Two pioneering young entrepreneurial architects, Gordon Ryder and Peter Yates, who worked with Le Corbusier and Ove Arup, first met in the office of Berthold Lubetkin. They went on to form Ryder and Yates in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Le Corbusier, Lubetkin and Newcastle-born Arup, had a powerful influence on the design philosophy of Gordon and Peter which can still be seen in Ryder’s work today.
Ted Nicklin, who later became a mentor to Peter Buchan, joined Ryder and Yates in 1963, bringing with him a commitment to social architecture. In the same year Leszek Kubik, a Polish structural engineer, joined. By 1965, building services engineer Jack Humphrey and electrical engineer Geoff Brown were also part of the team.
The death of Peter Yates in 1982 resulted in the formation of Ryder Nicklin Partnership, which continued until the retirement of Gordon Ryder in 1990. Following the sudden death of Ted in 1994 it was left to Peter Buchan, who had joined in 1977, and Mark Thompson, who had joined in 1988, to take the practice forward to what it is today.
This basis for integrating architects and engineers in a single practice stemmed from the experience both Gordon and Peter enjoyed while working with great designers. This pioneering approach remains in Ryder’s work today – inclusive and collaborative. There is passion in every aspect.
“One thing is certain – Ryder will keep evolving…”
Rutter Carroll, Architectural Historian
There is a rigour running throughout Ryder’s approach and a deceptive simplicity in our work, a determination for useful and functional design. This has not changed in over 70 years.
Ryder & Yates is founded in Newcastle upon Tyne by pioneering young architects Gordon Ryder and Peter Yates
Peter Buchan joins
The death of Peter Yates resulted in the formation of the Ryder Nicklin Partnership
Mark Thompson joins
Buchan and Thompson take the reins, leading the new philosophy behind Ryder Nicklin’s renaissance
Becomes Ryder Architecture
UK presence expands with London office opening
Established joint venture with US based firm HKS
BIM Academy is established in a joint venture with partner Northumbria University
Ryder Alliance is established with co founding partner i2C in Australia
Ryder establishes charitable foundation AzuKo
PlanBEE (Built Environment Education) higher education programme is launched with Gateshead College
Devereux Architecture joins Ryder
Peter Buchan retires
Manchester office opens
Ryder crowned Building’s Architectural Practice of the Year
Okana is created from Ryder Alliance and BIM Academy
Hugh Pearman
Architectural Critic
They include the prestigious Queen’s Enterprise Award for International Trade, ranking world class in the Best Companies to Work For tables and being named Building’s Architectural Practice of the Year 2021, and finalist eight times since 2012.
AJ100
NUCASTLE, Shortlisted: Community Impact of the Year
BCO Midlands
103 Colmore Row, Shortlisted: Commercial Workplace
BCO Northern
New Billingham House, Shortlisted: Corporate Workplace
Constructing Excellence North East
Dogger Bank, Winner: Net Zero and shortlisted Building Project of the Year
RIBA North West
India Buildings, HMRC, Shortlisted
Scottish Property
Winchburgh Sport and Well Being Hub, Shortlisted: Architectural Excellence Award (Public Use)
UKReiiF
PlanBEE / Mark Thompson, Shortlisted: People and Skills Torchbearer
Insider North East Property
One Strawberry Lane, Winner: Commercial Development of the Year
Inside Housing Development
Grace House, Winner: Best Affordable Housing Development £20m+
BCO Northern
Pipewell Quay, Commended: Corporate Workplace
Best Companies to Work For
Ryder Architecture – Best Large Companies to Work For, Top 10
Edinburgh Architectural Institute
Queensferry High School, Winner: Large Project Award
Insider Media Property Awards North East
Pipewell Quay, Winner: Fit Out / Refurbishment of the Year
Insider Media Property Awards North West
India Buildings, HMRC, Winner: Development of the Year
Mixology North
India Buildings, HMRC, Shortlisted: Project of the Year, Public Sector
RICS North East
NUCASTLE, Newcastle United Foundation, Winner: Community Benefit
RICS North West
India Buildings, HMRC, Winner: Refurbishment / Revitalisation Project
Education Estates
Queen Elizabeth High and Hexham Middle Schools, Winner: Project of the Year (Schools)
Asia Pacific Chinese Design Competition
West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Headquarters, Hong Kong, Gold Award
Best Companies to Work For
Ryder Architecture – Best Large Companies to Work For, Top 50
Building
Ryder Architecture – Architectural Practice of the Year, Winner
Civic Trust
The Pavilion at Kew Gardens, Finalist The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Finalist
Design in Mental Health
Camden and Islington Mental Health Accommodation, Winner: Service User Engagement
Edinburgh Architectural Institute
Queensferry High School, Winner: Large Project
International Property
Grace House, Winner: Social Housing London Grace House, Winner: Social Housing United Kingdom
Scottish Design
Dunoon Primary School, Commended: Education
Queen's Award for Enterprise
Ryder Architecture, Winner: International Trade
Okana was created in 2024 to build on the success of BIM Academy – an internationally respected digital consultancy founded by Ryder, and Ryder Alliance – a global network delivering collaborative projects around the world.
Combining the strengths of both, we launched Okana, a pioneering global built environment consultancy, bringing together visionary thinking alongside economic viability.
Okana turns innovative ideas into sustainable realities that resonate with communities worldwide.
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