Member Article

Architect reflects on building a business

Simon Crowe, director of Niven Architects, looks back over a successful 2015 for his Darlington practice, and forward to the delivery of major projects in 2016

What were the highlights for your business In 2015?

The major highlight for us was seeing the Feethams Leisure Development in Darlington finally rise from the ground, after five years since its inception in 2010. The project, when completed, will significantly improve the leisure offer in Darlington and is much-awaited by all the people that we speak to.

Another highlight was the completion of a ground-breaking home, known as Daffodil House, offering independent living for young adults with learning difficulties at the Larchfield Community in Hemlington.

Finally, we were extremely proud to win, for the third year running, an international award for our work through our sister company BIM Strategy Ltd, in a competition held in New York, USA. The win puts us at the forefront of the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology in the country.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently last year?

As a Director of any business, it is always important to step back from the ‘day to day’ operation of the business and focus instead on its strategic development. As many fellow Directors will understand, finding the time for this is always difficult, especially when you are busy. In retrospect it would have been good to have made more time for this strategic thinking.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing in 2016?

There is a current Government mandate that all publically funded building projects should be procured using Building Information Modelling (BIM) methods of delivery from April 2016. Through our work with Teesside University on their Knowledge Transfer Programme, and the subsequent establishment of our sister company, BIM Strategy Ltd, we are well-positioned to take advantage of this potential stream of work.

We are currently involved in the preparation of detailed feasibility studies for a number of significant projects in the Tees Valley and wider North East region, and are confident that a number of these will come to fruition during 2016.

Have any other North East companies impressed you, and if so, why?

For any business to be successful in the North East it firstly needs to have good leadership and be well managed but of equal importance is the need to be aware of, and responsive to, the changing local, regional and world economic climate together with the changing requirement of customers, clients and end-users. I feel that Nifco UK Ltd in Eaglescliffe and F Jones (Marble and Granite) Ltd in Middlesbrough have displayed all of these qualities and have seen their business grow as a result.

In the construction industry I have also been impressed with the way in which the Esh Group in Durham have continued to grow and develop their business through challenging economic times.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to de-stress?

My partner, Karen, and I have recently moved home to Cotherstone in upper Teesdale and the house has needed a lot of work, both internally and externally. I find gardening, even though physically demanding, extremely therapeutic and a complete contrast to office life.

Our location is also perfectly located for long walks with our dog, but overall, nothing can beat a good meal with friends in our local pub to help you relax.

Have any social media accounts caught your eye, any favourite pages or people to follow?

Karen manages the full spectrum of social media within our business. We currently have around 16,000 followers on Twitter, which we are led to believe is the highest number for any architectural practice in the country.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a cutting edge technology and as a result is very prominent in the social media world. Roman Showers, of Newton Aycliffe, with whom we have worked in the recent past, have a very high profile at the moment that is helping them achieve their growth plans.

If you could do any job In the world what would It be?

I really don’t think that there is any job in the world better than being an architect. There is something special in being able to be involved in a building project, from its initial inception as a sketch on a piece of paper to a completed building that provides shelter, a place to learn or work, or a place for leisure.

But if not an architect, like many young men at the time, I would have loved to have given it a go as a professional footballer.

If you could go back In time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t take life so seriously and make time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah French .