AFL Architects England, Stadium designers, UK architectural practice, Building studio, Design images, Martin Hill

AFL Group Architecture

Contemporary English Architect Practice, UK Sports Arenas Designers

30 Jan 2023

New Director, Martin Hill returns to leading architectural practice, AFL Architects

AFL Architects News

Leading architectural practice, AFL Architects is welcoming the return of Martin Hill, formerly at AFL from 2000-2012, as a director responsible for Healthcare and Education.

With expertise within the design and planning of estates nationwide across the last 20+ years, both on new-build projects and refurbishment of estates, his experience includes the flagship Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Centre for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the new A&E resuscitation unit at the Oxford University Hospitals amongst others.

Martin comments, “It’s great to be re-joining AFL where I qualified all those years ago, but this time to help lead their healthcare and education sectors. With many estate managers looking at ways to combine their sustainability targets, work with their communities to provide them with the best facilities and run as efficiently and effectively as possible, there is much scope for great design and planning.”

“It’s great to have Martin back,” continues John Roberts, AFL Director. “Healthcare and education continue to be an area of importance and growth for us as a company, and of course, as a region and country as a whole. We believe Martin’s expertise will complement the existing team and allow us to grow our service offering to clients and potential new clients.”

AFL Architects

AFL Architects work to deliver inspiring, people-centred design.

AFL Architects create places for communities to live, play and thrive – working alongside you every step of the way. Combining a boutique approach with large practice experience, we have absolute expertise and massive ambitions. Designing for the way people live and respond to their spaces. From beginning to end, as partners all the way and beyond.

AFL Architects create Architecture for Life. www.afl-architects.com

AFL Projects

Major Developments by AFL Architects, alphabetical:

David Beckham Football Centre, Natal, Brazil
2008-
This is the third football centre for the former England player following his success with similar branded academies in Greenwich, south-east London, and Los Angeles, California, USA. It is located in the coastal resort of Natal.

This English Architect Practice missed out on designing Liverpool’s new Anfield stadium just before Christmas 2007/08. The sports facility aimed at local children will be ‘substantially larger’ than the existing London centre.

Early plans for the complex, in the north-eastern corner of the South American country, include indoor pitches, a 10,000-seat stadium and a 400-bedroom hotel.

Hearts FC Stadium – new stand, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
2007-

picture from architects office
Hearts New Stand design : Heart of Midlothian stand proposal – not built at time of writing

Nou Camp Stadium redevelopment, Barcelona, Catalunya, Northeast Spain, southwestern Europe – shortlist
Nou Camp Stadium

Manchester United FC, Old Trafford, south west Manchester, north west England, UK
North Stand redevelopment; East & West Stands redevelopment
Manchester United Stadium

Thomond Park Redevelopment, Republic of Ireland
2008
Design: AFL Group with Murray O’ Laoire Architects

photograph : Michael Punch and Partners
Thomond Park
The design proposal here was to provide a large increase from the existing 11,091 capacity stadium. A study examined three alternative sites. A decision was then taken to retain the rugby stadium in its existing city centre location. While city centre stadiums present challenges in relation to event management these issues are outweighed by the vibrancy and atmosphere generated in the city on the day of a big match.