That was the year that was

We've been looking back over 2015 which was quite a year for the team gear at align. We started looking forward to the Mendeley project at Alphabeta and this dominated the early part of the year, along with completing the new home for Child Poverty Action Group. 

As part of our re-branding strategy developed in 2014, we had identified the need to push the visibility of the practice through effective PR. We were joined in May by our PR guru Caroline who has been instrumental in subsequent months in helping us reposition the practice.

 We were fortunate enough to have our BrandOpus project shortlisted at the Mix Interiors awards in the summer and the team had a fantastic night at the party - but came home empty handed (we was robbed guvnor!) The press interest in this project has been nothing less than extraordinary with coverage on a truly global scale. You can now read about it in Spain, India, China, Pakistan, USA to name but a few.

One exciting project which has been running through the whole year has been the arches down in Southwark. This leisure and hospitality project will be finally on site for us  during 2016 but has evolved in the last 12 months into a really significant development including 3 restaurants, a bar and live music venue. 

Finally, the year really finished on a high with our three awards in three days at the start of December, including two for BrandOpus. It was all a bit surreal at times, particularly shooting the video message of thanks for the awards ceremony in China! Being awarded best small practice at the London Design Awards was also very special as it reflects all the hard work the team has put in over the months. 

I think we are all looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that 2016 will throw at us and I can't wait to see where we might be by the end of the year. Bring it on!