Flanagan Lawrence

Approach A key part of our approach is the level of personal interaction within the practice. There is a real sense of creative energy in the studio – something that translates directly into the buildings we create. Our resources, organisational structure and collective experience ensure that we can successfully complete the most challenging project. Drawing on a rich and diverse seam of expertise, we can deliver innovative architecture that is both creatively compelling and commercially effective. How we work The way we work inspires excellence. Our studio is an environment for the rigorous exploration and evaluation of ideas, concepts and detail, ranging from sketches, drawings and simple models to advanced computer-based design techniques. Our managerial process balances resources to ensure we always maintain the highest level of service. Our design process challenges accepted solutions, employs evidence-based reasoning and generates architectural excellence and added value through innovation. We enjoy dynamic teamwork, both internally and externally. We have developed an iterative design process with regular, structured reviews. This process also guarantees that working together as a team we can always provide timely, effective and transparent information concerning design progress, programme and cost. Philosophy We believe in the importance of excellent client and project team relationships. We believe in inspirational design coupled with commercial insight and understanding. We believe that our in-depth knowledge of materials, processes and delivery offer real value to our clients. Our drive to explore new ideas comes from a curiosity and a desire to understand how things work. By understanding and taking delight in how things are put together, we are able to continuously improve the quality of our design. Irrespective of typology, our buildings reflect the experience, expertise and approach of our architects, who are themselves as diverse as the clients who commission us. Sustainability We take sustainability very seriously, and believe that a responsible approach to the environment is a vital aspect of good architecture. While we recognise that sustainability goals need to be achieved alongside other project objectives, we constantly endeavour in all of our work to help clients achieve more with the resources available. This is accomplished by considering sustainability issues from the outset, and allowing them to inform early strategic decisions; by encouraging a coordinated approach to the subject by the entire design team; by using passive techniques, such as siting, building form and orientation, to reduce energy and resource consumption; and by ensuring that our project teams have a full understanding of the issues involved, and the range of possible solutions. Methods and technologies are adopted that are appropriate for each individual project. Sustainability is fully integrated into the design process at Flanagan Lawrence. A sustainable design checklist is built into our project review system, and is used to assist project teams to identify the key issues at each stage, and to monitor each project as it progresses, from inception to completion and beyond. Our activities in the field are co-ordinated and managed by our own sustainability group, who help to monitor and evaluate each project, provide information and advice, and harness the results of project-based research into innovative techniques for the use of the wider practice. We recognise that successful sustainable design must be a team effort, and to this end we have established close relationships with a number of the leading specialist consultants in the field, with whom we collaborate regularly. We also contribute to wider discussions and activities within design and construction by means of our involvement in industry forums such as the UK-Green Building Council, and projects such the RIBA-coordinated Carbon Buzz. Our approach to sustainability is not limited to the buildings we design. The way in which we manage our business is under continual review with the aim of reducing energy and resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste.