Architect has grand design ns on home city ; The architect who created the pounds 36m Trinity Gardens development on Newcastle's Quayside has strong views on the city's buildings. And as regional chairman of the Institute of Directors, his forthright opinions do not stop at bricks and mortar, writes Peter McCusker

The Journal › June 22, 2009

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Summary

RICHARD Elphick's father was a North East architect and he had felt drawn to the profession from an early age, so after completing his studies at Newcastle University, he went to work in London - but it wasn't long before he returned.

"This is the most wonderful, diverse and attractive part of the country," he enthuses. "We have a compact, historic and characterful city with access to the most stunning coastline and countryside, and the quality of life and opportunities the region offers are second to none."

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Extract

Architect has grand design ns on home city ; The architect who created the pounds 36m Trinity Gardens development on Newcastle's Quayside has strong views on the city's buildings. And as regional chairman of the Institute of Directors, his forthright opinions do not stop at bricks and mortar, writes Peter McCusker

But the North East's natural environment was just part of the young architect's motivation. He also had grand designs to alter the region's built landscape, due in part, to the horror he believed had been foisted on the region by previous generations.

"Some major projects in Newcastle were designed by London architects, for example Westgate House, Swan House and Sun Alliance House, and these are some of the worst buildings in the region.

"They were created by people who did not care a...

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