Why are some practices opening new offices during a downturn?
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Will
Ing talks to three practices that have recently set up new studios – and asks what role coronavirus played in their decision
The UK economy is expected to contract by more than 11 per cent in 2020, and many architects are facing a similar-sized reduction in their income.
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Hundreds of architects have been made redundant, and the AJ has already reported on one business – a Manchester-based subsidiary of Darling Associates – that has entered liquidation.
But three practices have set up new offices – in Manchester and the Midlands: AJ100 firms TODD Architects and Weston Williamson, as well as Cullinan Studio.
Firms including Kier, Wates and Interserve have been handed spots on a £10.5bn public sector framework.
Morgan Sindall, Bam and Balfour Beatty were also among the firms appointed to NHS Shared Business Services’ (SBS) public sector construction works framework.
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The framework will run for up to seven years and starts immediately
Balfour was joined by Bouygues, Graham and Sisk, as well as McLaren, McLaughlin & Harvey and Vinci on the highest value lot.
The framework, which is open to both NHS clients and the wider public sector, will run for an initial period of three years, and can be extended by an additional four years.