Urban design and masterplanning practice edgeUD has bolstered its team with the appointment of Barry Gaffney.
Gaffney, who has more than 19 years’ experience working across planning and urban design in both the public and private sectors, previously spent almost a decade at Savills where he was involved in establishing the firm’s Midlands urban design team.
His appointment strengthens edge’s ability to support clients in developing deliverable, design-led strategies for complex sites, with a specific focus on projects in the Midlands and Ireland.
Gaffney said: “My experience of both planning and urban design brings an understanding not just of what can be delivered, but how to shape proposals that respond to context and create lasting value. This fits incredibly well with edge’s approach that focuses on how places feel for the people who use them and function in real life.”
Hannah Smart, director and co-founder of edgeUD, added: “Barry’s ability to bridge planning and design disciplines is exactly what clients need as projects become more complex. His experience in shaping deliverable strategies and unlocking challenging sites will be a strong addition to the team, in particular supporting our growth in the Midlands and seeking opportunities across the British Isles and beyond.
“It’s a really exciting time for edge as we expand our Birmingham and UK studios, as well as adding to the team at our headquarters in Oxfordshire. We’re actively looking at new locations that offer opportunity for our focus on helping clients think beyond traditional boundaries and bring together strategic insight, design thinking and delivery expertise to put people at the heart of development proposals.”
