Brock Carmichael joins Cameron’s China visit

The Liverpool-based architectural practice was among the UK delegation beginning a three-day trade visit to China on Monday.

The tour will include a series of events in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu aimed at building stronger links between British and Chinese businesses to work together. Prime Minister David Cameron is leading the visit.

Michael Cosser, partner at Brock Carmichael Architects, said: "I was in Beijing in June this year as part of a delegation of British architects led by the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. To return with the Prime Minister's visit raises our profile to the highest level. Such recognition will be well received by both existing and prospective mainland clients.

"China is by far the largest of the emerging markets for new buildings, which by 2020 will account for 55% of global construction value.

"We anticipate an increasing emphasis on the social infrastructure sector. Projects such as education, housing, community and healthcare will become an important growth area."

At the tenth Chinese Urban Housing Conference earlier this year, Martin Watson, another partner at Brock Carmichael, received an honorary citation for his research paper on displaced communities because of its relevance to the Chinese context.

During this week's trip, Brock Carmichael will promote the International Festival for Business due to take place in Liverpool during 2014 and inward investment opportunities such as Liverpool Waters.

Brock Carmichael won an international design competition in 2011 for Ocean One, a 52-acre waterfront development at East Port in Tianjin. Since then the project has been delayed but the firm hopes this visit will refresh interest.