Bracewell Stirling Consulting will now be known as Bracewell, a move that retains the name synonymous with the brand’s roots. According to the company, the new identity reflects its ethos for the future to become a multi-sector, UK-wide company with multi-service capabilities.

The transition has already begun. In the last 12 months, the company has increased the size of its team by 50%, expanded its services and entered new markets. As well as providing architectural and design services, the company has been providing energy and sustainability compliance advice, including Passivhaus. In addition to expanding its energy performance capabilities, it has also grown its masterplanning design service by engaging new staff with specific skills in this area while also expanding its commercial architecture offering.

Centenary marks start of new growth journey

As it celebrates its 100th year - having been founded in 1925 by Arthur Bracewell, who brought the ‘garden city’ design style to Central Scotland - Bracewell is firmly looking to the future with its new brand identity. In the last 12 months, it has added 10 new staff to its team, bringing the total to 31, with further additions expected in the coming year.

The company’s HQ recently moved to the Stirling Innovation Park, which provides a vibrant new home base with improved facilities for staff and greater opportunities for client and consultant collaborations. Earlier this year, the Oban office relocated to accommodate its expanding workforce, while the Inverness team anticipates a move to larger premises next year.

“With the momentum of positive changes in the practice over the past year, it is the right time for us to recognise the renewed energy and vibrance of the company with a brand refresh,” said Bracewell senior partner, David Keith. “Bracewell is more streamlined and fitting with our vision for the future of the practice, while still staying true to our distinguished heritage and reputation for a quality service that our clients have come to expect.

“We have historically been mainly known as residential designers but over the past year or so, we have added some new key people to the team, bringing in new perspectives, capabilities and an enriched vision that has seen us grow the company sectorally and also in geographical reach. We now have a leading masterplanning team in-house working on a number of exciting major projects across the UK while we are experiencing growing demand for our energy and commercial architecture services.”

A key growth area for Bracewell is masterplanning, with the company playing a key role in working with local councils and developers to help address the shortage of quality affordable housing across Scotland. The masterplanning team is led by Mark Hamilton, whose portfolio of designing and coordinating landmark urban residential projects and new mixed-use villages include Betha Park in Perth, Dykes of Gray Village in Dundee, Elgin South in Moray, Lingerwood in Midlothian, and Durieshill in Stirling - an exemplar masterplan and the largest approved detailed application in Scotland.

“It’s an exciting time for Bracewell,” added fellow Bracewell senior partner, Amanda MacRitchie. “We have built up an amazing staff team, group of repeat clients and colleagues who have stayed with us over the years. The last 18 months has seen organic growth bolstering our team and revitalising our main services while allowing us to expand our presence in the commercial sector with new factories, offices, and hotels.

“These new projects represent our growing geographical reach and presence, which now sees us delivering projects from the far north in Orkney, into the North of England and soon be expanding to the very south of the UK.

“Closer to home we are really beginning to reap the benefits of joining the GEG Capital group. Not only have we increased the size of the team by over 50% since then but we are benefitting from the synergies and varied opportunities that come with being in a portfolio of complementary companies.”

Commenting on the Bracewell rebrand, GEG Capital board director, Rory Mackenzie, said: “It’s great to see how Bracewell has really embraced being part of the group. In a short period of time it has integrated into the portfolio seamlessly and not only dramatically increased its headcount and order book but has established itself as a leading provider of in-demand masterplanning and energy services.”