Bennetts Associates
Encyclopedia
Bennetts Associates is one of the UK’s leading firms of architects, and has won more than 100 awards since its foundation in 1987.
In particular, Bennetts Associates is recognised for its expertise in sustainability
through innovative projects such as the Wessex Water Operations Centre in Bath, Jubilee Library in Brighton and Hampshire County Council
offices in Winchester. The firm is centrally involved in research, conferences, government committees and the UK Green Building Council
, of which it is a founding member.
With offices in London and Edinburgh, the firm is around 60 strong, allowing it to deal with major projects with a strong personal involvement from the Directors. The company’s evolution is characterised by gradual expansion, low staff turnover and careful management of the design process. A strong team ethic, methodical approach to design and sense of enjoyment are central to an exceptional track record of consistent delivery on time and to budget. The many awards won by the firm are for all aspects of design and construction, including 13 RIBA
awards and the Prime Minister’s ‘Better Public Building’ award for the Jubilee Library in Brighton. Bennetts Associates has twice been voted UK Architectural Practice of the Year by Building magazine, had 3 projects shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize
and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
in Stratford-upon-Avon recently won Major Building Project of the Year at the 2011 BCI awards.
The diversity of the practice’s projects is reflected in its current developments, which include new buildings for St Antony’s College in Oxford, several major London office buildings, a number of surface-level stations for Crossrail
and a chapel and music hall for Canford School
in Dorset. New construction projects range from £1m to £200m, but the firm also has considerable experience with listed buildings, refurbishments, work in conservation areas and masterplanning. The firm is responsible for many prominent projects, including most recently the Royal Shakespeare Theatre transformation in Stratford-upon-Avon and Mint Hotels in London and Amsterdam.
Founding Directors
Rab Bennetts
Rab Bennetts provides overall design direction for all of the firm’s projects. In common with the other Directors and Associate Directors, he takes a personal, hands-on approach and is keen to create a collaborative spirit throughout the practice’s activities. He plays an active part in many aspects of the design and construction industry, including research projects, professional committees and education. Rab was awarded the OBE for services to architecture in 2003. He is a Board member of the UK Green Building Council
, a Trustee of the Design Council
and a director of Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Denise Bennetts
As co-founder Denise has contributed to the overall design direction of the practice. She has been involved in a number of major projects, with particular responsibility for a major City office development, a new headquarters for a software company, a school for children with severe learning difficulties and a current commission for Dogs Trust
. Denise also takes lead responsibility for the practice's financial and legal affairs. She is a respected architectural critic and is an assessor for the Civic Trust
and RIBA Awards.
Directors
Simon Erridge
Simon has been with Bennetts Associates for the majority of his professional career, joining in 1992 and becoming a director in 2005. He has particular expertise in arts buildings such as Hampstead Theatre
and the prestigious commission for the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Company
in Stratford-upon-Avon. Simon also has experience in other typologies such as industrial (PGI Cummins, Kent), historic (Royal College of Pathologists
) and transport (Network Rail
).
David Henderson
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1994 and became a Director in 2007. His extensive knowledge of architectural theory and construction is rigorously applied throughout his work, which has embraced diverse projects such as the competition-winning Heathrow Visitor Centre, the Devonshire Square office building and the New Street Square development in the City of London. He is currently in charge of a series of speculative office schemes as well as the highly sustainable new HQ for London Borough of Camden on the King’s Cross Masterplan.
David Laing
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1997 and became a director in 2005. He led the practice’s largest commission to date, New Street Square in central London, which had a project value of £200 million and an in-house team of 25 architects. David was also centrally involved in the award-winning Wessex Water
HQ in Bath. Recent commitments include Ascot Racecourse Hotel and Hospitality facilities, overseeing construction of the City Road Basin
residential scheme and high-profile competitions for key sites in central London.
Julian Lipscombe
Julian joined Bennetts Associates in 1992 and became a director in 2002. He has led a broad range of projects and competitions covering sectors such as offices, education, residential and sport. He has lead the practice's major involvement with the public and transport sectors through projects including the award winning HQ for Hampshire County Council
and Crossrail
surface stations. Current commitments comprise projects for public sector clients, a groundbreaking sustainable retrofit in London and prominent new buildings for St Antony’s College, Oxford. Julian is a regular speaker at conferences and has lectured internationally.
2011: Mint Hotel, Amsterdam
2010: Mint Hotel, Tower of London
2010: Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Transformation, Stratford-upon-Avon
2009: Elizabeth II Court, Hampshire County Council Offices, Winchester
2008: Royal College of Pathologists
Phase II, London
2008: The Suttie Centre
for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
2007: School of Informatics
, University of Edinburgh
2007: New Street Square development for Land Securities, City of London
2005: Central Library
and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
2003: Hampstead Theatre
, Camden, London
2003: Mint Hotel, Westminster, Millbank, London
2003: Sophos
headquarters, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
2003: City Road Basin
, Islington, London
2002: Loch Lomond
Gateway and Orientation Centre, Dumbartonshire
2002: Cass Business School, London
2000: Wessex Water
Operations Centre, Bath
1999: BT
Headquarters Alexander Graham Bell House, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1998: Cummins
Engine Factory, Kent
1994: John Menzies
headquarters, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1994: PowerGen headquarters, Coventry
1993: Royal College of Pathologists
Phase I, London
In particular, Bennetts Associates is recognised for its expertise in sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
through innovative projects such as the Wessex Water Operations Centre in Bath, Jubilee Library in Brighton and Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council is the county council that governs the majority of the county of Hampshire in England. It provides the upper tier of local government, below which are district councils, and town and parish councils...
offices in Winchester. The firm is centrally involved in research, conferences, government committees and the UK Green Building Council
UK Green Building Council
The UK Green Building Council is a United Kingdom membership organisation, formed in 2007, which aims to 'radically transform' the way that the built environment in the UK is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated....
, of which it is a founding member.
With offices in London and Edinburgh, the firm is around 60 strong, allowing it to deal with major projects with a strong personal involvement from the Directors. The company’s evolution is characterised by gradual expansion, low staff turnover and careful management of the design process. A strong team ethic, methodical approach to design and sense of enjoyment are central to an exceptional track record of consistent delivery on time and to budget. The many awards won by the firm are for all aspects of design and construction, including 13 RIBA
Riba
Riba means one of the senses of "usury" . Riba is forbidden in Islamic economic jurisprudence fiqh and considered as a major sin...
awards and the Prime Minister’s ‘Better Public Building’ award for the Jubilee Library in Brighton. Bennetts Associates has twice been voted UK Architectural Practice of the Year by Building magazine, had 3 projects shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize
Stirling Prize
The Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize is a British prize for excellence in architecture. It is named after the architect James Stirling, organised and awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects...
and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a 1,040+ seat thrust stage theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company dedicated to the British playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It is located in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon - Shakespeare's birthplace - in the English Midlands, beside the River Avon...
in Stratford-upon-Avon recently won Major Building Project of the Year at the 2011 BCI awards.
The diversity of the practice’s projects is reflected in its current developments, which include new buildings for St Antony’s College in Oxford, several major London office buildings, a number of surface-level stations for Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
and a chapel and music hall for Canford School
Canford School
Canford School is a coeducational independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the village of Canford Magna, near to the market town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, in South West England. The school was founded in 1923. There are approximately 600 pupils at Canford, organised into houses...
in Dorset. New construction projects range from £1m to £200m, but the firm also has considerable experience with listed buildings, refurbishments, work in conservation areas and masterplanning. The firm is responsible for many prominent projects, including most recently the Royal Shakespeare Theatre transformation in Stratford-upon-Avon and Mint Hotels in London and Amsterdam.
Founding Directors
Rab Bennetts
Rab Bennetts provides overall design direction for all of the firm’s projects. In common with the other Directors and Associate Directors, he takes a personal, hands-on approach and is keen to create a collaborative spirit throughout the practice’s activities. He plays an active part in many aspects of the design and construction industry, including research projects, professional committees and education. Rab was awarded the OBE for services to architecture in 2003. He is a Board member of the UK Green Building Council
UK Green Building Council
The UK Green Building Council is a United Kingdom membership organisation, formed in 2007, which aims to 'radically transform' the way that the built environment in the UK is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated....
, a Trustee of the Design Council
Design Council
The Design Council is a United Kingdom non-departmental public body incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a charity.Registered charity number 272099.- In the beginning :The Design Council started in 1944 as the Council of Industrial Design...
and a director of Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Denise Bennetts
As co-founder Denise has contributed to the overall design direction of the practice. She has been involved in a number of major projects, with particular responsibility for a major City office development, a new headquarters for a software company, a school for children with severe learning difficulties and a current commission for Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust, formerly known as the National Canine Defence League, is an animal welfare charity and humane society in the United Kingdom which specialises in the wellbeing of dogs. The charity rehabilitates and finds new homes for dogs which have been abandoned or given up by their owners...
. Denise also takes lead responsibility for the practice's financial and legal affairs. She is a respected architectural critic and is an assessor for the Civic Trust
Civic Trust
The Civic Trust of England was a charitable organisation founded in 1957. It ceased operations in 2009 and went into administration due to lack of funds/...
and RIBA Awards.
Directors
Simon Erridge
Simon has been with Bennetts Associates for the majority of his professional career, joining in 1992 and becoming a director in 2005. He has particular expertise in arts buildings such as Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre is a theatre in the vicinity of Swiss Cottage and Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden. It specialises in commissioning and producing new writing, supporting and developing the work of new writers. In 2009 it celebrates its 50 year anniversary.The original theatre was...
and the prestigious commission for the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
in Stratford-upon-Avon. Simon also has experience in other typologies such as industrial (PGI Cummins, Kent), historic (Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
) and transport (Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
).
David Henderson
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1994 and became a Director in 2007. His extensive knowledge of architectural theory and construction is rigorously applied throughout his work, which has embraced diverse projects such as the competition-winning Heathrow Visitor Centre, the Devonshire Square office building and the New Street Square development in the City of London. He is currently in charge of a series of speculative office schemes as well as the highly sustainable new HQ for London Borough of Camden on the King’s Cross Masterplan.
David Laing
David joined Bennetts Associates in 1997 and became a director in 2005. He led the practice’s largest commission to date, New Street Square in central London, which had a project value of £200 million and an in-house team of 25 architects. David was also centrally involved in the award-winning Wessex Water
Wessex Water
Wessex Water Services Limited, known as Wessex Water, is a water supply and sewerage utility company serving an area of the south west of England, covering 10,000 square kilometres including Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire...
HQ in Bath. Recent commitments include Ascot Racecourse Hotel and Hospitality facilities, overseeing construction of the City Road Basin
City Road Basin
The City Road Basin is a canal basin and part of the Regent's Canal in London, owned by British Waterways. There are currently several large-scale residential developments in progress....
residential scheme and high-profile competitions for key sites in central London.
Julian Lipscombe
Julian joined Bennetts Associates in 1992 and became a director in 2002. He has led a broad range of projects and competitions covering sectors such as offices, education, residential and sport. He has lead the practice's major involvement with the public and transport sectors through projects including the award winning HQ for Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council is the county council that governs the majority of the county of Hampshire in England. It provides the upper tier of local government, below which are district councils, and town and parish councils...
and Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
surface stations. Current commitments comprise projects for public sector clients, a groundbreaking sustainable retrofit in London and prominent new buildings for St Antony’s College, Oxford. Julian is a regular speaker at conferences and has lectured internationally.
Major Projects
Projects by year of completion2011: Mint Hotel, Amsterdam
2010: Mint Hotel, Tower of London
2010: Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a 1,040+ seat thrust stage theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company dedicated to the British playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It is located in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon - Shakespeare's birthplace - in the English Midlands, beside the River Avon...
Transformation, Stratford-upon-Avon
2009: Elizabeth II Court, Hampshire County Council Offices, Winchester
2008: Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
Phase II, London
2008: The Suttie Centre
Suttie Centre
The Suttie Centre is a purpose-built training centre on the Foresterhill hospital campus in Aberdeen.-Facilities:The Suttie Centre for Teaching & Learning is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian. Designed by Edinburgh architects Bennetts Associates, the £20 million,...
for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
2007: School of Informatics
Informatics (academic field)
Informatics is the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of information systems. Informatics studies the structure, algorithms, behavior, and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process, access and communicate information...
, University of Edinburgh
2007: New Street Square development for Land Securities, City of London
2005: Central Library
Jubilee Library, Brighton
Jubilee Library is the main public library serving the English city of Brighton and Hove. It forms the centrepiece of the Jubilee Square development in central Brighton—a £50 million scheme to regenerate a 40-year-old brownfield site...
and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
2003: Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre
Hampstead Theatre is a theatre in the vicinity of Swiss Cottage and Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden. It specialises in commissioning and producing new writing, supporting and developing the work of new writers. In 2009 it celebrates its 50 year anniversary.The original theatre was...
, Camden, London
2003: Mint Hotel, Westminster, Millbank, London
2003: Sophos
Sophos
Sophos is a developer and vendor of security software and hardware, including anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, network access control, encryption software and data loss prevention for desktops, servers, email systems and other network gateways....
headquarters, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
2003: City Road Basin
City Road Basin
The City Road Basin is a canal basin and part of the Regent's Canal in London, owned by British Waterways. There are currently several large-scale residential developments in progress....
, Islington, London
2002: Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
Gateway and Orientation Centre, Dumbartonshire
2002: Cass Business School, London
2000: Wessex Water
Wessex Water
Wessex Water Services Limited, known as Wessex Water, is a water supply and sewerage utility company serving an area of the south west of England, covering 10,000 square kilometres including Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire...
Operations Centre, Bath
1999: BT
BT
BT may stand for:* Baal teshuva, a Jew who became Orthodox * Babylonian Talmud, a central text in Judaism* Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium which forms Bt toxins...
Headquarters Alexander Graham Bell House, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1998: Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
Engine Factory, Kent
1994: John Menzies
John Menzies
John Menzies plc is a Scottish business established in 1833. It has two main divisions: Menzies Distribution and Menzies Aviation. Menzies Distribution is a major distributor of newspapers and magazines throughout the United Kingdom...
headquarters, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
1994: PowerGen headquarters, Coventry
1993: Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
Phase I, London