Sheppard Robson. Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Interiors © 2008

Our architecture has been developed and refined over a 70 year period, whilst at the same time highlighting the parallels of political and cultural context. The emphasis has undoubtedly evolved, but the underlying issues and concerns of the Practice are fundamentally unchanged.

For us, continuity is not just about the recurrence of intellectual themes and challenges, but also about long-term relationships with our clients.

Workstyle

1980s - Dun & Bradstreet
A 25,000m² headquarters and operational centre for Dun & Bradstreet was developed. The focus for the working life of the building is a naturally-lit internal street, linking the four office buildings and their central services area.

1990s - Helicon
The Helicon is one of London’s first sustainable buildings to combine retail and office space in a structure that is energy efficient and economical to run.
Innovation

1950s - Swan Hunter
In the early 1950s Sheppard Robson pioneered the use of concrete shell structures. Swan Hunter in Newcastle illustrates how this innovative solution both optimises the structure and achieves a light, open workspace.

1990s - Toyota/Lexus HQ
The Toyota/Lexus UK headquarters can be seen as a modern parallel of the Swan Hunter in Newcastle. The hybrid concrete and steel structure and mechanically assisted natural ventilation solution made this a multi-award winning building.
Continuity

1960s - Brunel University
A simple zonal pattern of tightly planned buildings was gradually built up at Brunel University over a ten year period. A central east-west pedestrian way links the buildings together and the central lecture block dominates the site with its 180-seat lecture theatre.

2000s - Brunel Phase V
Phase V of Brunel University comprises student bedrooms in a series of new build blocks. The flats are designed so that they can be used for conference and external sports events outside of the academic calendar.
Sustainability

1940s - Jicwood Bungalow
The Jicwood Bungalow, designed in 1944, utilised innovative stressed timber skin from the aircraft industry and a prefabricated concept to deliver fast, efficient housing in response to the social needs of the time.

2000s - Lighthouse
Lighthouse is the UK’s first zero-carbon house to achieve Level 6 status for the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, the standard to which all new homes will be designed and constructed from 2016.
Education I

1960s - Loughborough University
Loughborough University was once the largest residential technical college in the UK, the institution achieved university status in 1966. The buildings are clad with a mixture of Staffordshire blue bricks and precast concrete panels faced with a white Italian marble aggregate finish.

2000s - Alan Turing Building
The Alan Turing Building’s sustainable features include a roof structure acting as a roof level plant and suspension system for the photovoltaic array which produces over 40,000 kilowatts per annum – a saving of over 17,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide every year.
Education II

1950s - Chruchill College
A new science college and memorial to Sir Winston Churchill, the Churchill College in Cambridge won against a shortlist of 20 proposals in a limited competition.

2000s - London Business School
50 years after Churchill College, the new London Business School proposal was won in an international competition.