鈥楲eaving EU would rob us of cultural exchange that contributes to great architecture鈥�
The success of our towns and cities depends on Britain remaining in the EU, architects Ian Simpson and Rachel Haugh claimed today.
The founders of Manchester practice SimpsonHaugh & Partners issued a passionate statement in support of the EU ahead of Thursday鈥檚 referendum.
Without access to European staff and projects it wouldn鈥檛 be the 鈥渢hriving architectural practice we are today鈥�, the pair said.
鈥淲ith Britons and Europeans free to travel, study and work across the EU, the collective knowledge base, understanding and passion has strengthened, providing us with an enriched talent pool to choose from,鈥� said the statement.
The varying cultural experiences converge in a melting pot of ideas and inspiration, upon which the successful future of our built communities and place-making depends
Ian Simpson and Rachel Haugh
But being part of the EU had far wider-reaching implications than the success of individual architectural practices alone, they added.
鈥淭he varying cultural experiences converge in a melting pot of ideas and inspiration, upon which the successful future of our built communities and place-making depends,鈥� they said.
鈥淣on-British EU citizens currently make up 20% of SHP staff. Leaving the EU would rob us of the cultural diversity and exchange that contributes to producing great architecture.鈥�
A to the Telegraph last month by 200 creative professionals supporting the Remain camp was signed by leading architects and designers including David Chipperfield, Amanda Levete, Richard Rogers, David Adjaye, Louisa Hutton, John Pawson and Thomas Heatherwick.
Simpson and Haugh begin their statement with a quote from that letter and ended it by declaring: 鈥淭ogether we are stronger.鈥�
They said common procurement rules and trade regulations, as well as access to overseas markets, had made it possible for their practice to expand its portfolio, enriching its staff鈥檚 experience.
SimpsonHaugh & Partners, which is best known for its UK projects such as Manchester鈥檚 Beetham Tower, is currently completing a 2,000-seat concert hall and home for the DeFilharmonie orchestra in Antwerp.
The statement also praised the EU鈥檚 anti-discrimination laws which had ushered in 鈥渋mportant challenges to traditional inequalities in the UK construction industry鈥�.
The attrition of women architects as their careers progress was a problem 鈥渂est coordinated and established with our European counterparts鈥�, they argued.
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