Visiting Lecturer & Notes - Sue Emms

Visiting Lecturer & Notes

Sue Emms

Architect Director – Manchester Studio (previous BDP employee) - http://www.bdp.com/en/about/people/c---e/Sue-Emms/

-          BDP was in the forefront of design innovation since the 1960s.

-          The founder of BDP developed the first multi-disciplinary practice.

-          Also developed the first ever open plan office.

-          Architects, Structural & Civil Engineers, Graphic Designers, Model makers, Artists and their own personal Photographer who was Roger Park, father of Nick Park. Founder of this practice is George Grenfell Baines.

-          The End product has to be as good as the process.

-          Founded on the idea of inter-disciplinary working, a one-team ethos is fundamental to their approach within their studios. Working professionals are encouraged to spark off each other & deliver innovation through collaboration.

-          Be curious by nature, and consider themselves thought leaders, innovators & early adopters of new technology in order to create clever, innovative solutions which add value to their clients.

-          Their design community nurtures the skills of talented people within a stimulating environment to support practice continuum and consistently produce great work.

-          The best designs spring from a true dialogue. Fusing people, activity & place to produce unique, inspiring and surprising experiences.

-          Excellent design comes hand in hand with excellent management. By de-risking projects and taking pride in running a sustainable & effective project.

-          User orientated approach to design.

-          BDP // ACTIVE SECTORS: Retail, sport, urbanism, workplace, culture, health care, transport, housing, education.

-          Worked on projects: Liverpool 1, Piccadilly Station, Victoria Station and currently aided with the restoration of the Houses of Parliament.

-          Pressing idea on how collaboration can drive innovation.

-          Works towards designing a space that has a sense of belonging.

-          Simple exterior with a dynamic interior.

-          Creates spaces with multi-purpose use.

-          Design process // Engaging, iterative, fast, fun

-          Architects use the RIBA stages of work. Primarily working in simple shapes then adding levels of detail over time.

-          Learning retention rates.

-          Pedagogies’.

-          Organisation & Adjacencies’

-          Designing spaces that maximise flexibility.

-          Built in accordance to portray a sense of revitalisation in the community.

-          Iterative process but has to go through approval stages by the client.

-          Adopted design, by combing multi-disciplinary practitioners to come to a cohesive result. Which are all shown in order to approve the process you have undertaken?

-          Google Sketch-up / 3D Physical models

-          Everything has to always be complimentary to each other. Although with a primary directive in the aesthetic, it also has to have incredible functionality, in order for the design to be appreciated and hopefully stand its test of time.

-          5 main principles of BDP

o    Be Collaborative

o    Be Creative

o    Be Supportive

o    Be user inspired

o    Be organised