insights Large scheme: Techpark, Bolzano, Italy
21
‘We want to give both the client and the community something that will be
respected’ Chris Lanksbury, Chapman Taylor
Adrian joined the company in 1986 and became a partner in 1996. He oversees the UK projects – typically complex, mixed- use, masterplan schemes. Adrian insists: “I consider myself both an architect and an urban designer and it’s my passion to blend both of those skills.” Looking at the UK scene, Adrian says: “Historically, we are
lucky to have had some clients who have been prepared to push the boundaries.” He sees the Princesshay project in Exeter – as a good example of a well-integrated mixed-use scheme that also demonstrates Chapman Taylor’s ability to collaborate with other architects. Chris arrived in 1979 and for the past 20 years been building
the international business, which includes eight wholly-owned companies across Europe. He is still involved in concept design, despite travelling widely, in a bid to spot growth possibilities. Chris says: “A key aspect of my job is to tie together the various offices – which are conceived and delivered in individual countries – into one Group business.” Surveying the international portfolio, he adds: “Every
country has its own culture and they are all very different. This brings a great variety to our work. We very much respect the environment of where we work in its context.” Typifying the work, Chris feels, is the Techpark in Balzano,
north Italy – a highly ecological project and part of an industrial heritage. In addition, he points to larger schemes in China, such as the Global100 Theme Park, and the Altstadtquartier development in Aachen, Germany. What do they think is Chapman Taylor’s distinct qualities?
“We don’t have a fixed architecture style,” explains Adrian. “It is part of Chapman Taylor culture to encourage our staff to work to the best of their skills. Ultimately, we are architects who work for commercial clients whose buildings have to work for them financially.” Chris adds: “We don’t go to projects with preconceptions.
We work with the client to create the buildings. In Britain, we have had a leading edge on urban regeneration and how to create an integrated mix of uses. We believe it has improved
(L-R) Adrian Griffiths and Chris Lanksbury
our city centres. We want to give the client and the community something that will be valued. We want to be respected by the client for the product we produce right across the board. I would say that this is like a traditional architectural role in a modern world.”
In terms of the challenges today, Adrian highlights two things. “Firstly, projects are so much bigger today. When you are doing a huge masterplan in one go, getting some natural variety into it is very important. Secondly, on the economic front, there has been a slight stagnation in the market, which has not fully recovered from the global recession in 2008, and this may continue. Being competitive in such a market is challenging.” However, Chris strikes a positive note in the end. “Although
we are not masters of the economic framework, architects have always worked in a fluctuating business environment. I am generally positive, particularly as we are now seeing more quality in buildings from concept through to construction.” It seems that, like the Scotland Yard triangle, Chapman
Taylor will continue to revolve on the world stage for many years to come.
• Company founded in 1959
• 450 staff in 90 countries
• 19 regional centres • Operating on six continents
• Urban regenera- tion specialists
• ‘Designer of the Year’ at the Retail and Leisure Awards
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