£1.8m of work is a record for practice
An architects in Shropshire is in the busiest period of its 12-year history, with £1.8 million of projects currently on the go.
Johnson Design Partnership (JDP), which has been listed in the top 200 practices in the UK, is on site or currently tendering for 12 different design and build contracts, which will between them create up to 100 jobs.
The projects include a mix of homes, hospitals which have asked the company to make use of new design techniques, and facilities for community groups such as cricket clubs and schools.
"This is a really great time to be involved with the practice and we have lots of challenging, but great projects currently on site or out to tender," said founder and managing director Vic Johnson.
"The list is extremely diverse from a £200,000 Water Tower conversion in Harpenden to an extension and refurbishment of a family-run funeral home in the Black Country.
"We also have numerous examples of Grand Designs, where we are transforming living spaces in modern and traditional homes."
He added: "I think a lot of our success is down to our ability to take cutting edge design techniques and combine them with effective project management so that costs are closely controlled and we meet build deadlines.
"We are also still a relatively small architects practice and that is reflected in the level of personal service and attention to detail. Often we are trying to create people's dreams so it's important they feel like the only client we have.
"We are already talking to a number of people about unlocking hidden spaces and making sure designs are functional to assist with everyday living, but also give access to gardens and make the most of the outdoors."
JDP, which has a second office in central London, has also noticed a major take-up in the number of clients looking at 'summer living', where they are adapting spaces to make the most of the better weather.
The practice is working on a car port that doubles up as a sun deck, a contemporary orangery, and recently completed a job in Ellesmere to install two large glass doors leading onto a garden for a homeowner in the town.
As part of its expansion, JDP has invested significantly into the development of its new website (www.johnsonltd.co.uk) to incorporate an interactive gallery.
It has also appointed Kim Chesters as the new practice manager, responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and its enhanced profile on social media.
