Our vision as an architectural practice is to:
As a growing, specialist architectural firm with a start-up can do attitude, we work closely alongside our clients to provide a dedicated, personal and responsive architectural service.
We also enjoy doing things differently…
Having previously led large international practices delivering projects worth hundreds of millions of pounds, Alan moved to create 10architect as a niche and agile firm, to feel like a start-up, to respond to the desire to work more closely and collaboratively with clients - to work in a way where the client is part of the journey and delighted by the reward of delivering excellent buildings.
Powered by BIM and using the latest digital cloud techniques to bring people together and address directly the growing digital isolation is fundamental to collaboration and building strong lasting partnerships. As a leading exponent of virtual reality we have made it the heart of our business to be at the cutting edge of this technology. We see the future of immersive technology and its uses in architecture and apply our knowledge for our clients today.
With extensive experience in education, community, commercial and healthcare fields, our hand-picked team of architects and designers provide a dedicated and bespoke high-end service to leading clients. Our work is diverse and often complex, but always rooted in a practical and deliverable approach.
We are delighted to announce a trio of well deserved promotions reflecting the strength of talent and future of the business. Heather Clifton is being promoted to Senior Architect in recognition of her unwavering focus on quality and design, Matthew Quinton will become Associate Director supporting the leaderships and direction of the Liverpool office and […]
Read more... We are delighted to announce a trio of well deserved promotions reflecting the strength of talent and future of the business. Heather Clifton is being promoted to Senior Architect in recognition of her unwavering focus on quality and design, Matthew Quinton will become Associate Director supporting the leaderships and direction of the Liverpool office and David Dealtry steps up to Director in Manchester to focus on the growth and long term sustainability of the Manchester office.
We are very grateful to have such a range of talented staff and look forward to supporting Heather, Matthew and David as they settle into the new roles and the next stages in their careers.
We look forward to continuing to build and nurture our team around #Education, #Healthcare and #Community projects to deliver positive social value at every opportunity.
A well deserved congratulations and here’s to a bright 2022!
Despite CoVid, work is progressing well at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.
Read more... Despite CoVid, work is progressing well at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. This is the first phase of the school’s long-term masterplan, to rationalise, modernise and re-plan circulation and teaching spaces within the school’s estate. New library, teaching and Geology areas wrap around an existing play area to form a new social courtyard.
The long distance views from classrooms over the pitches and towards the hills are fantastic and part of our vision to improve mental health through daylight, colour and views.
We’re very excited to see the progress and look forward to seeing students in the building in the new academic year.
The scheme encloses an existing external quad space, and creates a new Sixth Form social space.
Read more... Work continues apace at Stockport Grammar School.
The scheme covers an existing external quad space, and creates a new Sixth Form social space. Alongside this the refurbishment to existing spaces will bring new life to the heart of the school.
This complex scheme at the heart of the historic school campus has been sensitively designed to deliver high quality new space for the 6th Form. The main feature of the new quad, a barrel-vault roof, is overlooked by first floor classrooms and circulation spaces, and as such the materiality and aesthetic appearance has been meticulously designed.
This project, due for completion for the coming academic year, is one of a series of schemes that 10architect is involved with at Stockport Grammar School, reflecting our passion and commitment towards the school built on our long-term relationship with the client.
A small yet important project that builds on the work we did last summer to improve the circulation patterns and provide external seating.
Read more... A small yet important project that builds on the work we delivered last summer. Previous work has organised and improved the circulation patterns providing external seating under a new canopy with a suite of refurbished and remodelled classrooms.
Ultimately the wider masterplan looks to relocate and cluster core subject areas to improve subject adjacencies and cross curriculum learning.
As part of this, key connections and circulation is being improved, the centre price being a large central canopied area with stepped seating capable of taking several hundred students. This together with a new entrance canopy and landscaping is on site. This is a very exciting time of development for Holmes Chapel Comprehensive and we look forward to supporting the school as they transform the estate.
We were delighted to see Derian House featured on ITV and the BBC. This much deserved publicity for the children’s hospice celebrates their first ever ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating after their recently completed refurbishment.
Read more... We were delighted to see Derian House featured on ITV and the BBC. This much deserved publicity for the children’s hospice celebrates their first ever ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating after their recently completed refurbishment.
10architect Healthcare is the newest facet of our architecture practice.
Read more... 10architect Healthcare is the newest facet of our architecture practice. Directed by Steve Wilson, we have decided to focus our innovation, experience and technology into healthcare design, expanding our repertoire and utilising Steve’s experience and contacts within the sector.
This exciting time means the forging of new partnerships, exploring and working at the forefront of cutting edge of healthcare design, as well as providing excellent facilities for our clients.
Through our understanding the complexity of healthcare operations, we can approach design with a deeper grasp of user requirements, resulting in architecture rooted in creative solutions and practical approach. This in turn contributes to our company goals of positive social legacy, contributing meaningful and lasting designs.
The new door sign is up!
Designed by our Part I, Maddie. She was encouraged to expand her graphic design skills and test different ideas whilst creating a colourful and welcoming sign for the new office.
At 10architect we pride ourselves on promoting new skills with our employees and pushing ourselves to step outside our comfort zones to create engaging and exciting designs.
We are excited to announce the completion of our project at Derian House Children’s Hospice.
Read more... We are excited to announce the completion of our project at Derian House Children’s Hospice.
This project has involved the considerate renovation of a high-quality care facility, improving key spaces such as patient and family rooms, play areas, corridors, dining and reflection rooms. We were delighted to work alongside Derian House from initial concept to the finished project, using VR technology to test and develop the concept alongside the clients and building users.
This sensitive project reflects the importance of social value we place in our work at 10architect, ensuring an engaging renovation that will improve the experiences of children, families and staff at Derian House.
We were delighted to be part of the celebrations for the Grand Saturday Opening of the new Veterinary Referral Hospital in Cheadle Hulme.
Read more... We were delighted to be part of the celebrations for the Grand Saturday Opening of the new Veterinary Referral Hospital in Cheadle Hulme.
The state-of-the-art facility builds on our work with Vet Partners and shows how a commercial building can be successfully transformed into an efficient and functional hospital. Working closely with the clinical team in Virtual Reality from the start meant that the design could be tested and optimised, saving money and improving services for everyone.
10architect are extremely proud of our contribution, and the staff of Atlas House are clearly delighted with the completed project.
Contractor on board and ready to go with the refurbishment!
Read more... We have been working with Derian House for 8 months now to develop a comprehensive refurbishment of the hospice – their first full refurb since they opened their doors 25 years ago.
We now have a contractor on board and are looking forward to seeing the transformation! Through our consultation with parents, staff and children, we have developed a series of emotionally sensitive designs for each area and age group, all within the Derian family culture.
An amazing charity – please support them if you can!!!
On the drawing boards – the new Early Years project developing through a series of card models. – We love making our models!!
Read more... Following on from the infant school project, we are currently engaged to look at early years. Located on the site of the headmaster’s house, Shah house, the project is being developed through the use of physical models to understand the scale, massing and impact on this tight and mature plot.
Sensitivity to neighbours and the adjacent conservation area have played an important part in guiding and developing the design to minimise the impact on residents and improve the chances of a smooth and uncomplicated planning process.
Work progresses at pace at Christleton with stunning views over the River Dee to the Chester Walls.
Read more... Work on the project with BAM is progressing well, and this snapshot from the main central teaching theatre space, shows the amazing views back across to Chester walls and the river Dee. Nestled within an existing school, this complex and unique building will provide students with first-class opportunities in a studio school environment.
On a compact footprint, the building stretches over three stories and has a range of innovative and integrated spaces that work around a central multilevel top lit space.
We are looking forward to the project completing and adding some exciting photographs to the website.
Following our masterplan,the school are finally successful with their funding
Read more... After a couple of years of trying in a tough funding climate,the school were delighted to be successful with the school expansion fund. providing library, teaching and science theory spaces to accommodate an extra form of entry, this complex and intricate scheme in the heart .of the school starts to solve circulation and movement patterns first described in our masterplan.
As part of a 15 year long term strategy, this key scheme resolves some of the circulation patterns in the process creating a traditional quad adjacent to the new library. Further phases will continue to develop the theme in the years to come.
Boasting 10 consulting rooms, seven operating theatres, two x-ray suites, a CT scanner and an MRI scanner, Atlas House will house one of the most advanced veterinary referral hospitals in the north-west of England.
Read more... Boasting 10 consulting rooms, seven operating theatres, two x-ray suites, a CT scanner and an MRI scanner, Atlas House will house one of the most advanced veterinary referral hospitals in the north-west of England. Undertaken for the York-based Vet Partners, this project is part of a larger rollout of schemes across the UK.
As well as developing the detailed design for this hospital, we have been commissioned to undertake the design guide to ensure a consistent level of quality in veterinary care across all the new facilities within the group.
Attention to detail, a intimate understanding of the clinical requirements and spatial adjacencies together with our unique use of virtual reality in the briefing and testing stage, have ensured that both veterinary nurses and the surgeons have had the opportunity to test and review all of the design spaces prior to sign off.
We are currently negotiating with the contractor with a view to starting on site in spring 2019.
How to really communicate with your stakeholders – the students try out their new building 18 months before it is built
Read more... Well underway with the designs for the new £10M Construction Skills Centre, it was an ideal opportunity to engage with the students and staff to give them a preview of the new facilities – 18 months before they are actually built.
We try to use the VR for every stage of our work, and with the students it was an ideal way to test ideas and have a sense check on the designs as part of a design review process. Through understanding the spaces, everyone can engage and feedback details which are invaluable in making the project bespoke and fit for purpose – saving time, money and disappointment down the line.
If you would like to know more about our VR, please let us know and we would be delighted to demonstrate how we can make it work for you.
Another great evening at Stockport Grammar inspiring the next generation of Architects.
Read more... Once again, we were delighted to support Stockport Grammar School careers fair. Showcasing everything that the architectural profession has to offer, we spent the evening answering questions, talking to students and parents, reassuring them that they did not have to do just maths, physics and art, and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening along the way.
Some great visuals from Sam really helped to explain the route to becoming an architect, and with Pat’s persuasive Irish charm, we suspect there may be a few more budding architects in the making.
Every year, we try and take a student for work experience, but with limited availability, places are snapped up six months in advance. If you’re interested, please drop us a line.
In order to alleviate some of the pressure on space, the college have engaged us to develop the new £6.5 million new extension to the rear of the existing building.
Read more... The college continues to go from strength to strength and is massively oversubscribed. In order to alleviate some of the pressure on space, the college have engaged us to develop the new £6.5 million new extension to the rear of the existing building. Designed to tie in seamlessly with the previous designs, the scheme is currently in planning and we are preparing information for contractor tender.
Building on our previous involvement with the college, having developed over £45 million worth of capital projects on two campuses, we have recently undertaken a number of smaller projects to address safeguarding and security.
Providing you catering, teaching sports and support spaces, the new extension will provide an additional 250 places at the college.
Innovative summer refurb allows pupil numbers to grow within existing school spaces.
Read more... So the first phase of works is now complete and students are in, enjoying the new dining area that have been created on the mezzanine area, as well as new classrooms, an extension to the main theatre space and creation of 2 new science laboratories.
This complex £750,000 summer project was developed to provide an intelligent and responsive approach to growing the school provision rapidly prior to the building of a new science and teaching block.
Taking an innovative approach and testing earlier feasibilities, we were able to provide new space with minimal disruption to the original PFI school – much to the delight of everyone involved.
From the original brutal 1960s entrance, we have created a sensuous and elegant stair to draw people into the main school theatre.
Read more... From the original brutal 1960s entrance, we have created a sensuous and elegant stair to draw people into the main school theatre. Originally developing the options in sketch up, we then went on to develop a range of ideas which we presented to the governors in virtual reality.
Again, the power of the VR to explain and showcase our ideas allowed us to win the support of the governing body to progress with this most complicated of schemes in the heart of the school.
At the heart of the scheme is the new balustrade, laser cut out of 12 mm thick steel straight from our CAD drawings, folded and rolled to exactly match the existing profile and shape of the staircase. With virtually no room for error, pressing the button to cut the steel was a nervous affair.
In the end the scheme went to plan and has been a wholehearted success for the school.
Given the opportunity to speak about some of our research work we reflected on the impact of light, colour and view on people’s perceptions and state of mind.
Read more... We feel passionately about improving the way people use and feel about the buildings we create. As architects we have a rare and unique opportunity to improve people’s lives through our work.
Recently, we were given the opportunity to speak about some of our research work and the impact it can have on people’s mental health. Taking one very small area, we reflected on the impact of light, colour and view on people’s perceptions and state of mind.
With a short exploration of circadian rhythms and the impact of positive sleep patterns we went on to discuss how architects can use colour and light to the benefit of students in education establishments. The issues around mental health are becoming increasingly understood and discussed openly and we have a role to play in improving health and well-being.
We further explored the role of view and the benefits can have on people state of mind. In the time we had we could only scratch the surface of this extremely important subject.
Many thanks to the Forum for the Built Environment and my fellow panelists..
Thanks to some much needed funding, our recent summer project has transformed the changing and toilets at Alty Boys.
Read more... It is fair to say, that the previous changing rooms were in desperate need of a complete overhaul. After many years of use catering for all levels of school and visiting teams alike, the changing facilities were looking and smelling pretty unpleasant.
Following a successful funding application, the changing areas were gutted and new facilities with proper ventilation, heating and drainage were installed. The new facilities have transformed how the school can use the spaces providing control and flexibility as well as a place where boys may actually feel like having a shower.
With a clutch of projects for Soapworks, we continue to offer a supportive and personal approach to each and every challenge. This is the recently completed cafe.
Read more... We are delighted to work on a regular basis with the team at Soapworks providing hands-on support role dealing with all manner of architectural matters. From redevelopment and refurbishment of the café, to dealing with car parking, we are happy and willing to take on board wide range of work to assist the client in getting best value through the tender process.
This kind of ongoing support work lies at the heart of what we do, building strong long-term relationships based on providing a useful and valuable service.
Working in the Conservation Area, this complex and intimate project provides a range of new and replacement teaching spaces as well as a slide from the new grass roof.
Read more... Located within the local conservation area, and cheek by jowl with the existing infant school, this project is part of a long-term redevelopment and re-modelling strategy in the junior school part of the site.
Improving nursery and infant spaces, the scheme provided a range of additional facilities. As with all the projects at the grammar school, the focus on quality of materials, detailed design, flexibility and rely on the long-term was at the heart of our designs. As with all our work at the grammar school, we engaged with the staff and governing body to share the design development through the use of VR prior to sign off at each stage.
Thoroughly enjoying making yet more models for the striking new designs at St James’ Church.
Read more... We were invited by St James’ to develop some striking and innovative ideas on the back of our previous roles on the award-winning black box theatre in Kendal. The brief was to tie in with the existing church hall and provide flexible and innovative space alongside the church whilst resolving some of the circulation and acoustic issues within the hall.
Using 3D models, we developed an exciting and innovative concept connecting the hall to the old churchyard through a series of laminated timber frames that twisted as they sank into the ground connecting the earth to the sky, both physically and metaphorically.
VR is quickly sweeping the construction industry by storm. We are leading the way in integrating VR into everyday design.
Read more... VR is quickly sweeping the construction industry by storm. Its implementation within a select few areas has resulted in a wide spread adoption that is changing the face of construction for the better, improving efficiencies, reducing programme times and enabling the client to interact with the design in a way that has not been available previously.
At 10architect we use VR within almost all of our projects. Its integration within the practice is paramount to our vision for the office, and how we believe all members of the design team can collaborate better in order to produce a better end product for the client.
To be completely immersed within the 3D environment enables the user to understand space, make informed design decisions and, most importantly, allows every member of the team to understand, and resolve issues, immediately as they are flagged up through the VR interaction.
Working with the latest Sport England guidance and standardised designs, these facilities will ensure club level training in tournament opportunities for this area of Wakefield.
Read more... Located in Wakefield, the existing green pitches have suffered for many years from contamination and glass debris across the site. Working alongside Wakefield college, we have developed a strategy to redevelop on a series of artificial pitches with adjacent sports Hall to provide a range of community and education opportunities on the currently under-utilised green open space.
Working with the latest Sport England guidance and standardised designs, these facilities will ensure club level training in tournament opportunities for this area of Wakefield.
Using VR as part of our Workspace Planning and client change management
Read more... We were invited on the back of our virtual reality work to develop designs for the space planning and office design for solicitors Moore and Smalley.
These renderings, straight from our Revit models, show the quality levels that we operate at when designing buildings for viewing within a VR environment. Demonstrating significant efficiencies and improvements in space utilisation, the designs were crucial to the partners in the decision-making and capital expenditure for the business.
David and Alan have continued their working relationship with Loreto College and were delighted to assist the college with a scheme to reclad the courtyard elevations of the Ball Building.
Read more... David and Alan have continued their working relationship with Loreto College and were delighted to assist the college with a scheme to reclad the courtyard elevations of the Ball Building. Although a relatively recent construction the existing cedar cladding of the Ball Building had started to fail. It was showing signs of rot, decay, varied weathering and staining resulting in the overall appearance detracting from the character of the well-used courtyard area.
The college approached 10architect in April and required the appointed contractor to be onsite by July with the works being completed by September – an extremely challenging time frame. Our client centred ethos and mobile working approach meant that the scheme could be designed and detailed onsite with the college’s instant feedback allowing immediate resolution of issues. This collaborative approach saved time during the design development period and permitted a traditional tender to be issued and returned in time for the July start onsite.
In spite of unforeseen challenges with the existing building, the recladding works were completed to a high standard and the college were delighted with the quality and appearance of the refreshed elevations.
Responding to a call for help in a local newspaper, we were delighted to get involved with the Glossop Scouts.
Read more... Responding to a call for help in a local newspaper, we were delighted to get involved with the Glossop Scouts. As part of our charitable work, we were able to help prepare ideas for their funding bid, and use it as an excuse to go for a mountain bike in the hills!!
Back to school with the chalk too!!!
The Biopharma facility is seen as an exemplar in the same way construction, catering, hair & beauty, engineering and science all promote their particular skills and training opportunities within the college. Following a design competition, this exciting development took shape.
Read more... The Biopharma facility is seen as an exemplar in the same way construction, catering, hair & beauty, engineering and science all promote their particular skills and training opportunities within the college. This transparent visual and expressive approach underpins the core of the new Biopharma building.
The organisational plan of the facility, and the movement patterns within the building, reflect real life working scenarios in order to expose the students to a professional environment and to engender habits that are fundamental to high-quality biopharmaceutical technical support. The daily routines of maintaining cleanliness are reflected in the flow of teaching spaces through the facility. With this in mind, the changing facilities and “process” of changing are treated as equally important to the laboratory training spaces.
This flow is wrapped around a central learning teaching space with glazed walls to all sides allowing students to see a snapshot of all the various stages of biopharmaceutical cleanliness in operation and delivery.
This approach is similar to an airport, where different functions are segregated but are transparent, allowing the students to engage and learn from others in the whole of the pharmaceutical process.
This learning flow is reflected in the architecture with a strong wedge shaped design with learning at the heart and pharmaceutical flow around the edges. The design hovers over the entrance area where students can arrive cluster and access the classroom, the new science laboratory and the engineering block on the lower floor. This open space for events leads to the first floor to act as a central hub for this new building to connect to the STEM Engineering complex.
This gives immense flexibility with events and showcasing manufacturers, but also allows future flexibility around converting space to increase learning provision.
After welcoming new staff in Spring 2021, we are delighted that work and funding has continued steadily and after interviews in August, we are looking forward to welcoming Paul, Tom, Lizzie and Andrew to our Liverpool and Manchester offices.
We are always happy to recieve CV’s and if this sounds like the place you might like to work, please email your CV to alan.simpson@10architect.com
Social
We have a desire to leave a positive social legacy through architecture and working on projects that have a positive impact on our communities and our clients.
Culture
Because of our vision, we work with clients who match our cultural and ethical values. This leads to repeat business and long-term personal relationships.
Charity
We aim to support at least one charity per year with some free consulting work. Last year it was the Scouts Association, this year it is a community sports club.