Steve Townsend of Associated Architects in Birmingham has been named the Rising Star of the Midlands & East Anglia at the second annual British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Awards.
The Awards are part of the BCO’s NextGen programme, which sets out to mentor and encourage the next generation of professionals to become future leaders in the industry, whilst providing a platform for new talent to share ideas. The awards dinner on November 15th, attended by the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers under the age of 35, celebrated the achievements and successes of young professionals in the commercial property sector and their mentors. NextGen members also voted for the office environments and buildings that have most inspired them.
Steve is leading on a number of major office schemes in Birmingham city centre. The most notable of which is Platform 21, due to be completed in 2018. He is currently overseeing the comprehensive redevelopment of the 122,000 sq. ft. city centre office space, an ambitious project that completely reimagines the building.
The Birmingham based Associate Director has made a significant contribution to keeping the rich culture of the city alive as co-founder of ‘Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces’ initiative, in association with RIBA and the Birmingham Post. The programme began in 2013 with the aim of uncovering Birmingham’s built heritage. In 2015 Steve organised a month-long schedule of 25 events, ranging from unique exhibitions in unusual urban spaces, to building open days, workshops, and guided tours of the city to celebrate the best of Birmingham.
Cristiano Testi, Chairman of the BCO NextGen Committee, commented: “Steve’s leadership on Platform 21 particularly impressed the judges. His efforts helping a new generation engage with Birmingham’s remarkable architectural heritage make him the perfect candidate for this Rising Star award.”
Ken Shuttleworth, President of the BCO, said: “Steve has continued to show unparalleled enthusiasm, consideration and diligence in engaging Birmingham’s community with the city’s architecture. His role in Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces initiative, which had over 10,000 attendees, is remarkable.”