Oliver founded Orms in 1984 and continues to work for and support the practice. Since designing the award winning headquarters for Next in 1985 (which is still part of their HQ) he has been centrally involved with many of the firm’s projects. He has had a particular focus on finding new uses and new life for former commercial buildings. He has established long term, 20 years+ relationships with many of the firm’s clients and collaborators. This work has included pioneering loft-living projects, 12 Health Clubs across Europe, master plans and individual buildings for a series of private sector schools and multiple historic building projects over 30 years with a client in Bath. More recently he has created major commercial schemes for clients including Derwent London and Great Portland Estates. His collaborative methodology focuses on establishing clear principles with both end users and developers, creating firm foundations for successful projects.
What does ultrapractical mean to you? As architects, we need to draw the best out of the full project team – our clients, fellow consultants, contractors and the specialist makers - to consistently produce projects of exceptional quality. To do so, we need to understand how others think. This collaborative approach has underpinned Orms' work across the diversity of our projects. Beyond practice, I have contributed to the wider profession as former RIBA Vice President for Education, a chair of the Croydon Place Review Panel, chair of a housing association development committee and a school Governor. I believe in an architecture that balances pragmatism with creativity and lifts the human spirit —responding to complex briefs with solutions that are innovative, deliverable and enjoyable.