We were lucky enough to get in conversation with Peter Gibson, Director of Architecture at Hunters.
Hunters is a multi-disciplinary architectural and building consultancy practice with a 60-year history, based in Hammersmith London. The experienced and trusted team deliver projects efficiently and effectively, boasting a dynamic and knowledgeable group of professionals.
Discover their stunning portfolio ranging from residential, senior living and healthcare projects, in their portfolio section.
Over the next 18 months, which sectors do you predict to be most busy and why?
We work in a range of sectors, and our residential, senior living and healthcare teams are currently very busy. We are working on a number of high-profile large-scale residential schemes in London and these projects will be keeping us very busy for the next 18 months. Whilst these schemes are in partnership with private contractors/ developers, we are looking at possible increased opportunities to work directly with local councils to provide affordable homes with recent announcements that the government will scrap the cap on the amount local authorities can borrow against their housing revenue account assets, therefore, providing extra investment for affordable housing.
We also have a pipeline of healthcare and senior living schemes at various stages of development, and it is important for us to ensure we have a variety of projects at different work stages.
Over the next 18 months, what obstacles do you predict for your market?
Obviously, the impact of BREXIT is foremost in everyone’s minds, as the current uncertainty over what deal will be agreed upon is having an impact on UK investment. Whilst we have not seen any significant reduction in our work over the last year there is a feeling that the BREXIT process is holding back economic growth and that confidence in the housing market is fragile. Hopefully, once the terms of any deal are clear, confidence will return and future plans can be resolved with more certainty. The fact that we work in a range of sectors, and are not fully reliant on commercially funded schemes gives us more stability as a company during times of economic uncertainty.
What is your practice's flagship project?
In terms of delivery we are involved in some large-scale residential developments at the moment, these include an ongoing relationship with Mount Anvil in east London where we recently delivered the 20-storey Royal Docks West residential scheme and are now working on the future phases of the same development to provide another 700 apartments.
We have recently started a relationship with The Vastint Group, and are working with them on the delivery of their Sugar House Island scheme in East London which will develop the 26-acre site and provide a new community with 1200 homes along with other facilities.
The largest scheme currently on site though is the development of the Brunel Street Works site adjacent to Canning Town. Here we are working as lead architects overseeing the construction of a new urban quarter providing 975 apartments, a hotel and commercial space with Galliford Try Partnerships.
What is your main USP for attracting new talent?
We are a hard-working but friendly practice where all members of the team are involved in our projects and where capable staff has an opportunity to gain valuable experience and progress their careers under guidance from more senior staff.
Our key USPs for attracting new talent:
A mixture of design creativity and technical ability.
A chance to work in a variety of sectors.
Opportunity to get involved in all work stages, hands-on approach provides a good level of involvement and we have a good track record of providing people with support and training and have a graduate incentive scheme and provide study leave.
Good range of benefits, including loans for professional qualification fees and season travel tickets.
The sports and social club provides regular visits to galleries, exhibitions and the theatre.
