ARL.L Regulatory News (ARL)

3 Feb 2009 15:35



3 February 2009

Archial Group Plc

("Archial" or the "Group")

Lead Architect on Public Sector School Development Scheme

Archial Group Plc (AIM: ARL), the architects and design business, today announces that, as part of a Catalyst Lend Lease consortium, it has been selected as preferred bidder by Birmingham City Council to deliver architectural design on the Government's biggest Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative to date.

Archial's Midlands offices and its London-based Alsop Architects practice will jointly deliver the largest of the three sample schemes that form a part of the £152.4 million first phase. This sample scheme involves the design of a brand new shared educational facility encompassing a primary, secondary and special needs school. The remaining schools will be built over five further phases, using designs created by a group of local, national and international architects.

The £2.4bn initiative will see 89 Birmingham secondary and special needs schools either refurbished or redeveloped by 2024, in a scheme led by Birmingham City Council and its local education partnership partner, Catalyst Education.

Over the next 15 years, Archial will work to transform traditionally designed schools into intelligent and sustainable, purpose-built educational facilities which will provide adaptable learning surroundings and will contribute to an effective teaching environment.

Chris Littlemore, Chief Executive of Archial, commented:

"We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to work on the first phase of the Government's most significant BSF project to date. This initiative further increases the Group's public sector work, strengthens our order book and improves visibility going forward. 

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Archial to provide the correct blend of intelligent architectural design and creative integrity to ensure our contribution to Birmingham's education sector is remembered for generations to come."

Mike Whitby, Birmingham City Council leader, said:

"This is a historic moment for Birmingham. We are now in a position to launch the biggest transformation of secondary schools anywhere in the country."

- Ends -

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Notes to editors:

The Archial Group and Alsop Architects

In 2008, the architectural businesses that formed SMC Group were restructured and relaunched to create The Archial Group.

Now one of the UK's largest architectural practices, The Archial Group operate from 26 offices worldwide, and has established a strong track record of delivering intelligent architectural solutions in both public and private sectors including; commercial, corporate, education, health, leisure, nuclear, residential, retail and transport.

The Archial Group prides itself on five key values which it believes forms the philosophy of their service; creative integrity, economic performance, environmental responsibility, social contribution and personal experience.

The Archial Group also incorporate a number of UK and international operating businesses including Alsop Architects and Sparch. It is delivering projects throughout the UK, Asia, India, the Middle East, Europe and the North Americas.

Alsop which is wholly owned by the group is the pioneering architectural firm headed up by Will Alsop with an international reputation for creating bold, colourful and powerfully regenerative buildings. Alsop is committed to architecture of delight and enjoyment, reached through a process that involves the building users, the client and the local community. In the education sector, the practice's portfolio includes Michael Faraday Community School, Fawood Children's Centre, The Ben Pimlott Building (Goldsmiths College), The Blizard Building (Queen Mary University of London), The Sharpe Centre for Design (Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto).