Journal

What I’ve realised over twenty years of growing an architecture studio is that you need your Champions.

Champions are the clients who share your values, who you trust, and are happy to place their trust in you, who challenge, test and stretch you, who listen and respect your opinion, who support you, who are decisive, empowered to act and willing to take a risk. Importantly, they are the clients who you can pick up the phone to when the shit hits the fan.

Architects do their best work when they have Champions.

Over the years our Champions have become friends, allies and advisors who we’ve worked with time and time again. They’ve not just become brilliant clients, but advocates and supporters who have sung our praises to others.

I’d like to give special mention to a few of them.

Barbara Brownlee was an advisor to Newham when they gave Tim and I our first job. She went on to take senior roles at Tower Hamlets, Thurrock and Westminster. By my calculation she’s been responsible for at least seven of Bell Phillips’ built projects.

It was Roberto Bruni at Newham who took a massive punt on Tim and I as fresh-faced young architects when we won the Brooks Road Estate project out of the blue. For a long time Newham was our No.1 client with a series of council housing projects in the borough. This level of faith in young talent now sadly seems like a thing of the past.

I first worked with Morwenna Hall of Related Argent on Gasholder Park. Rarely have I worked with someone who held their consultants in such high regard, who valued our input and commitment to quality. We never dreamed Argent would go for our idea of a mirrored colonnade but Morwenna backed us all the way. Argent/Related Argent have been a great client to Bell Phillips with multiple projects at King’s Cross and Brent Cross Town.

The best clients blow you away with their energy and commitment forcing you to raise your game. Kym Shaen-Carter  of igloo Community Builders - with whom I worked on multiple projects for Leathermarket Community Benefit Society (CBS)  - was one such client. Kym is a person who makes you wonder if you’re really doing enough.

All fantastic people who have been a pleasure to work with.

Who are your Champions?

Are you nurturing them, checking in with them, making sure they’re happy?

Why not take this opportunity to send them some love?