Spotlight on Core Architects: Promoting Better Design for Lincolnshire
With over fifty years’ experience in architectural design, Sam Culling and Lee Hepworth established Core Architects in 2009. With an office in Lincoln city centre, the award-winning practice has grown substantially over the last 15 years and has been involved in numerous successful schemes in a diverse range of sectors both locally and nationally.
Lee Hepworth, Director & Partner at Core Architects, said:
“We are committed to promoting good design for Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, working with local clients, contractors and supply chains to deliver exceptional projects and support the local economy.”
The practice is a founding member of Team Lincolnshire and will continue to actively promote and support the use of local businesses.
Core Architects has worked and is currently working with several local and regional clients including Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council, Lincoln Science and Innovation Park, Lincolnshire Co-op, University of Lincoln, Lincoln College Group, East Lindsey District Council and North Kesteven District Council.
Members of the team take part in the RIBA Future Architects programme with local university students and engage with Level 3 Technical and Professional students at Lincoln College to give students and insight into the industry.
The company is dedicated to promoting the profession and inspiring the next generation. It is currently supporting apprentices through their architectural qualifications and will be welcoming a newly qualified technologist to the team from the University of Lincoln later this year.
Lee Hepworth commented:
“Core Architects prides itself on employing local people and supporting future generations within the industry. The practice helps to develop local talent and assist candidates seeking a career in the profession by offering roles to apprentices and work experience to local school students.”
Looking to the Future
In 2023 Emily King joined Lee Hepworth as a Director and Partner of Core Architects, following Sam Culling’s decision to take a part-time role.
Emily was born and raised in Lincoln and returned to the city following her studies to begin progressing her career. She joined the practice in 2015 as a qualified architect and continued to gain experience leading projects in the education, commercial and residential sectors. Emily is passionate about delivering projects which demonstrate high-quality design whilst meeting the needs of the client. Her strengths lie in concept development and planning, working collaboratively with all parties to achieve the best design solution.
Emily commented:
“I am delighted to join the team at Core Architects and we are excited about prospective opportunities with both new and existing clients in the region. Our ambition is to continue to grow the business by strengthening relationships, breaking into new sectors and nurturing new local talent.”
Core Architects has recently been appointed to design and deliver two projects with a local main contractor. The first is a new build fire station for Lincolnshire County Council and the second is an £8 million heath hub in Sheffield.
Core Architects aims to keep serving the region, championing high quality design and project delivery. The practice aims to reinforce regional connections and continue supporting local supply chains by working with local consultants and contractors.
The practice has been involved in various local projects including the recent completed Mosaic Digital Hub, Gravity and Alchemy for Lincoln Science and Innovation Park (LSIP), and The Hub at South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (SLFEZ).
Mosaic Digital Hub
Core Architects is proud to have been involved with the recently completed Mosaic Digital Hub.
The dynamic and thriving hub is based in the heart of Lincoln’s city centre. The project has seen the transformation of a once underutilised building into a versatile and bustling workspace, which takes the concept of adaptable working to new heights. This innovative space offers a range of flexible options including hot desking, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event spaces, all carefully curated to cater for tech-driven professionals and organisations.
Gravity and Alchemy, Lincoln Science and Innovation Park
Gravity and Alchemy together are the first and second phases at the expanding LSIP site.
The building offers additional ‘grow on space’ allowing local science and technology businesses to expand and further develop skills and create employment in the local area. The scheme provides state-of-the-art, premium open plan offices, technology and laboratory use together with ancillary spaces over three storeys. The proximity and relationships with the University of Lincoln gives students the opportunity to meet business which could offer future employment.
The Hub, South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone
The Hub forms the gateway to the SLFEZ providing state-of-the-art, start-up accommodation for SMEs within the agri-food industry. The SLFEZ will be the centre of regional development activities to support an ambitious growth agenda for the agri-food sector.
The building will be instrumental in the creation of a ‘community’ within the SLFEZ with a dedicated café space offering formal and informal meeting areas for The Hub and the wider site. The building will create a space for a high degree of collaboration and sharing of ideas amongst businesses within the industry focusing on innovation in the food supply chain and associated sectors. The Hub delivers a high-quality environment which is accessible by all, serving both the FEZ site and the agri-food industry.
Lee added:
“Core Architects was delighted to win the Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Over £5 million Award for The Hub Building at South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone. The award acknowledges the hard work and collaboration of the Project Team to deliver an outstanding scheme for the county and beyond.
“We have also received recognition for our recently completed commercial projects with Alchemy at the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park winning both the Lincoln Design Awards and national final of the LABC awards.
“Mosaic Digital Hub in Lincoln was a finalist at the 2024 GLCPA and BCO Awards. The project has also been shortlisted for the East Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards which are due to be held at the end of the month.”
You can find out more about Core Architects by visiting their website: Home - Core Architects (core-architects.co.uk)