Nicholas Kirk Architects
Nicholas Kirk Architects

About

Practice Profile

Nicholas Kirk Architects are a design lead, chartered architectural practice established in 2011. NKA develop ideas and concepts that are inspired by context and culture with the aim to exceed expectations at every opportunity.

The NKA design process involves testing out and prototyping ideas through drawing, consultation and model making. Research is a critical part of the practice for continuing development and growth. The practice are adept at communicating ideas through advanced 3D visualisations and computer modeling, 2D / 3D CAD and BIM alongside skilfully crafted hand sketches.

Nicholas Kirk - Founder and Director, Nicholas Kirk Architects

Nicholas Kirk is a RIBA chartered architect with over 10 years experience working on projects in the public and private sector. He trained at Sheffield University and London Metropolitan School of Architecture, graduating in 2005.

Nicholas has a comprehensive understanding of urban design principles and uses these skills to create projects that have a positive and meaningful impact on the built environment.

Nicholas has excellent public consultation skills and often instigates workshops with local communities to develop concepts and ideas. Nicky has recently worked with the Royal Institute of British Architects to develop new ways of encouraging young people to play and interact with architecture. Nicholas is a regular presenter on Resonance 104.4 FM - a non-profit arts radio station, online and on FM throughout the London region. He has produced and presented over sixty episodes of Amenity Space, investigating the way our cities evolve, live and breathe. Nicholas is currently a trustee at SAFE studios, an independent artist studio in East London, providing affordable studio space for up and coming artists.

RIBA Chartered Member Number - 11502551
ARB Number - 070334F

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CLIENTS :
Southbank Centre
BBC
RIBA
Leeds City Council
Opera North
Ordnance Survey
Sunderland City Council
Arts Council
+ more

EXHIBITIONS :
RIBA Open, Brixton. Shimmer installation
Buro Happold, London. Tell Tales
RIBA Open, London. Anti-Tecture
Invisible Cities, Newcastle. Anti-Tecture
Battersea Power Station. Sound and video installation
Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Sonic Shed sound installation
Royal Festival Hall. Dream It, Build It interactive installation
Opera North. Interactive lighting installation
Tyneside Cinema. Interactive projection
National Theatre. Future Arts Space Exhibition

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival Commission - winner
ARUPS Atrium Competition (with JFA) 2017 - shortlisted
Park Hill, Sheffield Phase 2 2015 (with JFA and OS31) - runner-up
AJ Small Projects 2010 - shortlisted
Leeds Architecture Awards 2009 - shortlisted
Urban RE:Vision Green Awards USA 2008 - winner
Tent London Pavilion Competition 2008 - runner-up
RIBA Art Space of the Future 2008 - shortlisted
BD Young Architect Award 2008, 2009, 2010 - longlisted
RIBA Green Dragon’s Den 2007 - runner-up
AJ Small Projects 2007 - shortlisted
Tent London Pavilion Competition 2007 - shortlisted

PUBLICATIONS:
Per Speculum, project feature: Red: Architecture in Monochrome, Phaidon Books
BBC 1. The House that £100K Built
Deezen. Building Study - Newington Green
Domus. Young Practice feature
BD Magazine. Culture feature
Architects Journal Building Study: Bermondsey Community Nursery

Garnham Street:
Building Design - August 2022
Archdaily - August 2022
Archdaily - Building of the Year (shortlisted)
Evening Standard - March 2023
The Concrete Centre - May 2023

 

Practice Profile

Nicholas Kirk founded NKA in 2011. The office is a design lead, RIBA Chartered Architectural Practice based in North London. NKA create buildings and spaces that are inspired by their context and culture to improve and enhance our everyday experience of the built environment.

The NKA design process involves testing out and prototyping ideas through drawing, consultation and model making. Research is a critical part of the practice for continuing development and growth. The practice are adept at communicating ideas through advanced 3D visualisations and computer modeling, 2D / 3D CAD and BIM alongside skilfully crafted hand sketches.

Nicholas Kirk - Founder and Director, Nicholas Kirk Architects

Nicky studied Architecture at the University of Sheffield between 1995 and 2001. He continues to be inspired by the city and our built environment and applies his craft through his own RIBA Chartered Practice, Nicholas Kirk Architects.

After completing his Part 1 and Part 2 studies at Sheffield, Nicky moved to London to join ex Stirling alumni Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects to work on a number of high profile projects and competition entires. These formative years provided Nicky with solid experience in practice where he developed a tremendous attention to detail.

Nicky deployed this experience during his time at London Metropolitan University, completing the RIBA Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (Part 3) in 2005.

Nicky went on to establish architectural radio show Amenity Space with Tony Broomhead on cult radio station Resonance 104.4FM. They created over 60 shows and it was not long before they were invited to work on a range of arts and architectural projects.

Amenity Space then transformed into a cutting edge, award winning architectural practice completing a number of notable projects for a range of clients including The Southbank Centre and the BBC.

Nicky established his own RIBA Chartered Practice in 2011 where he continues to create significant arts and architectural projects in the UK and further afield.

He is currently a visiting lecturer at the School of Architecture, University of Hertfordshire and a trustee at arts charity, SAFE Studios who provide support and affordable studio space for artists from their premises in Whitechapel, East London. He performs as one half in acoustic / soundscape duo Lost Chimes.

RIBA Chartered Member Number - 11502551
ARB Number - 070334F