Tony joined the practice as a young aspiring architect in 1984, and was soon thrown in at the deep end as project architect on what ultimately turned out to be one of FPCR’s most notable award winning schemes, the Diamond Hangar for two Jumbo Jets at Stansted Airport. A huge challenge, which he rose to very effectively, helping resolve complex engineering demands.
His next major scheme was completely different – the “Conkers” National Forest Visitor Centre. Again, an innovative ground breaking building, this time primarily of structural timber as befitted the National Forest. Ground source heating was an integral component of the original design. A later visitor centre at Idle Valley Nature Reserve was also recognised for its sustainability credentials.
And then Tony progressed to another major “brownfield” reclamation site – the former Glasshoughton Colliery and Coke Works in Castleford right next to the M62. This is of course now completely transformed as a significant mixed use development anchored by the Xscape snow dome and a Factory Outlet Village together with housing and employment. Working with the rest of the FPCR multi-disciplinary team, the entire derelict site has been transformed for a wide range of productive uses.
Tony was often involved in a diverse range of significant projects. Aviation extremes included British Aerospace’s Hawk Jet Trainer assembly and maintenance complex in Newcastle, Australia for the Australian Air Force ( a very long site visit!), and construction detailing of the current Departures Terminal at East Midlands Airport – hugely complicated from a logistics perspective, as the Terminal had to function throughout, but fortunately slightly more accessible from Lockington compared to Australia! His other prominent industrial buildings included materials recycling facilities in London and Hampshire and the distinctive Energy Recovery Centre in Sheffield.
Tony has always been a very grounded practical architect. Clients were confident they would get an enduring quality building that would stand the test of time. His skills will be sadly missed by the rest of the team.
