Global design practice BDP has appointed Adam Darby, who has significant experience and expertise in the residential sector, as associate architect in its Bristol studio.
Previously an associate director at Assael Architecture in London, Adam, pictured, is at the forefront of best practice design in the build-to-rent sector with significant experience in Bristol and London. 
He has a strong portfolio of past projects in both cities for big name institutional developers, funders and operators in the sector, including Legal & General, Cubex, Longharbour, Grainger, Apache Capital and Essential Living.
In Bristol, his portfolio of work includes significant build-to-rent schemes such as Box Makers Yard at Temple Quarter and Millwrights Place at Finzels Reach, as well as its affordable housing scheme, Coopers Court.
Build-to-rent provides professionally-managed, high-quality, purpose-built rental homes, with a strong emphasis on shared, communal spaces to help forge communities.
Adam said: “I’m delighted to have joined BDP, an international practice at the forefront of designing people-centred progressive and sustainable places and communities of the future.
“The boom we have seen in the build-to-rent sector in key regional cities like Bristol is set to continue, as it offers an adaptable model that suits a range of demographics and can be applied to varying locations.
“It works alongside other tenures and commercial uses like retail, leisure, food & beverage and even logistics, as well as being a sound investment opportunity for institutional funders and operators.
“In the years ahead, we’re likely to see this concept extend beyond city centres to suburban and semi-rural areas, applying the build-to-rent ethos to houses and family living.
“There is also a huge opportunity to capitalise on modern methods of construction (MMC) in delivering these schemes.”
BDP, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is a global interdisciplinary practice of architects, engineers, designers and urbanists with more than 1,000 staff and studios around the world.
BDP chief executive and lead architect director of the Bristol studio, Nick Fairham, said: “It’s brilliant to have Adam on board, bringing with him significant expertise and experience in the wider residential sector, particularly build-to-rent.
“This growing part of the market offers huge opportunity for cities, towns and semi-rural areas to raise the standard of rental housing as part of a broader mix of homes to create thriving, long-lasting communities.”
