News

Nightingale among most
admired practices

28 March 2001

Healthcare firm Nightingale Associates is one of the most admired architectural practices in the UK.

Nightingales beat high-profile architects Terry Farrell and Partners, BDP International and Nicholas Grimshaw to rank in the top six of a major survey.

“We are delighted with this recognition: our central aim has been to champion design standards in the healthcare sector and it is extremely gratifying that this policy has been rewarded.”

Mike Nightingale, Senior Partner, Nightingale Associates

In the same survey, conducted by the Architects' Journal, the practice consolidated its position as number one in the Midlands , with its main design area of healthcare contributing to its 11% growth in architect numbers.

Nightingale Associates was ranked 22 overall in the UK Top 100, a rise of three places over last year. The Top 100 is based on the number of qualified architects in 2000. The practice has 60 qualified architects working from three offices on Oxford , London and Brighton. It has just won through to the final shortlist of two on a major £248m PFI hospital at Walsgrave in Coventry, announced on Friday March 23.

“The company is clearly on the up: turnover levels have risen steadily during the past five years, from £2.6m in 1996 to £4.1m for 1999/2000. The practice's Homerton Hospital is one of four shortlisted by the NHS in its Building Better healthcare Awards last month.

“Outside of the healthcare sector, Nightingales won a preservation award for its work on retail chain Jigsaw's Oxford store. All of which may have led to the firm making it as one of the most admired practices.”

Architect's Journal survey

The practice has also formed a series of five design studios, as an extension of its customer-led approach to design. Each 'practice within the practice' is led by a partner and handles its own projects directly, from design to resourcing. The aim is to give clients a more individually managed service within the support framework of the larger firm.