The design director of multidisciplinary firm Arup Associates, James Burland, will leave the firm at the end of this year.The Duke of York opened the first £6.5m phase of the new Arup Associates-designed graduate college at Durham University on Wednesday. The first phase of the college, called Howlands Farm, includes eight new three-storey buildings.
Burland, 45, will continue as an independent consultant to the practice after 1 January 2000.
Since becoming design director in 1992, Burland oversaw the growth of the firm from 50 to 120 people.
He said this week: "Arup Associates is too big for me now. I want to pursue my own design interests. I won't be competing."
Burland will remain involved in selected projects, including the £90m Manchester Commonwealth Stadium, further phases of a £20m, 600-bed building at Durham University, a mixed-use development at Bristol Harbourside, and two new office buildings at the 162 ha Stockley Park business park in Uxbridge.
