Our practice is founded by Hedley Greentree in Southsea, Portsmouth. In early years, speculative office development, business parks and HQ offices was the mainstay for the practice. Later this would come to include waterfront regenerative projects.
HGP attains its first major commission, a 96 guest room scheme for Strand Hotels which becomes a catalyst for the firm’s growth into one of the south coast’s largest practices. A fact that remains today as we work to also be one of the most engaging within the industry.
The practice reaches 50 staff, amidst ‘Letting Tax’, the ‘Relevant Development’ provision and Development Land Tax, all taking a detrimental toll on Architectural practices nationwide. To counter, HGP diversified into emerging affordable housing.
HGP relocates to our current ‘home’ at Furzehall Farm. After purchasing the semi-derelict existing farm buildings, our barn conversion office boasts exposed oak beams, lofty ceilings and ample natural light to work in and received the 1983 RICS/ Times Conservation Award.
Port Solent, envisaged by HGP as an island development on reclaimed land to host marina, residential, retail and leisure facilities is officially opened by H.R.H. Anne, The Princess Royal. The scheme exemplifies the practice’s early beginnings of realising development opportunities.
HGP becomes one of the first architectural practices to purposefully implement and maintain a robust Quality Management System, achieving ISO 9001 accreditation. Sustainably conscious, HGP are currently on the journey to ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification.
Now Vue West End, our Art Deco inspired theatre for Warner Cinema, opens in Leicester Square with a Royal premiere of The Fugitive. The design retains the distinct facade of the former 1938 building, becoming a European Flagship 9 Screen Multiplex Cinema.
Gunwharf Quays transforms former Royal Navy’s HMS Vernon to one of the South Coast’s most notable destinations. The masterplan realised a vision of opportunity for Portsmouth and has become a recognisable legacy of the practice.
The 170m tall Spinnaker Tower opens. Voted by the public to be the winning design to commemorate the Millennium in Portsmouth, the landmark tower has become one of the South Coast’s most iconic and one of the nation’s most recognisable structures.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pay a visit to our Americas Cup HQ in Old Portsmouth which boasts the largest union jack on mainland UK. A race in itself, Sir Ben Ainslie and his team’s new home was constructed and occupied a mere 18 months after HGP’s appointment.
HGP celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the Southampton Harbour Hotel with the release of a series of hand drawn retrospective postcards of some of our landmark projects that have helped shape the skyline and waters edge of the South Coast.
We launch a new chapter. Working with Praline, we’ve looked to better align our brand with our core values and ethos. Our reimagined corporate identity reflects the next generation of HGP, our renewed ambitions and ongoing commitment to providing thoughtful design.
Our home is an accessible, open plan space with rich garden space which facilitates spontaneous encounters and conversation, promoting the value of good design on mental health and wellbeing.
This flexibility supports our family values and means we operate as a collective unit; fostering an atmosphere of friendliness, comfort and collaboration.
We listen and look to support one another, providing ample opportunities for growth, learning and professional development. Our empathy with each other and with the needs of our clients informs our design process directly.
We adopt a design led approach that looks to deliver characterful buildings through model making, sketching and 3D rendering.
Our range of experience boasts a unique blend of specialist teams that are design focused and technically adept.
In-house workshops disseminate knowledge from technical teams into early stage design and vice versa, helping us realise ambitious and fully thought out proposals.
This puts us at a distinct advantage when it comes to taking projects from concept through to practical completion.
We believe that meaningful design is the result of open conversation. We have a strong legacy of committed staff who, through their years of service, act as custodians of our clients; building trust and ensuring leadership continuity on all projects.
Wellbeing
We care about each other and believe in a culture that enables empathy, understanding and lasting friendships to flourish. Our garden backdrop reinforces our priority for a strong work life balance allowing us to think, share and mentor one another.
We believe in the importance of mutual encouragement to equip our team to produce their best work openly and contentedly and we offer a range of services in support of all staff’s health and wellbeing.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
We advocate that good design is for everyone. We promote an inclusive and equitable workplace founded on an acceptance of alternative views and beliefs. We pride ourselves on the diversity of our team and a workplace where everyone is heard and encouraged to realise their ambitions.
Sustainability
As architects, we are committed to leading by example. We are constantly evolving our response to environmental issues across all aspects of our work and and raising awareness by keeping our knowledge and design skills relevant and up to date. Our commitment sees us currently on the journey to ISO 14001 accreditation.
Mentoring
We strongly believe that future of our profession starts by furthering the next generation. As part of our commitment to bettering the design profession we support staff internally on their professional journey and externally we are members of the RIBA Student Mentorship Scheme.
We are also active participants in both Portsmouth and Solent Universities employer engagement programmes. We see these actions as an extension of our social responsibility to our practice and the development of the industry as a whole.
Rewards and Benefits
Our team is our best asset. We believe in fostering a workplace that engenders our teams to strive and be rewarded for their efforts. Some of our key employee benefits include, architectural study trips locally and abroad, profit sharing, health benefits, subsidised gym membership, maternity and paternity leave, and agile working.
Careers
Our family like studio culture provides ample opportunities for growth and career progression. We are always looking for talented, passionate people to join our team and contribute to our work. If you are interested in being part of a collaborative and challenging practice then please get in touch.
Vacancies
Architect
We are fortunate to have an expanding workload across sectors and are currently looking for enthusiastic qualified architects, to join our team and work on a number of high profile exciting projects. If you are RIBA Part 3 or ARB Registered with a minimum of 3 years’ experience, with strong design, presentation and communication skills and want to work in an open and rewarding studio, we would like to hear from you.
This is a full time permanent position for candidates eligible to work in the UK.
Please apply with a few relevant examples of your experience to careers@hgp-architects.co.uk