Going beyond
expectations for
over 60 years
The three pillars that built us
1 Unique inter-disciplinary roots
Right from the outset, we followed our own path. In 1962, our founding Partner, John Kendall, was an acclaimed Registered Architect and Chartered Building Surveyor. This unique integration of skills has informed our approach ever since, expanding our services across multiple disciplines. Our 1 Team inter-disciplinary approach provides an optimal client experience, reducing risk, and cost and promoting project agility in fast-paced environments.
It's how we create buildings that go beyond technical excellence to impact people and society for the better.
2 Organically grown
With 200 people spread across six hubs, we remain focused on doing things sustainably. Like we have always done. A model that is controllable and focused on organic principles means that we uphold high standards of delivery. Moreover, it is of a scale, maturity and diversity that can support many projects without being shackled by excessive governance. Our dynamic team structures create a small company feel but with the ability to upscale to deliver large-scale complex projects.
We are and always have been, a purpose-driven organisation promoting inspiring conditions for staff to be their authentic best. Delivering meaningfully on these principles is fundamental to our ethos. Our teams are equally committed to our strategic purpose with impressive statistics.
3 Going beyond
Our third pillar is about our approach to service delivery that's always been at the heart of the business - The KK Way. The KK Way has eight unique ingredients within the KK academic, professional and cultural training model that give our staff a unique toolkit to deliver a truly outstanding service that exceeds expectations. Our remarkable track record says it all.
Our journey so far
1971 - Kendall who?
The office moved to No. 4 Redland Court Road in 1971. This building was extended and altered to accommodate more people, and No.3 was purchased in 1986, allowing the company more space to grow. The offices in Redland were once described as ‘The Tardis’
1975 - Award winners
In 1975 we were awarded the European Heritage Year Award for Market Street, Wotton-under-Edge. The rebuilding of shops, offices, flats and a hotel was undertaken in conjunction with Woodward Bros. Later, the company worked with Bob Woodward for CLIC.
1975 - Welcoming ‘the future’
In 1975 we purchased our first calculator, costing £67, which was the company’s first item of ‘electronic wizardry’. A sales rep explained, “This is the future” and “new from the States”. He also said that, in time, calculators would flood the market and come down in price.
1976 - Photocopy
In 1976 we leased our first photocopier, which required a minimum use of 1,200 copies per month. Before, a Gestetner machine was used, which involved typing a stencil. The typewriter ribbon had to be removed so that the bare letter struck the stencil directly. The impact of the type displaced the wax, making the tissue paper permeable to oil-based ink. If a mistake was made, red fluid had to be put on the gap and typed again.
1978 - First company car
In 1978 we purchased our first staff company car – a mustard-coloured Austin Allegro. The worst car ever built by British Leyland that we think led to their demise.
1982 - Partnership
1982 – John Kendall Kingscott & Partners becomes Kendall Kingscott Partnership (KKP). The KKP Partners included Richard Kingscott, Alan Beattie and Chris Hodges.
1986 - Facing the fax
Lease of the first facsimile machine in 1986. This machine was ‘guarded’ by the secretaries, and faxes could only be sent if approval had been sought from a Partner. The machine used a thermal paper roll, and the cutting device didn’t always work, meaning a 10-page fax could be three metres long. What we also didn’t appreciate was that the ink faded over the passage of time, leaving blank pages in our files.
1990 - Jon Press joins
1990 – Jon Press joins the Kendall Kingscott Bristol Office as a Graduate Building Surveyor. Jon commenced his career as a Construction Management Trainee with C H Pearce & Sons and, after five years, converted to Building Surveying, qualifying as a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Building Surveyors in 1992. Jon progressed through the ranks to Managing Director in 2005, overseeing massive progress during his 17-year tenure.
1996 - Last drawing boards removed
1996 – The last drawing boards were removed from the office, although they hadn’t been used for years. Those from this era will remember using adjustable set squares, Letraset and razor blades to produce a drawing.
1998 - First email address
In 1998, emails were received via a PC workstation and checked manually twice daily. The email was then printed out, given to the recipient, and filed in the hard copy file.
2002 - First website
In 2002 our first website was launched, having been produced in-house by one of our Architects. In 2023 we’ve launched our new brand and website – 4th generation.
2015 - First social media post
In June 2015, our first tweet read: KKL’s Gainsborough Square project in Bristol @U_Communities shortlisted for #labcawards in Best High Volume New Housing Development.
2020 - Video conferencing
In February 2020, we introduced MS Teams and the opportunity to meet ‘virtually’. The system remained dormant for six weeks. Then lockdown happened, and shall we say the rest is history! Thank goodness we had the foresight to predict a global pandemic!?
Explore the full 60 stories
If you want to find out more, please read out 60 stories for 60 years booklet.