Royal
Designers

Max Fordham read natural sciences at Cambridge University. In 1958 he began at Weatherfoil Heating Systems, which gave him an introduction to engineering thinking. In 1961 he joined Arup Associates, where he developed his drawing skills, and started to take on electrical, public health and mechanical elements. In 1966 he founded Max Fordham. The firm became a partnership in 1973. Notable projects include Beadales School, Hampshire in 2006, Queens Building, De Montford University, Leicester; and Newport Street Gallery, London, which won the prestigious 2016 RIBA Stirling prize. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1984, was made an OBE in 1994, was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of in 1992; and awarded the CIBSE Gold Medal in 1997. He was President of CIBSE in 2001. In 2008 he was awarded the Prince Philip Designers Prize.