Member Article

Downing bolsters design team with world class architects

Barry Landrum and Gustavo Balagué have joined Downing’s design team, as the developer drives forward growth as part of a raft of transformative projects.

Boasting over 20 years’ experience in delivering major healthcare, education and residential construction projects, Barry has been appointed team leader within Downing’s Design Management Team.

Award-winning RIBA Chartered Architect Gustavo Balagué – who comes with a wealth of experience from within the architecture and property development industries having worked on projects across the globe – has swapped Barcelona for Manchester to relocate for a role in the design team.

Both new additions will play a key role in a number of large scale projects at Downing, but will initially support on the developers larger single development to-date, the £400m First Street development in Manchester.

Barry Landrum, design management team leader at Downing, said: “Having worked on a number of major developments in Manchester, including The Christie Hospital and two residential towers, I am excited to be returning to the North West.

“Joining such a well-established developer, at a key moment in its growth strategy is a very attractive prospect. There is a strong pipeline of major developments across the UK, where I am looking forward to contributing my wealth of experience.”

As a Chartered Professional Landrum has experienced success in the UK and further afield, having delivered a £900m Children’s Hospital in Kuwait and a £190m Military Hospital in Qatar. At Downing, he will head up the design management department, providing his experience on the current schemes and those in the future pipeline.

Gustavo Balagué, design manager at Downing, said: “It is great to join such a dynamic team and I am very exciting to get started on some of the upcoming projects over the next 12 months, including First Street and The Meadows.

“Our like-minded approach to client engagement and fulfilment has already become apparent, with exciting progress being made across a number of developments.”

Most recently working as a RIBA Chartered Architect in New York – Balagué’s work has received award-winning recognition. In 2012, he was awarded RIBA’s President Silver Medal for Sunbloc, a solar house made out of polyethylene, as well as being recognised as the Best Faculty Project from London Metropolitan University architecture faculty in the same year.

He will oversee work on site, manage designs, provide guidance and support to both site and design teams, as well as exercise complete control for the consultant and contractor co-ordination and approval process.

Ian Orton, head of construction at Downing, said: “We are delighted to welcome Barry and Gustavo to Downing. It is testament to our fantastic team and the exciting projects we have in the pipeline that we have been able to attract such world-class creatives to join us.

“Their extensive global experience will add to our innovative interiors team to ensure we can continue to deliver state-of-the-art projects ahead of schedule to a high standard, whilst building strong relationships with our current and prospective clients.

“These appointments come at an exciting period of growth for Downing, as we roll out our growth strategy across the UK and continue to actively look for further development opportunities to build on our existing £1 billion pipeline portfolio.”

With over £1.5 billion of development successfully completed, Downing continues to significantly expand its presence across the UK, working to deliver a further £1 billion of new landmark schemes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Edward Hawkins .