There are not many architectural practices operating in today’s market that can trace their roots back to one of the earliest Associates and Fellows of the RIBA.
One that certainly can is NSW Architects, which was set up in 1876 as Naylor, Sale and Widdows, by John Reginald Naylor whose certificates of Associateship (No 260 in 1881) and Fellowship (No 716 in 1894) of the RIBA still hang proudly in the company’s modern offices.
Much of the early work was on churches and almshouses. However, in the 1930s, the practice was quick to recognise the potential for new ‘cinemas’ and was involved nationwide. Interestingly, today, it still receives requests for drawings from archivists, historians and researchers. Following the Second World War, the practice diversified into new school design while continuing with its work on churches. However, over the last 40 years, it has become recognised for its expertise in the specialist needs, nursing care and the housing market place, both for private and public sector clients. More recently, the workload has shifted with the practice demonstrating considerable flair in the commercial, leisure and industrial sectors for national and international companies.
Ian Nelson, Managing Director, explains, “Today, NSW Architects operates in different ways and in some very different areas to those of the original Practice. Together with my fellow director, Richard Roberts, we have not only concentrated on our traditional areas but have now diversified, in conjunction with our associated business, KLH Business Group, into providing our clients with an all-encompassing project management service, from project inception to completion. Typically this might include:
• A feasibility study;
• Initial design and planning application;
• A business plan;
• Assisting the client in raising the funding;
• Reviewing the availability of grants and completing the applications;
• Provision of detailed tax planning advice, including maximising capital allowances;
• Overseeing financial control;
• Resolving all legal matters with solicitors
• Production of detailed construction designs;
• Appointment of key professionals – Quantity Surveyor, Structural Engineer, etc
• Production of monthly financial reports.
The advantage of this from the client’s point of view is that it reduces the points of contact to just one and, on one recent project where our client fully utilised the services we were able to secure a grant return of £100,000 which when taken together with tax benefits from fully utilising capital allowances provided the client with substantial savings.
The practice lists some prestigious client’s on its project list, including Georgia Pacific, Parker Hannifin, the Ormiston Trust and Phoenix Futures. One recently completed project for Viking Direct/Office Depot International in Burson Business Park, Leicester was for a £20 million UK office headquarters, including a 47,000ft2 office and a 296,000ft2 primary distribution centre. NSW Architects obtained the initial outline planning permission for the Riverlights Development in Derby, comprising a new bus station, retail, commercial, and leisure uses. Recently they have obtained planning permission for a specialist 30 Bed Dementia Unit with 21 assisted living apartments and respite unit in Lincolnshire.
For further information please telephone 01332 874666 or visit www.nswarchitects.co.uk
