New Generation at Andrew Long Architects

2014

A new generation is taking over at Andrew Long Architects, one of Knaresbrough’s and North Yorkshire’s most respected architectural practices with Andrew now taking a back seat but remaining as Design Consultant. Leading the practice, now known as AL+Architects, will be Practice Manager and Andrew’s daughter, Charlotte Spencer, together with lead architect, Marie Harris, as the practice enters its 27th year of trading and the third year following its acquisition by Newcastle-based CSM+ Architects in 2011

Marie commented, “Andrew will still be very much involved in the practice’s workload, particularly with the conversion of historic buildings but is stepping down from the administrative side as Charlotte takes on more responsibility with her strong property background. Interestingly, we’re also seeing this situation of a new generation coming to the fore repeated at many of our clients and local agents so we’re obviously part of a larger trend!”

The practice has specialised mainly in residential developments, particularly conversions of historic and listed buildings in both rural and urban environments with such works requiring not only comprehensive construction and building knowledge but also detailed understanding of the Planning system and Planning Law

Marie continued, “We also use very contemporary architecture in some extensions and are moving more into commercial sectors as agents realise the potential of rural business units. Over the past three years, we have really gelled with the CSM+ team at Newcastle who have extensive commercial and larger project experience upon which we have able to draw. We are also now using the very latest BIM (Building Information Modelling) software which enables us to communicate in 3D far better with our clients and other consultants”

Will Moses, Partner at CSM+, added, “Andrew’s experience in Yorkshire is immense and we’re delighted that he will still be keeping his hand in and looking after his clients. The sharing of people and resources between Newcastle and Knaresbrough has worked very well with the sum of the two practices often feeling greater than the whole – it’s interesting work going between, for example, cutting edge medical facility design to traditional Yorkshire rural architecture but this very diversity is what makes the work so rewarding!”