Danny Campbell - Hoko founder with Hoko blue bricks (September 2021) Source:&nbsp Jeff HolmesScottish celebrity architect Danny Campbell said he had learned lots after being reprimanded by the ARB over a conflict of interest at his architecture company, Hoko Design The BBC Scotland Home of The Year host says he has scaled back his business after being handed the sanction at a hearing of the ARBs professional conduct committee, held between 28 and 30 October in Glasgow.The committee concluded that Campbell failed to appropriately manage a conflict of interest at his 2016-founded architecture firm, Hoko Design, which arose over a property development project in Giffnock, in Scotlands Central Lowlands, between 2020 and 2022.The hearing heard how the client on the project selected a second company, also owned by Campbell, Hoko Build, to be contractor on his project without understanding the conflict of interest between the companies. The client, who later terminated the contract, said he only realised the extent of the conflict of interest after the project had fallen well behind schedule.AdvertisementCampbell was director and majority shareholder for both companies, as well as a third company, Hoko Shop, which were all separate legal entities but were collectively intended to provide a one stop shop for clients seeking design, build and shopping resources for small domestic projects. The self-billed Uber of architecture was featured in the AJ in 2020.The ARB concluded that Campbells actions breached the standards of the Architects Code on three counts, including failing to recognise a conflict of interest, and failing to adequately supervise the Hoko Design employee who was overseeing the project.However, the panel concluded that Campbell's failings were not deliberate. It stated: This was not a wilful disregard of regulatory obligations but was an error from an architect at the start of his career.Moreover, the ARB said Campbell has since shown empathy towards the client, been reflective of his practice, and had taken corrective steps, including closing Hoko Build.The panel said it was satisfied that Campbell had set up his company with an intention to create a better service for clients, and that profit, while an inevitable goal, was not intended to be at the expense of clients interests.AdvertisementIt said this was demonstrated by Hoko Designs tendering method, which was deliberately designed to prevent [Hoko Design] from having an unfair advantage by knowing the value of competitors tenders.The committee chose to impose a reprimand as its sanction against Campbell, which it said is appropriate for cases at the lower end of seriousness.Responding to the outcome, Campbell told the AJ that he took full responsibility for the project in question, and had since scaled back his businesses to operate solely as Hoko Design, which now outsources all construction work.The architect said: While it was not a project I was involved in, and there was sufficient oversight with six architects within the team at that time, I take full responsibility as the owner of the company. Its important to note this was during a period marked by the pandemics significant project backlog and challenges in securing tradespeople.Hoko has worked with more than 1,000 homeowners and this is the first time weve had a dealing with the ARB and we've learned lots from the process that is making the business better.Hoko Design and Hoko Build, though part of the same ownership structure, operated as distinct entities managing different aspects of projects. The oversight of these structures followed standard industry practices designed to streamline operations and make the process more seamless for homeowners.Being faced with the logistical barriers of making this a reality, we have scaled back our operations and Hoko design is now the sole entity of the business. We now fully outsource building on every project.2024-11-21Anna Highfieldcomment and share