Build Architecture Awards

Build Architecture Awards 2015 100 Smalley Marsey Rispin Architects is a fresh, bold and dynamic team committed to using creativity and inno- vation to design high-quality buildings with optimum functionality. One of the primary focuses of the practice is working collaboratively with clients, contractors and consultants in a responsive way, which is how SMR manages to facilitate a smooth project journey, from concept to completion. The principles of “form follows function” set out by Louis Sullivan, and later Frank Lloyd Wright, also sum up SMR’s ethos perfectly as the firm produces built environments that reflect their purpose. Every project relies upon the principle that good design should be stimulating, welcoming and give a sense of wellbeing. SMR ensures where possible, that projects use resources effectively, create space imag- inatively, and facilitate the required function; whilst being aesthetically pleasing, respectful of context and providing value for money in both capital and lifecycle costs. Additionally, the practice believes that progressive architecture, founded on the prin- ciples of modernism, has a positive influence on the social and environmental aspects of everyone’s lives. Clients of the firm include national retailers such as Waitrose, John Lewis and Lidl, along with both national and regional commercial developers across a number of fields. SMR offers a full architectural service along with BIM coordination and Principal Designer roles, aiding the design process where they can to ensure that each customer receives a complete service which meets their needs ful- ly. SMR works hard to stay ahead of the game. The practice constantly follows the markets in which it is active, regularly attending conferences, seminars and exhibitions to see how the company needs to adapt to an ever changing market. Through any design process they hold regular internal reviews and work- shops, looking both at historic solutions, those tried and tested, along with new technologies which will add value over the long term. The practice is not a standard product or image architects with a pre-prepared prescrip- tion for all project types: their preoccupation is with architecture that is coherent, both intellectually and emotionally, from concept through to detail. This influences the firm’s core aim, which is to nurture its team, allowing each individual to develop in a way that max- imizes their potential. SMR’s values include; positivity and collaboration, practicality and creativity, responsiveness and integrity. Collaboration is a key part of the firm’s suc- cess and SMR has a great team who openly work with both design and construction teams in a fully integrated way, leading to optimised designs and smooth project delivery. The practice utilises BIM and other technologies that maximise output, help to deliver strong designs, evolve best practice procedures and improve team working – delivering the highest quality service to the property and construction markets. Their employees are the heart and soul of SMR and as such the firm has adopted a people centric management style to enhance ongoing development which ensures the whole team is involved in all aspects of day to day business and growth strategy. This ensures that the firm is forward-thinking, Best for Retail & Logistics Architecture - UK Company: Smalley Marsey Rispin Architects Ltd Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.smrarchitects.co.uk Address: The Exchange, Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1TS Telephone: 01423 707 757 cooperative and proactive. Although SMR is a relative newcomer in the market, the firm benefits from an historic proven track record. Brand recognition is key to the firm’s success and longevity, and forms an ongoing focus as the company looks towards the future. SMR Architects has people at the helm who are passionate about the sectors in which they work and who are keen to expand the firm’s portfolio into new sectors. Awards such as this all help to spread the word and increase the firm’s brand awareness and company visibility. Whilst Yorkshire based, SMR operates nation- ally with both clients and projects spanning the full UK regions. The firm has found that the buoyancy of the markets in the retail and logistics sectors across the UK is very positive - considering the struggles these markets have faced over recent years. The firm has found that positive, speculative spaces are being built within the logistics sectors and are working with developers and end users to help deliver this. Retail is more challenging, as food retailers take stock of evolving con- sumer spending habits. The large box space race is over, however SMR is reacting to this with instructions from ‘the discounters’ and convenience operators reviewing unit sizes to meet retailer demands. SMR utilisation of BIM methodologies on a range of scales for projects, has led to a mature understanding of its benefits and also a number of collaboration based awards. BIM helps to ensure that model deliverables and client requirements at key work stages throughout the project are being met; as such SMR Architects offers a full BIM coordination service. SMR believes this additional service helps set the firm apart from other practices who simply work in Revit, something they believe will be a key service going forwards as owners and operators look for better methods of tracking a building’s life cycle.