The life of a leading design practice such as BDP is a hugely active one. The creative interactions of clients, users, architects, designers, engineers, urbanists, community, collaborators, constructors, and suppliers on over 1000 projects at any one time make for a dynamic and invigorating working life. Equilibrium is a rare state, especially through periods of sustained investment and development in the built environment, and it is clear that the level of activity in our industry in the UK and Ireland during the first seven years of this millennium is unprecedented. At the same time, other international markets are experiencing similar characteristics.
BDP continues to develop and prosper, with growing turnover from £79 million to £84 million, and around 1100 people. Their huge effort and commitment, coupled with improving working methods led to an increase in operational profit, from which all employees benefit through our profit-sharing scheme. Over 800 employees now own shares in BDP.
Our strength in a number of core sectors accounts for the majority of our activity. In recent times our big three sectors have been in design for education, healthcare, retail and mixed use schemes. These remain very strong, each accounting for about 20% of our income.
Workplace buildings and interiors is now over 16% of turnover – a clear sign that the efforts and achievements of our workplace-focussed architects, designers, and engineers are being more widely recognised. Our growing involvement in housing and urbanism projects together account for 14% and are areas that we expect to see develop. The widening of our design work across other areas of mainstream life gains momentum with the recent approval of London’s Crossrail system. This key city transport project signals the strengthening of an important sector is our future portfolio.
Achievement of quality in all sectors remains our greatest aim. At the Architect of the Year Awards this year BDP is shortlisted in 6 sectors, the largest number of nominations of any architectural practice in the UK. At the Stirling Prize Awards recently, BDP was shortlisted with 2 out of the 3 projects for the School of the Year Award sponsored by the Sorrell Foundation. Marlowe Academy, Ramsgate, won the prize with Devonshire School, Blackpool being the other BDP project nominated. Also as part of the Stirling Prize, BDP’s Hampden Gurney School was listed in The AJ and Channel 4’s “Top 50 Buildings in this millennium.”
At a time of major pressure in the design industry, both at home and internationally, there is a growing danger of “design corporatisation” where architecture and design become commoditised, endangering creativity, identity, and ethos. BDP was founded with a distinctive culture which we continue to make great efforts to develop. We believe this is key in facing the challenges of increasing levels of activity all over the world. It is our culture and ethos that allows us to attract great clients and great talent to create great places for all to enjoy.
This dynamic and optimistic picture and the breadth of talent in BDP have led us to further expand our leadership. During the year 25 new profession directors were appointed, and 46 people promoted to associates. Congratulations to all of them.
Peter Drummond (CEO) and Tony McGuirk (Chairman)