Architect has grand designs on home city

Jun 22 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

The architect who created the £36m Trinity Gardens development on Newcastle's Quayside has strong views on the city's buildings. And as regional chairman of the Institute of Directors, his forthright opinions do not stop at bricks and mortar, writes Peter McCusker.

Regional development agency One North East attracts criticism and support from Elphick in, almost, equal measures.

He believes that RDAs sometimes hamper the growth of the regional economy by supporting businesses that might not warrant it, but he applauds ONE’s work in backing some of our world-leading companies. He says that there is too much box-ticking at all RDAs, but accepts that some of these constraints must exist to prevent corruption.

On returning to the North East, Elphick says he could have joined his father’s architects practice but opted to join Waring and Netts, which at the time had a staff of 10, but has since morphed into the fast-growing practice _space with over 100 staff. The business is a leader in the design of sustainable buildings and Elphick is leading its drive into work overseas.

But in fighting for the region to achieve its full potential, he clearly sees himself as carrying a torch that was lit by the region’s industrial pioneers almost 200 years ago.

“The North East led the world in Victorian times. (George) Stephenson and (Lord William) Armstrong were the Victorian Bill Gates,” he says.

“At some point, if the region really wants to be the best again, we are going to have get on our bikes and do it for ourselves.”

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