Simon Reid to assemble team of 12 within the new studio’s first year of operation
HLM has appointed the former managing director of Nottingham practice Lungfish Architects as the director of a planned new studio in Birmingham.
Simon Reid will head up the new office, set to be HLM’s eighth location, when it opens this summer. The practice’s other offices are located in Sheffield, London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.
HLM said Reid will start assembling a studio team of around 12 architects, interior designers and landscape architects within the first year of operation.
Reid has served as managing director of Lungfish for the past 15 years. The practice specialises in public sector work and is part of the Scape Group.
He said: “I’m delighted to be joining HLM Architects and to be launching our new Birmingham studio.
“The Midlands is experiencing a wave of regeneration and long-term investment across public services, infrastructure and placemaking. Establishing a permanent base here gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with clients and partners, to grow our regional presence, and to support the delivery of projects that have real and lasting social impact.”
HLM chair and head of design Philip Watson said the opening of the Birmingham studio “reflects the momentum we’re building and the scale of opportunity across the West Midlands, from major health and education programmes to long‑term justice, defence and emergency services estates.”
“Strengthening our national resilience and deepening our regional presence is a strategic priority for HLM,” he added.
“Birmingham provides the ideal base to broaden our reach, enhance our framework capabilities, and tap into a new and diverse talent pool. As a Brummie myself, it’s great to be returning to the city, and we are thrilled to welcome Simon to the team and excited for the opportunities ahead.”
The practice said the studio will operate across the education, defence, justice, healthcare and commercial sectors.
Past HLM projects in Birmingham include Three Snowhill, a 17-storey office building in Birmingham’s central business district.
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