Spaces that Inspire
Every project has the potential to transform lives.
People are at the heart of our design process. To realise a client’s vision, we put stakeholders’ and users’ goals at the centre of our attention, asking key questions pertinent to understanding their needs, objectives and aspirations; our process starts with listening and analysing; only then do we start designing.
Genuine innovation delivers simple solutions to complex challenges, creating opportunities and solving problems in ways that could not have been defined at the beginning of the process. For this reason, we create a unique architectural approach for each project, avoiding a ‘house style’. Instead, our singular designs evolve through listening and analysing, informed by our extensive experience across many sectors.
WHAT WE DO
Modelling with a Vision
We employed Building Information Modelling (BIM) long before it became part of the architect’s standard toolkit.
Today, BMJ Architects continues to push the limits of BIM, representing a major step change in the ability of our designers to structure and exchange information between computer-based 3D models. This process yields better project outcomes providing buildings that exceed our clients’ brief requirements and design aspirations.
BIM gives us the ability to produce sophisticated information rich computer 3D models, involving client, design teams, contractors and stakeholders from the earliest possible stages.
The very nature of BIM provides us with a more collaborative approach to design development and construction, providing an impressive representation of the finished building before it is built; this exceptional and immersive level of detail allows all design and construction disciplines to prototype projects and meet design challenges head-on.
We embed Health & Safety into everything we do
The UK’s Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations 2015 provide a legal framework to ensure health and safety within the construction industry.
As Principal Designer, BMJ provides assistance to Clients and Principal Contractors in discharging their duties under CDM. We ensure coordination with and between designers, oversee the design and develop the pre-construction information plan.
As Principal Designers our key role is to plan manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and coordinate health and safety to eliminate hazards and reduce risk. Our ethos is to liaise with the client and actively encourage all parties to work together as a team ensuring projects are planned and constructed to the highest safety standard in alignment with the key principles of prevention.
We manage the environmental impacts of our day-to-day business activities through implementing our ISO 14001 accredited Environmental Management System – a key component of our ISO accredited Integrated Quality Management System - which requires us to put in place policies and measures that mitigate any detrimental effect our activities may have on the environment.
Managing our own environmental impacts
An Environmentally Conscious Approach
Empowering stakeholders to make sustainable choices
BMJ Architects have taken the design of highly sustainable buildings very seriously for many years. We have a proven track record of the successful design and delivery of complex projects demanding the achievement of high levels of sustainability, energy efficiency and low carbon emissions as core performance requirements. Our sustainability achievements include:
• 16 BREEAM "excellent” projects since 2011 (total value £577m);
• First BREEAM “Outstanding” rated building in Scotland;
• First BREEAM “Outstanding” rated laboratory building in the UK;
• First commercial Passivhaus project built in Scotland;
• First building to achieve combination of ‘Passivhaus’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
Our approach focusses on low carbon design methodologies as a primary facilitator of sustainability and follows the principles of the energy hierarchy: optimising energy savings from passive design and fabric performance before moving on to consider active renewables technologies.
The Largest Projects, Delivered at Human Scale
Optimum solutions to complex challenges
Our masterplanning ethos requires us to consider many elements to ensure a holistic and successful design and use outcome, carefully considering factors such as neighbourhood, massing, form, open space, sustainability, utilities, transport.
The question ‘where to begin?’ will have implications far beyond the first phase. Consequently, we work to understand how the site operates today as well as how we might plan for change in the future taking account of flexibility and expansion.
To achieve this, our consultation and collaboration processes are geared to ensure the right levels of stakeholders are involved consistently throughout the process and at the right times.
This process of listening, understanding then analysing allows us to create the optimum spaces and places in alignment with our clients’ goals and vision.
BMJ Architects has successfully completed masterplanning for two of the largest projects of their type in the UK: the Francis Crick Institute in London and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. To each masterplanning assignment we bring a considered approach to placemaking to create a dynamic urban fabric, maintaining a clear focus on what matters most: people
Expert Oversight
Complex projects require high level expert advice to protect clients’ interests throughout the design and build periods.
BMJ’s specialist knowledge and experience places us in an ideal position as technical advisors to help clients prepare business cases, consult with stakeholders, develop briefs, budgets, option appraisals and assess subsequent contractor proposals in relation to objectives, value, risk and quality. We make sure our clients receive measured and considered advice at every stage of their build.
At BMJ we act as technical advisors guiding the client from project inception then protecting their interests during construction and occupation. Alternatively, we can switch to becoming part of the main contractor’s team once they are appointed. Either way, we provide vital continuity, and the assurance that everyone is working towards the same goal.
