AFL Architects | Practice
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About Us

Our Vision

We are an international architectural, masterplanning and interior design practice. Our team creates buildings, experiences and spaces that resonate. Architecture For Life.

We evolve alongside the communities and clients we serve.

Architecture For Life is not just about creating lasting places for our communities. It is also about the many years we have worked with our clients and in turn, the communities they serve.

We have developed close, long-term relationship with our clients over decades. The continual development of our services, and of the core sectors they encompass, is the result of listening and responding to the needs of the people who use a space.

Whatever the demands of a project, wherever you are on your journey, we are on board, every step of the way.

We have a shared responsibility to develop the next generation.

We invest in staff to ensure that our skills, knowledge and experience are retained and built upon, across the industry.

This includes:

  • Active participation in the RIBA Student Mentoring scheme
  • Regular placements and commitments for Part I and Part II students
  • Apprenticeships for students in our partnered colleges
  • Encouragement of personal development through a continued professional development (CPD) programme
  • Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their families' wellbeing
  • Graduate recruitment targets and a clear structure of progression
  • Attendance at career fairs with our partnered universities
  • Training opportunities and regular attendance at conferences
  • Employee involvement in the Manchester Society of Architects
  • Skills and knowledge sharing across our sectors

We are engaged members of our communities.


We are invested in the regions where we deliver projects at both a professional and personal level – our team want to leave a sustainable legacy wherever possible.

Our activities include:

  • A long-term partnership with Placed Academy. A programme that empowers local young people from the North West to shape their communities. Through our time attending events run by Placed we give the students the practical skills and confidence they need. We believe in the program's ability to inspire diverse voices, foster career awareness, and break down barriers to professional paths within the built environment.
  • Regular contributions to NHS fundraising events, most recently a cake bake and charity walk for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
  • Active involvement with the Football Supporters' Association, providing advice to smaller sports clubs on how to develop their sites, assess their compliance, or engage with developers

We facilitate work placement students. In 2024 alone, we have already delivered the following initiatives:


  • 10-week work placement for one T Level student from Southport College to gain practical experience across practice teams.
  • Hyde Secondary School Careers Event
  • Seminar at The University of Huddersfield on sports & design management and inclusive design

Other recent employment and skills initiatives have included:

  • Students from Sale High School visiting our residential, library and community building in Altrincham for a health and safety in construction and design teaching session.
  • University of Salford – Rita Ochoa, Architect at AFL is a regular lecturer at the University of Salford and delivers seminars and talks every other semester on an ongoing basis.

Our Global Reach

We design for a diversity of people and cultures across the world, whatever their needs, for decades to come.

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Qatar

Our delivery of the 80,000 capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup represents the pinnacle of our international journey so far.

We continue to work in the Middle East on various sports and mixed-use projects.

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South Africa

The design and delivery of Peter Mokaba Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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China

Our work in China is our fastest growing market, involving collaboration with some of the largest businesses and clubs in Asia on mixed-use leisure and training facilities.

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Turkey

Our work for the Turkish Football Federations includes production of the bid for UEFA Euro 2024 and a stadium review for the country's successful 2020 UEFA Champion's League Final bid.

Currently we are working on the redevelopment of the iconic Ataturk Stadium.

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Turkmenistan

The delivery of the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium. The venue hosted both the opening and closing ceremonies of AIMAG 2017, it is now an IAAF and FIFA compliant international multisport venue and music arena.

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Ireland

The Munster Branch of the Irish Rugby Union commissioned AFL Architects to redevelop Thomond Park to create a state of the art 21st Century stadium for Munster Rugby.

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Russia

Various projects including the winning concept for the FC Kuban Stadium which was designed to UEFA, FIFA and Russian Football Federation standards.

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United Arab Emirates

The development of the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. A 40,000 capacity stadium with a hotel, conference centre, and a mixed commercial development on site.

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Spain

Finalist for the New Camp Nou competition for FC Barcelona. The project involved the addition of 6,000 seats to the existing stadium, increasing its lead as the largest football venue in Europe.

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Poland

Employed to carry out a UEFA review to comply with current legislation and green guide standards.

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United Kingdom

AFL is one of the largest architectural practices in the UK. Our expertise nationwide translates into high-quality design for the international market, underpinned by our status as a RIBA Chartered Practice.

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Azerbaijan

Various projects for FC Gabala, including a 9000m2 training facility, recreation and training suites, shared gym, swimming pool and indoor sports hall, and eight practice pitches. There is further accommodation available within the stadium including a hotel and conference facilities, as well as retail and corporate hospitality space.

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Brazil

Designed a submission for the 2016 Rio Olympic Park master plan competition.

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Ukraine

Remodelled the existing stadium to comply with green guide standards in order to gain UEFA approval to host group games for Euro 2012.

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Iraq

Designed a concept for the Baghdad Stadium to host the Olympic Games and a variety of national and international events. The design construction requirements were met for Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as FIFA standards.

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Japan

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Australia

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India

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Greece

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Norway

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Nigeria

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Zambia

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Saudi Arabia

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Portugal

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Italy

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Iceland

Culture

Our projects are inclusive, diverse and collective. They come to life through people who embody these principles.

Current Vacancies

Work with us

Senior Interior Designer - Manchester