Global architecture and consulting firm Woods Bagot has ranked in the top 10 global practices for the third consecutive year, according to Building Design magazine’s 2017 World Architecture Top 100 list, an annual survey of the world’s largest companies ranked by the number of fee-earning architects employed.
This year, Woods Bagot ranked overall #7 – down one place from #6 last year. The practice is once again the only Australian firm in top 10. The global studio was honoured to be listed as one of the world’s ‘Most Admired Architects’, ranking equal seventh with Kohn Pederson Fox, Nikken Sekkei, UN Studio and Zaha Hadid Architects. Foster + Partners topped this list for the 11th consecutive year.
Woods Bagot ranked #2 (by fee income) in the Australasia region. Breaking down market sectors and specialisms, Woods Bagot claimed #7 In Offices, #7 in residential, #8 in Retail, #9 in Interior Design and equal #7 in Planning.
Woods Bagot’s Chief Executive Officer Nik Karalis said the 2017 WA100 rankings reflected the company’s year of consolidation and expansion, with recent teams being added in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Auckland.
“This year, Woods Bagot has maintained a vigorous global presence in 17 studios worldwide,” Karalis said. “We have strengthened our alliances with local partners, established key relationships and explored new ventures in Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East and North America, and we have engaged with thought leaders in these regions to bring design and innovation to the next level.”
“Delivering results in the transformation of cities means having a presence in these cities of opportunities and responding to the changing needs of the business,” he said. “We foresee the convergence of physical and digital communities creating limitless user experiences that reflect the ways people want to live, work and play."
In early December of 2016, Woods Bagot relaunched its website with a broader social and ecological purpose of bringing clients engaging enterprises which includes UrbanSystems—The Way We Live; SuperSpace—Analysing The Way We Live; and BrandStudio—Narrating The Way We Live. There is a strong focus on editorialised visual content tailored to maximise visitors’ online experience in this digital era.
“The culmination of their development over the past six months is now revealed in a new format—a website that presents projects in a more conversational and personal manner, revealing a practice that is at the forefront of the new role and responsibility of urbanism architecture and interiors," added Karalis. “As we move forward, we expect an array of current and potential work prospects with revenue to increase throughout 2017 and 2018. With the unwavering dedication of our leaders, 59 shareholders/ principals, 11 associate principals and staff members, we remain resolute in delivering excellence to our practice."
Woods Bagot Global Development Officer Mark Mitcheson-Low reported Woods Bagot’s opportunities continued to be strong in Australasia, North America and Europe.
“As architects and designers, we have a rare opportunity to spearhead the world in implementing the key drivers of change by tapping into conversations around the future of cities, places and people," said Mitcheson-Low. "At Woods Bagot we are deeply committed to not only opening the dialogue on economic, ecological, social and liveability in large metropolitan areas but also in providing practical solutions that will have a positive impact on people in our global cities.”
Courtesy: Woods Bagot News Centre
