Architect and design practice honours founder with new bursary scheme

A Midlands architecture and design practice has unveiled a new bursary scheme and a memorial sculpture to honour its founder, the late Richard Galey. The directors of rg+p – which has studios in Leicester, London and Birmingham – have set up the Richard Galey Memorial Bursary, which will be awarded annually and offer up to £2,500 for a member of the team to implement a business idea that helps the practice keep innovating.

The firm has also created an oak sculpture incorporating Mr Galey’s initials in a single 3D form, following a company-wide design competition. The winner was architectural technologist Tsvetan Hristov.

He said: “Our directors wanted to produce a permanent piece of artwork to commemorate Richard, particularly how much of a risk-taker and visionary he was, and therefore launched the sculpture competition.

“My design process began by thinking about these two concepts, and where I could introduce innovation. Using AI-driven image generators, I explored various abstract forms, eventually settling on a series of images that resembled still flames.

“While all the shapes were unique, I felt it lacked a personal touch, so I decided to incorporate the initials RG. Here, I switched to using digital 3D modelling to allow me better control over the final design.

“A local specialist, The CNC Yard, was sourced to fabricate the piece in oak, which is one of the strongest natural materials and an ancient symbol of wisdom and endurance, so a fitting tribute to Richard.”

Tsvetan’s sculpture is on display at rg+p’s Leicester studio, and includes a plaque with Mr Galey’s details and an inscription which reads “His enthusiasm for life and entrepreneurial approach to business forms the foundation for rg+p and remains an inspiration for us all”.

Rob Woolston, an rg+p director, said: “Richard had an extremely entrepreneurial spirit, he was inquisitive, eager to learn and not afraid of standing out from the crowd.

“The aim of the bursary is for the team to follow his example and generate business ideas that will help rg+p evolve, improve, nurture and progress. We’re confident that this, together with the unique sculpture, will perfectly commemorate Richard’s legacy.”

Richard Galey founded rg+p, then Galey + Partners, in 1979 and quickly developed a strong client base in the affordable housing sector, which continues to this day.

In 1987, the practice became Richard Galey + Partners. Mr Galey celebrated rg+p’s 40 ^th anniversary with current directors Rob Woolston, James Badley and Mitch Dale at a masquerade ball in 2019. He died in March 2022 at his home in Spain.