Aidan Ridyard

Background

About Aidan Ridyard

Highly experienced Architect specialising in Public Buildings and heritage environments to support new ways of working, learning and participating as communities. Aidan graduated from Birmingham School of Architecture with First Class honours and a Distinction in his Post-graduate diploma, winning the prize for best portfolio of his year for the design of a Dominican Priory in Venice, published in La Citta Europea (1990) Specialising in Learning Focused Projects for over 25 years, Aidan designed many schemes around the world, from schools to universities. He was a leading member of the British Council for School Environments serving on their International Committee. He is actively engaged in research into the efficacy of learning spaces in universities, and has spoken at conferences on the subject in the UK, US, Middle East and India. Aidan's portfolio is highly diverse: ranging from the British Council’s school in Madrid to the Medical Centre in Llanfyllin, Powys: a CADW exemplar project. The cross-faculty Science & Health building for Coventry University has received several awards since its completion. Joining Burrell Foley Fischer in 2014 as a partner has allowed Aidan to develop a passion for more complex projects, like the Masterplanning the regeneration of a highly significant group of Listed Buildings (Grades I, II* & II) in the historic centre of York, and a new 1350 seat theatre in Truro (incorporating two listed buildings). He has helped develop feasibility studies for Rhodes House (Listed Grade II*) in Oxford, and two international schools in the Home Counties. Aidan continues to persue his interest in buildings for higher education, and has also been working with Coventry University, Cranfield University, University of Brighton and Trinity College, Dublin. Aidan joined the RIBA Conservation Register in 2018 at Conservation Architect (CA) level. He became a member of Birmingham DAC in 2019. In 2018, Aidan's refurbishment of the Royal Society of Arts Grade I & II* listed headquarters in London was completed, proving spaces for Fellows' research, collaboration and the exchange of ideas contributing to a C21st enlightenment. Aidan has a specialism in racecourses and other equine facilities, designing projects for York Racecourse, The King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and at Ascot. Aidan’s first book; a monograph on the Church Architecture of Richard Twentyman (co-authored with Chris Kennedy), is due to be published in 2021.