Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to join Future Cities Forum discussions

MK Gateway - CGI of proposed mixed-use development in Milton Keynes (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners)

We are delighted that the architecture practice Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners - a new member of the forum this year - will be joining our 'Science Cities', 'European Tech Hubs' and 'High Streets' discussions.

RSHP is an international architectural practice based in London and over the past four decades has attracted critical acclaim with awards for built projects across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

The practice is experienced in designing a wide range of building types including office, residential, transport, education, culture, leisure, retail, civic and healthcare. The quality of its designs has been recognised with some of architecture's highest awards, including two RIBA Stirling Prizes, one in 2006 for Terminal 4, Madrid Barajas Airport and the other in 2009 for Maggie's West London Centre.

A deep belief in the importance of sustainability has underscored the firm's work since the early days, and recent projects such as the Centre Building at the London School of Economics, the New Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital, International Towers Sydney and the extension to the British Museum, demonstrate a range of environmental features built into the fabric of the building.

The Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital has been designed to transform the experience of cancer patients. The Centre consolidates all cancer treatment, as well as clinical research across Guy's and St Thomas Hospital, into one building. The treatment areas are designed to be efficient, ergonomic, functional and safe, in order to maximise clinical gain and patient care. Across the Centre the focus is on improving user experience, providing patients and staff with views and light, making a series of inclusive spaces with straight forward way-finding and patient-centred facilities.. RSHP states that the building is designed to actively support change in clinical and accommodation over time, with flexibility and adaptability as key parts of the design, structure and services strategy.

Last December, RSHP was appointed by mixed-use developer First Base and Patron Capital, the pan-European institutional real estate investor to design the £190 million MK Gateway. The practice will lead the design of a world class mixed-use scheme, combining new workspace, homes and enhanced public realm in the centre of Milton Keynes. Drawing on Milton Keynes' heritage of innovation and the growing science and tech cluster in the region, MK Gateway will deliver 185,000 square feet of Grade A workspace incorporating office, co-working and R&D space.

The residential element will comprise 285 Build-to- Rent homes in a new building incorporating an active frontage of independent retail and cafes at street level. MK Gateway will be set around a new public square and landscaped green spaces that will serve as a new meeting point in the heart of the city. The project will be designed to support Milton Keynes' target to be a net-zero carbon city by 2030.

Ivan Harbour, Senior Partner, RSHP, said:

'We are very excited to be working with First Base and Patron Capital at MK Gateway which we believe offers a blueprint for an integrated accessible destination where facilities and activities overlap around a vibrant public space. With integrity in their design, the buildings conceived are flexible, durable and economical whilst addressing a human scale, encouraging community togetherness, access to daylight and fresh air, and promoting a forward-facing environment in which to live and work.'

Plans will be submitted to Milton Keynes Council in 2021 following extensive community and stakeholder consultation.

RSHP's design work is led from its studio in London, but staff work globally across projects, and offices on the ground ensure that close attention to detail is maintained during the design process. In total, RSHP employs a little over 200 staff including specialist support teams who offer in-house graphic design, visualisation, film and communications services.