Glenn Paul Howells (born 1961) is a British architect and a director and founder of Howells.

Glenn Howells
Born
NationalityBritish
Alma materPlymouth School of Architecture
OccupationArchitect
PracticeHowells
BuildingsSavill Building, English National Ballet, One St Peter's Square, Westonbirt Arboretum, Rotunda, Wardian London, 125 Deansgate, The Triangle, Eleven Brindleyplace, Bramall Music Building
ProjectsLondon City Island, Paradise, Port Loop, Blackwall Yard, The Mercian, Water Pavilions
Websitewww.howells.uk
Howells
Practice information
Founded1990
LocationBirmingham, London
Website
www.howells.uk

Early life edit

Howells was born in Stourbridge, England and educated in Plymouth.[1]

Practice edit

His practice, Howells (formerly Glenn Howells Architects), has offices in Birmingham and London. Howells founded his practice in London in 1990 but later moved the main office to Birmingham in 1992. The practice now employs 150 people in its Birmingham and London studios and works across the UK and the Republic of Ireland in many sectors including masterplanning, residential, offices, education, retail, health, hotel and leisure.[2]

Early projects included the award-winning Custard Factory, an affordable creative business space in Birmingham for developer Bennie Gray and a series of arts projects including the Market Place Theatre in Armagh, Northern Ireland (which won a RIBA regional award) and the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford.[3][4][5][6]

The practice subsequently expanded into residential and mixed-use regeneration schemes with a series of projects for innovative developer Urban Splash. These included Timber Wharf[7] and Burton Place[8] in Manchester and the remodeling of Birmingham's landmark Rotunda office building into residential use.[9]

Among its public projects is the Savill Building at Windsor Great Park, shortlisted for the 2007 RIBA Stirling Prize.[10] The competition winning scheme run by The Crown Estate, was intended to create a gateway to the listed gardens reflecting the character and quality of the park. The building grouped all visitor facilities under a grid shell roof creating a series of linked spaces. The roof is constructed from larch and clad with green oak from sustainable sources from the Windsor Estate. It is supported by an earth structure on the entrance side which houses ancillary facilities, while the garden side is elevated on legs to take advantage of the views. It opened to the public in June 2006.[11]

Another key public project is the acclaimed English National Ballet at the Mulryan Centre for Dance, winner of the RIBA London Building of the Year 2021[12] and the Architects' Journal AJ100 Building of the Year 2020.[13] This public-facing, purpose-built facility opens up to a civic square and invites the passers-by in through a ground-floor exhibition and café, which in turn opens up to an atrium that connects to all the levels with a feature stair.[14]

Today, the practice is working on a number of large scale projects and masterplans including thousands of homes as part of the regeneration of London's former docks and the mixed-use redevelopment of the historically sensitive Paradise Circus area of central Birmingham for Argent.[15] In addition, GHA are masterplanning Port Loop, a new canalside community in Birmingham for Urban Splash and Places for People.[16]

The practice is continuing to work with developer Ballymore by masterplanning former brownfield sites along the River Thames such as Royal Wharf, Riverscape, London City Island in East London and Brentford Waterside[17] in West London.

The practice's design approach was featured in an interview for the RIBA Journal in 2019.[18] In 2018 Glenn Howells was appointed visiting professor at Birmingham City University in its School of Architecture and Design[19] and chair of the Birmingham Hippodrome Board of Trustees.[20]

The practice rebranded from Glenn Howells Architects to Howells on 28 April 2023.[21]

Howells has often pushed the development of young, local talent and engages with Birmingham teenagers at the practice's annual work experience programme.[22]

Awards edit

Howells' projects have won a diverse range of awards including those of the Royal Institute of British Architects National Awards, the Architects' Journal AJ100 Building of the Year Award, the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award, the American Institute of Architects Award, the British Council for Offices, National Homebuilder, Housing Design and RICS awards, Civic Trust and Civic Voice awards, British Construction Industry Awards and Concrete Society and Brick Awards.[23] In 2019 Glenn Howells was awarded the BCO Regional Committee Chair's Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the regional property industry.[24]

External roles edit

Outside his architectural practice, Howells has spent time on a number of boards for creative and education organisations and advised government bodies and local authorities. He delivers lectures and keynote addresses and in 2017 gave a TEDxBrum talk on intensity and density.

Advisory roles:

  • 2018-2023: Birmingham Hippodrome Board of Trustees, Chair
  • 2017-present: Birmingham City University Board of Trustees, Member
  • 2005-2023: Design:Midlands, Trustee
  • 2018-present: Ikon Gallery, London Advisory Board Member
  • 2015-2017: HS2 Design Review Panel, Member
  • 2011-2017: University of Warwick Estates Committee, Chair
  • 2009-2017: Ikon Gallery, Chair
  • 2008-2011: University of Warwick Council, Member
  • 2006-2018: Birmingham Hippodrome Board of Trustees, Member
  • 2006-2017: Ikon Gallery, Board Member
  • 2006-2012: CABE London 2012 Olympic Panel, Member
  • 2006-2009: Birmingham Prospectus Steering Group, Member
  • 2000-2015: CABE National Design Review Panel, Member

Education roles:

  • 2018-present: Birmingham City University, Visiting Professor
  • 2017-present: Birmingham City University, Trustee
  • 2010-present: Centre for Alternative Technology, Visiting Lecturer
  • 2011-2012: Sheffield Hallam University, External Examiner
  • 2007-2010: Nottingham Trent University, Visiting Professor
  • 2003-2006: University of Nottingham, External Examiner
  • 1998-2001: Queen's University, Belfast, External Examiner
  • 1995-1998: Birmingham City University, Visiting Lecturer

Awards judging:

  • 2015-2017: RIBA Competitions Judging Panel
  • 2012-2014: British Council of Offices National Judging Panel
  • 2003-2010: RIBA National Awards Judging Panel
  • 2000-2010: RIBA National Awards Panel

Projects edit

Selected projects include:

Masterplanning

Housing

  • Brick House, Port Loop, Birmingham[39]
  • Burton Place, Castlefield, Manchester
  • Elliott Road, Birmingham
  • Luna Building, Bermondsey, London[1]
  • Kent Street, Birmingham[40]
  • Maple Quays, Canada Water, London
  • The Mercian, Birmingham[41]
  • Octagon, Paradise, Birmingham[42]
  • Parkside, Cambridge,[43]
  • Perry Barr Village, Birmingham[44]
  • Printworks, London,[45]
  • Rotunda, Birmingham,[46]
  • Southside, Birmingham,[47]
  • Straits Village, Nottingham[48]
  • Timber Wharf, Manchester,[49][50]
  • The Triangle, Swindon,[51]
  • Urbanest King's Cross, London,[52]
  • Urbanest Vauxhall, London,[53]
  • Wardian, London[54]
  • Wembley Link, London[55]
  • Wirral Waters One, Birkenhead[56]

Single Houses

  • Glass House, Hampstead[57]
  • Moat House, Dorsington[58]

Workplace

Public and Education

Retail and Leisure

Health and Extra Care

  • Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield[85]
  • Institute of Translational Medicine, Birmingham[86]
  • One Bayshill Road, Cheltenham[87]
  • TouchBase, Birmingham[88]
  • University Hospital Birmingham[89]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Glenn Howells: Almost famous". Building. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b "C is for Craft in Glenn Howells' design policy". RIBA Journal. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. ^ Thorne, Alun (8 October 2010). "Twenty years of Glenn Howells architecture". Birmingham Post. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  4. ^ "About Us - Custard Factory". Custard Factory. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  5. ^ "» Glenn Howells Architects". birmingham-made-me.org. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  6. ^ Pamela, Buxton (October 2010). "Custard Factory's Zellig development". www.bdonline.co.uk.
  7. ^ Timber Wharf
  8. ^ Burton Place
  9. ^ Amanda, Birch (18 July 2008). "Glenn Howells Architects helps Birmingham's Rotunda come full circle". website.
  10. ^ RIBA. "RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist 2007". www.architecture.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  11. ^ "The Savill Garden | Britain's Finest Ornamental Garden | Windsor Great Park". www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  12. ^ "English National Ballet". www.architecture.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  13. ^ Wilson, Rob (17 September 2020). "AJ100 Building of the Year 2020 winner revealed". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  14. ^ "English National Ballet". www.architecture.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  15. ^ Rogers2021-04-29T16:14:00+01:00, Dave. "Contractors on alert after Argent gets green light for 49-storey tower at Paradise scheme". Building. Retrieved 30 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Port Loop, Birmingham". Urban Splash. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Brentford Waterside | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  18. ^ in-depth interview, RIBA Journal
  19. ^ "Renowned architect appointed as visiting professor - Birmingham School of Architecture and Design | Birmingham City University". www.bcu.ac.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  20. ^ "New chair takes to the stage at Birmingham Hippodrome | TheBusinessDesk.com". West Midlands. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  21. ^ Lowe2023-04-28T09:36:00+01:00, Tom. "Glenn Howells to rebrand as Howells". Building Design. Retrieved 28 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Class of '21 | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Awards | Glenn Howells Architects". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  24. ^ Jones, Tamlyn (29 March 2019). "Cornerblock crowned double winner at BCO Awards". birminghammail. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  25. ^ "GHA Project | Royal Wharf". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Deanston Wharf Marks Next Step in Royal Docks Regeneration". Rolfe Judd. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  27. ^ "GHA Project | Paradise". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  28. ^ Brown, Graeme. "Latest Paradise Circus artists' impressions reveal new views in Birmingham city centre". birminghampost. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  29. ^ "Glenn Howells submits plans for £450 million makeover of Paradise Circus". Architects Journal. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  30. ^ "GHA Project | Maple Quays". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  31. ^ "GHA Project | London City Island". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  32. ^ "HAL Architects - City Island Commercial Units". hal-architects. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Blackwall Yard | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  34. ^ "GHA Project | Port Loop". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Martineau Galleries | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Brentford Waterside | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  37. ^ "GHA Projects | New Garden Square". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Abbey Street | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Brick House | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Kent Street | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  41. ^ "The Mercian | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Octagon | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  43. ^ "GHA Project | Parkside Place". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  44. ^ "Perry Barr Village | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  45. ^ "GHA Project | Printworks". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  46. ^ "GHA Project | Rotunda". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  47. ^ "GHA Project | Southside". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  48. ^ "Straits Village | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  49. ^ "GHA Project | Timber Wharf". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  50. ^ "Timber Wharf Housing | AJ Buildings Library". www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  51. ^ "GHA Projects | Triangle". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  52. ^ "GHA Project | Urbanest Kings Cross". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  53. ^ "GHA Project | Urbanest Vauxhall". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  54. ^ "Wardian London | Glenn Howells Architects". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  55. ^ "Wembley Link | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  56. ^ "Wirral Waters One | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  57. ^ "GHA Project | Glass House". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  58. ^ "GHA Project | Moat House". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  59. ^ BusinessLive (8 October 2010). "Twenty years of Glenn Howells architecture". Business Live. Retrieved 30 April 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  60. ^ "GHA Project | Eleven Brindleyplace". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  61. ^ Dunton2021-02-23T07:00:00+00:00, Jim. "MHCLG announces new Midlands home will be a Glenn Howells office". Building Design. Retrieved 30 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  62. ^ "GHA Project | Maltings Place". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  63. ^ "GHA Project | One St Peter's Square". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  64. ^ "GHA Project | Severn Trent Water". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  65. ^ "Alley Arts & Conference Centre". Glenn Howells. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  66. ^ "GHA Project | Bramall Music Building". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  67. ^ "GHA Project | English National Ballet". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  68. ^ "GHA Project | Lime Street Gateway". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  69. ^ "Moss House | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  70. ^ "GHA Project | National Memorial Arboretum". Glenn Howells Architects. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  71. ^ "GHA Project | National Film & Television School". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  72. ^ "GHA Projects | Newman University". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  73. ^ "GHA Project | Saint Martin's School". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  74. ^ "GHA Project | Savill Building". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  75. ^ "GHA Project | The Courtyard". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  76. ^ "GHA Project | The Market Place". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  77. ^ "GHA Project | Westonbirt Arboretum". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  78. ^ "GHA Project | Brassington Avenue". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  79. ^ "GHA Project | Gloucester Services". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  80. ^ "GHA Project | John Lewis, Exeter". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  81. ^ "GHA Project | John Lewis, Oxford". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  82. ^ "Lakeside Activity Centre | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  83. ^ "One Ratcliff Square | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  84. ^ "Water Pavilions | Glenn Howells Architects". www.glennhowells.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  85. ^ "GHA Project | Brassington Avenue". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  86. ^ "GHA Project | Institute of Translational Medicine". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  87. ^ "GHA Project | One Bayshill Road". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  88. ^ "GHA Project | TouchBase". Glenn Howells Architects. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  89. ^ "GHA Project | University Hospitals Birmingham". Glenn Howells Architects. Retrieved 8 March 2016.

External links edit