PIERS FORD ARCHITECTS / PRACTICE PROFILE

The practice was established in London in 1986. In 2003, Piers Ford moved to Spain whilst continuing to run the London office until it was finally closed in 2004 and the Ayamonte office was opened.

For the first 15 years of the past two and a half decades, we were primarily involved in the refurbishment and extension of residential, educational and commercial buildings in London, predominantly for private clients. Given that a large number of buildings in London are either listed or occur in conservation areas, we inevitably became very experienced in incorporating modern designs within historic buildings or in areas with an historic context. It has always been a design maxim of the practice that good proportion is all important, and the need to meld old with new further emphasised the importance of a subtle and considered approach to design, both inside and out. By the careful use and juxtaposition of materials and attention to scale, we have been able to achieve a number of successful solutions to complicated design briefs.

Since opening the Spanish office, ten years ago, we have taken the same approach to the design and execution of our work, as can be seen in a new house in the centre of the old town where the use of traditional materials and construction techniques have been applied whilst achieving a very contemporary solution. Similarly, in a new house outside town, the use of traditional roof tiles externally and red terracotta, coffered ceilings internally and the general use of other locally sought materials, such as spanish slate for the floors, has maintained links with Spain´s building history in an otherwise modern building.

We continue to strive to achieve good, modern design whilst paying respect to the vernacular traditions of the local area, both in the choice of materials and the scale of the building elements.

PIERS FORD (still at the drawing board!)

Born Cumbria, 1946
Studied architecture at Manchester University from 1964 - 1970 which incorporated a practical year out in the Greater London Council's Department of Architecture in the Housing Division.

After graduation, spent a year and a half working in New Haven, Connecticut in the United States, first with a firm of Town Planners and then with the renowned architect, interior designer and furniture designer, Warren Platner.

On returning to London, worked for two years with the multi-disciplinary practice, Arup Associates and after brief spells with Paul Manousso Associates and the Farrell Grimshaw Partnership, joined Gerd Kaufmann Associates with whom he worked for 12 years, latterly as a partner in the firm.

Set up in practice on his own in 1986. Elected to Colegio de Arquitectos de Huelva 2004.

LOURDES ORTEGA

Born Madrid, 1962
Moved to London in 1986. Worked for Essex County Council and Camden and Islington NHS Trust in the Social Services Department.

BA Hons Three Dimensional Design (Interiors and Furniture). 1991-1995 Middlesex University.
DipHE Architectural Technology. 2000-2003. South Bank University.
Professional Pattern and Dress Making course. 2010-2012.

ALBERTO GENESCÁ TANTULL

Born Ayamonte, 1976
Studied architecture at the University of Seville from 1994-2003.

Worked in the offices of architect Antonio Carrasco Fernández in Seville from 2003-2005. Elected to Colegio de Arquitectos de Huelva in 2003.

Created "estudio md03" in Seville in 2003.