Gordon Affleck is a Design Partner with IO. He has had 20 years of professional experience leading international design teams in the Middle East, Asia, the UK, and the US.
Prior IO, Gordon was International Design Principal for both Asia and the Middle East regions for one of the largest architectural practices in the world.
In Asia, he directed and designed several large, complex mixed use and civic developments including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Media and Pentathlon Centre (now the China National Convention Complex); the Huawei R+D Headquarter Campus; the Shizimen International Convention Centre, which includes a 320 m high transforming tower as its focal point and is due for completion in 2014.
In the Middle East, he led and designed a number of sustainable community centred master plans including the redesign of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, creating 4 sq km of waterfront development and the redesign of the leisure and community cluster of the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Gordon and his team are currently in the detailed planning stages one of Chongqing's 3 Central Business Districts; a 450,000 sqm of Retail and Lifestyle development for Summer International in Zhuhai, China and the Metropol Development in Istanbul.
He has been responsible for numerous competition winning designs including the Kolkata International Convention Centre, and master plan for the China-Taiwan Cross Strait Forum and CBD in Pingtan, China; and the award winning 325 m long Infinity Loop Bridge, a key signature gateway bridge for the new Shizimen CBD in Zhuhai, China.
Nick Cordingley has over 15 years of international experience and has lead the design and delivery of large scale complex projects across a diverse array of sectors throughout Asia, Europe, and the middle east.
Prior to joining IO, Nick was design director for a large international firm, leading the design of many educational, research and commercial projects, most notably were a 11,500 sqm further education facility in Wales including vocational teaching space; a 30,000 sqm sustainable teaching model for West Nottinghamshire College; the 30,000 sqm Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the Medical Research Council in Cambridge; and the implementation of 30,000 sqm of academic buildings for the University of Hertfordshire. Nick was also responsible for competition winning large scale mixed used masterplans in the middle east & Asia, delivering regionally responsive design solutions for high profile clients.
Since joining IO, Nick has directed the design for a number of large scale mixed use schemes including hotel, office, retail and residential typologies. They are a 70,000 sqm redevelopment of the iconic Yunnan Hotel into a mixed use development including hotel, retail and residential spaces due to be complete 2015; a tourist destination development in Hangzhou of 1.2 million sqm comprising retail space, culture, entertainment, hotels and family resorts and residences; and a Mixed use Commercial Development in Wuhan, providing 90,000 sqm of grade A offices supported by 20,000 sqm retail, F&B and entertainment spaces due to be complete 2015.
Nick is a member of the RIBA and ARB.
Brian Fok joined IO in 2010 and has had 13 years of experience working throughout Asia.
Brian worked with several renowned architectural firms before joining IO. He was responsible for numerous projects of diversified scale and typologies in Asia. His built portfolio includes various mixed-use developments and hotels in China; an IT office tower in India; as well as the multi-award winning SKT Headquarter Tower in Seoul, Korea.
As Associate Partner with IO, Brian has led the design and management of several landmark projects across Mainland China. These include the competition-winning design and masterplan for the China-Taiwan Cross Strait Forum and CBD in Pingtan; Zhongxun Times in Chongqing (which is currently under construction); and a 800,000 sqm new CBD in Chongqing (which is now at the detailed planning and building design stage).
Brian is a member of the HKIA and is registered under PRC CLASS 1 in China.
Barry Shapiro has over 21 years of experience and has been involved with the design and construction of major projects in China, the United States and Southeast Asia.
Barry has almost a decade of experience living and working in China. Currently, he is a Partner with IO in Shanghai, where he is responsible for the design and management of the practice's work in the China office.
Barry has extensive experience carrying out projects from concept to detailed design. He has worked with major local, government and international developers and clients throughout China. His experience includes mixed-use developments, master planning, retail spaces, commercial headquarters, residential complexes, and civic buildings.
His current projects include the New Jiangwan Office Park in Shanghai, which is due for completion in 2014, as well as Yunnan Hotel and ChangchengHui Mixed Use Development in Wuhan, both of which are anticipated to be built in 2015.
Michael Grimshaw is a Director with IO in Hong Kong and has over 20 years of International experience and has been involved with the design and construction of major projects in Europe, the Middle East, China, and Southeast Asia. He has lived and worked in Paris and Hong Kong for the last 16 years.
Prior to IO, Michael was Associate Director for the HK Office for an international US architectural practice, where he was responsible for the design and execution of the firms projects in the Middle East, China and Asia. He has worked with the major local and international developers and government bodies. His experience includes master planning, mixed-use developments, commercial headquarters, residential complexes, hospitality, transportation and civic buildings.
Michael's key projects include the recently completed 450,000sqm Taikoo Hui mixed-use development and Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Guangzhou for Swire Properties; Cyberport mixed-use development in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong SAR Government; Communications and Technology Center in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Jockey Club; the 2,000 room City of Dreams integrated resort in Macau for Melco/PBL; and the 3.4million sqm Lulu island Master plan, Abu Dhabi for Sorouh Real Estate.
Currently, he is working on a one million sqm residential & retail development in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a 760,000 sqm mixed use commercial development in Guiyang, China.
Michael was educated at the University of Cambridge, UK and is a member of the RIBA and ARB UK.
Miriam Au Yeung is a Director with IO and has over 17 years of professional experience. Prior to IO, Miriam was Director for one of the world's prominent architectural practices.
Previously working as Project Manager for landmark civic buildings such as the China National Convention Center in Beijng and large scale infrastructure projects for MTRC and KCRC then in Hong Kong.
Miriam is also familiar with statutory submission requirements and procedures of China projects, including preparation of schematic design and preliminary design documentation, being able to make necessary arrangements for good coordination, liaison and negotiations prior to obtaining official approvals of submissions from government authorities.
Her project portfolio across a wide spectrum enables her to effectively handle daily project administrations and coordination with consultant team, schedule works for design staff, conduct programme control of design and project management, undertake necessary planning and monitoring of project progress and budget estimate.
Miriam's extensive professional qualifications in Asia (AP, HKIA, PRC Class 1 RA and PRC Green Building Labelled Manager) have provided her with significant expertise in client liaison, design and project management of highly complex projects.
Ted Givens' work has won over 20 AIA awards, the most recently being a 2011 Hong Kong AIA Merit Award for the Dalian Public Library Competition in China.
Ted is a Design Partner as well as a Leader of the Environmental Research Group with IO. Research, design innovation, and collaboration are key drivers behind his work. Recent explorations include a building skin that purifies the air, a collapsible tornado proof suburb, and an algae-powered mushroom farm.
Ted and his team have recently implemented some of the experimental green strategies developed by the Research Group in the 550,000 sqm Fujian Professional Photonic Technical College in China, which is due for opening in the summer of 2013. Ted and his team recently won a 2013 HKIA Cross Strait Architectural Design Merit Award for the project.
Ted has also led the design for a number of landmark mixed use projects, of which the following developments are currently under construction. They are Lanyue Bay Convention Centre and Mixed Use Development in Changzhou; Bohai Bank in Tianjin; Yabao Hi-Tech Enterprises Headquarters in Shenzhen; and The Gateway Residential Development in Kuala Lumpur.
Ted has been actively lecturing about the concept of "Beyond Neutrality" at universities and conferences such as The University of Hong Kong, Tongji University, and AIA Archifest in Shanghai.
He also hosted an international sustainability design competition, "Re-Thinking Shanghai 2012" with a key objective to push and enhance the sustainable dialog in Asia.
Ted's award winning projects and advanced research have received extensive press in publications such as the Boston Globe, ABC News, Forbes, FRAME, MARK, eVolo, Wallpaper, Fast Company, South China Morning Post, and many other paper and digital sources.
As Associate Partner of Business Development at lO, Doris brings good market sensibility and business acumen with more than ten years of experience in the building industry. With a strong focus in China market, Doris has established a proven record of success in procuring business opportunities in the fields of urban design, architectural design, and landscape design.
Her expertise with Chinese customers is rooted in the comprehension of cultural differences and the awareness of the intricate balance between design and development objectives. Having collaborated with a large clientele of government bodies and notable developers, Doris is able to identify the circumstances and requirements of various development types to ensure the efficient work flow between design team and client.
Doris is committed to act as a liaison between IO's outstanding capability and China's vast market capacity. She aspires to strengthen the bilateral dialogue by providing optimal business development solutions to foster a mutual vision.
Chris Jones has over 15 years of international experience on major projects in the Middle East, Asia, the UK, and the US. He has lived and worked in New York, London, Istanbul, Dubai and Edinburgh.
Prior to joining IO, Chris was Managing Principal of the Middle East region for one of the largest architectural practices in the world.
Chris has extensive experience of the design, delivery and management of projects across all stages. These include mixed-use developments, master planning, residential, retail, commercial, education and civic projects. He has worked with a wide variety of clients including local authorities, government bodies, University and College trusts to private international developers.
Chris also has significant experience in the education sector and has worked on numerous projects for academic institutions with experience in large scale campus master planning, stand alone faculty buildings and support facilities.
Chris has recently secured and project directed a number of high profile projects in Turkey including the Ataşehir Meridian Park & Entertainment Hub in Istanbul ; Gap İnşaat Office Tower in Istanbul; Ataşehir Metropol Retail Development in Istanbul; Eskişehir Masterplan in Ankara; and Mavişehir Residential Development in Izmir.
Scott Findley is a Design Partner with IO and has over 36 years of experience in the design of significant buildings, of which the last 18 have been spent in Asia.
Prior to the launch of IO, Scott was Design Director and International Design Principal responsible for the design leadership and vision for the Asia region of a large international firm.
Scott was responsible for leading design of award winning civic, education and residential developments, including Shenzhen University Library, The Chinese University High Risk Laboratory in Hong Kong, The Yanlord Peninsula Residence in Suzhou, The Evian Town Villas in Suzhou, and the Shekou Mont Orchid Development.
Scott also led the development of the hospitality and leisure sector. Most notably, he directed and designed one of the largest mixed-use buildings in the world; a 6,500 guestroom integrated resort in Macau, with over 1.1 million sqm of accommodation.
His current work which is due for completion in 2014 includes the West Tai Lake Renaissance Hotel and Mixed Use Development in Changzhou and the New Jiangwan Office Park in Shanghai. He is also directing the design for the Meridian Park and Entertainment Hub in Istanbul.
Scott is a licensed practicing architect in the US and holds a B Arch from the University of Nebraska, and an M Arch Degree from the University of California Berkeley School of Environmental Design under the tutelage of Professor Gerald McCue. He is a member of The Design Futures Council, and past president of The Architectural Foundation of Nebraska. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of the Architecture and Planning Master Degree Program at the University of Colorado.
David Pringle has worked in China for 20 years. He has extensive experience in the management and organisation of large architectural practices in Asia and the establishment of three companies in China. Prior founding IO, David was CEO Asia and the Middle East, and was responsible for 600 staff across 6 offices.
As Managing Partner at IO, his responsibilities include practice management and marketing, David also has an overall responsibility for all projects, ensuring successful performance and technical delivery.
Florence Kong is Finance Director with lO.
Prior lO, Florence was Regional Financial Controller of a prominent architectural practice, responsible for managing the finance function across Asia and leading and supervising the finance teams located in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Bangkok.
Florence commenced her career in the Audit Division of Arthur Andersen, one of the former Big Five accounting firms in the world, and has gained substantial commercial experiences in the Finance and Group Audit and Management Services Departments of the New World Services Group, a Hong Kong-listed conglomerate.
Florence is fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants in UK.
With over 19 years of experience in Asia, Ross Milne has a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver a quality project and strides to encourage innovative solutions to challenges posed by tight programmes and budgetary constraints using the latest available construction technology.
Prior founding IO, Ross was Managing Director of one of the largest architectural practices in the world, responsible for the project and financial management of three offices with over 275 staff.
Ross' current role as Managing Partner at IO is to focus on design management and delivery of projects, working closely with the Design Partners.
Catherine graduated from urban planning and completed her studies in interior design in Canada. After that, she worked as a trainee with a Canadian property development company, through which she has exposed to multi-facets of the real estate industry.
In 2000, she brought her experience to Hong Kong and joined a prominent international architectural firm as Head of Marketing, building the division from a 2 man team to a strong team of 12, responsible for the Asia and the Middle East markets. For Public Relations, she strives to raise the Company's coordinates with the Company's 13 overseas offices and the parallel activities of the UK offices.
In 2010, Catherine together with 8 Partners set up IO, leading the Company in her specialist area including Marketing, Branding, Public Relations & Communications.
Kate Geary is a Director with IO and has over 10 years of international experience in people management combined with a sound business knowledge. She has lived and worked in Sydney, London and Hong Kong.
Kate completed her studies in Sydney and holds a degree in Advanced Science (mathematics of management), a diploma of secondary education (mathematics) and an advanced diploma in business management.
Prior to IO, Kate was the Resource and Operations Manager across Asia for one of the world's largest architectural practices. During her time with this practice she was instrumental in the establishment of a professional recruitment structure for Asia, and played an integral part in driving forward global centralisation of recruitment processes and talent management across the practice.
In 2010, she was one of the first employees at IO and has since played an important role in the establishment and growth of the company globally.
Kishor Lad graduated from the Dundee University in 1989, and has over 20 years architectural experience in India, the Middle East and Asia.
Kishor is a Partner at lO. Prior founding lO, he project directed more than 70 projects in India and the Middle East.
Most notably were the Kolkata Airport Integrated Domestic and International Terminal, which has just been in operation since January 2013, as well as the Kolkata Infospace Park Phase 1 - 3, built in 2012.
Kishor played an instrumental role as Project Team Leader for a number of highly acclaimed projects for the Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi including the Masterplans for Marina District - Central Core Area and the Cultural Canal Integrated Commercial and Tourism Community.
At lO, he has led over 2,600,000 sqm BUA of projects throughout India including Badshahpur IT Park, Virender Gram Commercial Development, Nirvana Country II Espace Premiere Villas, and Karma Lakelands Group Housing.