Napper Architects Newcastle - Award Winning Architecture Design Landscape
Newcastle based architecture and design firm, Napper Architects Ltd, have been producing award winning architectural and interior design for almost half a century. One of the oldest established practices in the North-East, Napper Architects has been a key player in injecting life back into Newcastle.
Formed in 1946, the company has played an integral role in the renaissance of the city with much of its work transforming parts of its skyline. From the imposing steel and glass structure of Pacific Bar, to Bessie Surtees' Jacobean house at the Quayside, Napper's projects range from the historic to the innovative.
One of its most recent projects includes work on the first phase of Dalton Park in County Durham, a £50m outlet shopping centre with 70 factory outlet shops in 55 acres of parkland. Napper is also the major architect for Centralofts, which sees the conversion of the existing art deco building on Waterloo Street into contemporary apartments. This forms part of the overall redevelopment master plan for the East Blenheim Street area, completed by Napper Architects, and is due to be completed in July 2004.
Other works include Sunderland's new Winter Gardens, the remodeling of Seaham Hall in County Durham, and The Law Courts at Newcastle.
With a wide client base spanning local, national and international markets, Napper's fresh, bespoke, and high-quality approach to its projects is undoubtedly a winning formula. The practice has scooped numerous awards for its work, including a 2002 Civic Trust Award for Sunderland Winter Gardens, the 2001 Durham County Environment Award for Seaham Hall Hotel, and the RIBA Architecture Award in 1999 for the River Irthing Footbridge in Cumbria, to name just a few.
To highlight its continued success, Napper was recently re-branded to reflect growth and changes within the company. Expanding at a faster rate than ever before, it has trebled its turnover and doubled its staff in the past three years. The re-branding coincided with the launch of the company's new website.
Eric Carter, Napper director, said: "The size and diversity of our projects is vast. What makes us unique is that we don't specialise in any particular field, and approach each project with fresh eyes. Each job is bespoke and tailored to individual customers' requirements and budgets."
The company has been involved in major projects for commercial and industrial clients, Government departments, local authorities, development corporations, and Universities.
These include English Heritage, University of Sunderland, Entrust, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Northumberland councils, and house builders Barratt Newcastle, Bellway Homes, Miller Homes, and Persimmon Homes.
"The quality of service we offer has resulted in a list of regular clients who come back to us. Our last project is always a recommendation."
Napper seeks to encompass both architecture and design, and has recently appointed designer Alistair Stripp to expand this side of the company. Alistair has a wealth of experience working in the interior, graphic and exhibition design industry in London.
He said: "We are as serious about design as we are about architecture. We can offer clients a complete service, from the design of the building to what goes inside it.
The overheads in a London practice are massive, and it often gets passed on to the client. With Napper you pay for London work at Newcastle prices. We provide a quality service with all the awards and history of design to go with it."
Napper prides itself on its high-quality team, and has a staff of 25, comprising architects , architectural and CAD technicians, landscape architect , interior/graphic designers and planning supervisors. Its restricted turnover of staff and multi-disciplinary approach ensures that a client receives a continuous, comprehensive, quality service which responds to the architectural, technical, environmental and planning problems presented.
The company is also positive about the role of education and employs six graduates at various levels of the profession. Two of its directors Graeme Dodd an external examiner and John Curtis a part-time tutor, are involved at Newcastle University.
Eric said: "Young people are the future of the industry and it's important to give something back to the profession. The combination of fresh talent and experience keeps our office young. Everybody is equally involved, regardless of experience. Each of our five directors is still involved in the drawing stages, which is uncommon in some practices."
Napper is keen to retain its exclusive, hands-on approach, and is aiming for steady growth in future.
Napper Architects Newcastle upon Tyne UKNapper Architects Newcastle - Award Winning Architecture Design LandscapeArchitecture Design LandscapeNapper Brand retail Exhibition and Interior DesignArchitecture Interior DesignAelius Freelance Web Design and Flash Development, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Newcastle based architecture and design firm, Napper Architects Ltd
, have been producing award winning
architectural and interior design for almost half a century. Below is a list of projects currently available
to view in our portfolio at www.napperarchitects.co.uk
Winter Gardens (Civic), City of Sunderland
Combined Courts and Offices Centre (Civic), Bournemouth
The Law Courts (Civic), Newcastle upon Tyne
North East Retail Centre (Commerical and Retail Developments), Dalton Park
Pacific Bar Cafe (Commerical and Retail Developments), Newcastle upon Tyne
Cobalt Park (Procter and Gamble - Commerical and Retail Developments), North Tyneside
Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI Competition), Newcastle Great Park
Beale Street Landing (Competition), Memphis USA
Eldon Bus Concourse (Competition), Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Venerable Bede C of E Secondary School (Education), Newcastle upon Tyne
University House Extension (Education), University of Hull
Hylton Red House School (Education), Sunderland
Finchdale College (Education), County Durham
Kenneth Day Medium Secure Unit (Health)
Portugal Place Health Centre (Health)
Seaham Hall Hotel (Heritage and Historic), County Durham
Brinkburn Priory (Heritage and Historic), Northumberland
Church of the Holy Name (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle upon Tyne
Chesters Roman Fort (Heritage and Historic)
Exchange Buildings (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle upon Tyne
33-39 Grey Street (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle City Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Procter and Gamble (Interior Design), Seaton Deleval
The Oriental Spa (Interior Design), Seaham Hall Spas, Seaham Hall, County Durham
Procter and Gamble Cobalt Park Phases 1 and 2, and Brussels "L" Building (Interior Design)
Canoe Slalom Control Building (Leisure), River Tees, Teeside
Raich Carter Sports Centre (Leisure), Hendon, Sunderland
Alnwick Treehouse (Leisure), Alnwick Castle Gardens, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick
Vaux Brewery (Masterplan), City of Sunderland
Newcastle Great Park Housing and Residential Development (Masterplan), Newcastle upon Tyne
Dalton Park Phase 2 (Masterplanning), County Durham
Tyne Green Road (Residential), Hexham
Centralofts East St. James' Boulevard (Residential), Newcastle upon Tyne
Mariner's Wharf (Residential), Newcastle East Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Sunderland St. Mary's Multi-storey Car Park (Transport and Bridges), City of Sunderland
Sunderland Park Lane Transport Interchange (Transport and Bridges), City of Sunderland
Bangor Bus and Rail Interchange (Transport and Bridges), Bangor, Northern Ireland
Climbing Tree Bridge (Transport and Bridges), Pegswood
River Tees Barrage (Transport and Bridges), Middlesborough
River Irthing Footbridge (Transport and Bridges), Willowford
Project Details are as follows:
Civic Sector Portfolio
Winter Gardens (Civic), City of Sunderland
Napper Architects designed the new winter garden linked to restored museum, art gallery and park
in the centre of Sunderland. The building was part of a £13 million Heritage Lottery funded redevelopment
of Mowbray Gardens and was designed as a "jewel box" containing over 1500 plants, a water feature and streams.
This projects won the following architectural design awards:
2002 ALCA Grand Award
2001 Civic Trust Award
Identified by CABE as a "building exemplar".
Combined Courts and Offices Centre (Civic), Bournemouth
Designed by Napper Architects, this was the first new court building in the country that incorporated natural
ventilation and cooling and followed 'green and sustainable' principles. 5 Crown, 1 Civil and 1 Child Case
Courtrooms and District Judges Chambers were provided.
The Law Courts (Civic), Newcastle upon Tyne
Napper Architects designed the new major civic Courthouse for The Lord Chancellor's Department located on the
historic Newcastle upon Tyne quayside. Comprising 10 Crown and 3 County Courts, this building represented the
first of 12 Courthouses which we have designed to date, eight of which have been built.
Commercial and Retail Sector Portfolio
North East Retail Centre (Commerical and Retail Developments), Dalton Park
Napper Architects designed this £40 million factory retail shopping village as part of an 84 acre land
reclamation scheme to provide public parkland setting with natural wetland areas and public art features.
Pacific Bar Cafe (Commerical and Retail Developments), Newcastle upon Tyne
Napper Architects developed a City Centre Infill site to provide a Restaurant, Bars and offices in Newcastle
City Centre. Client 42nd Street Bars Ltd. This projects won the following architectural design awards:
1998 Lord Mayor Award.
2001 Civic Trust Award.
Cobalt Park (Procter and Gamble - Commerical and Retail Developments), North Tyneside
Napper Architects carried out a 15,000 m2 space planning and interior design fit out in a contract for the
newly built Procter & Gamble regional headquarters. The project involved two buildings completed in separate
phases, to provide a visually stimulating office environment for the relocated workforce.
Architecture and Design Competitions
Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI Competition), Newcastle Great Park
This proposal by Napper Architects is for a new state of the art office building incorporating IT networking
and flexible office spaces into a sustainable design. The south façade utilises a double skin glazing system;
cooling in the summer and passively heating in winter. A high degree of transparency allows the building to be
defined by its uses.
Rye Hill House, Newcastle College, Newcastle upon Tyne
Designed by Napper Architects as the new face for Newcastle College, Rye Hill House contains a reception and
related facilities to act as a gateway to the university. By wrapping the existing building with a transparent
layer and opening up the brick facades to a new plaza Rye Hill House is transformed into an open and accessible
landmark.
Beale Street Landing (Competition), Memphis USA
Napper Architects' competition entry for a paddle steamer dock on the Mississippi. Taking its cue from the helical
movement of an arm on a record player, the scheme provided a floating dock that revolved to become a foot bridge
linking Tom Lee park to Mud Island
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Napper Architects presented this scheme to extend and consolidate the Live Theatre into the Trinity House buildings
next door, providing additional rehearsal space, a bar,and revenue generating office accommodation. Vertical
circulation was readdressed and the frontage proposed a glass structure to draw attention to a hidden site
Eldon Bus Concourse (Competition), Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
A design ideas competition for the redevelopment of the Eldon Square bus concourse in the centre of Newcastle.
This proposal by Napper Architects included bringing daylight into the underground concourse via the shopping
area above by means of a trafficable glazed floor at mall level and sun scoops in the roof.
Education and Health Sector Portfolio
The Venerable Bede C of E Secondary School (Education), Newcastle upon Tyne
Located on a dramatic hill top site, this new 900 place secondary school employs principles of sustainable
design to provide pupils and staff with a stimulating learning environment, whilst the hi-tech installations
meet the needs of a modern school.
University House Extension (Education), University of Hull
Napper Architects designed this extension and adaptation to the Union Building on the university campus.
The project is planned on two levels, providing additional cafeteria, bar, retail and ancillary accommodation,
and level entry into the building for disabled people. The original Union Building was also designed by the
office some forty years earlier!
Hylton Red House School (Education), Sunderland
Napper Architects designed this extension to the existing 1960s secondary school to provide new dining and
sports facilities. Design input from the students included the choice of colours for the dining hall.
Finchdale College (Education), County Durham
The College specialises as a training centre for people with disabilities. Napper Architects' brief was to
physically 'link' the current college buildings, remodel the entrance, dining and recreational areas, and provide
additional student residences, sports facilities and therapy pool as phased operations to negate major disruption.
Kenneth Day Medium Secure Unit (Health)
This 52-bed secure unit, designed by Napper Architects, is centred around an enclosed landscaped courtyard which,
along with the architectural language, provides a humane and residential environment in which to prepare the
residents for a return to society.
Portugal Place Health Centre (Health)
Napper Architects designed this new health centre providing facilities for 8 doctors, with associated nursing,
treatment rooms, pharmacy etc. A notable feature was the incorporation of many works of art within the scheme.
Heritage and Historic Building Portfolio
Seaham Hall Hotel (Heritage and Historic), County Durham
For Napper Architects, the design, in addition to radical remodelling within the existing fabric, involved
removing substantial unsightly additions and providing new suites and service accommodation, some of which
was around a newly created internal courtyard.
33-39 Grey Street (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle City Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
For Napper Architects, this project involved the alteration, refurbishment and restoration of a Grade 1
listed building to provide restaurant, Bar and office accommodation together with a client roofspace
penthouse suite.
Exchange Buildings (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle upon Tyne
This important Quayside building was functionally and economically obsolete and was in an advanced state of
disrepair with several floors having collapsed within themselves and the basement subject to flooding. The
design by Napper Architects has provided the building with a new lease of life as a 139 bed hotel together
with two independent bar / restaurants and basement car parking.
Chesters Roman Fort (Heritage and Historic)
Napper Architects designed a new visitor centre at the "gateway" to the central section of the Roman Wall
together with restoration work to the Clayton Museum and the adjacent fort. Building work is to start on site
early in 2004.
Church of the Holy Name (Heritage and Historic), Newcastle upon Tyne
As part of the church's centenary celebrations, Napper Architects were commissioned to incorporate a new
sanctuary cross, remodelling of the baptismal font and pulpit, a piety shop, disabled toilet, entrance porch
alterations and general redecoration.
Brinkburn Priory (Heritage and Historic), Northumberland
Proposals for opening the grounds and buildings to the public were made, agreed and implemented. As part of
the proposals the fabric of the Manor House was completely renovated and the mill race cleared and repaired.
Interior Design Portfolio
Procter and Gamble (Interior Design), Seaton Deleval
Napper Architects completed a prototype for the interior design of the packaging room at Seaton Delaval.
The client's brief was to lift the working environment of the area and allow corporate brand imaging to be displayed.
The Oriental Spa (Interior Design), Seaham Hall Spas, Seaham Hall, County Durham
Napper Architects delivered a tropical pool with massage stations, hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, plunge
pools, exotic wet treatments, out door hot tubs, roof garden and Thai brasserie, supplement the treatment
rooms and a whole range of other facilities not found elsewhere in the UK.
Procter and Gamble Cobalt Park Phases 1 and 2, and Brussels "L" Building (Interior Design)
The successful space planning exercise at Cobalt 12 in Newcastle led Procter & Gamble to commission Napper
Architects to carry out similar contracts at Cobalt12A and the "L" Building in Brussels.
Leisure Sector Portfolio
Canoe Slalom Control Building (Leisure), River Tees, Teeside
Built adjacent to the Tees Barrage, the Napper Architects' building serves the white water slalom course.
Planned on three levels, the accommodation provides canoe and raft hire, café, retail outlet, public changing
and toilets.
Raich Carter Sports Centre (Leisure), Hendon, Sunderland
A major Sports Lottery winner, the £6 million Napper Architects designed Sports Centre provides a 25 metre
swimming pool, 4 court sports hall, fitness and dance studios, crèche, softplay, cafeteria, function room,
IT suite and all-weather pitch, plus ancillary accommodation.
Designed by Napper Architects in conjunction with TreeHouse Consultancy. The Treehouse is situated high within
a stand of mature lime trees adjacent to the celebrated Alnwick Gardens, and will be accessed by a curved timber
ramp, providing a unique educational and leisure setting for a restaurant, resource and retail 'pods' clustered
around an open timber deck. The deck is linked to a treetop walkway, which overlooks a children's adventure playground.
Masterplanning Sector Portfolio
Vaux Brewery (Masterplan), City of Sunderland
A planning study carried out by Napper Architects for Sunderland City Council to evaluate the site potential of
the Vaux Brewery site overlooking the River Wear. The study was used as an appraisal tool in negotiations with
the ultimate owner
Newcastle Great Park Housing and Residential Development (Masterplan), Newcastle upon Tyne
A concept masterplan by Napper Architects for a major residential project to the north of Newcastle City centre
which represented our first sojourn into PPG3 housing and marked the beginning of a healthy portfolio of speculative
housing developments for a range of major house building clients.
Dalton Park Phase 2 (Masterplanning), County Durham
Napper Architects' masterplan and scheme design for the Phase 2 extension to the recently completed factory retail
shopping village. The proposals include a multiplex cinema, family entertainment centre, associated A1 and A3
outlets, hotel, family pub and petrol filling station. The scheme is expected to start on site in 2005.
Residential Sector Portfolio
Mariner's Wharf (Residential), Newcastle East Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
This is a major riverside housing project for Newcastle City centre which formed the nucleus of residential core
in the redevelopment of the East Quayside.
Centralofts East St. James' Boulevard (Residential), Newcastle upon Tyne
Napper Architects' conversion of an Art Deco warehouse in the centre of Newcastle to provide apartments and A3 uses.
Part of the overall redevelopment of the East Blenheim Street area of the city and due to complete in July 2004.
Tyne Green Road (Residential), Hexham
Napper Architects carried out an in-depth feasibility study and outline planning discussion document for Cussins Homes.
Transport and Bridges Sector Portfolio
River Irthing Footbridge (Transport and Bridges), Willowford
This multi-award winning 42 metre span bridge over the River Irthing at Willowford forms a key link in the Hadrian's
Wall Path from Wallsend to Bowness. The sensitivity of the site meant that the bridge had to be prefabricated off
site and helicoptered into position. Napper Architects have been awarded following architectural and engineering
design accolades for this project:
1999 RIBA Architectural Award
1999 RFAC /BSkyB Building of the Year Award (bridges)
1999 Robert Stephenson Engineering Award
2001 Civic Trust Award
River Tees Barrage (Transport and Bridges), Middlesborough
A competition winning solution by Napper Architects to the new road and pedestrian crossing over the barrage on the
River Tees at Stockton. Napper were responsible for the concept design of the bridge and executive architects for
the buttress and pavilions. This project won Napper the following architectural design awards:
1995 Secretary of State for the Environment Environmental Excellence Award
1995 BCI Award
1995 RTPI Regional Award
Climbing Tree Bridge (Transport and Bridges), Pegswood
Napper Architects act as design advisors to Northumberland County Council's bridge engineers. The containment on the
Pegswood road bridge is the latest in a line of commissions aimed at bringing engineering, architecture and design
together.
Bangor Bus and Rail Interchange (Transport and Bridges), Bangor, Northern Ireland
Napper Architects designed this competition winning scheme for the first integrated public transport interchange in
Northern Ireland.
Sunderland Park Lane Transport Interchange (Transport and Bridges), City of Sunderland
A partnering project between Napper Architects and Sunderland's in-house architectural team to design a bus/Metro
interchange in the heart of the city. Napper produced the concept and outline design which the in-house team developed
and took to site.
Sunderland St. Mary's Multi-storey Car Park (Transport and Bridges), City of Sunderland
The brief required Napper Architects to develop a "Secured by Design" exemplar building to act as a template for future
user friendly car park design.
Napper Architects have worked with an extensive list of clients across the world.
Here is a list of the most recent clients Napper have worked with:
Barratt Newcastle Ltd
Bellway Homes (North East) Ltd
City of Newcastle upon Tyne
City of Sunderland
Chesterton Plc
English Heritage
Entrust
Sunderland Resource Centre Ltd
ING Real Estate Ltd
Jarvis Construction (UK) Ltd
London & Regional Properties Ltd
Miller Homes (North East) Ltd
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust
Northumberland County Council
Persimmon Homes (North East) Ltd
Shepherd Construction Ltd
Sir Robert MacAlpine
The Angel Group
The Ballast Plc Group
The Catholic Diocese of Newcastle & Hexham
The Duchess of Northumberland
The Durham Diocesan Board of Education
The Wordsworth Trust
Tolent Construction Ltd
Tom's Companies Ltd
Tyne & Wear Fire & Civil Defence Authority
University of Sunderland
Zirca (Newcastle) Ltd
Napper Architects have won many awards
since the company was first established in 1946.
Here are some of the most recent and significant:
2003 RIBA Hadrian Award - River Irthing Footbridge, Cumbria
2003 RIBA Hadrian Award (Commendation) - Sunderland Winter Garden
2002 Civic Trust Award (Commendation) - Sunderland Winter Garden
2001 Civic Trust Award - River Irthing Footbridge, Cumbria
2001 Construction Employer's Federation (NI)Certificate of Excellence - Bangor Interchange, County Down
2001 Association of Landscape Contractors Of America, Grand Award - Sunderland Winter Garden
2001 Durham County Environment Award - Seaham Hall Hotel
2000 Civic Trust Award (Mention) - Pacific Bar Cafe, Newcastle upon Tyne
2000 Civic Trust Centre Vision Special Award - Park Lane Interchange, Sunderland
1999 Robert Stephenson Engineering Award - River Irthing Footbridge, Cumbria
1999 The Royal Fine Arts Commission/BSkyB Building of the Year Award (Bridges) - River Irthing Footbridge, Cumbria
1999 RIBA Architecture Award - River Irthing Footbridge, Cumbria
1998 Civic Trust Award - Sandgate Car Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
1998 Civic Trust Award - St. Anne's Car Park, Sunderland
1998 Lord Mayor's Award - Pacific Bar Cafe, Newcastle upon Tyne
1998 Lord Mayor's Award (Commendation) - Mariner's Wharf, East Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Napper Architects Ltd
has been around since 1946 and has gone by many names:
1946 J H Napper
1952 Napper Errington Partnership
1960 Napper Errington Lee Collerton Barnett
1966 Napper Errington Lee Collerton Barnett & Allot
1969 Napper Errington Collerton & Barnett
1971 Napper Erringtom Collerton Partnership
1980 Napper Collerton Partnership
1997 Napper Partnership
2000 Napper Architects
2003 Napper Architects Ltd
Company Directors, Eric Carter, John Curtis, Graeme Dodd, Bruce Nichol and Howard Thompson
Eric Carter Dip.Arch RIBA
Chairman and director of Napper Architects
Born and qualified in Newcastle with specific skills in civic, transport, leisure, housing and engineering based projects
Personally responsible for 16 award winning projects including Sunderland Winter Garden
Relaxes with kites, hill walking, cooking and grandchildren
John Curtis B.A.(Hons), B.Arch(Hons), M.Phil, LD, RIBA, MLI
Director of Napper Architects
John qualified at Newcastle University as both an Architect and
Landscape Architect, and now tutors there on a part time basis with the final year architecture students. He has broad
based skills in civic, ecclesiastical, leisure and educational projects. Project architect for amongst others, Newcastle
Crown Courts, Raich Carter Sports Centre in Sunderland, and the White Water Canoe Slalom Building at the Tees Barrage,
Stockton-on-Tees. Fun-loving individual who enjoys all sports (unfortunately now mainly watching!), food and drink; kept
young by his wife Mary and two boys Sam and Joe
Graeme Dodd B.A.(Hons), B.Arch(Hons), RIBA
Director of Napper Architects
Qualified in Newcastle. RIBA External Examiner.
Architect with expertise in detailed design, contract administration and team leader in multi-disciplinary Projects
Architect with specific skills in leisure, civic, transport, and housing based projects. Project Director for the £40
million retail and leisure development at Dalton Park. Relaxation provided with a young family, playing sport and in
the slow process of hand building a conservatory.
Bruce Nichol B.A.(Hons), B.Arch(Hons), RIBA
Director of Napper Architects
Born and qualified in Newcastle
Architect with specific interest in housing and restoration and conversion of listed and historic buildings
Relaxes with golf, philately, gardening and football
Howard Thompson B.A.(Hons), B.Arch(Hons), RIBA, MaPs
Director of Napper Architects
Architect and Planning Supervisor. Personally involved with projects that have won 15 awards
Wide based skills notably recently in the historic, leisure, civic, education and housing sectors
Tries to keep fit by biking and climbing hills but fails admirably
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