Member Article

Designs on success for architects Studio Anyo

An impressive track record of resolving challenging architectural and commercial design issues, together with investment in skilled and creative people, is driving growth for North-East architects and interior designers Studio Anyo Architects.

The practice, which merged with Create Architecture in 2021, provides a range of highly skilled and technically adept architecture, interior design, modular construction and project management services and delivers quality and unparalleled expertise to Legal & General Modular Homes, among other regional and national clients.

Under the guidance of directors Craig Kipling, James Walsh and Andy Arthur, Studio Anyo has continued to invest strongly in top industry talent, building a highly capable team at its head office on

Teesside to support planned strategic growth and an expanding national footprint. The firm, which currently has a £1.5m turnover and employs 18 people across its two studios, reported a 30 per cent increase in work in 2021 and is planning for even more growth in the future, targeting £5m in sales revenue within the next three years as part of an ambitious development strategy.

Success is built around a tight-knit team of specialists, who can bring extensive experience, expertise and management in delivering major projects in residential, hospitality and leisure, modular, industrial and commercial sectors to bear. Indeed, investment at the highest management level echoes the commitment Studio Anyo has to skills improvement across the board to build a highly capable, creative and complete team that can be brought to bear in support of clients.

EXPANDING FOOTPRINT

It also reflects the capacity to go above and beyond expectations to garner success and deliver projects on time and within budget. Craig and his colleagues continue to oversee an expanding national footprint for the practice as it sees involvement in an ever expanding and diverse range of prestigious projects.

While architecture is an overarching passion pushing the business forward, Studio Anyo has embraced Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), becoming consummate in zero carbon work and offsite modular construction design and build techniques, which are at the forefront of the modern built environment. Competencies and skills in these areas enable the company to add even more value to its offer and today, sustainable design is augmented with architectural theory and practice - an integral feature of the work delivered to precisely meet clients’ requirements.

Indeed, it was Studio Anyo’s fast growing track record of success here that enabled it to secure planning permission for the UK’s first carbon and energy positive, zero waste development at Walthamstow Village, which is due to be complete within Q2 2022. For Studio Anyo, architecture, interior design and deliverability go hand-in-hand, which is why it invests in specialist architects and technologists - talented people who are skilled in creating eye-catching, contemporary interiors with architectural vision and the technical ability to deliver the projects. Indeed, specialists are an integral part of the added value the practice brings to help its clients fulfil their own visions for innovative and eye-catching commercial and domestic interiors.

This approach has manifested itself in the myriad projects the company is involved in, including the considerable uptake in the volume of work across the North-East now being undertaken in the wake of the merger. A six-figure contract to design and project manage a £20m cinema and leisure complex at the Fieldon Bridge Retail Park in Bishop Auckland are among the many projects currently being completed. Craig and his colleagues have also led on the recently completed £1m architectural conversion and redevelopment of the former railway hotel in Spennymoor, which was transformed into a new regional centre for Changing Lives, and a renewable energy scheme in the Tees Valley.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Beyond the region, Studio Anyo secured work on a six-figure contract to design offsite modular apartment blocks and the technical design of the modular system for a new residential development in Sussex for Legal & General Modular Homes. New student accommodation in Nottingham and London for IQ Student Accommodation are also among a host of projects driving expansion and supporting national ambitions to secure more work in student residential, leisure, domestic residential and commercial office sectors.

Indeed, growing work in offsite modular construction and the renewables sector will contribute significantly to future growth and development as the practice looks to promote its London-based design expertise to regional markets alongside its strong technical capabilities.

Commercial success is also boosting workforce numbers with the recent addition of two new architects and further recruitment across both studios planned in the coming months. Skills investment will be challenging but is ultimately one of the key building blocks to continued success, says Craig Kipling. He adds that there’s no doubt Studio Anyo will go from strength-to-strength this year on the back of demand for high quality, added value services - all underpinned by a track record of resolving challenging architectural and commercial design issues and investment in experienced and skilled people.

“We are now busier than ever since the merger of two studios,” he enthuses. “We’re involved in developing new projects right across the country and launching new services and products, which is all very encouraging. As our customers’ own investment and development plans come to fruition, we are seeing strong demand for top drawer architectural design experience and supporting technical skills.

“In short, access to highly skilled, experienced and quality talent and strategic leadership is, and will continue to be, paramount for success in the built environment. It’s a challenging time for everyone, but the investment we are making in high calibre people and developing our creative design and technical capabilities supports growth, fuels ambition and facilitates fresh thinking and new ideas. It all ensures that we are well placed to provide the top-class skills to new and current clients for years to come.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlie Brooks .