A Clerkenwell architecture practice, with pioneering international heritage has marked its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of work spanning the Middle East to some of the UK’s leading science, healthcare and education projects.
A specialist UK architecture practice with pioneering international heritage has marked its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of work spanning the Middle East to some of the UK’s leading science, healthcare and education projects.
Wilson Mason Architects, which has offices in Clerkenwell and Lancashire, can trace its history back to 1926 when pioneering Scottish architect James Mollison Wilson opened his first office in London, later being joined in partnership by Harold Clayforth Mason.
Today, Wilson Mason has a team of 35 people and has delivered projects for a wide range of prestigious clients including BAE Systems, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), European Space Agency, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, Imperial College London, John Lewis & Partners, Kings College London, Newham University Hospital and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Wilson Mason became internationally recognised in its formative years by shaping new landscapes with bold and ambitious designs, completing projects around the world, including the Middle East, before going on to focus on projects in the UK in sectors including science and research, healthcare and higher education.
To mark its centenary, the practice brought together material from across its extensive archive for special celebration and exhibition events at The Building Centre in London and Manchester Museum attended by more than 200 clients, professional partners, former colleagues and members of its North and London teams.
The exhibitions gave guests the opportunity to explore Wilson Mason’s evolution over the last century through architectural drawings, photographs and other artefacts covering some of its best-known historical and modern projects.
James Potter, partner architect at Wilson Mason’s North office in Lancashire, said: “It’s been amazing to bring our Wilson Mason community together for these events which have provided a great opportunity to acknowledge where we’ve come from, but also show people who we are now and where we’re heading as a specialised practice with deep sector knowledge.
“That strong technical competence for which Wilson Mason has always been known continues in our work today in creating sustainable buildings and places that help to make our communities stronger, healthier and more resilient.”
Dominque Haslam, partner architect in Wilson Mason’s London office, added: “We’re incredibly thankful to all of our clients, professional partners and colleagues who have supported Wilson Mason throughout the years.
“We look forward to doing more pioneering work together in the years ahead and creating memorable projects that not only support our clients’ goals but also spaces that support and inspire the people that use them.”
Wilson Mason’s 100th anniversary exhibition featured photos and other memorabilia associated with its historic projects in the Middle East in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, including Baghdad Railway Station and Basra Port Offices in Iraq.
Other historic projects featured in the exhibition were British Petroleum’s Harlow Campus in Essex, the Brutalist style Barclays House – which served as the international office of Barclays Bank in Poole, Dorset – and the substantial masterplanning and project work for Allen & Handburys’ (now GSK) pharmaceutical research facilities at Ware in Hertfordshire.
Some of the cutting-edge projects Wilson Mason has been involved with in more recent years include the Dalton Cumbrian Nuclear Research Facility, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Lancashire, and the BBSRC National Virology Centre at the Pirbright Institute in Surrey.
The practice is currently undertaking projects including the Leyland Town Deal projects for South Ribble Borough Council, Newfield SEN School on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, along with various projects for clients including Newham University Hospital, Imperial College London, The University of Greenwich, University of Manchester, Bolton Council, Stokers and Bury College.
