Porphyrios Associates


BRIEF DETAILS OF PRACTICE

Porphyrios Associates, established in 1985, offers professional services in
architecture, planning and urban design. The range of our services varies from
urban design studies to architectural and interior design. The practice is run
by one principal and three associates, and comprises thirty-five staff.

Porphyrios Associates has an international reputation for excellence in design
and has received many awards and commendations. The practice has carried out
commissions both in the UK and abroad for major educational and public buildings
as well as for, commercial, office, residential, leisure, and hotel and resort
developments. Some of our internationally known projects include: the Quadrangle
for Magdalen College in Oxford University; the New Courts for Selwyn College in
the University of Cambridge; the Belvedere Village in Ascot; the Brindleyplace
Office Buildings in Birmingham; the Interamerican Office Building in Athens; the
Duncan Galleries in Nebraska; the Kennedy-Allee/Rocco Forte Leading Hotel of the
World in Frankfurt; and the town of Pitiousa in Spetses. Current projects
include: Whitman College for Princeton University, New Jersey; the Ivy Club at
Princeton; the library at Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai; the Alys Beach
Waterfront in Florida; and the Harbour and Marina Village in Turks & Caicos.
Alongside our collegiate, commercial and residential design work, we maintain
our interest in urban design as seen in the master plans for the town of
Trowbridge in England, Elia Valley in Kefalonia and currently the King's Cross
Central development in London.

Design & Working Philosophy

Experience and common sense tell us that what makes good architecture possible
is the dialogue between the craft of building and the great humanist theme of
commodity, firmness and delight: a design philosophy which aims at balancing the
requirements of the program (commodity) with the necessities of good
construction (firmness) and the expectations of civility and aesthetics
(delight). This has been the guiding design philosophy of our practice and it is
in that sense that our buildings speak of tradition as that which endures.

Our practice believes in the principles of humanist architecture and urbanism
and we have produced a body of work that has achieved international reputation.
We provide our clients with soundly constructed buildings, which are marked by a
sense of place. Throughout the design process, from concept design to project
completion, our client's requirements are given full consideration at all times.
The design solutions we arrive at are not merely circumstantial and contingent.

They are informed always by a guiding architectural idea, which brings together
the client's requirements and the professional parameters of all consultants
involved in a project.

Methodology & Practice Management

Over the years we have gained valuable experience working on a wide range of
commissions.  With regard to resourcing and the management of a project we
prefer small, highly skilled teams capable of turning their hands to most tasks
rather than larger teams split into watertight compartments. Preliminary concept
design is carried out using traditional design and drafting skills. Scheme
design, detail design and production drawings are prepared on computer-aided
design to ensure inter-disciplinary coordination and to facilitate prompt
updating of information for construction. Throughout the design process we rely
heavily on visuals and perspective drawings as well as on working models.

We work in close partnership with our clients and any associated committees in
order to achieve a working resolution to the particular program. Established
lines of communication are drawn up early on and adhered to from inception to
completion. Regular working meetings are scheduled and minutes circulated to
keep all necessary parties informed of progress. Presentations to interested
parties and committees are scheduled at key stages. Porphyrios Associates work
closely with cost-monitoring consultants and pride ourselves on having
established excellent working relationships with funding parties and clients
alike.

Selected List of Clients

Educational
Magdalen College, Oxford
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Magdalene College, Cambridge
The Whitgift Foundation
Reading University
SANE Research Centre, Oxford
Princeton University, New Jersey
Ivy Club, New Jersey
St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

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Commercial Offices
Argent Group Plc
Fay Development GmbH
HypoVereins Bank
Balli Development Ltd
Interamerican Insurance
Hertz Auto Hellas
Solidere Plc
J&P Developments

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Housing Developments
English Partnerships
Duchy of Cornwall
St. George Plc
Elliot Lipton/First Base
Berkeley Partnership Homes 
Disneyland, Paris
G. Weston Ltd
Hartley Property Trust
New York City Authority
The Royal Family of Jordan
Notos Associates
Alys Beach Developments
Pelagia Residential and Touristic SA, Braemore Group

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Galleries, Hotels & Resorts
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Duncan Aviation Galleries
Dakis Joannou Galleries
Abercrombie & Kent
Windsor Hotels International 
London Clubs International
Intercontinental Hotels
Fay/Rocco Forte Hotels