Bristol architect appointed to board of directors for global practice BDP

Nick Fairham, lead architect in BDP's Bristol office

Architect Nick Fairham, who leads BDP’s design studio in Bristol, has been appointed to the global practice’s board of directors.

With over 20 years’ experience delivering housing, healthcare and mixed-use design, Nick has led the Bristol studio since 2015 and specialises in creating new, sustainable communities through insightful design.

He is passionate about improving the built environment in the South West and improving lives through good design with a philosophy based on the pursuit of simplicity.

Recent projects include the multi-award winning Southmead Hospital, Bath’s new Mulberry Park Community Hub which includes a primary school, nursery and range of community facilities and the newly opened Launchpad campus at the Academy of Innovation and Research, Falmouth.

Nick’s appointment supports the continued growth of the Bristol studio, which has developed an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to design, supported by an unrivalled use of digital technology so clients and partners can visualise their projects in many forms including virtual and augmented reality.

BDP chief executive John McManus said: “Succession planning and continuity of leadership is fundamental to the ongoing success and performance of any business and I believe that BDP has a unique and particular strength in providing absolute continuity of governance for the firm across generations. In this respect we are delighted to invite Nick Fairham to become a principal of BDP. He has already excelled in his current role within the practice and we are confident that his guidance and direction will enhance and maintain the continuing good performance of the practice for years to come.”

Nick Fairham added: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role at a global level with BDP architects – an innovative, forward-thinking firm of which I am very proud. This is an opportunity to showcase the hard work and talent of my colleagues here in Bristol on the world stage, as well as learning from our international practices to help us stay at the cutting edge of urban design and sustainable community development.”

BDP is part of a major international interdisciplinary practice of architects, designers, urbanists, and engineers. It established its Bristol studio in 2003 and during that time has seen it grow to an interdisciplinary team of 60.