Tony Kettle

Tony Kettle is a British architect best known for designing the Falkirk Wheel ^[1] in Scotland and Lakhta Centre, Gazprom Headquarters in Saint Petersburg, Russia.^[1][2] Kettle founded his own international architecture firm, Kettle Collective, with his two associates Colin Bone and David Tripney.^[3] Prior to founding his own firm, Kettle was Group Design Principal of global firm, RMJM which he joined in 1989. During his time there he acted as UK Director, European Director and finally International Group Design Director where he would oversee design collaboration throughout regions and sectors.^[4][5][6]

Projects involved with

• Falkirk Wheel, UK^[7]
• Gazprom’s new HQ, Lakhta Centre in ‘Okhta City’, St Petersburg, Russia^[2]
• Newcastle College Campus, UK
• The Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre and Finance Centre, UAE
• The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, UK
• City Palace Tower, Moscow, Russia
• The Ripple Retreat, Perthshire, UK for charity It's Good 2 Give!
• The Solar Innovation Centre, Dubai, UAE for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
• Ecoliv Modular Residential Units, UK
• Naseej Affordable Housing, Middle East
• Mint Hotel, UK
• Woodhorn, Northumberland Museum, Archive and Country Park, UK

The Millennium Falkirk Wheel

Kettle and his team were appointed by British Waterways Scotland to design a focal point of the Millennium Link to create a fully navigable waterway between Edinburgh and Glasgow for the first time in almost 70 years.

The Falkirk Wheel was designed to reconnect the Forth of Clyde Canal with the Union Canal lying some 35 metres below. In addition, there was a need to design and build the visitor centre that now provides dramatic views of the Falkirk Wheel in action. The Wheel was completed ahead of schedule in 2002, and was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ.

Kettle worked out the principal engineering concept by using his daughter's lego to make a model of the turning wheel while preserving two upright sections for the boats. This model was later displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London at the ‘British Design 1948-2012, Innovation in the Modern Age’ Exhibition from 31 March until 12 August 2012.

Lakhta Centre

On 1 December 2006, Gazprom and the St Petersburg city authorities announced that Kettle’s design had been chosen for what was then named the Okhta Centre in St Petersburg.^[2]

Kettle and his team created a building and masterplan that it is hoped will revitalise an area of former industrial land 12 km from the city centre on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It is hoped that the complex will provide a blueprint for future sustainable design across Russia.

Kettle Collective

In 2012, Kettle and Colin Bone created a new design house called Kettle Collective.^[3] Prior to founding his own firm, Kettle was Group Design Principal of the global firm RMJM, which he joined in 1989. During his time here he acted as UK Director, European Director and finally International Group Design Director where he would oversee design collaboration throughout regions and sectors.^[4][5][6] The new company focuses on architecture and other design services such as urban, interior, product and graphic design. Operating from Edinburgh, the company also has established studios in Dubai, Moscow and San Francisco.^[4][5][6]

Before beginning Kettle Collective, Kettle was Design Principal at RMJM and has over 25 years experience with multiple award-winning designs.^[2][8] the new 462 metre HQ for the Russian oil giant Gazprom in St Petersburg, the tower will soon be the tallest building in Europe.^[5][6]

Awards

Awards received by Kettle’s designs include:^[1]

Solar Innovation Centre, Dubai, UAE
2013: International Design Competition
2014: Best Future Leisure and Tourism building design at the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets
2014: Selected for Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition for Architecture in Edinburgh, UK
2014: Royal Scottish Academy Architecture Prize for outstanding work
2014: Sustainable Project of the Year, The Middle East Architect Awards^[9]

The Joost Van Der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration, South Africa
2014: Shortlisted for the Best Future Building of the Year, Drawing Board at the Leading European Architectural Forum

The Ripple Retreat, Perthshire, UK
2014: Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition Staff Selection Award for Architecture

The Falkirk Wheel and Visitor Centre, Scotland ^[10]
1991: Scottish Enterprise/RIAS Regeneration Design Award Commendation
2002: Glasgow Institute of Architects Award 'The People's Choice'
2002: Structural Steel Award
2003: Civic Trust Award
2003: Dynamic Place Award Supreme Award
2003: EAA Presidents Award
2003: Scottish Design Award Best Original Work

Performance Academy, Newcastle College, UK ^[10]
2005: RIBA Award
2005: Roses Design Awards - 'Bronze Award'
2006: Civic Trust Commendation

Rye Hill House, Newcastle College, UK^[10]
2007: Lord Mayor Design Award, Commendation Award for Conversion Refurbishment

New Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, Scotland^[10]
2005: Edinburgh Architecture Association, Centenary Medal
2005: European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award - Short listed project
2005: Scottish Design Awards 'Best Publicly Funded Building'
2005: Scottish Design Awards 'Architecture Grand Prix'
2005: Manuel de la Dehesa award
2005: Royal Fine Art Commission - 'Urban & Landscape Specialist Award'
2005: RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture, Best Building in Scotland 2005
2005: RIBA Stirling Prize
2005: Overall Winner in the Concrete Society's 2005 Awards for Outstanding Structures
2006: Civic Trust Award
2007: Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards: Commendation

Publications

Tony Kettle’s work has been published across a spectrum of works. These include:
• The 100 Most Amazing Places in Britain: A guide to the best of the best ^[11]
• Falkirk Wheel, Art and Engineering by RMJM ^[12]

References