Architect Focus: Hopkins Architects

This month's inspirational Architect Focus is all about the award-winning, sustainable work of Hopkins Architects Practice.

The award-winning practice, Hopkins Architects, was founded by Sir Michael Hopkins in 1976. Based in London, but working all over the world, the company is renowned for helping to pioneer British architecture.

Hopkins’ work is guided by their deep-rooted values of sustainability and conservation and this has earned them numerous awards and honours. Often built within precious locations, their projects are widely celebrated by both architects and the public for encompassing complex design features combined with renewable energy solutions.

Hopkins Architects are well established within the sporting and leisure industry, a particularly notable project is the 2012 London Olympics Velodrome, which provided a landmark venue for the indoor track cycling events. The building stands proud as a stylish response to the Olympic Delivery Authority’s brief by incorporating simple and sustainable materials and carefully considered architecture. The structure’s concept was inspired by the activity it was built to house – cycling – incorporating efficient ergonomics and functionality into the design, much like a bicycle.

In addition to the velodrome, Hopkins were the brainchild behind Dresden Ice Rink – a curvaceous and minimalistic shell constructed from clever placement of timber and energy-efficient foil panels to allow an abundance of natural light. Hopkins also designed the Copenhagen Arena a 15,000 seat venue, showcasing smart timber cladding topped with a glazed external skin as well as the LTA National Tennis Centre in London – a three-dimensional grid shell with dome roofs hidden slightly by the fall of existing the woodland that surrounds it the building.

The practice is also recognised for a number of refurbishment and restoration works, including a cladding project for London’s St Thomas’ Hospital East Wing, the building of two new structures at Norwich Cathedral which replicate the location, function, and form of the historic surroundings, and a glazed walkway extension project at Manchester Art Gallery, to name a few.

Currently, Hopkins Architects is working on several high-profile projects, including the Dubai World Trade Centre located within the heart of the city’s new business district, and also a new three-storey pavilion at Harvard University. In line with Hopkins practice values and ethos, these projects will promote sustainability, from the initial concept sketches, right through to completion.

Recognised for its innovative approach to construction, bold attention to detail, use of energy-efficient materials, and sustainable design, Hopkins Architects thrives on many of the same values as we do at Westbury, and that is the reason we have chosen to feature them as this month’s Architect Focus.

Images via: http://www.hopkins.co.uk/