About the practice

CoARC was established by the joining of two West Midlands based practices; Fleming James Architects and architecture:nw . The directors of those practices all previously worked together at one of the UKs largest architectural firms before setting up their own businesses, delivering projects in a variety of sectors including a significant number of education and schools buildings. The practice provides a flexible and adaptable resource to clients that constitutes a highly experienced hands on approach with the benefits that come from a small enterprise (such as low overheads, and readily identifiable and continuous points of contact), coupled with the experience as well as the technical abilities typical of a larger architectural firm. The three directors of CoARC: Ian James, Andy Fleming and Nick Woodcock have between them over 50 years of experience working as architects. During this time acquiring a broad range of skillsets covering all project work stages from strategic briefing and stakeholder engagement, feasibility appraisals, complex planning approvals to full specification, technical detailing and contract administration. They have previously worked together successfully on a number of award wining buildings, including listed properties; buildings in conservation areas and AONBs; projects involving multiple stakeholder groups; and often with challenging timescales and/or budgets.