Ex-OPEN directors embark on fresh design venture

Jaimie Ferguson has set up masterplanning, landscape, and public realm studio Lucid with Andrew Watson.

Lucid will be based in Bruntwood SciTech’s Renold Building in Manchester. The formation of the business follows the decision of both Ferguson and Watson to leave SLR-owned design studio OPEN last year after a combined 15 years with the business.

Lucid co-founder Ferguson outlined the new venture’s ethos.

“We want Lucid to make a positive and lasting impact on the environment as well as on the industry,” he said.

“We hope to build somewhere that great designers want to work and that clients can rely on for the best in imaginative, regenerative and delivery focused design.”

Ferguson and Watson pair have extensive experience in landscaping and masterplanning having worked with clients across the private and public sectors during their time at OPEN.

The pair count large scale urban regeneration projects such as FEC’s Red Bank and Stockport Town Centre West among the projects they have worked on.

The duo’s track record extends beyond Greater Manchester and the North West. They helped deliver residential schemes at Oughtibridge Mill in Sheffield and the former Rowntree factory in York as well as Queen Street urban park in central Aberdeen.

Ferguson and Watson will be hoping to take link up with some of their previous clients as Lucid. They include local authorities such as Manchester City Council, Salford, Stockport, Knowsley Council, and Wirral Council, as well as Homes England and developers and landowners including Peel, CEG, Genr8, Urban Splash, and Downing.

“We’ve always enjoyed responding creatively to context, working with people and nature to unlock value,” Watson said.

“In our new independent structure we are excited by greater potential for creative collaboration and a more focused service for our clients, with significant senior input to all our projects.”.