Senior Appointment Reflects Focus On Growing The Education Sector

GT3 Architects has further increased its presence in the North East with the appointment of Jonny Flavin to its studio in Newcastle, as it plans to strengthen its offer to the education sector.

Senior architect, Jonny, 38, joins after a successful career at other local practices where he led on projects such as North East Futures UTC based in Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter.

He joins at a period of sustained growth for GT3’s Newcastle studio, with headcount increasing from 33 to 41 in the last year and a raft of prestigious contracts confirmed, including being appointed for Morpeth and Berwick leisure centres and as concept master planners for a major project in Newcastle City Centre.

GT3 Architects delivers projects throughout the UK from its studios in Newcastle and Nottingham. It demonstrates particular expertise in sports and leisure, masterplanning and workplace design and has earned recognition for its innovative and sustainable projects in a range of sectors including mixed-use, entertainment, civic and residential.

The central focus of all projects is an approach the company has termed ‘People Architecture’, which positions people, not buildings, at the heart of its work, ensuring the spaces it creates are not just beautiful, but that they deliver real, enduring value to the people who use and operate them long into the future.

Jonny, who has a degree in both product design and architecture, said: “While I have strong experience across a number of sectors, one of my key objectives is to assist the business win more clients in the education arena.

“Our aim now is to provide them with increasing evidence that we are well resourced and skilled to assist them with tenders for education and, as such, we are very confident we can grow our presence in this sector during the next 12 months.”

The company invests in the development of concepts, based on thorough research and community engagement, to generate market opportunities. By placing emphasis on nationwide social and economic issues such as loneliness, mental health, and physical health, it is well placed to deliver innovative ideas that provoke discussion and lead to better spaces and places.

Suzanne Blair, associate director at GT3 Architects and education sector lead, said: “Jonny’s appointment marks our serious intent to grow our presence in the education sector. He is joining an already strong team of architects and technologists and we count amongst our experience leading roles on major projects such as Northumbria University’s Pandon Building, the Beacon of Light in Sunderland, INTO Newcastle University and Denton Community College.

“The team includes myself, Paul Reed, also an associate director, Neil Hardy, our technical manager, Jade Owens, project architect, Michael Simpson, senior architect and now Jonny as senior architect and we’re supported by our directors Simon Dunstan, Gary Thomason and Mark Gowdridge. We consider that projects in the education sector are not just about providing new, smart and sustainable buildings, but rather that we have a responsibility to create spaces and places where students are able to achieve their potential.”