Midlands-based Leonard Design Architects is celebrating after securing a spot on the AJ100. The firm were also shortlisted for the ‘New Member of the Year’ award by the prestigious Architects’ Journal.
Published annually since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the UK. It is largely regarded as a key measure of success and the industry’s most authoritative list.
Leonard Design, with offices in Nottingham, London, Kuala Lumpur and most recently Melbourne, has a truly international reach. The practice has a growing portfolio of projects including the Westfield and Hammerson shopping centre in Croydon, Bluewater in Kent, Kronen Vanløse in Copenhagen and Lotte Duty Free in Korea.
David Leonard, director at Leonard Design, was at the Architects’ Journal Annual Members’ Dinner and Awards ceremony in London where the winners were announced. David said: “The AJ is one of the leading titles for our industry so we are thrilled to be recognised by such a prestigious organisation.”
David added: “It has been a busy year for the practice as we have grown to 80 staff members in four offices and expanded our presence in new countries such as Germany, Hong Kong and Norway. Excitingly we officially opened our Australia office in Melbourne earlier this year and as a result have some fantastic projects on the horizon.
“It is a testament to the hard work of the team that we have been named on the 2017 list and I would like to thank each and every member. We are confident that Leonard Design will continue to grow and work with some fantastic clients to design many inspiring projects in the coming year.”
Global engagement & collaboration The world of Leonard Design AN EXTENSIVE CLIENT BASEWe are proud to say that we have the privilege to work with some of the most exceptional and forward-thinking companies, corporations, governments, local councils and individuals in the world. We pride ourselves in having a unique ability and vision for projects of any size and level of complexity. Responding with an equally diverse and knowledgeable design team to tackle each individual client’s needs, aspirations and goals.CONTRIBUTORS AND COLLABORATORSWe deliver and work with the best - Leonard Design is proud to work with some of the greatest design talent in the world. We understand that our clients must engage the best talent to deliver the outstanding solutions. We work with design leaders across five continents. The best engineers, sustainability consultants, lighting designers, sales and leasing agents, landscaping and ecology specialists, façade specialists, technology companies, merchandisers, media and communications experts, and a wide range of other designers, all at the forefront of their respective industries.LDA ON FILMVirtual Reality for ArchitectsWhen the htc Vive was first being developed and on the cusp of being available to the public, 100 companies in the UK were asked to experiment and review the product. Leonard Design were selected to see how the headset could improve the design process within the architecture and design industry.Global Retail TrendsHere at Leonard Design we are always looking to the future and pushing the boundaries of concept and design. We have created a series of films to showcase the work we do which gives a great insight into our ethics and our design process. Take a look at the film below to see what we believe to be the future of retail-led mixed use developments around the world.The Social ShellLeonard Design and Arup worked together along with Nottingham Trent University and Scale Rule to run a weekend design workshop for local school children. The students were asked to design a pavilion with the winning design going on to be developed by the professionals and made into a reality.OUR DESIGN SERVICESLeonard Design undertakes an array of design services to deliver a wide variety of projects across a range of scales. Remarkable design is at our heart and we will always strive to bring the best solutions to our clients multifaceted needs. We deliver master planning from the streetscape, to new communities, to entire cities. Architecture, from massive to intimate, from mixed use town centres to one-off houses, our experience is diverse and complex across a vast array of typologies. Interior Design, from the delicate, sumptuous and exclusive to some of the largest and most complex internal spaces in the world. Our experience is as broad as it is varied.Master Planning and Urban DesignWhether it’s a boutique retail development, the regeneration of a town centre or the creation of a new city quarter, the task demands a careful balance of skills: commercial understanding; creativity; practical knowledge of a range of building types; and sensitivity to context. We combine these with experience on some of the world’s most successful urban developments, to help you create outstanding and profitable projects with a strong sense of place.ArchitectureWhat makes great architecture? It’s a combination of understanding and inspiration: the careful balancing and resolution of a myriad of often competing issues. We listen intently to our client’s needs, research the project context and work closely with local groups, filtering all of the information through our collective experience and knowledge, then use our creativity to weave a solution which is attractive, popular, practical, viable and sustainableInterior DesignIf architecture is the art of the public environment, interior design is where we can speak most directly and personally to the individual. It’s inside our buildings – grand or intimate – where decisions on spaces, materials and lighting can influence our visitors’ moods and actions, creating atmosphere and character, and making it somewhere they’ll want to visit again and again.ConsultancyBuying a property, or deciding to implement a building project, is a major commitment. It’s important to be sure that it will work well, open up the possibilities you hope for and achieve the success you need. We use our experience to assess existing and proposed developments and help you identify strengths, weaknesses, improvements to ensure pitfalls are avoided investment is maximised. SustainabilityLeonard Design Architects are committed to achieving environmental best practice throughout its business activities, wherever this is practicable. Our environmental responsibility program is based upon continuous improvement, consistent with current knowledge. Environmental management continues to be a company priority fully integrated into our business. We believe sound environmental practice is a key factor demonstrating effective company management. We will seek to educate and train our staff to act in an environmentally responsible manner.Asset EnhancementGood business sense dictates that every property owner wants to maximise the value of their assets; but in a difficult market, that wish becomes an absolute necessity. With increased pressure comes increased competition, and no investment will maintain its value without active management. From a simple signage project to a major refurbishment and extension, we understand how to replan, refine or retune your property to ensure it achieves its full potential.AWARDSAJ100 - 2016Company awardPublished annually since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the UK. It is largely regarded as a key measure of success and the industry’s most authoritative list.