Welcome to our very first quarterly update, a new rhythm for us to pause, reflect, and share a deeper view into the work that drives us. We’re often so immersed in delivering for our clients that we forget to celebrate our successes and process!
Expanding our Influence: New Roles & Advocacy Work
Architecture is not just about the buildings we design, but the systems we shape. This quarter, our directors have taken up roles that allow us to influence the built environment at a broader level.
- Svinder has joined the Hounslow Design Review Panel, where he will support the borough’s mission to foster inclusive, high-quality places. His appointment reflects our belief that early design advice, grounded in local context and community value, can be transformative.
- Svinder has just completed his appointment as a RIBA Awards juror for the South East, offering him a platform to champion design excellence across a diverse range of projects. Look out for his forthcoming post about the experience and wonderful buildings he was able to visit.
- Zoë joins the I Am a Housebuilder mentoring programme created by the All Party Parliamentary Group for SME Housebuilders. This initiative provides mentorship for women in housebuilding - an industry where there's still work to do on gender parity. Through direct support and engagement with mentors, Zoë is building our network and knowledge in the housing sector.
- Zoe starts a new year with the Social Mobility Foundation mentoring brilliant 16 and 17 year olds as they navigate their journey to university or degree apprenticeships. The programme supports our talented young people so they can help to shape a built environment that works for all.
These roles speak to our core values: equity, community impact, and design quality as a public good.
Planning Progress: Designing for a Low-Carbon Future
Planning permissions have been submitted for several schemes reflecting our commitment to retrofitting and responsible densification.
Elmbridge Airspace Development - Planning submitted for six new homes above an existing commercial space. This project unlocks underused urban fabric, integrating sensitive design, and adding value for owners and communities alike.
Mole Valley Apartments - Planning submitted for a residential scheme rooted in contextual analysis and housing need.
Mole Valley Retrofit - This project proposes the full retrofit and conversion of a property with air source heat pump and solar panels, reducing impact through rainwater harvesting. Most of our new-build and conversion projects are now gas free - part of our practice shift toward low-carbon energy systems.
Our goal is to make sustainable solutions a natural part of projects and it's encouraging that clients and consultants are all moving towards more sustainable specification and requirements as standard.
High Street Conversions: Breathing Life into Forgotten Fabric
Much of our current portfolio centres on developer-led housing with a focus on reusing and reactivating urban sites, particularly along the high street.
From Class MA office-to-residential conversions to upgrading historic shopfronts, we’ve seen planning authorities respond positively to interventions that are both aesthetically sensitive and socially responsive. We design these schemes to support local economies, improve accessibility, and create places that feel legible and human-scaled.
These types of hybrid projects, part retail, part residential, offer potential for growth in our high streets and we would like to do more to support these spaces. If you’re considering a project like this, we’d love to bring our experience to your team.
