Situated in offices in the shadow of the Saltash Bridge, designed and built by that great British engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is the architectural practice of Le Page Architects.
Although the company only began trading in June 2010, the three directors, Amanda Le Page, Simon Crosbie, Damon Pearce and all of their team had worked together for many years in the South West architectural division of Gilmore Hankey Kirke, which Amanda Le Page had started in 1987. The practice established a strong reputation with clients who included English Heritage, Sutton Harbour Group, the MoD and the National Trust and was particularly well known for its restoration work on the Grade 1 Listed Royal William Yard in Plymouth.
Following GHK’s decision to focus on its core consultancy business, Amanda, Simon and Damon were encouraged by GHK to launch their own practice and to take over GHK’s principal ongoing projects in the region. This they did just 12 months ago and, according to Simon, “Things have gone superbly well since we moved here to Saltash. Having worked in and around Plymouth for many years, we wanted to stay nearby so we can continue to provide the same service to our local core clients and of course those which are new”. Where we are now suits us perfectly, it is a pleasure coming to work and, after all that is one of the main reasons for doing what we do!”
The practice is already proving to be successful, having won a number of awards this year for work carried out either as Le Page or as staff at GHK who are now part of Le Page. Only recently , Pendragon House in East Cornwall was awarded a special commendation by The Cornish Buildings Group; while just a month earlier Le Page Architects won three Abercrombie Awards, announced at the Herald Business and Abercrombie Awards 2011 awards ceremony.
Le Page Architects were awarded the Best Conservation Project or Conversion for St. Aubyn’s Church, Devonport, The People of Plymouth Award for Devonport Guildhall and Abercrombie Award (the top award across seven categories for the best urban renaissance project in Plymouth) for St. Aubyn’s Church. Devonport Guildhall was also highly commended under the Best Conservation Project or Conversion category. The projects were undertaken as Gilmore Hankey Kirke Architects. Another important milestone in March 2011 saw Le Page Architects achieve ISO:14001 accreditation with a successful external audit.
Looking down the long list of outstanding projects on which the team has already worked, it is difficult to pick out specific examples. However, a permanent memorial to personnel killed while serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery was unveiled in Plymouth in January this year. The names of 14 “Commando Gunners” who died feature on the memorial at the city’s Royal Citadel. This memorial was designed and overseen by Le Page Architects.
Another key project the Practice has been appointed to, is the remodelling and renovation of a Grade II listed dwelling house in Salcombe. The former look out tower and dwelling mark the gateway to the towns Conservation area, and have spectacular views across the Kingsbridge estuary. The design proposes an extensive refurbishment, harmonising the existing structure to provide a foil and backdrop to the historical element. Planning consent was awarded in March 2011.
For further information please telephone 01752 849880 or visit www.lepagearchitects.com
