Buildings, in which we gather, eat, play and holiday, have an ever increasingly important role to play in our daily lives that are so dominated by the pressures of modern day working. The quality of these spaces is fundamentally important in allowing us to relax to enjoy our free time.
It is a sector that covers a broad range of building types, linked by a demand for design flair, where if not carefully considered and simply following current fashions, can quickly become out dated. Indeed many of our commissions involve refurbishments and the 'freshening' up of existing properties, as we have done for leading Northern Irish restauranteur, Nick Price at Nick's Warehouse in central Belfast.
Community based projects, which are generally funded through the public sector, necessitate close liaison and engagement with local community groups.
Our award winning centre at Killyleagh for Down County Council, successfully meets the requirements of varying user groups, within tight budgetary constraints, whilst also addressing the particularly sensitive setting within a conservation area. Similarly our Parish centre for St Malachi's Parish in Hillsborough, was carefully considered to allow the new building to sit harmoniously with the adjoining Grade B1 listed church.
The growth of tourism in Ireland has afforded the practice the opportunity to establish itself within the burgeoning hotel market. We are retained by Whitbread, to role out their Premier Inn brand throughout Ireland, have schemes presently on site for Park Inns (part of the Radisson Group) and Ibis in Belfast, are involved in an ongoing basis in the phased redevelopment of the La Mon House Hotel & Country Club, and are working on proposals for Holiday Inn in the city. Our involvement in this area has also now extended into England, where we are completing designs for Jury's Inn in Norwich, Bradford and Warrington.