APPOINTMENTS & NEWS 17
The firm is navigating increased demands for expanded sets of ‘deliverables’ and project scope, particularly regarding BIM, without corresponding fee increases
example is the Early Years Centres for East Dunbartonshire Council it has designed, with project lead Mark Ellson drawing inspiration from his experiences with his young family to create an enhanced secure play area. This space exceeded defined standards by 50% and has “ensured that children have a safe, active environment that caters to their developmental needs.”
HMP & YOI STIRLING Holmes Miller’s “pioneering custodial facility” in central Scotland was designed for “mental wellbeing and trauma-informed care”
buildings, residential, and education) share their experience and knowledge with staff through training and mentoring, ensuring the firm retains and passes on expertise. More recently, the firm has made significant strides to align with causes and bodies that reflect its core values. Notably, a partnership with the Passivhaus Trust, which advocates for energy-efficient building practices and sustainable development, “marks a significant shift towards environmental activism,” says the firm. Rather than following a distinct design signature, the practice adopts a “bespoke, people-focused” approach for each project to harmonise with the local community to help it feel organically integrated into its surroundings.
Exemplary
One of Holmes Miller’s standout sustainability-first projects is Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure facility, the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre. The practice is acutely aware of greenwashing concerns and aims to put sustainability at the core of every project through a “dedicated sustainability charter” which incorporates user wellbeing goals.
Sciennes Primary School is Scotland’s first Passivhaus primary
school, opened in Edinburgh in 2023 with a £3.2m CLT-constructed two-storey extension to the grade B-listed existing building in the Marchmont conservation area. It exemplifies a harmonious blend of sustainability and modern functionality, as detailed in a report in the January 2024 edition of ADF.
Holmes Miller aims to go beyond industry standards on sustainability, incorporating Passivhaus principles into designs “even when certification isn’t a project goal.” They developed an in-house tool for assessing embodied carbon, now used on all projects. Other key recent projects include a pioneering prison, HMP &
YOI Stirling, designed to focus on mental well-being and trauma- informed care which picked up a 2024 Scottish Design Award for its “innovative approach.” The Allander Leisure Centre, which opened in March 2023 in East Dunbartonshire is “another strong example of the practice’s understanding of the role public buildings play in fostering community cohesion and enhancing quality of life,” and places a focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. The firm says that having “passionate staff” leads to better outcomes, so they actively encourage their team to align their personal interests and strengths with project commitments. A great
Collaboration is vital for fostering an environment where ideas can flow freely, and Holmes Miller found this basic requirement of architecture tested post-pandemic, as “Teams calls can only go so far.” They believe nothing compares to the effectiveness of face-to- face interaction.
Holmes Miller introduced a nine-day, 72-hour working fortnight last year following an employee-led consultation. This offers a slight reduction in hours with no loss of pay, “resulting in more effective project collaboration, and a stronger office culture,” as well as a better work-life balance. The firm has also integrated remote working flexibility, “prioritising health, well-being, and performance.”
Although the firm has made numerous contributions to the built environment over its 70 years, Houston regards the introduction of the nine-day fortnight as one of its most significant milestones achieved to date.
Current challenges Like many architectural firms, Holmes Miller faces several current challenges, including uncertainty in project pipelines, extended project durations, and pressures on client budgets. They are also contending with the rising costs of professional indemnity insurance, software, and general living expenses. Additionally, the firm is navigating increased demands for expanded sets of ‘deliverables’ and project scope, particularly regarding BIM, without corresponding fee increases. In response to this, the firm is “focusing on enhancing efficiency and streamlining processes to deliver projects more effectively within budget constraints.” It says a key measure for achieving this is “emphasising clarity in project scopes from the outset, for mutual understanding of deliverables and expectations.” The practice wants to offer its staff “fair compensation” for their work in a tough market, and has identified part of the means to this as “cultivating sustainable partnerships with clients who value their services,” in order to support both “creativity and business objectives.”
As well as contributing to tackling the carbon reduction challenge, Holmes Miller is “focusing on increasing their involvement in projects that positively impact society.” By collaborating closely with local communities, the firm aims to enhance well-being and quality of life through thoughtful, inclusive design.
These clear strategies show a commitment to pushing architectural boundaries while creating lasting value for clients and communities. It’s focused on driving positive change both in society and the environment for the next 70 years! g
Insights_ Practice Profile - Holmes
Miller.indd 4
WWW.BUILDINGCONSTRUCTIONDESIGN.CO.UK
10/10/2024 10:30
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42
