Make helps to prepare bid for three-acre mixed-used scheme in Leeds; council to announce shortlist next month
The architectural practice founded last year by Ken Shuttleworth, Norman Foster's former right-hand man, has teamed up with Carey Jones to pitch for its first project.

Make, as the practice is known, has put in a bid for a three-acre mixed-use scheme at the Leeds International Pool centre along with Carey Jones and developer Urban Catalyst.

Leeds council is drawing up a shortlist of successful submissions, which will be announced next month.

Make is also working with architect RHWL on several other schemes, including a tower next to Waterloo station, where it will provide designs for cladding. In addition, it is working with RHWL on an office development in north London and on a mixed-use scheme in central Coventry.

Shuttleworth told Building that the partnerships enabled Make to tap into the resources of more established firms.

He said: "We are exploring some interesting linkages with other practices. We have the design skills and our partners provide lots of back up.

We have the design skills and our partners provide the back-up

Ken Shuttleworth, Make

"The Leeds scheme is being led by Gordon Carey at Carey Jones. He is really tuned into the Leeds scene and we have looked at a range of options for the site."

The scheme is primarily an office development, but it will include shops, flats and a hotel. A council spokesperson said: "The brief requires buildings in a range of six to 18 storeys, but it is down to the bids as to how high they will go."

Make's scheme is understood to include towers at the top end of the council's height limit. The spokesperson said the site was unsuitable for development on the scale of the 47-storey Criterion Place scheme in Leeds, which was designed by Ian Simpson Architects.

Bids had to be in by 26 March, and the successful bid will be announced in October.

Work will not begin on site until 2006 because the council wants to keep the centre open until a swimming pool, which is under construction on the edge of the city, is complete.

Since setting up Make early this year, Shuttleworth has hired three former Foster and Partners colleagues – Sean Affleck, Jason Parker and John Prevc.