Sked engineers union to add client appeal

Gordon Sked Design Associates has formed an association with automotive and aerospace engineer Loades to enhance each company’s appeal to clients (DW 22 September).

“Loades’ business is centred on the core of body engineering and manufacturing,” says consultancy founder Gordon Sked.

“We want to be at the front end” of the design process working on the brief, adds the former Rover product design director.

GSDA is opening a second office at the engineer’s site and plans to use Loades’ expanding design studio to execute briefs in-house and for other clients.

Loades, whose clients include Jaguar and Rolls Royce as well as US and Korean manufacturers, is currently recruiting designers to its team based at its new facilities in Coventry.

“We can offer each other’s services – it’s a very great attraction to clients,” Sked says.

A new footbridge, designed by Lifschutz Davidson, is planned to link the north and south sides of London’s Royal Victoria Dock. London Docklands Development Corporation shortlisted the group for the project with Ian Ritchie Architects and plans to assess the 200m bridge’s capacity to carry a cable car. The LDDC has also appointed Andrew Cowan Architect to design the Hermitage Riverside site which will include shops, galleries and a health club.