Partners
Farida Makki DipArch DipUD MSc UD RIBA
Farida studied architecture in North Africa. She then completed her Diploma in Architecture and Urban Design and MSc in Development Studies at Oxford Brookes University. Whilst studying for her MSc Farida was asked to tutor post graduate students on the Urban Design course. Upon completion of her MSc, Farida was asked by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to contribute to a conference in Geneva to promote best practice in emergency response to shelter.
Farida has previously worked for Burrell Foley Fischer Architects, The Womens Design Service, Peart Bradley Architects and Tanc Ltd.
Farida’s special interests are community led projects, innovative ways of team working (with children, artists, local residents, stakeholders) and sustainable architecture.
Farida is a CABE enabler, a Building 4 Life Assersor for CABE, East Midlands Design Review Panel Member, an ARB examiner, Mentor to the Stephen Lawrence charity and a board member for OPUN.
Farida was Vice Chair (formally Chair) of TANC (Think TANC and TANC Team) a Nottingham Charity and Limited Company respectively, who specialise in supporting community projects), was a director of Greater Nottingham Groundwork Trust and a former member of the Nottingham Refugee Forum.
Farida is a visiting tutor on the final degree year Architecture courses at: Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham University and De Montfort University.
Mike Reade DipArch DipUD RIBA
Mike studied architecture at Oxford Brookes University and completed his Diploma in Architecture and Urban Design with a double first with distinction. Mike’s experience of a variety of projects with values between 500k and 5 million enable him to support voluntary clients in taking forward innovative complex projects. Mike’s skills in design, detailing and contract management result in elegant contemporary buildings constructed with a professional team.
Mike has previously worked for Company of Designers, Chetwood Associates, Marsh and Grochowski and Nottingham Community Housing Association.
Mike’s special interest is working on projects directly related to the arts within an urban setting; he was project architect on two of Nottinghams most prestigious arts projects, Sky Mirror and the Lakeside Arts Centre (both whilst working for Marsh and Grochowski Architects). His work on Sky Mirror meant dealings with national and local press on a controversial project! This project was a real example of placing a major piece of art within a public setting, whilst keeping the Playhouse and Limelight bar operating as usual. Mike worked with a consultant astronomer to calculate sunrays on the Sky Mirror in order to limit accidents from the concentration of solar rays. The Arts Council of England funded part of this project. Mikes experience of working on the Lakeside Arts Centre as project architect included dealing with acoustics, stage lighting but also creation of gallery space and archive storage and the associated environmental requirements. Mike was instrumental in ensuring that the project ran to budget and on time and as the lead consultant ensuring all the other consultants and contractors carried out what was expected of them.
Mike is a visiting tutor in Architecture at Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University.
Practice Ethos
REDMAK was set up in 2002 to provide a creative, flexible and inclusive service for the procurement of community buildings. REDMAK promotes contemporary architecture, champions green design, embraces client participation and builds successful partnerships. REDMAK chooses to work with clients who have a great participatory vision.
Clients
Our clients are unincorporated community groups, Schools, Local Authorities, Local Education Partnerships, Primary Care Trusts, charities, or companies limited by guarantee. Our projects are either in urban inner city settings, deprived communities and/or within culturally diverse communities.
Projects
Our buildings are ecological, have multiple functions and offer space for Children, Young People, Training, Artists,Primary Schools, Community Restaurants, Public Libraries, Dance Studios, Health Clinics, Spiritual Services, Social Enterprises, Sports and Roof Gardens.
Working creatively
We work to ensure our clients own their projects and the process; and see their projects as a real opportunity to create local employment not only upon completion but also throughout the consulting and construction stages.
REDMAK promotes artists involvement as facilitators, team members or participants throughout a projects lifetime.
Unique Service
REDMAK offers a distinctive architectural service, for projects from 10k up to 5 million on any one project.
Also
- Capacity Building Training for Clients embarking on Building Projects
- Feasibility Studies
- Consultation Events
- Project Visioning
- Site Dressing
- Building Partnerships
- Consultant Seminars
- Creative Workshops
- Project research trips
- Training on the Build Process, Making Environmental Choices and Understanding Architectural Drawings
REDMAK is a culturally diverse practice and an equal opportunities employer.
Funding experience
REDMAK are familiar with and have direct experience of fundraising. We have supported groups to write funding bids for the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), BIG Lottery, New Opportunities Fund, Arts Council, Heritage Lottery, the ESF (European Social Fund), Future Builders, Children’s Centres, Neighbourhood Nurseries, Environmental Grants and various charities.