Duffy, who worked in the USA in the 1960s, downplayed the move, saying it was intended to enable him to develop DEGW’s international work for global commercial clients, such as Andersen Consulting. It is understood that Duffy is also keen to win work from the growing band of Internet start-ups concentrated in California’s Silicon Valley.
He added: “People have a mindset about this move. I’m not getting on the Titanic and pulling up the footbridge. Working in the States is more of a lifestyle choice than a practicality. I’m not abandoning the UK.”
The news of Duffy’s move follows the announcement that DEGW has won a competition to masterplan the redevelopment of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Duffy, a former RIBA president, said the V&A masterplan was very important for the practice. DEGW beat big names Rick Mather Architects, Ian Ritchie Architects and Terry Farrell & Partners to the high-profile project.
Duffy said: “Stephen [Greenberg, DEGW design partner] has the same fascination for untangling the complex relationship between audiences, content, culture and buildings in museums that I have had for people and the workplace.”
The six-month project, which has already started, will involve follow-up work to the spiral extension designed by Daniel Libeskind and Cecil Balmond.
Paula Ridley, chairman of the V&A’s board of trustees, said DEGW’s work would look at improving accessibility in the museum, using new technologies and providing better visitor services.
DEGW senior designer Christine Hanway said the project was not a standard masterplan: “We are not delivering a set of drawings. We are looking at everything from literature and signage and visitor accessibility, rather than hard building work.”
DEGW is also working on the South Bank masterplan with Rick Mather; west London business park Chiswick Park with Richard Rogers Partnership; and the National Holocaust Exhibition at London’s Imperial War Museum.
