1 Sept 2023
This year we celebrate 30 years of BHPH Architects.
A brief history of our time!
BHP Harwood Architects were formed in 1993 by the merger of BHP Architects and Harwood Group Practice, who had been associated for several years prior.
BHP Architects, Ted Hammond and Bogdan Nedelkoff mainly specialised in health and hospital sectors whilst Harwood Group Practice, Tony Harwood and Chris Harwood had expertise in commercial, convents, schools and retail.
Bogdan and Chris were studying at Oxford School of Architecture and Ted was one of their tutors. After graduating Bogdan and Chris always wanted to work together after their very successful collaboration at college.
The introduction of PFI within the NHS led to a reduction in the NHS work the practice took on and so the practice looked to new sectors for work and embarked on a long and successful involvement with residential work, town centre redevelopments, commercial and retail developments.
Over the years, the practice has worked for many of the UK’s PLC housebuilders and many smaller niche developers and bespoke clients.
The practice became very successful and developed very good and long-term relationships with many clients.
We have achieved a massive amount in the last 30 years, numerous awards and most importantly providing homes and open space for countless people. Over the years we have had the pleasure to have worked on Convents, Medical Centres and Hospitals, Schools, Museums, sporting facilities, blue light buildings, student accommodation, retirement and extra care and Housing.
Housing has been our bread and butter over most of the last 30 years, from urban expansions spanning over a decade, to new country estates with lakes and forests and everything in-between. From Georgian, through arts and crafts, vernacular farm buildings, 1950’s Case study housing and contemporary we have done it all. Being asked to be quiet during the filming of ‘Call the Midwife’ while planning the conversion of the building they were filming in, opening a building and parkland for the first time in a generation, we have had the absolute privilege to work on some phenomenal buildings and with some truly awesome clients.
The practice has had a core of loyal and long serving staff who have all contributed to the success and diversity of the practice.
Susan Church who was made an Associate in 1997 Retired in 2019 and is now a consultant.
Ted Hammond retired in 1999 and Tony Harwood retired in 2004, sadly both are now deceased.
Stephen Johns became a partner in 2006 and left the practice in 2022.
Bogdan Nedelkoff retired as a partner in 2021 and is now a consultant.
Robin Needham became an Associate in 2017 and a partner in 2022.
In 2022 the practice changed its trading name to BHPH Architects and has its main office in Box House, Box, near Bath.
We would like to thank those that worked to establish the practice, those that have supported us, other consultants, and our wonderful clients. May BHPH continue to grow and develop wonderful relationships with clients, consultants, and staff for many more years to come!
BHPH’s Partners Chris Harwood & Robin Needham