City architects expands into capital

A DESIGN and architecture studio launched in a disused bakery near Tamworth 10 years ago has opened a second operation in North London.

The Space Studio, now based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, says it is keen to target new customers by delivering “London projects at Birmingham prices”.

Directors and co-founders Kevin Singh and Tony Kerby said they felt now was a good time to expand into the capital ahead of next year’s Olympics.

The studio is in Clerkenwell, near Islington, and currently employs one architect.

Mr Singh, who also lectures at Birmingham City University, said: “We’ve launched The Space Studio in London because we want to be well positioned to win new projects as the economy recovers.

“We recently worked on a Government agency office project, beating some London practices, so we feel like we’ve got some credibility.

“Our concept is to deliver London projects at Birmingham prices. We think we have a really good product and service to sell. Our strategy is to build on our existing relationships.

“People kept asking us if we had a London office and you could say we have responded to that demand.”

The Space Studio launched in September 2000 in the former bakery in Grendon, north Warwickshire, and has been based in its current studios since 2007 where it now employs 11 people.

Among its roll call of projects are the BCU school of architecture, where Mr Singh teaches, Obsession hair salon at Birmingham’s Mailbox and the former Vinappris wine bar at Fort Dunlop, off the M6.