School building contracts fuel architectural company's expansion

An architectural firm in Northern Ireland has won lucrative education contracts worth £30 million.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2016, 06:00 BST
The education contracts are worth £30m to Hamilton ArchitectsThe education contracts are worth £30m to Hamilton Architects
The education contracts are worth £30m to Hamilton Architects

Hamilton Architects will design primary and secondary schools and a new South West College campus on the site of the old Erne Hospital in Enniskillen.

The company, which has been in business for more than 40 years, also announced the launch of new London offices at an investment of £750,000 and the clinching of its first contract in the city, social housing for Ealing Council.

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Partner Paul Millar said: “We are delighted to be going into a new year on an extremely positive note.

“These wins coincide with the initiation of a plan aimed at driving a strong growth surge which will see our business expand across the UK and into Europe over the next several years.”

The education contracts include a new primary school and nursery unit at Gaelscoil na gCrann Primary School in Omagh; and a new 600-pupil secondary school for St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen.

The business aims to boost turnover by 50 per cent and increase the number of staff by 27 to 65 by the end of 2020.

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Mr Millar added: “Our first contract in London, to design social housing for Ealing Council, is a modest but significant one which has already led to further opportunities.

“Our new offices, in Old Broad Street, will officially open in the spring and will give us a permanent presence in the city.”

“In Northern Ireland, we are very pleased to have secured new contracts in the primary, secondary and higher education sectors, underlining our success in delivering exciting and innovative learning environments.”

He expressed concern about skills shortages.

“Northern Ireland needs to support and invest in its young people if we are to nurture the talent and ambition that will ensure our place as a significant player in the knowledge economy of these islands and beyond. We want to play our part in that.”

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Projects delivered by the company include Kingspan Stadium, Dundalk Race Course, Riddel Hall at Queen’s, Crumlin Road Gaol, Ulster Museum, Mersey Ferry Terminal and greyhound stadiums in Cork and Dundalk.

Related topics:Northern IrelandEnniskillenLondon