| George Ferguson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1947 Winchester, Hampshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Awards | 2x RIBA Awards, 4x Civic Trust Awards, RICS |
| Work | |
| Practice | Acanthus Ferguson Mann |
| Projects | Bristol Harbourside; Bristol Millennium Mile; Reichstag, Berlin |
George Robin Paget Ferguson, CBE, PPRIBA, RWA (born 22 March 1947 in Winchester, Hampshire)[1] is a British architect, who has made a significant contribution to architecture, town planning and design in the South West of England and Europe.
George Ferguson read architecture at the University of Bristol from 1965-1971. He was co-founder of Ferguson Mann Architects in 1978 and founded the national UK wide network of practices, Acanthus, in 1986. He has a wide variety of experience in architectural, masterplanning and regeneration projects, commencing with regeneration and historic building work that formed the foundation of the practice. This includes many award winning schemes such as the At-Bristol Millennium project with its new urban spaces, Royal William Yard in Plymouth and his Tobacco Factory mixed use project, including the renowned Tobacco Factory Theatre and other creative activities that have helped kick start the regeneration of South Bristol. Ferguson lives at the top of the building.[2]
He has been described as "a prime mover for change in attitude to planning and redevelopment in the South West Region and beyond."[3] Ferguson has been awarded honorary degrees from the University of Bristol[4] and the University of the West of England.[3][5] Ferguson was appointed High Sheriff of Bristol when that office was revived in 1996 and served for one year.[6] He is a past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2003–2005).[7] when "he was noted for championing the causes of education, the environment and good urbanism."[3] He writes, broadcasts and lectures on planning and architectural matters and sustainability,[2] and was a presenter on the 2005 Channel 4 television series Demolition.[8] He is amongst many other things a trustee of the London based think tank Demos and his interests include local food (he has a restaurant and brewery), theatre, and travel. He is known in Bristol for always wearing red trousers.[9]
Ferguson was the first Liberal councillor to be elected to Bristol City Council in the 1970s and he stood unsuccessfully for the Liberals in the 1983 and 1987 General Elections.[10]
Ferguson bought the last remaining part of the Old Wills Tobacco site on Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, saving it from demolition. Through his vision it has become a model of urban regeneration and is now a multi-use building housing a restaurant, performing arts school, apartments, a café bar, a performance venue and more.
Inspired by the Manchester Independents campaign, George Ferguson he launched a Bristol based campaign from the Tobacco Factory. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage the support and patronage of independent outlets and businesses to help redress the balance that has swung strongly in favour of the multiples at the expense of local character and enterprise. Business at the Tobacco Factory epitomises this, with home grown enterprises, such as media company Fanatic,[11] software company CLIK, and Teoh's restaurant.
Ferguson also owns The Bristol Beer Factory, located in the former Ashton Gate Brewery near to The Tobacco Factory. It manufactures several award winning ales which it supplies to the Tobacco Factory bar as well as other local outlets. In autumn 2009 a new 90 seat performance space and rehearsal facilities were opened there. He has another bar on a converted barge called 'The Grain Barge' in Hotwells.
Ferguson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.[12]