Chris Wotherspoon

Nomination

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Videos

Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMDPCw5q2Ms

Company

Summary

Chris’ route to becoming an architect wasn’t entirely linear, he began his career as a site labourer then an apprentice joiner before embarking on a diploma in Construction Management. This course ultimately led him to study at both Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura del Vallès in Barcelona and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow where he graduated with M(Arch) in Advanced Architectural Design with International Studies in 2014.

As an architectural assistant, Chris worked client-side with the organising committee for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This formative experience, both contractor and client-side, enables Chris to; distil the needs and ambitions of his clients, placing the end user at the centre of the design journey; and effectively communicate with contractors, subcontractors and site operatives creating an environment where everyone can do their best work.

Chris qualified as an architect in 2017 whilst working with Scott Brownrigg’s Edinburgh Studio. Here, he led the designs for Stoneywood Primary School in Aberdeen, one of the pioneering and largest CLT education buildings delivered in Scotland, which won the Aberdeen Society of Architects (ASA) awards for “Public Building of the Year”. He returned to Glasgow in 2017, joining Hoskins Architects, where he developed a new Health & Care Centre in Greenock, which was awarded best Healthcare Facility at the Scottish Design Awards.

Chris, joined Holmes Miller in 2019. His passion for architecture, approach to team collaboration, and dedication to deliver impactful designs that make a difference in people's lives make him an exceptional architect. This is evident across his current projects which include: the adaptive retrofit of an existing 1980s sport and leisure facility to EnerPHit standards; a new ‘City Learning Quarter’ in Wolverhampton; and several enhancement projects at the Scottish Event Campus and OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

His completed projects like the Caledonia Gladiators Arena, which has been revitalised into a vibrant hub serving the community, highlights his ability to blend user experience with functionality to create spaces that promote engagement and participation. On projects like Dundee Cycle Hub, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of public buildings in fostering community cohesion and improving the quality of life for residents.

By embodying core values of accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability, Chris creates spaces that truly resonate with the communities we serve.

Reason for nomination

Chris is an advocate of high quality, sustainable and user focused design, he firmly believes that the opportunity to add value and enhance the lives and experience of our clients is the most rewarding aspect of being an architect. It’s this belief and his dedication to deliver impactful designs that make a difference in people's lives that leads to his nomination.

The quality and variety of his current work and completed portfolio; cross-sector; scale; and value are testament to his skills; not only as a designer but also as a facilitator; nurturing design concepts from initial sketch through to technical detail and delivery; and collaborating with other designers, contractors, and subcontractors, ensuring that each project meets the unique needs and aspirations of its users.