Last updated: May 12th 2022
Weedon Architects LLP
Weedon Architects is a major Birmingham-based practice with a strong track record in designing buildings for Midlands motor and industrial groups such as Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin as well as key public sector clients such as the Ministry of Defence.
The firm has also been closely involved in Brindleyplace, the urban regeneration project in Birmingham and it designed the Rolls-Royce Turbine Facility at Derby. Weedon also refurbished the Alfred Bird Custard Factory in Birmingham, transforming it into the Zellig complex of galleries, studios and restaurants.
Founded in 1912 by Harry Weedon, the firm’s work on a Birmingham factory for Deutsch and Brenner led to its design of the first cinemas for entrepreneur Oscar Deutsch – of ‘Odeon’ fame – which in turn led to the firm’s involvement in over 250 Odeon cinemas.
Today, the firm provides architectural services ranging from feasibility studies and concept design to detailed design and production information. It also offers urban design and master planning, landscaping, interior design and expert witness functions. In 2012, the practice has moved to new offices at Harrys Yard, Newhall St, Birmingham.
Notable commissions for the firm in recent years have included detail architects at the University of the Arts – Granary Building at London’s Kings Cross; Three Snowhill, the gateway building to Birmingham’s business district and One Chamberlain Square in Birmingham, where Weedon was executive architects.
Key promotions announced in early 2021 which strengthened the firm”s management team involved Dave Vanderson being made a senior director; he has been with the firm for 10 years and involved with major projects such as Potato Wharf, Manchester, Hungate, York and Canary Wharf. Crispin Ryde, who has been with the firm nearly 8 years, was named as an associate.
Weedon has wide experience across the private and public sector and has won numerous awards. In early 2021, the 22-storey Three Snowhill scheme, where Weedon was executive architect, won commercial development of the year in the West Midlands Property Awards.
Meanwhile, One St Peter’s Square, Manchester where Weedon was executive architect, won the award for best commercial workplace at the British Council for Offices” national awards.
Financials
To see the financials for Weedon Architects LLP visit Companies House and use Company ID number OC343926.
The latest abbreviated accounts for Weedon Architects LLP for the year to end-April 2021 showed that it had net assets attributable to members of £1.23 million, up from £1.055 million previously and had cash at bank and in hand of £745,621, up from £413,064, previously. As an LLP, Weedon is entitled to exemption from audit.
Projects
In spring 2022, work was underway on the £250 million Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility in Leics where Weedon is an architect and which is being developed by group of major players in the sector, Biffa, Covanta and EQT. The scheme will generate enough power for 80 000 homes.
In Manchester, Weedon Architects was brought in for the concept and delivery of the later phases of Potato Wharf, a long-running residential redevelopment in Manchester which is being developed by Lendlease and has been on site for over 10 years. In early 2022, the scheme was a runner-up for a supreme NHBC pride in the job award.
In London in early 2022, Weedon completed the detailed design on Bloom Clerkenwell a 144,000 sq ft development of work, retail and amenity space which is being built above Crossrail’s new Farringdon station. Weedon produced the detailed design of the base build, which includes provision for 243 cycles at the building, which is close to the capital’s superhighway.
Weedon has worked on a series of landmark commercial projects in Birmingham recently. In late 2021, the firm was working on a major shopping mall in the city, the Mailbox, where it is repurposing an area to create a speculative 50,000 sq ft flexible workplace.
In late 2020, a major scheme where the firm was involved, One Chamberlain Square, won the LABC Building Excellence Award, West Midlands, 2020 for best commercial project. Weedon worked as executive architect on the project – working with BAM Construct UK – and delivered the CAT B commercial fit-out for PwC. The scheme was part of Argent”s £700 million Paradise Development in the city.
Weedon Architects worked with Sir Robert McAlpine on the Phase 2 basement car park and infrastructure for Argent”s One Centenary Way development in Birmingham. The firm”s experience with BIM Level 2 data from Revit was a key factor on the project.
Weedon was also a lead consultant with BAM Construct UK and Ballymore to deliver the Three Snowhill development, which ranks as Birmingham”s largest-ever letting and has been taken by BT.
Weedon has also had a major involvement in the London’s King’s Cross Central Development by Argent Estates. The firm worked alongside other architects including Bennetts Associates and contractors including BAM Nuttall and Kier on a series of new and refurbished buildings on the scheme, which has won a RIBA London award.
At Brindleyplace in Birmingham, Weedon has been involved with five office developments, providing over 600,000 sq ft of office space and 30,000 sq ft of restaurant/retail facilities.
The firm has worked with numerous major contractors including Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Interserve, John Sisk & Co., Laing O’Rourke, Lend Lease, Kier and Taylor Woodrow. Major car groups it has worked with include Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Toyota.
Glenigan data
Glenigan data suggests Weedon Architects has a busy current workload. They show that the firm is the architect on a £2.04 million Ramgarhia Sikh Temple extension project at Graham Street in Birmingham where detailed plans have been submitted and work is due to start in late 2022 (Project ID: 22043351). Meanwhile, Weedon Architects is also involved in a £1.44 million scheme of 26 flats in Bicester, known as Graven Hill- Block C, where work is due to start in summer 2022 (Project ID: 21127691).
Conclusion: Architect of choice for major UK car companies with a national reputation
Weedon is a major regionally-based UK architects” practice with a longstanding client base around its Birmingham home but which has also established a national reputation on some landmark schemes in the capital, notably at King’s Cross. The firm is an architect of choice for the major UK car companies although their construction programmes may be reined given the challenges currently facing the sector. Weedon also has a useful presence in prosperous regional cities such as York and Worcester and in the growing market for luxury apartments. After the firm’s experience with Brindlayplace and the Paradise redevelopment, it is well-positioned for more urban regeneration work in Birmingham and elsewhere.
Winning work with Weedon Architects LLP
Weedon is a chartered RIBA Practice and it promotes the RIBA Code of Conduct through its business management. The firm has operated a BS EN ISO 9001 quality management system for over 20 years. It also has office policies on corporate responsibility, health & safety, diversity & equal opportunities, ethical business conduct and environmental. It is registered under BS EN ISO 14001.
Contacts:
Melanie Whild Partner
Email m.whild@weedonarchitects.co.uk