Mark Jermy

TechDip (Dist); BA (Hons); B.Arch (Hons) Nottingham; RIBA

Partner, Architect

Mark joined HLP as the principal member of staff in the Nottingham office when it opened its doors in July 1989. With a strong technical background and previous experience in the commercial and retail sectors, he took up the challenge of the development of a new office for the practice. Building on an enviable track record of working closely with “end users” of buildings and in particular with community groups and public/private partnerships was a major opportunity.

This focus of the practice’s work in Nottingham has seen the office become a prominent force in the East Midlands, creating and contributing to many significant local initiatives and specific regeneration projects.

Since becoming a Partner of the practice in early 1996, Mark continues to explore and develop projects with clients that positively enhance both the development process using close partnership working methods, promoting the physical regeneration of neighbourhoods and individual buildings.

An innovative approach to a Grade II listed building produced a unique project and provided HLP with an established office base in the region. The former postal sorting office near Canning Circus, Nottingham was transformed into offices for Leicester Housing Association and ourselves, as well as affordable housing in the form of a modern intervention. This project became a reality as a result of Mark’s understanding and creative interpretation of the client’s aspirations. It was awarded with a Nottingham Civic Society Award and a Lord Mayor’s Design Award commendation.

Similar design approaches have been successfully implemented in the recent conversion of two key local landmark buildings, both former convents, of which he is equally proud. The first, a Grade II central cloistered building in Nottingham, originally designed by the Gothic revival Architect AWN Pugin, was sensitively converted to apartments for sale. The unique conservation elements of the building were preserved, alongside re-designed contemporary interiors. In addition to a Nottingham Civic Society Award, the project was also short-listed for an RIBA Regional Conservation Award.

The second, ‘Highpoint’, was a conversion to a high quality residential training and conference centre in Leicester. The success of these projects is a direct result of the application of the “joined up approach”, integrated into the practice philosophy, to achieve a successful design solution.

Mark continues to combine his enthusiasm and passion for Architecture and Design in the day to day running of the Nottingham office, with a wider voluntary professional role as both an RIBA East Midlands Regional Council member and as the recently appointed President of the local RIBA branch; the Nottingham & Derby Society of Architects.