History

134+Gelder and Kitchen LLP have been a Hull based Practice since 1878 when Alfred Gelder started practicing as an Architect.  The partnership was formed in 1892 when Llewellyn Kitchen joined him.Alfred Gelder was very influential in the development of the City, having been Mayor five times from 1898 to 1902.  He was knighted in 1902 and had one of the City’s major roads named after him.Alfred Gelder worked closely with Joseph Rank as he developed the use of roller mill technology and in 1890 designed the Clarence Flour Mill for him.  The Practice continues that tradition to this day with the latest Mill being completed in 2013 for a client based in Kirkcaldy.Alfred Gelder was an active Methodist and designed extensively for them in Hull and the surrounding areas as well as through the rest of the country.  Examples of his designs can be found locally on Newland Avenue, Holderness Road, Lambert Street, Princes Avenue and Willerby Road.  This tradition continues to this day with the Practice counting a number of Methodist Circuits and local Churches amongst its Clients.Alfred Gelder’s son Teddy joined the Partnership in 1911, retiring in 1943.  Llewellyn Kitchen died in 1948 and so began a new era for the Practice as it helped the City through the post war re-building process.  New buildings on King Edward Street, Carr Lane, Lowgate, George Street and High Street were designed and built through the 1950’s and into the 1960’s.  New schools were designed (1960’s Building Schools for the future!) and built in Hull; Sydney Smith and Sir Henry Cooper amongst them and a long association with Hymers College began.

The third phase of the Practice’s history came in the 1970’s and 1980’s. New Partners were appointed and the workload changed to meet more modern approaches. Specialisms were developed in the design of accommodation for the elderly and those with disabilities with the Practice working closely with both local authorities and Housing Associations.  Technology was changing in the Milling Industry calling for re-modelling or re-building of the old mills, some designed originally by the Practice 40 years before.  Churches turned to conservation and re-ordering of the facilities to meet the changing needs of their congregations and communities.Gelder and Kitchen continued a long association with the local hospitals undertaking work at Castle Hill, Kingston General, Princess Royal and Hull Royal Infirmary. This tradition continues with work for the local Mental Health Trust and other Trusts further afield.As the City landscape changed during this period, the Practice continued to be involved in its reshaping.  Projects included the Ice Arena, some of the Marina, new building for the Norwich Union and AIM Ltd and a new factory for J H Fenner & Co.  With advent of Corporate Styles, the Practice became affiliated consultants to Ford and were responsible for the design of a number of their  local dealerships.As the 1990’s started, Partners retired and new Partners were appointed.  The core work type continued but the Practice was involved in a major project with Allied Mills as they built a new Mill and re-modelled three of their existing Flour Mills.  Work continued throughout this period at the local hospitals, Hymers College and with the Methodist Circuits.As the twentieth century closed additional Partners were appointed, the Practice expanded by acquiring a small Practice in North Yorkshire and another in St. Albans and then in 2006 became a Limited Liability Partnership.The technology may have changed over the years, the staff and Partners have changed over the years but the ethos of the Practice has not and we still hold firmly to those views of our founder Sir Alfred Gelder to serve our Clients and our City to the best of our ability.