By Scott Wright
A HISTORIC Scottish architecture practice has shaken up its internal structure as it plots further growth and signals hopes to expand its team this year.
Borders-based Aitken Turnbull, which can trace its roots back to the 19th century turned over more than £1.5 million last year and is aiming to build on that with the restructuring of its offices in Edinburgh, Galashiels and Dumfries.
The practice said it has strengthened its leadership teams and hopes to expand its current 26-strong team as workload increases.
Projects completed by the practice last year included work on Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, an 18,000 square metre UK Government hub used mainly by HMRC, plus other departments.
The building, which has capacity for nearly 3,000 people, includes ministerial accommodation for the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Advocate General and The Cabinet Office.
The latter was the first UK cabinet meeting room outside London.
The architect has also recently completed design work on Wordsworth Hotel in Grasmere in the Lake District, Sergeant’s Park Affordable Housing in Newton St Boswells, and a development for the Department of Work and Pensions in Birmingham,
Alasdair Rankin, managing director of Aitken Turnbull, said: “2020 was a big year for Aitken Turnbull and lays down a marker for the coming year.
“We completed our restructuring, formalised our studio structure and strengthened our local leadership teams, recruited to key roles and created new ones to better meet the needs of our clients.
“All of this was planned before we knew what challenges 2020 would bring and our ability to continue to move forward and complete these important changes is testament to the commitment and support of our staff and clients alike.
“The key to our continual success is that we have always believed and practised that design matters.”
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