Corstophine + Wright bring in experienced architect to head up new Birmingham studio

ARCHITECTURAL practice Corstorphine + Wright has appointed experienced architect Rav Kumar to head up the company’s new studio in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. 

Kumar, who joins from Associated Architects, has undertaken high profile projects including St Peter’s Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, the RIBA Award winning MyPlace Lighthouse Young People’s Centre in Aston and more than 20 primary schools for Coventry’s Increasing Pupil Places Programme.

He joins Warwick-headquartered Corstorphine + Wright as a director.

The firm says the opening of the new studio will provide additional presence in the city, enhance the practice’s reputation in the Birmingham market and assist with the fulfilment of a number of new projects.

Kumar said: “This is a really exciting time for Birmingham, with conversions and refurbishment of existing properties being brought forward alongside new developments on previously unused sites. By strengthening our presence in the city, we are ensuring that we are well positioned to meet the demands of the market for high quality, design-driven buildings and spaces.

“I’m naturally looking forward to working with the rest of the team to deliver some of the incredibly exciting projects that we have on the horizon and engage with the new challenges of this role.”

Michael Lampard, director at the firm, said: “With his extensive range of skills and depth of experience, Rav is a key appointment for Corstorphine + Wright and we are exceptionally pleased to have him on board.

“As a West Midlands-based company with headquarters in Warwick and a large office in Stourbridge, we have always been very active in the Birmingham property market, having developed a number of high-profile buildings such as 45 Church Street, the Sirius Building and Mitchell and Butler’s headquarters in the Jewellery Quarter.

“Our pipeline of work in Birmingham city centre has grown rapidly over the past year with a variety of new projects, including schemes on Pershore Street and Holloway Head.

“The opening of our new studio is fundamental to our aspirations to grow and develop our commitment to the city even further, building on the strong portfolio of projects completed to date and ensuring we’re ready to meet new demands and challenges.”