10
INSIGHTS
PRACTICE PROFILE Left to Right: Helen Groves and Victoria Hutchinson of AtkinsRéalis AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis is a fi rm that has redefi ned architectural practice, blending engineering precision with people-centred design, with sustainability and collaboration to the fore. Kim Neville reports.
A Ethos
Using the human experience to inform the fi rm’s design ethos, AtkinsRéalis houses teams with ‘Human Factors’ and Wayfi nding
tkinsRéalis’ journey began with an unorthodox move, establishing an architecture arm within what was formerly global engineering-led practice WS Atkins & Partners.
Practice director Victoria Hutchinson explains, “The architecture practice was founded due to our desire to develop a unique position in the marketplace.”
This reversal of the conventional model, where most multi- disciplinary fi rms are architecture-led, has become a defi ning strength of what is now the UK’s fi fth-largest architectural practice. It enables it to tackle schemes from the largest infrastructure projects like Hinkley Point C to community-focused projects like a new SEND school.
While rooted in engineering, and “technologically driven” the
fi rm is also “research-led,” says head of architecture, Helen Groves. “We have the capability to do the thinking that leads our design.”
specialisms that might seem niche but are, as Groves puts it, “highly relevant to how human beings interact with the world.” The fi rm’s ethos continues to evolve however, with a dual focus – local presence and global capability. “We are deliberately not in an ivory tower,” Groves says, “we’re in the communities we serve.” With 10 building design teams across the UK, the practice brings national expertise to regional contexts. Its new Manchester ‘hub’ unites over 1,000 staff across disciplines under one roof. “Opening our offi ce in the heart of Manchester really enabled us to bring together those teams and face our regional clients more strongly,” says Hutchinson – those clients ranging from the TransPennine Route Upgrade to Lancashire County Council and the Government Property Agency. The fi rm’s interior designers planned the offi ce to enable collaboration, says Groves: “It’s about those passing conversations – bumping into someone in the corridor.” She adds: “We want it to be a catalyst for growth, supporting education projects that give young people the best start in life.” Hutchinson adds that scaling while maintaining quality is key: “We want to deliver local focus and
The Elizabeth Line project, designed in collaboration with Grimshaw, Maynard and Equation, picked up the Stirling Prize in 2024
The Sky Innovation Centre was an AtkinsRéalis project that was a great example of “early-stage collaboration”
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ADF MAY 2025
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