SALT ARCHITECTS - 20 YEARS IN 2020!

For 20 years, award winning SALT Architects have maintained their aim - to deliver sustainable, ecologically sound and aesthetically pleasing solutions to architectural challenges for people and communities.

Gary Hornsby and Bridget Hansford, both qualified architects for over 30 years, initially joined forces in the late 90’s to establish Hansford Hornsby Architects.

In 2000, however they made a significant change in direction, and over the subsequent 20 years, the business has seen much success and has altered substantially. At the core however, their principles have remained.

Through this success SALT Architects expanded over two offices - Beverley and Scarborough - and employed 17 staff. The clients they worked with represented a wide cross section of society and included developers, private and domestic clients, community groups, charities and National Bodies such as the National Trust. The range of projects allows for a great deal of creativity and expertise in buildings and landscape. In 2010 SALT Architects downsized with the specific aim to focus on those projects that benefit society as a whole.

These include collaborating with charities and national bodies, protecting public assets as well as undertaking local projects for domestic clients. These projects are very much design and site-led. This allows the architects and clients to work together creatively to deliver buildings that will form part of a community’s heritage.

The practice has received numerous awards, most recently the North and East Yorkshire Local Authority Building Awards including ‘Best Public Service Building’ in 2018 for the Spurn Point Visitor Centre and Highly Commended in 2019 for Best change of use of an existing building or conversion, for the Perfect 32 dental practice in Beverley. Alongside their architectural work, the team have found time to open Gallery at SALT. In 2016 the ground floor gallery opened and has since welcomed local artists to display their works.

Currently there is a staff team of 6, including Gary and Bridget, with the longest serving employee being Stella, who has been with the company for 18 years. Stella is currently the practice manager and has gained the BTEC National Award and National Certificate in Construction whilst in post. Stella is joined by Dom, Shaun and Alex, all of whom hold degree-level and post graduate qualifications Architecture or Architectural Technology. Alex, in the words of Stella ‘has also gained the coveted title of social secretary.’ The practice help to encourage students and offer numerous work experience placements throughout the year. Liam, who has a degree in Graphic Design, is currently gaining some work experience with them.

Gary and Bridget are both members of the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA); the practice is a RIBA Chartered member. Bridget has Landscape qualifications and the practice is a member of the Green Register.

‘All in all we’ve got an amazing team that work well together and compliment each other’ says Stella. A recipe for success. So, what does the future hold for Salt Architects? Working towards 2030 the company aim to be fully carbon-neutral. On their journey, they plan to maintain their commitment to education, community and the cultural heritage of the buildings they work with. The focus on their global and social responsibility will remain and will continue to be demonstrated through reusing and repurposing land and buildings rather than invading the green belt. For SALT Architects community and sustainability trump profits by far, they are their raison d’etre.

Salt Architects, tel: 01482 888102, email: enquiries@saltarchitects.co.uk. 

54 Lairgate, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 8EU.