70 Years of Inspiring Design: Celebrating Ryder Architecture

We started by asking Mark about the key principles laid down by Ryder and Yates and how much they still guided Ryder’s practice.

“Collaboration was and still is one of Ryder’s four guiding principles,” explains Mark. “Like many other companies, 2016 was a turning point following the impact of the financial crisis and the recession that followed and, at the time, led us to reflect on where we were heading as a practice and what we were about. 

Likewise, our people had always been one of our pillars of excellence and who better to ask than them to shape our values – collaboration came out on top, alongside pioneering and passionate.  

More latterly we’ve added empowerment. It’s something that’s always been there but has only begun to resonate more profoundly as our team structure has evolved over the past 30 years in response to continued growth. 

I’d like to think all four have served us well – passionate about our people, pioneering in our approach to architecture, collaborative on projects and the communities in which we work, and empowering everyone to fulfil their potential.”

In the 1980s, Ryder was a the forefront of the CAD (computer-aided design) revolution in architecture and construction and pushed for the adoption of technology in design, which led to B.I.M. Academy, a Ryder-backed initiative at Northumbria University that Mark explained about.

“I began my career as an engineering apprentice at British Shipbuilders and 3D information modelling was used then – BIM (Building Information Modelling) isn’t new, it’s just a shame that it’s taken the construction industry so long to embrace it and we still have a long way to go. 

In thinking about how we would develop that and broaden our services at Ryder, and following discussions with Northumbria University around collaboration, the University came across the opportunity to apply for funding to develop BIM tools and were successful with their application. 

Since 2010, BIM Academy has grown from a research-led, BIM delivery and training provider into a world-leading digital consultancy for the built environment, and has delivered projects for clients in over 20 countries including the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Household, BMW in Europe and the USA and Hong Kong MTR.

Now, with the advent of the Building Safety Act and the importance of the golden thread following the Grenfell tragedy, we’re at a pivotal juncture combing digital and health and safety.” 

Although Ryder is a large international concern with successful (and award-winning) projects across the globe and offices in Amsterdam, Vancouver and Hong Kong, their impact on Newcastle has been significant and we asked Mark whether working in Newcastle came with any particular advantages or difficulties.

“I’m a great believer in the best team being appointed for any project, wherever they’re from.” Mark explains. “We’ve seen some great buildings in the region – Sage Gateshead by Foster & Partners and the Centre For Life by Farrells to name a couple. But it’s equally, if not more, satisfying to see notable award-winning architecture being delivered by local practices. Each of us bring our own knowledge and passion for the city region, which in some circumstances can be a distinct advantage. 

We like to consider ourselves one of the leading practices in the wider Newcastle city region, and for our teams in any other city we aim to be amongst the best practices there too, whether that be London, Glasgow, Liverpool or Manchester. 

A disadvantage, not so much for us as a practice but for the region, has been the disjointed leadership across a region of a small population. I’m extremely hopeful that devolution and the next mayoral election will give us a stronger voice in Westminster that presents us as a beacon of best practice for economic development and investment.”

Regardless of those challenges, Ryder has certainly made its mark on our cityscape. From Newcastle City Library and the Central Station revamp to The Lumen and their own headquarters at Cooper Studios, the firm’s local projects define our city’s built environment and continue to do so with recent works like Bank House and the wider Pilgrim Street development.

Obviously 70 years is a long time for any business, especially one in a market as flourishing and developing as architecture, so we asked Mark about the significant changes he’s witnessed in his time with Ryder. It’s heartening that much of Mark’s concerns involve the environment, the community, safety and fundraising and his passion for these things is infectious.

“Like most businesses the impact of digital technology has been a huge driver, but particularly with architecture, climate emergency has overtaken digital. Recent events show how much we’ve all had our heads in the sand. People were talking about its importance when I joined the profession in the late 80s but it’s only been in the past few years that people have really started to wake up and take notice of the disasters that scientists believe have been accelerated by human intervention. Health and safety has also seen significant change following the impact of the Grenfell Tower disaster. 

Generally, our projects have become as much about regeneration and developing communities, rather than single buildings in their own right, something I’m particularly proud of in this milestone year. 

Community impact has been at the heart of what we do, long before ‘environmental, social and governance’ reared its head and I’m all too wary of this becoming driven by a tick box agenda. 

We’ve recently commissioned a report to capture and quantify the positive difference we’ve been able to make through genuine initiatives. Since 2017, our community impact is valued at £2.1m. An impressive figure but there’s still much more we’d like to contribute. This year alone we’re aiming to fundraise over £140,000 for good causes, to mark our 70th anniversary.”

We finished by asking Mark about any forthcoming projects in the area that he could tell us about and again, his enthusiasm is palpable.

“With all the excitement around Newcastle United at the moment, it would be brilliant to take the proposals that we’ve already secured planning for, develop those, and see something really exciting happening on the St James’ Park Metro site. 

They build on the work we’ve already completed on St James’ Boulevard and at Newcastle Helix and would be as significant as the major regeneration on East Pilgrim Street which is rapidly developing on the other side of the city. 

We’ve exciting projects in all sectors across the region including the recently completed magical new play village, Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden, Stockton Urban Park and Waterfront which recently received planning approval, Durham History Centre, Sunderland Eye Infirmary, and offices Maker & Faber all on site at Sunderland Riverside.”

As the Newcastle skyline changes and new buildings spring up around the city, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the vast amount of planning and work that goes on behind the scenes – work done by companies like Ryder. And it’s always pleasing when some of those changes are being wrought by a company with strong roots in the city.