| Bennetts Associates Architects | |
|---|---|
Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon |
|
| Practice information | |
| Key architects |
Rab Bennetts |
| Principal office | London and Edinburgh |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Work | |
| Buildings |
Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
Bennetts Associates is one of the UK’s leading firms of architects, and has won more than 100 awards since its foundation in 1987.
In particular, Bennetts Associates is recognised for its expertise in sustainability through innovative projects such as the Wessex Water Operations Centre in Bath, Jubilee Library in Brighton and Hampshire County Council offices in Winchester. The firm is centrally involved in research, conferences, government committees and the UK Green Building Council, of which it is a founding member.
With offices in London and Edinburgh, the firm is around 60 strong, allowing it to deal with major projects with a strong personal involvement from the Directors. The company’s evolution is characterised by gradual expansion, low staff turnover and careful management of the design process. A strong team ethic, methodical approach to design and sense of enjoyment are central to an exceptional track record of consistent delivery on time and to budget. The many awards won by the firm are for all aspects of design and construction, including 13 RIBA awards and the Prime Minister’s ‘Better Public Building’ award for the Jubilee Library in Brighton. Bennetts Associates has twice been voted UK Architectural Practice of the Year by Building magazine, had 3 projects shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon recently won Major Building Project of the Year at the 2011 BCI awards.
The diversity of the practice’s projects is reflected in its current developments, which include new buildings for St Antony’s College in Oxford, several major London office buildings, a number of surface-level stations for Crossrail and a chapel and music hall for Canford School in Dorset. New construction projects range from £1m to £200m, but the firm also has considerable experience with listed buildings, refurbishments, work in conservation areas and masterplanning. The firm is responsible for many prominent projects, including most recently the Royal Shakespeare Theatre transformation in Stratford-upon-Avon and Mint Hotels in London and Amsterdam.
Founding Directors
Rab Bennetts
Rab Bennetts provides overall design direction for all of the firm’s projects. In common with the other Directors and Associate Directors, he takes a personal, hands-on approach and is keen to create a collaborative spirit throughout the practice’s activities. He plays an active part in many aspects of the design and construction industry, including research projects, professional committees and education. Rab was awarded the OBE for services to architecture in 2003. He is a Board member of the UK Green Building Council, a Trustee of the Design Council and a director of Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Denise Bennetts
As co-founder Denise has contributed to the overall design direction of the practice. She has been involved in a number of major projects, with particular responsibility for a major City office development, a new headquarters for a software company, a school for children with severe learning difficulties and a current commission for Dogs Trust. Denise also takes lead responsibility for the practice's financial and legal affairs. She is a respected architectural critic and is an assessor for the Civic Trust and RIBA Awards.
Directors
Simon Erridge
Simon has been with Bennetts Associates for the majority of his professional career, joining in 1992 and becoming a director in 2005. He has particular expertise in arts buildings such as Hampstead Theatre and the prestigious commission for the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Simon also has experience in other typologies such as industrial (PGI Cummins, Kent), historic (Royal College of Pathologists) and transport (Network Rail).
David Henderson
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1994 and became a Director in 2007. His extensive knowledge of architectural theory and construction is rigorously applied throughout his work, which has embraced diverse projects such as the competition-winning Heathrow Visitor Centre, the Devonshire Square office building and the New Street Square development in the City of London. He is currently in charge of a series of speculative office schemes as well as the highly sustainable new HQ for London Borough of Camden on the King’s Cross Masterplan.
David Laing
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1997 and became a director in 2005. He led the practice’s largest commission to date, New Street Square in central London, which had a project value of £200 million and an in-house team of 25 architects. David was also centrally involved in the award-winning Wessex Water HQ in Bath. Recent commitments include Ascot Racecourse Hotel and Hospitality facilities, overseeing construction of the City Road Basin residential scheme and high-profile competitions for key sites in central London.
Julian Lipscombe
Julian joined Bennetts Associates in 1992 and became a director in 2002. He has led a broad range of projects and competitions covering sectors such as offices, education, residential and sport. He has lead the practice's major involvement with the public and transport sectors through projects including the award winning HQ for Hampshire County Council and Crossrail surface stations. Current commitments comprise projects for public sector clients, a groundbreaking sustainable retrofit in London and prominent new buildings for St Antony’s College, Oxford. Julian is a regular speaker at conferences and has lectured internationally.
Projects by year of completion
2011: Mint Hotel, Amsterdam[1]
2010: Mint Hotel, Tower of London[2]
2010: Royal Shakespeare Theatre Transformation,[3] Stratford-upon-Avon
2009: Elizabeth II Court, Hampshire County Council Offices, Winchester[4]
2008: Royal College of Pathologists Phase II, London
2008: The Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
2007: School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
2007: New Street Square development for Land Securities, City of London
2005: Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
2003: Hampstead Theatre, Camden, London
2003: Mint Hotel, Westminster, Millbank, London
2003: Sophos headquarters, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
2003: City Road Basin, Islington, London
2002: Loch Lomond Gateway and Orientation Centre, Dumbartonshire[5]
2002: Cass Business School, London
2000: Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
1999: BT Headquarters Alexander Graham Bell House, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1998: Cummins Engine Factory, Kent
1994: John Menzies headquarters, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1994: PowerGen headquarters, Coventry
1993: Royal College of Pathologists Phase I, London