Weston Williamson opens Manchester studio

The architecture firm has expanded its operations with a regional office headed up by senior associate Samantha Dean.

Weston Williamson + Partners has worked in the North West for 15 years but has never had a dedicated studio.

Projects it has been involved in include Urban Splash’s 400-home community on the banks of the River Irwell in Greengate, Salford – WW+P’s first North West scheme, in 2005 – a street wayfinding project for Transport for Greater Manchester, and other transport and infrastructure work on behalf of Network Rail and others.

In June, WW+P published much-discussed proposals for an alternative High Speed Two hub station at Manchester Piccadilly, rather than the existing terminus plans.

The Piccadilly HS2 hub would allow services from Birmingham to Manchester to continue towards the North East of England and Leeds and was projected to save the Government billions of pounds.

The Manchester studio is expected to continue focussing on the design and delivery of transport and infrastructure schemes – a particular area of expertise for Dean – among other work. It has five employees at present including Dean.

Before joining WW+P, Dean was an associate at Tony Meadows & Associates in London for six years. She studied at the Manchester School of Architecture and has relocated to the city to head up the studio.

WW+P’s founding partner Rob Naybour said: “Our excellent team in the Manchester studio supports our aim to help create civilised cities and builds upon our existing relationships and work in the region.

“It provides a base to help us service our clients better. While the current restrictions across the region are challenging, we are positive about the future and look forward to meeting with our local clients and partners and continuing strengthening our links with the city and beyond.”

Rob Naybour is speaking at Place North West‘s Transport + Infrastructure event on 17 November, for which you can register here.