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The Golden Experience at Leonard Design
During 2022, we wanted to give our team a treat, the treat of getting out there and doing something they wanted to do. So, we created the Leonard Design ‘Golden Ticket’ and what’s more, each team member got two tickets each. The Golden Ticket initiative has a couple of categories: Food & Beverage Entertainment Therefore, […]
3 weeks ago
A Charitable Month for the Leonard Design Team
Earlier this year, the Leonard Design team rallied together for multiple charitable causes all worth shouting about! Take a look at what we have been up to! The NACL Charity Bowling Event This year marked the first event held by the Nottingham Architects’ Charity League, bringing together local architectural practices to take part in a […]
1 month ago
Leonard Down Under: Vivid Sydney
Our Australian team, based in Sydney, have been very busy recently with a multiple exciting projects and taking in the sights and inspirational designs of the city. Have a read below of the latest snippet of the ‘Leonard Down Under’ internal newsletter, created by Business Developer & Designer Amie Vantomme. Light Festival Vivid Sydney is […]
2 months ago
Leading the green architectural revolution at Creative Change Makers 2023
Team Leonard Design took part in the incredible Creative Change Makers event in Nottingham. The goal, to build a fairer, healthier, more sustainable + regenerative world, through the power of creative thinking – city by city + community by community. Organised by Creative Conscience, the event focused on creativity for social and environmental impact through the […]
3 months ago
Leonard Design enter seventh year in AJ100 at position seventy-seven
Following another successful year for team Leonard Design, the company has been recognised in the AJ100 for seven consecutive years. The Leonard Design team have also seen the largest step up in rankings by 15 places up to position 77. Since last years AJ100 event the Leonard Design team have worked on a large amount […]
3 months ago
Leonard CODE: Creating Architectural Sketches with Artificial Intelligence
The ability to create realistic photos using AI has been widely explored, however sometimes a creative sketch can more clearly tell a story or explain a concept. AI can be also used to create custom styles to create detailed illustrations of our designs to aid this process. Typical workflow of creating these illustrative urban sketches […]
4 months ago
Leonard GROW: In-house Hydroponic Harvesting
At the start of 2023 the Leonard Design team settled on a theme for the company for the year, Leonard GROW. This initiative illustrated the goal to encourage the team to grow as individuals through career planning & training. Alongside this the team would look to grow more greenery both at home and in the […]
4 months ago
Leonard Design Promotions: Phoebe James
We’re thrilled to announce that Interior Designer Phoebe James has been promoted to Senior Designer. Phoebe led the early stages of a large-scale project in London, successfully taking the brief, liaising with stakeholders, and developing and presenting our proposals in a client-facing role. She was part of the competition-winning team for a project in Melbourne, […]
4 months ago
Creating Sustainable Green Spaces: Earth Day in Nottingham 2023
To celebrate Earth Day 2023, a team of local organisations have banded together in Nottingham to create the city’s first modular ‘Parklet’ green space. The new green space is a welcome addition to Sussex Street, an area that has seen significant investment and remodelling in recent years. The Team The team behind this new green […]
5 months ago
The Mellors Group secure Cultural Development Fund for Skegness Pier
The following text is a press release from The Mellors Group regarding the Skegness Pier transformational plans which Leonard Design are working on. The Mellors Group is delighted to confirm its successful application for the Cultural Development Fund in its joint bid with Magna Vitae, led by ELDC and the Connected Coast Board. As the […]
6 months ago
We want the shirt (and the suit) off your back!
Leaving prison and gaining employment can be a very daunting task. However, going to an interview smartly dressed can make a huge difference to your mentality, approach & confidence level. Therefore, we are looking for donations of your old suits, shirts & ties to be donated to the brilliant team at HMP Nottingham. Director John […]
8 months ago
Leonard Design Promotions: Ben Bowley
We are delighted to announce another promotion from within our team, following a string of announcements earlier this year. Ben Bowley has now been promoted to the position of Director. Ben has been part of the Leonard Design team for eight years now and has led various projects through to completion including Grosvenor House, Sheffield […]
9 months ago
Ambitious Derbion Masterplan Unveiled to Public at Exhibition in Derby City Centre
Leonard Design have developed two masterplans for Derbion, a vibrant hub for retail, leisure and dining in Derby city centre. The masterplan designs will be presented at a public exhibition for the next two days (2/3rd December). The transformational plans look to regenerate two major sites: The Eagle Quarter and Bradshaw Way Retail Park. The […]
10 months ago
Sneinton Market & Lower Parliament Street Construction Fly Through
Leonard Design have been working on a number of transformative projects for Nottingham’s Creative Quarter, including Sneinton Market and a 215-bed student accommodation. With construction well underway on multiple sites we have taken a drone fly through to really experience the full site. In 2017, Leonard Design were engaged on the ‘Sneinton Market’ project, to […]
10 months ago
12 Days of Christmas: Supporting Vulnerable Women and Children Across Nottinghamshire
Every year instead of everyone racking their brains trying to come up with a quirky Secret Santa gift, Leonard Design run a charity event. We found we could make a bigger and better impact on someone’s Christmas who really needs it most. The Charity Tara’s Angels is an organisation set up in memory of Tara […]
10 months ago
Break the Bias: International Men’s Day
Back in March this year we held a workshop for International Women’s Day and planned a year of activities to #BreakTheBias in 2022 around topics we all wanted to debate, challenge and make change. We also said we would audit how much we had (or had not) achieved over the year when we got to […]
10 months ago
It’s Official – Leonard Design is One of the Best Companies to Work For in the UK!
Leonard Design have been recognised as one of the best companies to work for in the UK for 2022. The accolade was announced at the ‘Best Companies’ 2022 end-of-year event where Leonard Design also won the ‘Mid-Sized Companies – Best Improver’ award for 2022. Now with the results in we can confirm Leonard Design ranks […]
10 months ago
World Mental Health Day 2022
Today is World Mental Health Day, a subject that Leonard Design take very seriously and wish to support our team wherever possible. The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority‘ Estelle Morris, HR Manager and a Mental Health First Aider, had this to say […]
12 months ago
Leonard Design Promotions: Gareth Thomas & Rudi Marecki
Our internal promotions continue with more members of the team excelling in their career. Following numerous promotions earlier this month and last month we would like to announce two more: Gareth Thomas – Associate We are delighted to announce that Gareth Thomas will be promoted to the position of Associate. Before joining Leonard Design Gareth […]
12 months ago
Nottingham Developer Set to Bring Colourful Taste of Copenhagen To Bridlesmith Gate
A Nottingham developer who pledged to transform the fortunes of Bridlesmith Gate, has begun working with local organisations to bring a colourful taste of Copenhagen to the city centre. Arran Bailey, the managing director of ALB Group was so disheartened at the demise of his home city, that he began buying a raft of retail […]
1 year ago
Introducing Blossom Homes: Zero Carbon Homes for the Future
Blossom Homes has created a premium quality range of super-environmentally performing ‘zero carbon’, factory built homes that will set new standards for the construction industry. Community driven, spacious living, in a highly sustainable environment with low running and maintenance costs. These are all the ingredients to Blossom Homes. There is an acute need for desirable […]
1 year ago
Leonard Design Promotions: Senior Associates
Last month we announced multiple promotions within Leonard Design to strengthen and re-structure our team. But we are not finished yet! We are delighted to announce three further promotions: James Dealtry-Smith: Senior Associate James manages to cover so many types of projects in parallel from retail roll outs through to projects on site, supporting and […]
1 year ago
Leonard Design Promotions: Matt Sandhu & Mike Ellis
Following last week’s Interiors Team announcement, we are delighted to announce 2 more promotions within the team. These internal promotions will further strengthen our team to allow us to continue to grow and succeed. Matt Sandhu – Associate Director During 2012, Matt worked with director David Leonard in the Nottingham office on a number of […]
1 year ago
Leonard Design’s Interior Design Team Evolves
The Leonard Design team is continuously growing with a number of new team members this year. To support this growth, the team structure is evolving with a number of promotions planned over the next few weeks. With an increasing interior design workload, we are proud to announce three internal promotions. Nicole Billington – Associate Nicole […]
1 year ago
Sustainability in Enterprise
Through NTU’s Sustainability in Enterprise project, Leonard Design have been assessing their own sustainability & carbon management.
1 year ago
Major 21-Stage Film & TV Studio Facility Receives Planning Committee Approval in Hertfordshire
Sunset Waltham Cross Studios, a new 21-stage film complex has received planning committee approval to develop a world-class facility. It is a huge honour for Leonard Design to work with the amazing teams at Blackstone, Hudson Pacific and Sunset Studios. This project marks the first Sunset Studios operation outside of the US, where the owners, […]
1 year ago
Leonard Design are in the AJ100 for a sixth year
Leonard Design have now been enlisted into the AJ100 for six consecutive years. Ranking at number 92 the team couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this exclusive ‘club’ along with other industry leaders in the UK. Published annually by the Architects’ Journal since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the UK. […]
1 year ago
The Light opens at Banbury, redefining the cinema & leisure experience
Last week The Light’s new format leisure complex opened at the Castle Quay Waterfront entertainment hub in Banbury, Oxfordshire. In our role as Lead Designer, Leonard Design worked with the team at The Light to develop and deliver their latest 49,745 sqft cinema-centric leisure experience. The scheme comprises a restaurant, bar, arcade, 10 lane bowling […]
1 year ago
Parc.1 Opens in Seoul – designed by RSHP in conjunction with Leonard Design
Parc.1, a major new mixed-use centre in Seoul, South Korea has recently opened its doors to their first visitors. Designed by architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) in conjunction with Leonard Design.
1 year ago
Recycled Office Furniture: Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Last month Leonard Design teamed up with The Coggin Group to fit out their Nottingham office with recycled office furniture.
1 year ago
The Away Day Returns – And It Was Worth The Wait!
Earlier this month, three Leonard Design offices came together for the annual away day. A highlight of the year for many, this event has not been held since 2019. With a three-year hiatus, the team were very happy to be together again. Team members from our Nottingham, London and Berlin offices met at our Nottingham […]
2 years ago
Grüße aus Berlin
Lesen Sie die neuesten Gesprächsthemen aus unserem Berliner Büro. Märkisches Quartier, Berlin Neupositionierung eines Einkaufszentrums in Berlin. Leonard Design hat die Konzeptplanung für die Innenraumgestaltung bei der Erneuerung des Märkischen Zentrums übernommen. In Zusammenarbeit mit Aukett + Heese Architekten begann die Planung mit der Neuentwicklung des Marktplatzes und der Vereinfachung der Erschliessung. Movie Time! Was […]
2 years ago
International Women’s Day 2022 – More Than Just a Day
This year the Leonard Design team have decided to celebrate both International Women’s Day & International Men’s Day throughout the year instead of only one day. This approach was realised after a group discussion with IWD & IMD becoming markers to review, reflect and plan our work as a team. Five initiatives have been selected […]
2 years ago
Welcome to the Team
At the beginning of 2022 we began a large recruitment drive to expand our team. This month we have welcomed two new starters and to break the ice we thought we should interview them! Read our Q&A below to find out more about our new team members. Andy Law Andy Law has joined our team […]
2 years ago
£75M Leisure resort planned for Southport offering health & wellbeing coupled with active fun
Leonard Design are very proud to announce our involvement for the proposed £75M ‘leisure beach and thermal spa’ in Southport, UK. The attraction looks to create hundreds of jobs and to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The Cove Resort was first unveiled in late 2020, located next to the former open-air sea […]
2 years ago
We’re Recruiting
Thanks to the brilliant efforts of the Leonard Design team over the past year, we're now recruiting due to securing a number of new and exciting projects.
2 years ago
Why we have scrapped (or rather altered) Secret Santa
Since 2018, Leonard Design have scrapped the usual ‘Secret Santa’ tradition of some workplaces. ‘Bah humbug’ we hear you say. However, we have not entirely scrapped the idea, just re-directed our efforts (and presents) to a much better cause. Secret Santa is an event held in many offices; this secretive gift giving is very entertaining […]
2 years ago
‘Once In A Generation’ Opportunity for Nottingham says London King’s Cross Developer
One of the key players behind the world-renowned London King’s Cross development has marked out Nottingham as a city with a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ as it resets itself post COVID. Roger Madelin CBE was CEO with developer Argent and responsible for delivering the 67-acre King’s Cross development. He also worked on Argent’s other […]
2 years ago
Wolfson Economics Prize 2021 Winner Announced
Earlier this year Leonard Design & Diedre King were shortlisted for the prestigious Wolfson Economics Prize 2021. The final five entries included some fantastic designs and strategies to improve new hospital buildings. Ab Rogers Design’s entry was selected as the winner for their ‘Living Systems’ proposal at a gala dinner in London. The 2021 Question […]
2 years ago
Planning Secured in Two Weeks, Preserving Funding for New Inclusive Innovation Hub
Leonard Design have successfully gained planning permission in a period of two weeks for a new Inclusive Innovation Hub in Leeds. Securing permission in such a short period of time was essential to the client, Experience Community, to retain vital funding from Sport England before a looming deadline. Experience Community Experience Community is a not-for-profit […]
2 years ago
Vast masterplan to convert Chetwynd Barracks into a new flourishing community
Ambitious plans for the future of Chetwynd Barracks, Nottinghamshire, have been released this week. The strategic masterplan has been developed over the past four years with the help of Leonard Design Architects. Currently in operation, the historic Chetwynd Army Barracks is to close in 2024. The surrounding areas of Toton, Chilwell, Stapleford, Sandiacre and Long […]
2 years ago
New Green Broad Marsh Car Park Opens in Nottingham City Centre
This week (1st Nov) saw the opening of the new Broad Marsh Car Park in Nottingham City Centre. The previous car park and bus station was demolished to make way for the new state-of-the-art facility. The new car park is located next to the brand-new Nottingham Central Library also designed by Leonard Design Architects. How […]
2 years ago
Melbourne’s Jam Factory to be transformed into £800M mixed-use precinct
Leonard Design are proud to be part of the group of developers and designers that have developed plans to revitalise Melbourne’s Jam Factory precinct. The 18,000sqm site is to be transformed from a solely commercial setting to a high-end luxury mixed-use development. The development group includes Newmark Capital, GURNER and Qualitas along with lead architects […]
2 years ago
The Construction Big Breakfast Podcast
Last month, Director John Morgan was invited by Invennt to take part in The Construction Big Breakfast. The conversation touched on many topics including railway stations as retail destinations, how local authorities are turning themselves into developers, what the UK can learn from Oslo and Australia and some insights about the construction and evolution of […]
2 years ago
The Island Quarter’s New Placemaking Plans Revealed
The developer behind one of the UK’s largest regeneration sites, The Island Quarter in Nottingham, has revealed how the masterplan and placemaking have been radically modified to meet the demands of a post-Covid world. The design teams behind The Island Quarter in Nottingham have revealed how previous plans have been fundamentally altered to create places […]
2 years ago
Leonard Design & Dierdre King shortlisted for the Wolfson Economics Prize 2021
The shortlist for the Wolfson Economics Prize 2021 has been announced and Leonard Design are on the list. The submission, in partnership with economist Diedre King, proposes a new ‘Starfish Hospital’ concept aiming to revolutionise the design of hospitals in the future. The Wolfson Economics Prize First awarded in 2012, the Wolfson Economics Prize is […]
2 years ago
Hollywood comes to Hertfordshire with plans for £700m film and TV studio
We’re incredibly proud to be part of the team bringing a brand-new TV and film studio to Hertfordshire. Collaborating with Hudson Pacific Properties and Blackstone, the exciting project will deliver a world-class studio facility creating more than 4,500 jobs. The development will be the first Sunset Studios operation outside of the US, where the owners […]
2 years ago
Skegness Pier’s Transformational Future
Last week Mellors Group announced exciting plans, drawn-up by Leonard Design, to extend Skegness Pier. The new plans would see the pier extended and visitor attraction upgraded to modern standards whilst retaining its nineteenth century charm. Based in Nottingham, Mellors Group is a highly regarded theme parks, attractions and entertainment company with a rich family […]
2 years ago
Broadmarsh Sparks Nottingham’s Imagination Once More
The recent past of Broadmarsh Shopping Centre in Nottingham has been troubled to say the least. With multiple design proposals to re-haul, renovate or replace the dying shopping centre being scrapped each time for various unfortunate reasons. But now with a sparked interest by the Nottingham public and renowned international designers, the space could become […]
2 years ago
Four Weeks, Four Running Challenges
In the lead up to summer, the Leonard Design team have got their running shoes back on. During the month of May, Lewis Kirk our club leader, set a series of weekly challenges to keep the team motivated. The series of challenges were designed to test speed, endurance and awareness culminating in a handicap race […]
2 years ago
Red Carpet rolled out at Arc Cinema Beeston
This week the brand-new Arc Cinema in Beeston, Nottinghamshire opened its doors for the first time with a VIP red carpet event (27th May). Associate Director Ben Bowley attended the exclusive event and had this to say: Arc Cinema Beeston VIP Red Carpet It was really exciting to represent Team Leonard Design at the Red […]
2 years ago
Dementia Care Design – Putting People First
Dementia care design specialist, Becky Simmons of Leonard Design, took part in the 2021 Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Virtual Forum. Organised by Stable Events, The Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Virtual Forum was held over two days with six speakers. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the annual networking event was held entirely online to […]
2 years ago
RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge
Leonard Design Architects are pleased to announce that we are signatories to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. This framework from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has been developed to encourage and support practices to reduce carbon emissions from their buildings to be net zero by 2030. The built environment is responsible for around […]
2 years ago
5 Weeks of Shadow Boxing with BOXRAW founder Ben Amanna
Last month we teamed up with BOXRAW founder Ben Amanna, who launched a series of boxing exercises over 5 weeks to teach us all the tips, tricks and training routines to get us all engaged with boxing. Each Thursday our team at Leonard Design joined Ben at 8am via Zoom for a shadow boxing workout. […]
3 years ago
Future of Care
Tuesday 09 March 2021 @ 10:00am – 11:00am GMT The past few years have seen enormous changes to the operation and running of care environments across the UK. Pandemic aside, the design of care environments requires updating so that they can respond to the changing socio–economic profile of the country, as well as the demand for better quality individual–led solutions. In the Latest Re:Think debate, we will explore what […]
3 years ago
East Midlands Makes Green Growth Freeport Bid
Landmark opportunity to create thousands of jobs and boost the East Midlands economy Leonard Design Architects are very excited be involved in the East Midlands Freeport bid which was submitted to government on Friday 5th February. The bid, by a consortium led by the two local enterprise partnerships that represent Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, […]
3 years ago
Fighting the January Blues
At Leonard Design Architects we firmly believe in the social benefits of exercise and more importantly team exercise. To combat those January/Post-Christmas and now lockdown blues we have launched two initiatives to get everyone happy and healthy in 2021. 21% Running Challenge The first initiative is our 21% Running Challenge through the Leonard Design Architects […]
3 years ago
Airports; connected cities of the Future?
Tuesday 26 January 2021 @ 10:00am – 11:00am GMT With what will soon be 12 months of international lockdowns and social distancing measures, many industries have been irrevocably affected. None more so than travel. Many countries have closed boarders to almost all international travellers for at least some of the last year and the general […]
3 years ago
Waterside Apartments Practical Completion
Set on the banks of the River Trent and opposite Trent Bridge cricket ground, Waterside Apartments is a large-scale residential development that is setting a new benchmark for waterside living in Nottingham. The recently completed development compromises of 121 luxury Apartments, all with views of the river. The development is part refurbishment and part New build. […]
3 years ago
The Grove Pub – New Plans Revealed
Plans to convert the former The Grove Pub in Nottingham into social housing have been submitted. The historic pub on Castle Boulevard in the city has been empty for years. Now a joint venture between Bmor and Carlton Street Trading could see it converted and extended to create 27 one-and two-bedroom social housing apartments for […]
3 years ago
Food for Thought
Wednesday 25 November 2020 @ 10:00am – 11:00am GMT As one of the 3 key elements to survival, food plays a vital role in our lives and has proven to be a safe investment even during a global pandemic, but how will this success translate to the buildings from which it’s sold? The […]
3 years ago
Place Making for an Online World
Tuesday 03 November 2020 @ 10:00am – 11:00am GMT The continued growth of online retailing, combined with the effects of the global pandemic have highlighted the ever-growing impact this way of consuming goods will have on our future masterplans. In our latest re:think discussion, we will explore the potential impacts and solutions to this issue. […]
3 years ago
Schools: Profitable Real Estate?
For the latest in our Re:Think discussion series, we wanted to consider the question: Can schools be profitable real estate? Not from a purely design perspective, but how can we as architects, masterplanners, developers and investors, reconsider the way schools are included in developments to actually create value rather than be seen as a cost. We […]
3 years ago
Becky on CC Live!
Our Dementia Design Specialist, Becky Smith, interviewed on Cartwright Communication’s second episode of ‘CC Live’, sharing her experience in creating and delivering the best possible environments for care. Last month our dementia design specialist at Leonard Design, Becky Smith, interviewed on Cartwright Communication’s second episode of CC Live. CC Live is a series of webisodes to […]
3 years ago
International Women’s Day Interview
Each year Leonard Design proudly celebrate International Women’s Day. In 2020, Leonard Design is planning a celebration of several cultural-led days including both International Women’s and Men’s Day with the theme of Each for Equal. This year to celebrate International Women’s Day there will be events held in both the Nottingham and London offices. We […]
4 years ago
Demolition Works Nearing Completion in Sheffield
Demolition woks will soon be completed at Blocks B & C of the Sheffield Heart of the City II masterplan. With some piling works already underway the new development is progressing well on site. Walking past the historic Victorian façade on Pinstone Street it is evident there are works underway. However, the magnitude of the […]
4 years ago
How creative urban regeneration is breathing life back into our towns and cities
Some of the projects that have brought me the most satisfaction and enjoyment in recent years have been those with creativity at their heart. It’s behind some of the most innovative thinking on how to revitalise areas in desperate need of urban regeneration, both in UK towns and cities and abroad. An infectious type of […]
4 years ago
Planning Application Submitted for Former Ironbridge Power Station
Leonard Design on behalf of the Harworth Group plc, the owner of the former Ironbridge Power Station, has submitted an outline planning application to both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council as it seeks permission for the 350 acre site’s long-term redevelopment. It has also submitted a separate application to extract up to 1.9million […]
4 years ago
Australian Bushfires: Can We Help in the UK?
Australia needs assistance, the UK is not too far away to help! As you will be aware by now, Australia is being savaged by ferocious bushfires which have burnt nearly 15 million acres already. Putting this into perspective, this is the same as all of Wales and 1/3 of England engulfed in flames. Now with […]
4 years ago
How can businesses combat climate change?
Climate change has firmly been on the agenda recently and it’s easy to see why with extreme weather such as the bushfires ripping across Australia or near record acqua alta levels recorded in Venice last year. Climate change is here and it’s happening. More than two thirds of extreme weather events in the last 20 […]
4 years ago
A Year of Inspirational Travel with the LDAirport
Every year Leonard Design arrange a year long initiative to put the company’s ethos into the hands of the team itself. These initiatives give each employee an opportunity to improve the quality of work or wellbeing within the office. At the beginning of 2019 the LDAirport initiative was launched. Each team member was gifted a […]
4 years ago
Innovative Design Secures Planning for Two Revolutionary Dementia Care Homes
Two pioneering dementia care facilities have received planning permission thanks to the innovative design and specialist knowledge of global architecture firm Leonard Design Architects. The case which identified six “very special circumstances” for the planning approval of the two Church Farm Care Ltd schemes heavily focussed on the intelligent use of architecture, namely its sensitivity […]
4 years ago
Family Action Toy Appeal: Year Two
Following the success of last year’s Family Action Toy Appeal the Leonard Design team have come together to support the amazing charity for a second year. In 2018, we donated a car full of presents to the cause and this year has been even better. Since 2009 Family Action have organised a Christmas Toy Appeal […]
4 years ago
The High Street is Evolving
The high street is dead, or dying, if we are to believe much of the media coverage of the retail sector in the UK. However, Leonard Design are not witnessing a death but an evolution where the high street is evolving by creating strong communities. In 2015, Sheffield City Council announced plans for the Sheffield […]
4 years ago
Climate Change & Sustainability
The climate and its condition are becoming an ever more pressing issue. Thankfully the awareness of this subject is now expanding rapidly due to activists such as Greta Thunberg promoting the #FutureFridays campaign. Unfortunately, environmental disasters are becoming more common and the team at Leonard Design support the protection of our planet and we are […]
4 years ago
World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day, a subject that Leonard Design take very seriously and wish to support our team wherever possible. Estelle Morris, our in-house Mental Health First Aider, had this to say about the subject which was shared with the team via email: It’s a well-known statistic that one in four people in […]
4 years ago
Berlin Named as our Fifth Location
Leonard Design Architects, a global architectural practice which is headquartered in Nottingham, has chosen Berlin as its fifth office location. After entering the German market four years ago, the AJ 100 ranked firm has delivered a number of impressive projects such as the master planning of Markisches Zentrum. Its decision to create a permanent base […]
4 years ago
Can architects combine logic and creativity to inspire the next generation of designers?
Creativity and logic are often considered to be two opposing skills, one full of imagination and originality and the other bound by reason and rationality. In reality, the two complement each other. Architecture has always blurred the boundaries between art and science, and now with the advancement of technology the two are becoming more and […]
4 years ago
Company Away Day: LDA on Tor
Earlier this month the Leonard Design offices came together for the annual away day. This year had its ups and downs (literally), hiking to the summit of Mam Tor and descending to the depths of the Treak Cliff Cavern. Each year the entire team at Leonard Design are invited to the company away day. An […]
4 years ago
The Waterside Apartments: August Update
Progress has continued over the summer months at The Waterside Apartments. With an increase of media coverage for the project, the city of Nottingham and its residents are now seeing the transformations first hand. As you enter the city from the South over Trent Bridge, you can now start to appreciate the form of The […]
4 years ago
December Opening Set for Biggest IKEA in Dubai
Festival Plaza mall in Jebel Ali will soon be home to Dubai’s largest IKEA store when doors open at the centre in July this year. Owned by the Al-Futtaim group, Festival Plaza will be home to multiple big names such as ACE Hardware, M&S and Lulu Hypermarket plus a further 120 stores. The new IKEA […]
4 years ago
The retail world needs “stories not stores”
At a recent round table held in partnership with Gleeds, a number of industry experts gathered to discuss how the industry could realistically transition from “retail toxicity” to create truly vibrant towns and cities. There are some fantastic examples of market sectors and specific brands breaking the mould and already doing just that – here […]
4 years ago
High Level Summary Round Table Discussion
Leonard Design and Gleeds were joined by industry experts from the retail and mixed use sectors (developers through to investors and local authorities) to discuss how we transition from the current Retail Toxicity to create truly Vibrant Cities. The group were invited in advance of the event, to read a selection of thought provoking written […]
4 years ago
Is collaboration the key to urban regeneration?
High-street retailers are working hard to evolve and create a point-of-difference with online shopping in order to keep up. However, if the UK economy is to remain strong post-Brexit then the regeneration and structure of our towns and cities must continue to receive investment. A continual cycle of urban regeneration has, and always will be, […]
4 years ago
Wellbeing in the Workplace
At Leonard Design we believe that the workplace is more than just a place for our staff to work. It is a place for everyone to thrive and enjoy their work without the ‘office’ being seen as a negative entity in someone’s life. The wellbeing of our team is of the highest of priorities, we […]
4 years ago
Three Years in the AJ100
Leonard Design have now been enlisted into the AJ100 for three consecutive years. Ranking at number 100 the team couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this exclusive ‘club’ along with other industry leaders in the UK. Published annually by the Architects’ Journal since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the […]
4 years ago
Planning Approved: Next Steps for Sheffield Masterplan
As the first phase of Sheffield’s Heart of the City II, Grosvenor House nears completion, the next two blocks have been given the green light. Also designed by Leonard Design, Block B and Block C, known as Laycock House & Pepperpot respectively, front onto Pinstone Street at the Eastern gateway to the Sheffield Heart of […]
5 years ago
How BIM is Changing the Design Process at Leonard Design
Leonard Design was an early adopter of BIM (Building Information Modelling) seen as a great advancement in the design process for architecture and design. Using software such as Autodesk Revit the design process has been streamlined in multiple ways to create a much better finished product. A perfect example of this streamlining has been the […]
5 years ago
Construction Update: The Waterside Apartments
Progress on The Waterside Apartments has continued at a great pace during the first couple of months of this year with visible progress now evident as you enter the city from South. Overlooking the River Trent, The Waterside Apartments are a prominent building was once home to the local council but have been vacant for […]
5 years ago
Lower Parliament Street in the Press
Take a look at some of the latest news about our Lower Parliament Street project, which is our newest project in the Sneinton Market area of Nottingham. The Lower Parliament Street project aims to bring footfall to the creative quarter of Sneinton Market and will also provide an area of flexible exhibition space at the […]
5 years ago
Family Action Toy Appeal
We all have traditions over the festive period. Our company is no different whether it be the team erecting the Christmas Tree or the big multi-office get together for food, drinks and fun. This year we decided to scrap a tradition for something much more rewarding. This year we decided to take part in the […]
5 years ago
Sheffield Block B Plans Submitted
Plans have been submitted for Block B of the Heart of the City II scheme in Sheffield. The development features a sensitive redevelopment of Laycock House, a late Victorian building that has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history. The Block B submission has been designed by Leonard Design in partnership with Queensberry. Earlier this month […]
5 years ago
The Future of Cinema
Director, John Morgan, was asked to speak at the Emerging Cinema Markets (ECM) conference last week in Istanbul, Turkey. The conference was held over three days focussing on the future of cinema in Turkey, Middle East, Central Asia, Balkans & Africa. Cinema today is a global industry, with growing annual box office returns of $40 […]
5 years ago
Approved: New Central Library in Nottingham
Nottingham City Council have approved the final designs for the new Broadmarsh development which will include a new Central Library for the city. The new Broadmarsh development, and the Central Library within, will be located in Nottinghams new ‘Southern Gateway’ project. This wider development will see the south side of the city transformed to include […]
5 years ago
Sheffied HoC II: Pepper Pot Planning Submitted
Planning submitted for Block C of Sheffield’s Heart of the City II scheme known as ‘Pepper Pot’. Following the completion of Phase One, the works on the new block are expected to start in Spring 2019, subject to planning. The plans for the Pepper Pot building, fronting on Pinstone Street, include the restoration of the […]
5 years ago
West Bridgford Junior School Scores a New Sports Pitch
West Bridgford Junior School’s dream of an all-sports grass pitch for its students has been made a reality thanks to four local businesses and a parent-backed crowdfunding campaign. Leonard Design Architects, Rushcliffe Fencing, Thomas Bow City Asphalt and Trust Utility Management each provided an array of skills and resources to boost the school’s sporting activities. […]
5 years ago
Baxter Green Off to a Great Start
Over the weekend an open house event was held at the Baxter Green development in Bramcote village, Nottingham. The event was very busy, and the design received a lot of praise from visitors. Set within the former gardens of St. Johns College, a Grade II Listed building, Baxter Green will have a very tranquil feel […]
5 years ago
Snow Day: Company Away Day 2018
Every year Leonard Design arranges a Company Away Day for the whole UK team to get together. Previous years activities have included cycling, white-water rafting & obstacle courses. This year the team descended upon the Tamworth Snowdome for a day of snow & ice! Bringing everyone together is a fantastic opportunity for the team to […]
5 years ago
Open House at Baxter Green Development
This weekend there will be an open house event held at Baxter Green in Bramcote village on the outskirts of Nottingham. The new development, designed by Leonard Design, is situated within an idyllic green setting on the former garden site of St. Johns College. The event at Baxter Green will initially showcase a five-bedroom detached […]
5 years ago
Leonard Design in the Press: October 2018
Autumn is officially here and summer is over. October has been a very busy month with some great coverage in the press for the projects that Leonard Design are working on. Recently we announced the competition winning design for the Incheon International Airport landmark sculptur. Commissioned by the three biggest duty-free retailers in Korea: Lotte, […]
5 years ago
The Grove: Plans to revive historic Notts pub
The Grove, located on the corner of Castle Boulevard and Abbey Bridge in Lenton, has been derelict for a number of years but the new plans by Leonard Design Architects will see it reinstated as a working pub with part of the building and its disused car park redeveloped into high-quality student accommodation. A total […]
5 years ago
Green Light for Beeston Development
Plans to deliver 132 new homes, a new cinema and food and drink outlets to Beeston in Nottingham have taken a step closer. Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee has unanimously granted full consent for the town’s new cinema and outline planning consent for the mixed-used and residential building. The decision was made at yesterday (12 […]
5 years ago
Winning Design for Incheon International Airport
Leonard Design have won a bid to design a landmark sculpture for Incheon International Airport, the largest airport in South Korea, as part of a wider refurbishment of the award-winning duty-free shopping area. The landmark, designed for Incheon International Airport but commissioned by the three biggest duty-free retailers in Korea: Lotte, Shilla and Shinsegae, will […]
5 years ago
Flying Over the Waterside
The Waterside Apartments will be a landmark development creating a prominent gateway into Nottingham. Located in the centre of the ever growing West Bridgford the development is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, local amenities and some of the best sport Nottingham has to offer. Nottingham Forest Football ground, Trent Bridge Cricket Club, Notts County Football ground […]
5 years ago
Staff Appreciation is at the Top of Our Agenda
Here at Leonard Design we have been putting our staff first with a month of fun events and activities to boost well-being and bring employees together. As a practice we already have a HR plan with perks such as open leave, health care cover, flexible and home working and a mentor initiative with career planning […]
5 years ago
Scale Rule: Designers of Tomorrow
Leonard Design & ARUP have teamed up to run a design workshop at Nottingham Trent University to inspire young local students to get into design & architecture. The scheme was organised by Scale Rule, a collective that seek to promote diversity and public engagement in our built environment. Year 9 & 10 students from across […]
5 years ago
Azuri: Revisited
Four years ago the Azuri oceanfront village in Mauritius was completed. Leonard Design were heavily involved in the design and construction of the scheme. Over the past week a few members of the team have revisited the idyllic island to see how the original scheme has evolved, and to review the subsequent phases of development […]
5 years ago
New Research Team in Partnership with The University of Nottingham
We are proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Nottingham (UoN) to improve research and development in the architectural sector. The first of its kind implemented in practice by any university across the country, the new initiative allows students at the UoN school of architecture to work directly with local firms to […]
5 years ago
Plans for Revolutionary Nottingham Dementia Care Home Revealed
The new plans for Skylarks Care Home, a revolutionary design focusing on the care of dementia patients, has been revealed. The care home promises to promote independence, comfort, and quality of life for residents through intelligent architecture. The design which proposes extensions to both the ground and first floor of the existing Church Farm at Skylarks […]
5 years ago
AJ100: Up 18 Places to Number 82!
Leonard Design have secured a spot on the prestigious AJ100 list for the second year in a row and have jumped up 18 places to rank at number 82. Published annually by the Architects’ Journal since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the UK. It is largely regarded as a key measure […]
5 years ago
Planning Submitted for Next Phase of Beeston Square Development
Plans have been submitted for an ambitious new mixed-use development in Nottingham’s biggest suburb. Broxtowe Borough Council has entered a planning application for the second phase of the Beeston Square development, which will consist of 120 new homes, a cinema and a number of new food and drink outlets. The formal application has been made […]
5 years ago
Designing an Iconic Office Building for Sheffield
Construction continues on Phase One of Sheffield Heart of the City II. David Leonard, director of Leonard Design, recently spoke with the Sheffield team about the design of this phase. The extract below is from a newsletter published through the official Heart of the City website. If you want more information on the scheme or […]
5 years ago
Ambitious plans for phase two of the Beeston Square Development, Nottingham
Ambitious plans to create a vibrant new hub in Nottingham’s biggest suburb with new homes and leisure facilities will be revealed to the public this week. Broxtowe Borough Council has revealed its plans for phase two of the Beeston Square development which proposes 120 new homes, a cinema and greater choice of food and drink […]
5 years ago
Baxter Green Land Sold!
Thanks to FHP acting on behalf of St John’s college, the site of the new Leonard Design masterplan has been sold to Willmark Homes. The sale was subject to planning basis and negotiated by David Hargreaves of FHP Property Consultants. Leonard Design were appointed to create a residential development within a listed building setting. The […]
6 years ago
Sheffield Heart of the City 2 Works Progressing Well
Construction of the first phase of the new Heart of the City 2 continues to progress well with a large amount of the main structure completed. Attention is now focusing on the Main Building façade with the Installation of the Schuco façade progressing well, the glazed & anodised aluminium panels along Moorhead have been largely […]
6 years ago
£1.4billion Retail Scheme Forms a Large Part of Croydon’s “Regeneration Jigsaw”
Nottingham-based Leonard Design has revealed how its plans for Croydon’s £1.4billion Westfield and Hammerson shopping centre bring together the old and new and make significant environmental improvements as a key part of the town’s regeneration. With a grand galleria at its heart, which will be open 24-hours a day, the scheme has been designed to […]
6 years ago
Further Plans to Develop Nottingham’s Historic Sneinton Market Revealed
Further plans to redevelop Nottingham’s Sneinton Market have now been revealed by Leonard Design Architects. Architects from the award-winning practice, which is headquartered in Nottingham but has a global reach, were brought on board by Carlton Street Trading as part of the wider regeneration of the area to provide design concepts that is in keeping […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Puts its Stamp on Luxurious Malaysian Projects
Leading international architectural firm Leonard Design has revealed its stunning proposal for two mixed-use developments in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Leonard Design, which has a head-office in Nottingham with further locations in London, Kuala Lumpur, and Australia, was brought on board by Pavilion, the largest retail concentrated real estate investment trust in Malaysia, to master plan […]
6 years ago
Festival Place Rejuvenated by Leonard Design
Regeneration plans for Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke get underway with the modernisation of St John’s Square by East Midlands architects Leonard Design. The three-phase update of Festival Place, due to be completed by October 2017, will include the modernisation of the tenant shop facades in the square, the re-design of the grand entrance […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Help Budding Architects Place in Chatsworth Competition
The year four class of Chaucer Junior School, based in Ilkeston, has reached the final stage of the Royal Horticultural Society Chatsworth Flower Show 2017 competition to discover the most architecturally impressive bug hotel after receiving help from Leonard Design Architects. Chaucer Junior School teamed up with Leonard Design to get its advice on standing […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Reveals Plans to Develop Historic Building on Carrington Street
Plans to transform a derelict building on Nottingham’s Carrington Street into a lively hub have now been revealed by Leonard Design Architects. Architects from the award-winning practice, which is headquartered in Nottingham but works on projects all over the world, were appointed by Carlton Street Trading to provide a design concept that is in keeping […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Expands into Australia
Leading international and AJ 100 architecture firm Leonard Design has expanded into Australia with a new base in Sydney and a number of exciting projects on the horizon. Leonard Design, which has a head-office in Nottingham and further offices in London and Kuala Lumpur, has opened an Australian location as a result of increased international […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Ranked in National AJ100 List
Midlands-based Leonard Design Architects is celebrating after securing a spot on the AJ100. The firm were also shortlisted for the ‘New Member of the Year’ award by the prestigious Architects’ Journal. Published annually since 1995, the AJ100 ranks the largest architectural practices in the UK. It is largely regarded as a key measure of success […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Expands Nottingham HQ
Growing architecture practice Leonard Design Architects has expanded its Nottingham head office with a full refurbishment by Nottingham-based B&M Installations. Located in Albion House, Canal Street, the 465 sq ft office underwent a full refurbishment including frameless glass partitioning, new Interface floor tiles and a brand new, top of the range kitchen. Interior specialists B&M […]
6 years ago
Bridgford House Redevelopment
Leonard Design are proud to announce a planning application has been submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council to transform Bridgford House on Trent Bridge, Nottingham into a mixed-used scheme including apartments, offices and restaurants. The former head office for Rushcliffe Borough Council was purchased by Nottingham based business Monk Estates in February for £6.9m. The new […]
6 years ago
Leonard Design Appointed to Create Radical Masterplan for Guildford
Nottingham based Leonard Design has been appointed by the Guildford Vision Group (GVG) to create a vision for Guildford town centre. Presented to the wider community at an open meeting in Guildford on 1 February 2017, the masterplan creates pedestrian friendly connections from the town centre to the railway station, University of Surrey, and Guildford Cathedral. […]
6 years ago