1980
Professional practice change forecast
1980
Professional practice change forecast
BDP forecasts a transformation of professional practice in the building industry. “The successful practices will probably be larger, cover a wider range of professional service and combine design excellence with strong management. The 1980s will certainly be difficult; we enter them cautiously but with confidence.”
Lisbon Bank completes
1980
Lisbon Bank completes
Banco Espirito Santo e Comercial de Lisboa’s headquarters completes. The impressive building features a variety of functions contained within a restricted city centre site, sophisticated engineering systems, and a high quality of integrated design in the banking hall at street level – stopped for the 1974 revolution and then carried out during the turbulent political and economic remainder of the decade in Portugal. BDP opens a Portuguese office to strengthen relationships made working on the project.
Ballachulish wins awards
1980
Ballachulish wins awards
A tremendous transformation of closed slate quarries and 25 hectares of waste tips on Loch Linnhe, reintegrates the site into the surrounding natural landscape and rectifies the environmental damage caused by the quarry. Landscape features indistinguishable from their surroundings are created. The huge land reclamation project goes on to win a Civic Trust Award and a Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit giving Glasgow office its highest achievement to date.
BDP leads RIBA Award league table
1980
BDP leads RIBA Award league table
The RIBA award for the Clinical Sciences Building at St James’s Hospital in Leeds puts BDP at the top of the league table in terms of number of RIBA awards won by a single practice. The assessors comment: “The building is a distinguished addition to its setting. The plan form is an economical solution which caters to a wide range of different functions and services. The detailing and workmanship are of a high order. The fact that the contract was completed within budget, on time, to a high standard, without any outstanding claims and to the satisfaction of all parties is a credit to all concerned.”
Sheffield and Nottingham open
1980
Sheffield and Nottingham open
Two new offices open to maximise chances of winning work in new markets. A major event is the taking over of GG’s Design Teaching Practice in Sheffield to establish a new office location under the wing of the Manchester office. Preston office initiates the development of a new office in Nottingham based on the site office for the Queens Medical Centre Teaching Hospital.
Multi-professional teams in London
1980
Multi-professional teams in London
A significant change in the structure of the London office with two multi-professional teams of approximately 30 staff each complemented by a third team of mono-professional specialists.
BDP’s first logo appears
1980
BDP’s first logo appears
The corporate identity, largely unchanged since the beginnings in 1961 is revised to project a fresh image for the new decade. The name BDP is formally adopted alongside Building Design Partnership recognising the regular use of our initials and giving us a linking name for many subsidiary ventures.
Pacman
1981
BDP defies UK recession
1981
BDP defies UK recession
Despite deepening UK recession BDP reports “Workload has been expanded, profitability has improved, cashflow has been excellent and prospects for the future are good in almost all locations. Morale is high and our problems are the positive dynamic ones of resourcing projects, investing and providing for the future.” BDP Landscape, BDP Computing Services and BDP Project Management Services Ltd are set up to expand BDP’s areas of expertise and increase chances of mono professional work.
Jack Rodin first Chief Executive
1981
Jack Rodin first Chief Executive
Engineer Jack Rodin becomes the first chief executive to the partnership through Council and with responsibility for the total performance of the firm. Profession chairmen are appointed to ensure the highest level of competence and quality.
Cromwell Hospital completes
1981
Cromwell Hospital completes
The first major private hospital to be completed by BDP is one of the top clinics in Europe. On a prime site in Kensington, it offers comprehensive medical and surgical care via a wide range of specialist departments. The six storey block, soundproofed from the main road, houses 120 single bed wards and VIP suites with finishes inside and out of an outstanding high quality.
Civic Trust Award for Shade House
1981
Civic Trust Award for Shade House
The new control centre for Greater Manchester County Fire Service is developed on a very restricted site. “Considerable skill has been shown in reducing the apparent scale of the new building to fit in with its suburban neighbours. Quality of detailing and control of space, allied to the integration of the soft and hard landscape within the complex, sets this building in a class apart.”
Belfast office expansion
1981
Belfast office expansion
Belfast office expands its remit with new office locations in Londonderry and Ballymena though due to the length and severity of the recession and damage to the Irish economy, both offices are forced to close two years later. Belfast’s plans to move into part of a new building designed by BDP with the capacity to expand to 75 staff are put on hold.
BDP Handbook
1981
BDP Handbook
The Handbook, a significant green lever arch file ,is issued to every member of staff and contains everything anyone needs to know about the practice and working in it. The Essence of BDP, produced simultaneously, forms the front end of the Handbook and covers the 20 years of BDP’s history and its ethos, and structure published for the first time. This booklet also has an external audience.
Low Energy Hospital Study
1981
Low Energy Hospital Study
The commission for a Low Energy Hospital study puts BDP at the forefront of the fast developing energy specialisation. Following the study, the practice is commissioned for the M&E design of a specific hospital project embracing the recommendations made.
St Mary's on the Isle of Wight becomes the first prototype low energy hospital.
Group Profit Sharing Scheme launched
1981
Group Profit Sharing Scheme launched
Out of 297 members of staff eligible, 225 commit approximately £500,000 of funding. This very high proportion demonstrates an exceptional degree of faith and loyalty in BDP.
Post-It-notes hit UK offices
1982
BDP at 21
1982
BDP at 21
BDP holds an exhibition to mark 21 years as a multidisciplinary practice. Shown in each office over a period of six months it is seen by over 1,200 guests. Contact reports: “it all worked out splendidly, the exhibition fitted together precisely and exactly on schedule...the material is immaculately presented and thanks to Hugh Pearman our new scriptwriter, it is informative and even witty at times.”
BDP Acoustics established
1982
BDP Acoustics established
The BDP Acoustics Unit is set up jointly through the Manchester office and the University of Salford. The unit gets off to a flying start with a good response from clients and other consultants as well as other architectural practices, especially those who are restoring or creating performance spaces.
Central Marketing Unit set up
1982
Central Marketing Unit set up
An integrated Central Marketing Unit is set up based in London to strengthen the marketing thrust. This brings together Practice Development and Communications and embraces overall firm marketing in the UK and overseas aiming to increase BDP's share of the market.
BDP's own CAD system created
1982
BDP's own CAD system created
The Computer Aided Design system developed by BDP Computing Services Ltd is implemented in the Manchester and Guildford offices, closely followed by London and Preston. It develops rapidly and an exhibition of ACROPOLIS is held at the 1983 RIBA conference, resulting in worldwide interest from government organisations as well as private practices. The system is marketed to clients outside of BDP until 1989, and sold to many public authorities and private firms. The system stays in place at BDP for 11 years before finally being phased out for Bentley and AutoCAD.
ET
1983
Stafford General Hospital completes
1983
Stafford General Hospital completes
A significant completion is the 300 bed Stafford General Hospital, on a greenfield site, on which BDP has worked since 1971. The commission also includes interior design and graphics which ensures the building is finished to a very high quality throughout.
Sheffield wins Office of the Year
1983
Sheffield wins Office of the Year
BDP’s Sheffield office wins Office of the Year awarded by the Institute of Administrative Management. “BDP made a bold decision in taking an existing double height showroom space in a city centre location. The overall quality of space is remarkable and the assessors were able to find few faults – an effective advertisement for BDP and the architectural profession.”
London Office organises into sector groups
1983
London Office organises into sector groups
London office organises into sector groups with the objective of securing more work and doing it more effectively, though also in response to the differing expectations of clients in the three broad sectors of the market: public, commercial and corporate.
First publication of Directions
1983
First publication of Directions
Directions launches, planned as an annual publication intended to market BDP in a more accessible and interesting way. Its feature articles concentrate on general issues of interest to a wide spectrum of clients, as well as offering a thorough coverage of BDP’s activities.
Energy Unit
1983
Energy Unit
The Energy Unit is established as a multi-profession group, to provide a focus for energy matters, develop analytical techniques, and increase awareness of the need for energy conscious design. The expertise of the group quickly leads to a number of major commissions, and an established reputation as energy consultant is part of a total BDP package.
Three books by BDP authors
1983
Three books by BDP authors
Three books are published by BDP authors. Atrium Buildings by Richard Saxon, and Detailing for Acoustics by Peter Lord and Duncan Templeton are published by the Architectural Press. GRC and Buildings by Mike Fordyce and Robert Wodehouse provides architects and engineers with a guide to designing with glass fibre-reinforced cement in construction.
HP Word system
1983
HP Word system
The HP Word system now links most of the offices speeding up communications. Previously printed material is now held on the computer and can be updated rapidly in any equipped office.
Car seat belts become compulsory in UK
1984
Change in outlook
1984
Change in outlook
A year of significant change from concerns over workload to all offices becoming frantically busy. By the end of the year BDP consolidates its position and is surging forward with a portfolio of new and exciting work, particularly in the areas of science, leisure, refurbishment and shopping.
Keith Scott appointed Chairman
1984
Keith Scott appointed Chairman
Keith Scott is appointed chairman of BDP. His first report to staff reads: “This is a time of great optimism and opportunity for people at all levels in BDP. With a fee income of over £20m a year, we certify about £200m worth of building in 12 months and that adds up to 1.7% of the entire building industry’s output in the UK. Without question BDP is the most significant and powerful multidisciplinary firm in Britain.”
Royal Opera House project won
1984
Royal Opera House project won
The most significant win of the year is BDP and Jeremy Dixon unanimously selected for the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden following an international open competition.
Lee Valley ice rink wins Lighting Award
1984
Lee Valley ice rink wins Lighting Award
BDP’s first ice rink is opened by skating star Robin Cousins and wins the practice its first lighting award, a commendation from the EMILAS Award scheme, for a lighting scheme of exemplar efficiency in the use of electrical energy. The building’s low-profile arched design sits unobtrusively on a corner of Walthamstow Marshes and houses a full-size ice hockey rink with seating for 1,000 spectators. The success of the commission leads to two more ice rink projects at Slough and Chelmsford.
Massive increase in retail work
1984
Massive increase in retail work
Three highly significant shopping centres complete during this year. Ealing Broadway Centre in west London, The Lanes in Carlisle and Waverly Market in Edinburgh which is the first entirely new speciality centre in the country. BDP currently has 17 shopping centre schemes in design or construction, many major ones now going ahead after long periods of delay and uncertainty.
BDP North established
1984
BDP North established
To establish a regional approach to the practice, Preston, Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham are reorganised into five multidisciplinary groups. A sense of identity within the groups develops quickly and proves to be a useful scaling arrangement. A spirit of genuine co-operation across the whole region is clearly evident.
Millburngate Centre on Post Office stamps
1984
Millburngate Centre on Post Office stamps
Millburngate Centre in Durham is selected as one of four projects for a set of Post Office stamps to exemplify the theme of urban renewal. BDP celebrates by designing and issuing a special First Day Cover and handstamp which is sent to clients and is regarded as a rare and valuable item by the philatelic community.
Torvill and Dean score Olympic gold
1985
Queen opens two major shopping centres
1985
Queen opens two major shopping centres
The Queen opens two shopping centres that are poles apart in terms of conception and execution. The Ealing Broadway Centre, London is a large scheme containing shopping, offices, a sports club, library and housing – all in a style suited to a borough once described as ‘The Queen of the Suburbs’. Waverley Market in Edinburgh, by contrast, is a crisply-detailed ‘late-modern’ speciality centre set around twin atria underground, daylit from above via a garden plaza on Princes Street.
Channel Tunnel project revived
1985
Channel Tunnel project revived
This is the second time BDP has designed the Channel Tunnel UK terminal, this time for the Channel Tunnel Group, an Anglo-French consortium of major construction companies and banks. The scheme takes the form of a drive-on drive-off rail shuttle service through bored tunnels. The scheme is officially presented to Downing Street and the Elysee Palace.
Connaught Place restored
1985
Connaught Place restored
BDP completes the restoration of Grade II listed terrace buildings to their original form, providing new office headquarters for Cadbury Schweppes, along with twelve flats.
UK's first multiplex cinema opens
1985
UK's first multiplex cinema opens
The Point opens as a ‘unique concept in entertainment’ for the rapidly expanding population of Milton Keynes. Housed in a mirrored crystal ziggurat within an exposed lattice pyramid frame, it is a landmark for the new town. It is the first multiplex cinema in the country and on opening it is thought that it might: “well mark the way ahead for commercial cinema in the UK.”
BDP Scope
1985
BDP Scope
BDP introduces a computer graphics service called BDP Scope, to give presentations a professional edge. Using state-of-the-art computer technology, BDP Scope generates professional colour transparencies rapidly for audio-visual presentations, seminars and conferences.
Sinclair C5
1986
Staff numbers pass 1000
1986
Staff numbers pass 1000
Staff numbers pass the 1000 mark easily putting BDP first in size among architectural practices, and steadily climbing the ladder of engineering consultancies.
Jubilee Year
1986
Jubilee Year
BDP celebrates its silver jubilee with the publication ‘The Spirit of BDP’ documenting its growth and development over the last 25 years, a new corporate identity, and a formal dinner at Goldsmiths Hall in the City of London for 150 clients and industry leaders. In addition all staff are invited, with one guest, to a closing celebration during the summer at Warwick Castle.
Plessey Semiconductors clean room facility
1986
Plessey Semiconductors clean room facility
A huge amount of national press coverage is generated directly from Prince Charles’ comments likening the Plessey Semiconductors project at Plymouth to a Victorian prison. BDP’s design of the plant which makes six inch silicon wafers etched with integrated electronic circuits for a wide range of uses, is the world's most advanced. BDP has a high level of professional competence and reputation in this sector which features prominently in workload during the decade.
Granada TV News Centre completes
1986
Granada TV News Centre completes
This conversion of a Grade I listed dock traffic office at Albert Dock in Liverpool completes. The brief is to repair the historic fabric of the building, restore the main internal hall and create the most advanced television news centre in Europe with studios and conference facilities. The project goes on to win many top awards including a Civic Trust Award, Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit and a European Gold Medal for Conservation.
Work in Singapore
1986
Work in Singapore
A foothold is gained in Singapore with space planning and interior design for the Treasury Building in the business and financial area of the city for which BDP is appointed after an intense international competition. Our graphic designers also win a commission for the signage for the whole of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit System comprising 44 stations.
Manchester moves into Sunlight House
1986
Manchester moves into Sunlight House
Pressure on space and facilities brings about the move into Sunlight House from St John Street where the office has been for 25 years. This strengthens the image and operating potential by bringing together into one building all the people who have been working in three separate premises. The Manchester office stays at Sunlight House until 2008.
First female partner
1986
First female partner
Janet Jack becomes BDP’s first female partner and chairs the landscape architecture profession across the whole firm, as well as running a large team in the London office.
The first PC virus, Brain, starts to spread
1987
BDP breaks into city market
1987
BDP breaks into city market
A leading position in the London office development boom is established with two significant project wins. One with developer Speyhawk, for the office development over Cannon Street Station, is followed almost immediately by a multidisciplinary commission against very strong international competition to design the new UK headquarters for the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York.
Awards for The Carlisle Lanes
1987
Awards for The Carlisle Lanes
The Lanes is designed to blend completely with the indigenous architecture of the town, with many listed buildings needing complete rebuilding. The open street scheme which completed in 1984 is an immediate commercial success, helping to re-establish Carlisle as a major regional centre and winning the first British Council of Shopping Centres' Large Centre Award. It is also well-received architecturally winning a number of significant plaudits including a RIBA Award and a Civic Trust Commendation.
Refuge Assurance HQ completes
1987
Refuge Assurance HQ completes
Refuge House is set in attractive parkland in the grounds of the 17th century listed Fulshaw Hall. The building is designed to have minimal impact upon the environment, and to ensure that its landscaped surroundings will enhance working conditions. The building wins several awards including Office of The Year Award, a RIBA Award and a Civic Trust Commendation.
Building Design Top 100
1987
Building Design Top 100
BDP comes top in the first survey by Building Design magazine to find out which is the largest firm of architects in the UK.
Work in Falkland Islands completes
1987
Work in Falkland Islands completes
Mount Pleasant Airport in the Falkland Islands holds the world record for major airport construction, taking just 16 months to complete the 2,950m runway and apron. It is also, along with the King Edward Memorial Hospital in the Falklands, the most distant project in which BDP has been involved to date. The guiding principle for the design is to concentrate on simple materials and well-proven details because everything needs to be brought from the UK.
Nottingham office closes
1987
Nottingham office closes
The Sheffield and Nottingham groups consolidate into the Sheffield location. This is to unify the group and allow everyone, in particular the leadership, to concentrate more effectively on the total workload and further expand an already successful operation from the more secure base.
Computing sets up in Coventry
1987
Computing sets up in Coventry
The Computing Unit sets up an office in Coventry to handle the sales and marketing of ACROPOLIS. This sales organisation is established to increase income for continuing research and development, at the same time freeing key staff to concentrate on internal needs.
Energy Unit embraces environment
1987
Energy Unit embraces environment
The Energy Unit now operates under the new title of BDP Energy and Environment recognising that it has established itself as one of the UK’s leading applied research groups concerned with the energy performance and environmental design of buildings.
First Ikea Store in UK
1988
Continued Expansion
1988
Continued Expansion
New commissions maintain the momentum initiated last year; expansion continues apace and by the year end the practice has nearly 200 more people, the size of another office.
Granada TV Studios Tour
1988
Granada TV Studios Tour
Europe's first television based theme park is opened by Coronation Street’s famous landlady, 90 year old Annie Walker of the Rovers Return. BDP is involved in the concept development, the design and construction plus the detailed design and procurement of some of the sets. The one hectare site, previously a derelict railway goods yard, includes many existing buildings incorporated into the tour, and accommodates a wide range of spaces and uses in a tightly planned sequence. It is designed to accommodate up to a million visitors a year.
Paddington Basin masterplan won
1988
Paddington Basin masterplan won
The masterplan for the £200m landmark mixed use regeneration development for Paddington Basin in London, comprising offices, housing, retail and leisure, presents an urban design challenge, integrating forgotten acres of land and water into Paddington and creating part of what will be a new business district based on its rising accessibility.
Roger Horn appointed Chief Executive
1988
Roger Horn appointed Chief Executive
Head of QS profession Roger Horn takes over from Jack Rodin as BDP’s chief executive.
Quality Assurance certification
1988
Quality Assurance certification
The quality system is launched and a manual is issued to all staff. “The main reason for implementation is for BDP to improve its work through the adoption and implementation of good procedures, which are the foundations on which BDP is built.”
BDP Review
1988
BDP Review
The first practice brochure called the BDP Review, is the most prestigious publication issued to date. “The positive response from staff, clients and others to it has been wonderful.”
Nine Oscars for "The Last Emperor"
1989
Bill Jack elected as Chairman
1989
Bill Jack elected as Chairman
Head of southern region Bill Jack takes over from Keith Scott as chairman. As Keith is the last of the original partners to retire this marks the end of an era. He says in his final report: “For the immediate future the promotion of higher design standards is our first priority. There is plenty of work about, clients are willing to spend to get quality, the firm is very strongly based and soundly led, profits are at a satisfactory level. Never in my time at BDP did we have a better opportunity to strive for the best designed buildings in Britain.”
RAC Rescue Control Centre completes
1989
RAC Rescue Control Centre completes
The competition winning design produces a flagship for the RAC’s regional network on a prominent position overlooking the M6 in the West Midlands.
The building provides office and training facilities to house the world’s most advanced rescue communication system, and goes on to win a RIBA award.
Whiteleys refurb completes
1989
Whiteleys refurb completes
The refurbishment of the Grade II listed building provides a high quality shopping development in Bayswater, London. There are open galleries on all levels with magnificent views and glimpses through the building. The design creates principal shopping levels at the ground and first floors with a total of 80 units and London's largest covered food court area on the second floor. The project goes on to attract a lot of publicity and wins many awards including a RIBA Award and a Europa Nostra Diploma Of Merit.
Shopping Centre Design
1989
Shopping Centre Design
Keith Scott’s major book ‘Shopping Centre Design’ is published.
Sixteen Disciplines
1989
Sixteen Disciplines
BDP now has 16 separately identifiable design disciplines, each of which can operate either individually in a monodisciplinary way or as an integral part of a much greater and more complex team.
The Berlin Wall pulled down
