Work on two Liverpool schools recognised

The lead architect who worked on two Liverpool schools has received a prestigious accolade at a national awards ceremony.

Sue Emms, architect director in BDP’s Manchester studio, has won Architect of the Year in the national Women in Construction Awards. The awards were announced on 26 March at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Sue has worked for BDP since graduating from Sheffield University in 1999, and is now the practice’s education sector advisor for northern England and a recognised figure in the industry.

Sue’s two winning schemes, Enterprise South Liverpool Academy (ESLA) and St John Bosco Arts College, are eye-catching education projects built on challenging budgets. ESLA won a North West RIBA award in 2014 and St John Bosco Arts College has been shortlisted this year.

Siobhan McMahon, national chair of The National Association of Women in Construction says: “Sue’s designs have already won her awards and she shows the industry in a very good light. She has her own unique style, producing bold, colourful schemes and is a very worthy winner of Architect of the Year.”

Gavin Elliott, chair of BDP’s Manchester studio, says: “Having worked with Sue over many years, I can personally attest to what an incredible talent she is. She is a great designer, fantastic communicator, and an inspiration to everyone who works with and for her. To this day construction remains a very male dominated industry, so it takes a woman of very special talents to rise above this and succeed. Sue is undoubtedly that person, and this award is richly deserved.”

Sue is lead architect for BDP on its commission by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to design the £80m scheme to remodel the former Royal Mail Centre on Copperas Hill in Liverpool city centre.