The Recent Work of Parr Architects

10 May 2007
Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Rd, Glasgow

Programme
12.00 Registration and buffet lunch
12.30 Welcome
12.35 Presentation
13.35 Questions and answers
14.00 Close

Abstract

SMC Parr (formerly Parr Architects) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. From its humble beginnings in a little office in Dundee, it has grown to become one of the largest and most prolific practices in Scotland. It is the practice’s ability to adapt and change to meet new challenges and circumstances that has allowed it to survive, thrive and expand throughout Britain. Today it has five offices, in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham, and has just become part of the larger SMC Group.

At this seminar, Kevin Cooper, one of SMC Parr’s directors, will be discussing the recent work of the practice with particular attention to the fields of Education, Airports, Housing and Offices – sectors which make up the majority of the practice’s current workload.

Education

SMC Parr has been involved in the design and construction of schools since the introduction of the PPP procurement method in the mid 1990’s. The Falkirk Schools PPP project, completed in 2000, was the first multi-site PPP schools project to be completed in Britain. The practice has designed over 70 schools to date, and also has an established track record in the design of further and higher education buildings.

Airports

SMC Parr’s experience within the aviation sector spans over 15 years and they are currently appointed to the BAA Second Generation Framework. Their aviation team can draw on experience from both sides, including direct operational experience with an Airport Authority, and from major project work for BAA at Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports, Birmingham International and Manchester Airports.

Housing

Over the last 30 years, SMC Parr has been involved in numerous residential projects for both private developers and Housing Associations throughout Scotland and the north of England. More recently they have also worked on sustainable housing, sheltered housing, Housing for Varying Needs, and various large and small developments for private developers. At 95 Morrison Street and the Former Glasgow Sheriff Court, they have created luxury city-centre apartments within historic landmark buildings.

Offices

Commercial buildings have always formed an important part of the SMC Parr portfolio. Clients include IBM, Siemens, HBOS and Scottish Media Group, and their work ranges from small-scale interior fit-outs to large multi-million headquarters buildings.

Speaker: Kevin Cooper, Director, SMC Parr

Kevin joined SMC Parr Architects in 1990 after completing his Masters Degree at The Mackintosh School of Architecture, and became a director in 2002. Kevin has a particular interest in design and has been involved in a wide variety of projects including the major re-development of Edinburgh Airport, various strategic masterplans and several educational PPP projects. The Falkirk Schools PPP, led by Kevin, was the first bundled educational PPP project to be completed in the UK, and he is currently director in charge of the design of four new schools for East Ayrshire Council.

Kevin is also a visiting critic and design tutor at Duncan of Jordanstone School of Architecture and an Educational Enabler for Architecture + Design Scotland.

Qualifications:
BArch(Hons) MArch RIBA ARIAS, Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow

Parr Architects (SMC Parr) text from CBE 080507


Parr Architects - BAA Framework Agreement

The Parr Partnership named 'As the only non-London based practice to be included in the agreement we are absolutely delighted with this achievement.'

Parr Architects - PR Feb 04:

The Parr Partnership has been named as one of five UK architectural firms to be awarded 2nd Generation agreements by BAA to support its capital investment programme over the next five years. The new agreements, taking effect from January 2004, cover work at BAA's seven UK airports (excluding work on Heathrow's Terminal 5 - Richard Rogers Architects).

The other successful architects are Foster & Partners, Grimshaw Asociates, Reid Architecture and Ruddle Wilkinson.

The Parr Partnership's proven track record in aviation projects was vital to their success in being chosen as one of BAA's architectural partners: they have completed major projects at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Birmingham Airports. A rigorous selection process enabled BAA to whittle down the list of applicants to five who demonstrated a commitment to design quality, cost control and achieving value for money as well as having the available resources to work on a number of projects simultaneously.

Bob Hall of The Parr Partnership says "I am delighted that our previous experience has been recognised with our appointment to the framework and we look forward to working with BAA again in support of its capital investment programme."

BAA also appointed three Building Services Engineers: AMEC Group Ltd, Hoare Lea and WSP Buildings Ltd and four Structural Engineers: Buro Happold, Halcrow, Whitbybird and WSP Buildings Ltd as part of the new 2nd generation design consultants group.

The Parr Partnership is currently working as part of several other framework agreements including a national Job Centre Plus rebranding programme for the Department of Work and Pensions, the Tesco Centre of Excellence Consultancy and 'Project SLAM', which aims to provide single living accommodation for all Ministry of Defence facilities within 5 years.

The Parr Partnership - BAA: PR 10 Feb 2004



Parr Architects Offices - Intelligent Finance Headquarters, Edinburgh

Contact Parr Architects:
Edinburgh architects

Glasgow News : back to index

Parr Architects - Glasgow Project: Pacific Quay



Parr Partnership - Website: www.parrarchitects.com

Parr Architecs Office - Xansa Headquarters, Edinburgh

Parr Architects formerly called Parr Partnership

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