Date: 15 July 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Luke Thurman first joined McKeown Alexander Architects in 1998 and has had a key role in the Glasgow practice, which merged with PJMP in 2004 to form jm architects, for the past eight years. Luke’s reputation for achieving high quality design in sensitive contexts is exemplified in a range of projects ranging from: housing schemes for private clients, contractors and housing associations; to public realm projects; and educational projects, procured by both PFI and traditional contract.
Key projects amongst Luke’s portfolio include: the award winning Graham Square and Homes for the Future housing projects; Clydebank Re-built Public Realm; and the Kingston Bridge Lighting Project for Glasgow City Council. More recently Luke has been responsible for the conversion of Linn Park Mansion for Classical House; and his design for Cumbernauld Road housing for Kenmore Homes, won the 2008 Scottish Design Award for Residential Project of the Year.
Luke spoke to Web Editor Caroline Ednie.
CE: You recently received the Emerging Architect of the Year Award at the 2008 Scottish Design Awards? How important is this recognition.
LT: I think that this year’s Scottish Design Awards really highlighted that there are opportunities to do good quality architecture in Scotland. All over the country architects are producing good quality buildings that really push the boundaries of architecture in the current climate. This really showed at this year’s Awards.
Your career seems to have followed the reverse trend of many architects - that is, you’ve gravitated to Scotland from London, rather than vice versa?
I came up from London to study architecture at the Mackintosh School – both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.
After I completed my Part One I went to work with Ian and Henry at McKeown Alexander Architects in 1998. In doing so I had a fantastic opportunity to work on projects that were part of Glasgow 1999 (Year of Architecture and Design). I worked on both Phase One of Graham Square and Homes for the Future, so I was in a really lucky position.
I also worked on a number of smaller projects, which reflect the way that the office is run. We work on large and small-scale projects simultaneously.
The following year I decided to take another year out and went back down to London to work for Rick Mather Architects. This was a completely different working environment – the approach to architecture was very much along the lines of adhering to the office style. So, I went from working in a small office that emphasises exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries, to working in an office with a prescribed house style. It was an interesting experience.
However, up in Glasgow there’s a much better quality of life, and working for a year in London galvanised that in my mind. It’s really important to get the live/work balance right and it was very difficult to do that in London, spending so much of the day commuting. In Glasgow it takes 15 minutes in the train to get to work, and I can be out in the countryside within half an hour.
And you feel that you can also achieve all your career aspirations working in Scotland?
In Scotland there might be a different expectation amongst some clients in terms of what they can get for their money than you might get in London. In London it’s been a lot about ‘Starchitects’ building big iconic buildings and companies understanding that in doing this they can heighten their profile within the media and public psyche. But saying this I think that this may be changing with the advent of the new mayor….
The challenge in architecture is about understanding the brief and trying to achieve what you can within the budget and within your client’s requirements. If you are interested and passionate about architecture then you should be able to do good architecture wherever you are.
McKeown Alexander merged with large established practice PJMP (Percy Johnson-Marshall & Partners) to form jmarchitects in 2004. There were concerns at the time that the independent spirit of the practice might be compromised. Can you describe the impact (if any) of the transition from McKA to jm?
The Glasgow office of jm has always wanted to maintain its own identity and my understanding is that when the amalgamation occurred there was a remit that we were coming together to develop jm’s design remit. Jm understood our design ethos and desire for good quality architecture and that is still very much appreciated. In terms of the Glasgow office, joining forces allowed us to target slightly more prestigious, larger projects. It has given us the resources and background to do this, whilst still maintaining the freedom in our approach to do the best that we can with every project that we take on board. The design ethos within the Glasgow office has not changed but we have been able to use our approach to design to influence and support the rest of the group.
Ian and Henry and I myself now teach at the Mac, and we bring that ethos and that study and understanding to our work. We are always aiming to stay cutting edge.
Can you describe what you are working on at the moment?
The main project that I’ve been working on for the last twelve months is to design a new Primary School for Hillhead in Glasgow’s West End. Glasgow City Council took the attitude that they would release a competition to design a number of schools in the city. The competition was in two parts, the first was a competition to design new schools for Ruchill, Tinto and Govan (this was eventually won by Anderson Bell Christie), and the second part was to design a new Hillhead Primary School – and we won this project. It was felt that these four sites needed innovative architectural led design solutions. The Hillhead site is a complex site that straddles Kelvingrove Park.
Unlike the PFI schools projects these are very much about a design led traditional contract. Project funding is in place and they will be funded publicly. I think that in the current climate it’s a very brave step for the council to take. I think they realise that they can get better value for money getting something designed and led and constructed by an architect. The council is an educated client and at the end of the day this decision will be good for the pupils.
jm architects has also been heavily involved with many PPP (Public Private Partnership) school procurement projects?
We have been involved in designing PPP schools for East Renfrewshshire; Falkirk; Argyll and Bute; Stirling, and Renfrew Councils. With all these projects you get out what you put in. I think that our schools prove that the PFI process can achieve good quality architecture and good quality schools when the attitude of the architect is to drive forward good quality design.
As well as being involved in large PFI projects you’ve also designed housing for volume developers?
Both of the housing projects that I’ve recently worked on were for private developers: Linn Park, Glasgow for Classical House and Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow for Kenmore, now Highmore Homes. I’m also involved in our winning entries for the forthcoming Highland Housing Fair.
Linn Park was a traditional contract with traditional architects role. There are only four units – two conversion and two new builds that were tagged on the back, almost like a backpack.
Cumbernauld Road was also developer led and was actually constructed by the developer. We were there in an advisory role, preparing documents for stutory approvals, planning and building warrant, and to provide basic construction documents. Despite this brief, we were keen to control the design and make sure that the aesthetic and detail at the end of the day was what we wanted to achieve.
The project originated with vacant plot of land on a brownfield site, and the developers asked us to maximise the potential of the site. Consequently we went through a lot of negotiation with the planners and at the end of the day they drove the density that we could achieve on the site - this was for 24 units featuring townhouses and flats.
The design follows a semi traditional terraced layout, with integrated garage, living areas on the first floor, family room on the ground floor connected to the garden and bedrooms on the top. We stripped the design back, keeping the palette of materials very restricted. We incorporated good proportioned windows and repeated that in the scheme, stepping the terrace to define each private space, giving definition to the individual units. It’s very much an urban solution. It’s not rocket science when it comes to architecture but it takes a pride in itself.
Having been taught at the Mac and having the opportunity to be taught by architect Isi Metzstein, you start to understand that you’re creating space and the elevation at the end of the day should be a consequence of the spaces that are created inside.
In housing it’s difficult as you don’t have a lot to play with. But in this case it was a site with fantastic views and we wanted to get lots of light in with floor to ceiling windows. We wanted to create a nice environment inside on dreich Scottish days. When you get the opportunity to design good quality housing you’re affecting lots of people and giving them nice environments to live in, and that’s very important.
Are developments like Cumbernauld Road becoming the rule as the house buying public becomes increasingly design savvy or are they still very much the exception?
There are pockets of design led developments. Thankfully Cumbernauld Road has sold and the developers can see that their investment has been wise. But it took a bit of guts from the developers as it’s a very distinctive development.
We built up have a good working relationship with Highmore Homes and we’re currently looking at a site in Gourock. We have good relationships with volume house builders – not so much your Wimpeys but volume builders that understand that you need a slightly novel approach as there might be complex issues with the site conditions or the planning or location that requires an innovative solution. This is when they come to us.
But the state of house building in the UK as a whole is terribly disappointing. Yes there are pockets of innovative solutions, a lot of which come from Housing Associations because they know that they have a limited budget and they want to create places where people want to live. And there have been some great success stories such as the New Gorbals development and Molendinar Park Housing Association with Graham Square phase one. We are also involved in phase two which is on site at the moment. It’s proof that with certain clients you can push your architecture and do fantastic buildings.
But on the whole volume house builders know that their products sell – so they think ‘why change it’? There’s no remit coming from planning authorities to provide amenities and create sustainable communities, so we’re still getting these huge estates that look the same in Barrhead as Bishop Stortford.
What type of project would you like to land on your lap in the future?
I’d like to do a museum or an art gallery, or a library. I’d like to work on a large community based project - ones where you
could really get your teeth into, designing interesting, complex spaces.
I also like the idea of working on projects in different countries. I like the Scandinavian approach to architecture - they seem to be so well educated in their level of design and appreciation. Maybe some of that should rub off on us….
Finally, how would you define your design raison d’etre?
I like to look at everything that’s happening and working at the art school as a tutor, you have students bringing lots of new people and ideas to you all the time. In terms of influences these are diverse and they from contemporary Swiss architect Luigi Snozzi to Tom Mayne at Morphosis in the US, happily looking at all the stuff in between.
But for me it’s about the fundamentals at the end of the day. It’s about using good quality materials and creating nice spaces. It’s as simple as that.
More Images - Click to view larger versions
Linn Park, Glasgow
Image: Andrew Lee
Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow
Image: jm architects
Kingston Bridge, Glasgow
Image: Andrew Lee
Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow
Image: Andrew Lee
