Most architectural practices tend to operate in a broad range of construction sectors. However, some become recognised for one particular field.
That is the case with Newcastle-based Dunwoodie Architects. Okay, they are skilled in designing offices, retail, commercial & residential; they design new hotels and produce plans for hotel developments. In the retail sector they have worked with Marks and Spencer, Asda, Safeway & Sainsbury’s. They have worked on the Stack leisure development & the Newgate Centre in the centre of Newcastle and are currently completing Stack Seaburn which is soon to open.
But the heart of their expertise can historically be found in the public sector and in particular the healthcare sector.
“Since Dunwoodie Architects was founded in 1990, we have always been heavily involved in architectural work for the NHS and private healthcare,” said joint director & owner, Laura Ruxton. “Our founder, Mike Dunwoodie, had previously been working closely with the Northern Regional Health Authority but when the organisation was dissolved he saw an opportunity to work with some of the new authorities around the UK. He brought together a team of individuals with a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector so that we have now, 30 years later, become recognised as one of the leading specialist architects in the country for working with health authorities, although the company has also now expanded into the commercial, retail and residential sectors.”
Laura, who came to Newcastle in 2006 via her home country of Colombia, and Switzerland where she concluded her architecture and business qualifications, has been with Dunwoodie Architects for her entire career. She was also instrumental in merging Dunwoodie with Swift Architects, owned by Peter Swift, in 2017.
A quick scan of their website
www.dunwoodiearchitects. co.uk
will show the level of importance the company places on its work for the public health sector. Their portfolio of projects with the NHS, hospitals, care homes, health centres, GP surgeries and other healthcare providers is extensive.
In our region they provided architectural services for North Tyneside General and South Tyneside hospitals, University Hospital Durham, North Tees and Hartlepool hospitals, Sunderland Royal Infirmary and Queen Elizabeth in Gateshead. They are currently working with the RVI in Newcastle on their new multi-storey car park. Elsewhere around the country you will find Dunwoodie Architects’ work at hospitals in Hull, Scarborough and Sheffield.
Good news obviously spreads far and wide because the business has also worked for hospitals in Canada and has recently completed work for the planning and design of a new 100m Outpatient Department at the Mater Dei Hospital in Malta. It has now got to the stage that Dunwoodie Architects is seen as an industry leader when it comes to working within the health sector.
“We believe in creating architecture that makes a significant contribution to the quality of the built environment, our surroundings and places in which we live and work,” added Laura. “Through our architecture we aim to create spaces and environments that have a positive impact on people’s lives, be it living, working, socialising or healing. This is especially important with hospitals, surgeries and healthcare centres. These buildings need to serve a variety of purposes but principally they are a place of work for the staff and a place where the general public go for treatment and care. We need to make sure that the building ‘works’ for both parties. The staff need to have the space and facilities while the general public need to feel comfortable in the environment.
Working for the NHS and other healthcare providers can be complicated because there are invariably a whole host of specifications, constraints & criteria which have to be met. Thankfully, 30 years of experience in this sector allows us to anticipate a lot of the potential pitfalls and move the project on quickly.”
In other words, Dunwoodie Architects are the classic example of ’been there – done it.’ Dunwoodie Architects. They had designs on the past; now they’re building for the future.
Do you have a project that you'd like to discuss? You can contact Laura, Peter and their team at Dunwoodie Architects by calling 0191 3758838 or emailing info@dunwoodiearchitects.co.uk
