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BDP Architects Practice
18 May 2026
BDP Appoints Benedict Zucchi As Chair
BDP, the original multidisciplinary house of design, has appointed Benedict Zucchi as Chair, effective from 1 July 2026, succeeding Chris Harding after nearly a decade in the role.
The appointment comes at a time of continued evolution for the global practice, as it responds to increasingly complex social, environmental and economic challenges through design.
Benedict Zucchi, BDP Chair:
Benedict brings more than 30 years’ experience at BDP and is recognised as one of the practice’s most respected design leaders. His work as an architect spans healthcare, education, housing and major masterplanning projects across the UK and internationally, including landmark buildings such as Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin.
His approach to design has been shaped by a belief that architecture should improve everyday life, bringing together disciplines, listening to communities and creating places that respond to people and place. These ideas are reflected in his recent book, Big House, Little City, which offers a compelling approach to the design of projects within an ecological perspective: the sense that big and small, cities and buildings must be approached holistically.
Throughout his career, Benedict has been a strong advocate for multidisciplinary working and architecture as a civic art. Alongside Chris Harding, he recently co-authored the Guiding Principles of Good Design, reaffirming values that have shaped BDP since its foundation: socially progressive thinking, collaboration across disciplines and commitment to creating places that stand the test of time. These principles continue to underpin BDP’s ambition to design a world that is “built for good”.
Commenting on his appointment, Benedict Zucchi said: “The civic-minded and people-centered purpose at the heart of BDP has resonated with me since the day I joined the practice. Long before social value and sustainability became part of our everyday language, these ideas shaped how BDP approached design.
“As Chair, I want to build on those origins while supporting the next generation of leaders and strengthening the multidisciplinary culture that makes BDP distinctive. The challenges facing cities and communities are increasingly complex and require holistic thinking that breaks down silos. That has always been our drive.”
Benedict will lead the Principal group and work closely with the Chief Executive to support strategy, governance and collaboration across the practice. He will also drive business development, strengthen connections across global studios and reinforce the creative culture that underpins the next generation of BDP’s projects.
Benedict succeeds Chris Harding, who steps down following almost ten years as Chair and more than four decades with the practice.During his tenure, Chris helped guide a significant period of change and growth across BDP, including the development of The Good City initiative and most recently the launch of the practice’s new brand. His design leadership also contributed to major projects including the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, the adaptive reuse of the History Faculty Library at the University of Cambridge and many award-winning education projects.
Benedict’s appointment reflects both continuity and ambition, reinforcing BDP’s founding ethos while positioning the practice to address the future through collaborative, people-centered and innovative design.
About BDP
BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we’ve been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we’ve been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we’ve brought to life.
We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.
Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.
We’re proud of the places we’ve shaped and the lives we’ve touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.
BDP
16 Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell
London EC1V 4LJ, United Kingdom
www.bdp.com
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BDP Architects News 2023 – 2025
Contemporary international architects practice updates – modern buildings + designs. British architectural office news in 2025:
post updated 12 December 2025
12 December 2025
Langsett, Redmires and Strines Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, northern England, UK
photo : David Barbour
15 September 2025
Nick Jackson Joins BDP To Lead Workplace Architecture Projects
BDP has appointed Nick Jackson as an Architect Director to strengthen its workplace design expertise in London and across the UK.
With more than 25 years of experience designing and delivering award-winning commercial developments, Nick will focus on expanding BDP’s integrated workplace offer, combining architecture, interiors, retail and retrofit expertise.
Nick joins BDP from Arup, where he was a director within the architecture group, leading major commercial projects across the UK and internationally. His portfolio includes masterplanning, tall buildings, new build and refurbished offices, science facilities, hotels, residential and retail. He has recently led the team on British Land’s latest science and innovation hub at 1 Triton Square. Prior to joining Arup Nick was a Director at Eric Parry Architects for 20 years where he led teams on significant projects such as 10 Fenchurch Street, the competition-winning design for 1 Undershaft in the City of London, 1 Eagle Place, and Stirling Prize shortlisted 5 Aldermanbury Square and 30 Finsbury Square.
Speaking about his appointment, Nick Jackson said: “I am very excited to be joining BDP and taking up an Architect Director role within the workplace team in London. We first collaborated more than ten years ago on the new headquarters for Cambridge Assessment for the University of Cambridge, a project that seamlessly integrated the architecture of the building with BDP’s deep understanding of workplace culture and behaviour. Building on BDP’s multidisciplinary capability, that approach reflects the ethos I want to bring to the sector today.
“With BDP’s track record in workplace interiors, retail and retrofit and the recent success of large-scale projects such as AstraZeneca’s The Disc in Cambridge and its ongoing work at Google King’s Cross, we are in a strong position to share our experience and industry knowledge with the wider market. As the nature of the workplace becomes more diverse in the way it is utilised, flexibility and longevity are even more important for the success of projects we design today. I am looking forward to working with colleagues and clients to shape workplaces that are inspiring, sustainable and commercially successful.”
Mark Simpson, Chair of Design and Head of Workplace at BDP, said: “Nick is an outstanding addition to our team. He brings a wealth of experience in designing workplaces that respond to both business needs and human experience. His knowledge of commercial architecture in London and internationally will strengthen our integrated design offer and enhance the value we can deliver for clients. We are delighted to welcome him to BDP.”
BDP’s workplace team continues to grow in response to strong demand for people-centred, sustainable and flexible commercial environments. Nick’s appointment will further reinforce the practice’s ability to deliver innovative projects in London and beyond.
4 September 2025
The Discovery Centre Cambridge, England, UK
Design: Herzog & de Meuron / BDP
photo © Hufton+Crow
2 May 2025
Coventry University, College of Arts & Society, Coventry, West Midlands, Central England, UK
photograph © Nick Caville, BDP
Coventry University, College of Arts & Society
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Architecture News for BDP in 2024
17 October 2024
University Of Warwick £700m Capital Investment, Warwickshire, central England, UK
images courtesy of BDP / University Of Warwick
University of Warwick STEM Connect Programme
9 August 2024
Metro Central Cardiff Bus Interchange, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Metro Central Cardiff Bus Interchange
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BDP Architecture News in 2023
21 November 2023
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) headquarters, University of Reading, Berkshire, England, UK
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
7 July 2023
Broad Marsh Nottingham Masterplan, South Nottingham, central England, UK
Broad Marsh Nottingham Southside masterplan
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BDP Architects News Archive
12 Nov 2022
BDP Creative, Multidisciplinary Structure Delivers More Success
photograph © Hufton + Crow
BDP Architecture
BDP has published its results for the financial year ended 30 June 2022. The architectural and engineering practice achieved revenues of £136.6m and an operating profit of £13.2m.
1 Oct 2022
BDP a double winner at The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2022
International architectural practice, BDP has been awarded two major titles at The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2022, which were held in Glasgow last night. The annual awards ceremony showcases the best of residential and commercial development across the country.
Glasgow Queen Street Station building:
photo : Nick Caville
BDP’s Learning and Teaching Building, created for the University of Strathclyde from two existing buildings, was named the winner of the ‘Best Regeneration Project – Commercial’ category. The transformation of Glasgow Queen Street Station into a 21st century transport hub was highly commended in the same category.
Accepting the award on behalf of BDP, Christoph Ackermann, Principal, BDP, said: “The Learning and Teaching Building at the University of Strathclyde shows what can be achieved when you use what’s already there, rather than levelling it and starting again and I’m very happy that the judges have recognised its merits.”
University of Strathclyde Learning and Teaching Building:
photo : David Barbour
Commenting on their highly commended title for the transformation of Glasgow Queen Street Station, Edward Dymock, Associate Architect, said: ”Working on Queen Street Station allowed us to both strip away old structures in order to reveal James Carswell’s glorious train shed and to expand the station into a contemporary and highly visible part of Glasgow’s civic architecture. It is highly gratifying to have our vision for this new symbol of a decarbonised Scotland recognised by The Herald Property Awards for Scotland.”
The Herald Property Awards for Scotland winners were announced at a dinner held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow, on 29 September.
The judging panel for this year was: Andrew McFarlane, Consultant, DM Hall (Chair); Tom Barclay, Professional Group Director, Wheatley Group; Richard Blair, Business Development Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd; Beverley Brown, Editor, Scotland’s Homes; Alexander Cassidy, Director, Ross & Liddell; Alison Glen, Director, Barham Glen Architects Ltd; Richard Hepburn, Managing Director, Arneil Johnston; Sara Seravalli, Creative Director, Double S Events Ltd; Doreen Smith, Partner, Doreen Smith Interiors.
10 May 2022
BDP Shortlisted in Two Categories of Scottish Design Awards
Glasgow Queen Street Station and the University of Strathclyde Learning and Teaching Building, both designed by BDP’s Glasgow studio, have been shortlisted in separate categories of this year’s Scottish Design Awards.
The transformation of Scotland’s third-busiest rail hub from a run-down collection of outdated extensions into a soaring contemporary concourse that celebrates the station’s Victorian heritage, has been nominated in the ‘Public Building’ category, while the refurbishment of two existing buildings to form new teaching spaces, lecture theatre, Student union and support services, has been shortlisted in the ‘Retrofit’ category.
And Ed Dymock, Architect Associate, BDP, said: “Since 1878, James Carswell’s original train shed has been hidden away at the heart of Queen Street, but the southern extension of the platforms gave us the opportunity to open up the views, work with volume and scale and allow the station to play a civic role within the city.
Martin Jarvie, Architect Associate, BDP, said: “We are delighted to be nominated for these awards. At Strathclyde University the decision to transform the existing buildings rather than a new-build project has substantial sustainable benefits. Our Sustainability Team compared the embodied carbon of the adaptive re-use of the existing building structure to a notional new build equivalent and demonstrated that the project saved around 67% of CO2e.”
The winners of the Scottish Design Awards will be announced on 29 June.
14 Apr 2022
Former Baowu Steelworks in Chongqing, southwestern China
image courtesy of architecture practice
Former Baowu Steelworks Chongqing masterplan
18 Feb 2022
WaterSHED sports hall, Wardle Academy, Rochdale, Lancashire, north west England, UK
Design: BDP
photos courtesy of architects office
WaterSHED sports hall Rochdale
7 Feb 2022
Patimban New City masterplan, Patimban New City, Subang, West Java, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
image courtesy of architects practice
Patimban New City masterplan, West Java
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15 Dec 2021
Westergouwe Community Centre, Gouda, South Holland, The Netherlands
image courtesy of architects practice
Westergouwe Community Centre Gouda Building
3 Dec 2021
Whitechapel Elizabeth Line Station, Whitechapel Market Conservation area, east London, England, UK
image © BDP
Whitechapel Elizabeth Line Station Building
The Whitechapel Elizabeth line station has opened after being handed over to Transport for London. Sitting within the Whitechapel Market Conservation area, the design of the new station retains the distinctive and historic buildings constructed more than 100 years ago.
18 Nov 2021
The Wren Urban Nest Dublin Hotel, Ireland
photo : Nick Caville
18 Aug 2021
St James Quarter Edinburgh, Scotland
Architects: BDP Glasgow studio + Allan Murray Architects
BDP has helped complete the delivery of phase one of the new St James Quarter, Edinburgh, working with client Nuveen Real Estate to create a new destination in the heart of the capital. A new and modern 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking, it is one of the UK’s largest inner-city regeneration projects.
23 Jul 2021
Learning & Teaching Building at the University of Strathclyde, central Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Design: BDP Glasgow Studio, Architects
photograph : David Barbour
Learning and Teaching Building University of Strathclyde
13 July 2021
Glasgow Queen Street Station Building, Glasgow, Scotland
photo : Nick Caville
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