IMA Architects 2024 Spotlight

IMA Architects works with a range of the UK’s leading property developers, FTSE 100 companies, global brands and local authorities to deliver exceptional industrial, logistical and commercial buildings. We pride ourselves on repeat commissions and longstanding client relationships, which we believe are testament to the quality of service we provide.

We are currently active across 50 projects nationally, which when complete will deliver over 2 million square feet of new buildings for companies including Clowes Developments, Lidl GB, Leicestershire County Council, a world-renowned luxury car brand and a global logistics and shipping company. We are proud to work alongside developers that are investing in the UK to drive growth and create employment opportunities.

IMA have developed a reputation of providing efficiency and quality on every one of our projects. We have maintained our ISO 19650-2 accreditation, achieved in November 2022. We have also adopted Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes, procedures and policies throughout the business to further develop and deliver projects to the highest of standards. ISO19650 accreditation as Lead Appointed Party, is seen as a crucial achievement for IMA and reflects the businesses ambition for continual improvement and allows us to enhance our mission of providing efficiency, quality and collaboration to our clients.

The processes driven by ISO19650 are part of the culture of IMA and reflect our own workflows, processes and procedures, with all staff being trained for suitable roles and responsibilities within the standard. ISO 19650 drives the collaborative approach of our projects as well as allowing us to continuously improve the efficiency and processes associated to the benefit of all our clients and project stakeholders.

2024 has been another significant year for the business, as we continue to grow and invest in research and development to provide the best architectural solutions to our clients. We have successfully delivered numerous client projects and have been shortlisted in national industry awards as we have sought to refine our R&D into ‘Digital Twin’ technology. We are currently in discussions with several clients on how this technology can be implemented on their upcoming schemes to improve building management processes.

Across the Midlands, we have worked with our longstanding client Clowes Developments to deliver 27 new commercial units at their sites at Fairham Business Park, Stud Brook Business Park, Beauchamp Business Park, Kibworth and Castlewood. Stadium Retail Park in Long Eaton also successfully opened its doors, bringing a new Lidl and Wickes stores to the town.

We are continuing to work with Lidl GB and have been instructed to provide architectural services and advice on the construction of two new Regional Distribution Centres in Gildersome, Leeds and in Belvedere, London. We have worked with Lidl GB since 2012 and have now been instructed on 10 Regional Distribution Centres for the company.

Within Leicestershire, we completed our latest project for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, redeveloping the club’s changing rooms delivering a new changing places facility and multi- faith room, both of which opened ahead of the 2024 cricket season. We have recently completed the Cambridge Road residential scheme in Whetstone comprising over 49 new residential units with Morro Partnerships as well as the Grove Road assisted living scheme which comprises 15 supported living flats with ancillary office for NHS staff.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited by the range of projects that we will be delivering for our clients. These include working alongside Clowes Developments to support its plans for the completion of Dove Valley Park in South Derbyshire, and new projects for a global logistics and shipping company and a luxury car brand.

As always, we will also continue to invest in our team, ensuring that IMA is an excellent place to work and that we have leading expertise to successfully deliver for our clients.

Our continued investment in our team and technology means IMA is ideally placed to partner with other Patrons of Procon Leicestershire to deliver projects that will positively benefit our local community.