to create policy that contradicts the NPPF, and as such, a culture of saying ‘no’ still exists, and hinders potential cultural and social development through the built environ- ment. A positive approach to the planning system would not only improve the standard of buildings that we occupy, but also promote growth and a sense of pride in the places we call home. Technology plays a great part in our design development. We are now able to walk clients through virtual buildings before foundations are even calculat- ed, let alone dug. However, technology is not there to replace the role of the Architect; rather we use it to help portray our ideas to a wider audience, and immerse our clients in the design process. MBA* is one of the few architects’ practices that has a higher percentage of female employees compared to male employees. This has been achieved, not through positive discrimination, but by employing people on merit, and on their ability to add value to our clients’ projects. Looking to the future, things can only get better for MBA*. We have grown from a team of one to a team of sixteen staff members over the past six years, and we intend to continue that trend. Over the next 18 months we will be introducing new office locations and continuing to train so as to develop the skillset of the talented individuals within our organisation. We intend to spend the coming years spreading our positive message about the value that Architects bring to society, and through that message we hope to diversify our portfolio further. Best Architectural Practice - Northamptonshire MBA*, Matchbox Architects Ltd, is a design led practice that specialises in the creation and alteration of the built environment. They pride themselves on providing individual respons- es to challenging projects, allowing them to develop schemes that respect and enhance context and location, whilst integrating a sense of personality or brand. Neil Scroxton, Man- aging Director, talks us through the company’s achievements and their hopes for the future. M AR160104