We are pleased to annouce that Darren Bray will be delivering a RIBA CPD session, alongside Professor Lorraine Farrelly, on Laying the Foundations: Navigating feasibility studies for project success, as part of the 2026 RIBA Core CPD programme.
On this course they will be discussing the pivotal role feasibility studies play in delivering successful architectural projects. Learning outcomes will include:
Analysing site constraints, planning policy, budgets, environmental factors, and client briefs to inform project feasibility
Evaluating risks and opportunities for a range of project typologies, including new builds, retrofits, community assets, and housing
Genegrating feasibility study data into proposals that demonstrate project value, sustainability, and deliverability.
We really enjoyed working with the RIBA to put these together, find out more and sign up here. As part of the 2026 core programme you can learn on demand at a time that suits you, and complete the courses in any order.
In this month’s update, we’re pleased to share our newly published Church brochure, early concept designs for two new-build homes within the New Forest National Park, and details of The Politics of Space lecture series, where Darren will be presenting.
Securing Church Buildings Through Design
We have recently published our first brochure dedidated to our architectural work focused on church buildings. As a design practice, we are passionate about working with these existing buildings, using architecture as a catalyst for positive change. Through our experience working with 20 + churches dotted across the UK, we have developed tailored design proposals for a wide range of denominations, settings and building types. We deliver designs that respond to each projects distinct challenges and opportunities, to bring long-term resilience to these extraordinary spaces.
Many churches share common concerns: reducing maintenance costs, unlocking the potential of their buildings and sites, improving usability, strengthening engagement with the wider community, above all ensuring the building can continue to support the church’s mission for generations to come.
Garden Plot Concept Designs, New Forest National Park
We are currently working with the owners of Paddock House, to explore the potential of redeveloping their site, to deliver a low energy replacement dwelling, and to create an additional new home within their generous grounds.
Our designs carefully respond to the rural village setting, while also considering the plot ratios of neighbouring homes. The aim is to deliver these two new house with a design that is balanced and appropriate for its context, while also reaching the full potential of the site.
Darren has been invited to present as part of Reading University, Architecture Society (RUAS) event ‘The Politics of Space’ on 12th March, 2026.
He has been asked to share his thoughts on how architecture reflects, and shapes social hierarchies. How design can impact accessibility, and inclusion across society.
As a current Studio Practitioner at Reading University, Darren is always keen to support the work of RUAS.
Get in touch to request the presentation slides after the event if you are unable to attend.
As a design practice, we are passionate about working with existing church buildings and using architecture as a catalyst for positive change. Through our experience with 20 + churches dotted across the UK, we have developed tailored design proposals for a wide range of denominations, settings and building types, each proposal responding to its own distinct challenges and opportunities. Our work focuses on bringing renewed life and long-term resilience to these extraordinary spaces.
Many churches share common concerns: reducing maintenance costs, unlocking the potential of their buildings and sites, improving usability, strengthening engagement with the wider community, above all ensuring the building can continue to support the church’s mission for generations to come.
Our approach centres on careful adaptation and reuse. By working with what already exists, we help churches remain relevant, sustainable, and welcoming, while addressing long-term maintenance and environmental performance.
If you are considering a church project, we would be delighted to discuss how we can help reimagine the potential of your building. We have also published a dedicated brochure showcasing our work in this sector, which you can view here.
We’re delighted to see Brockenhurst House featured in Build It’s Best of Self Build & Renovation supplement, which showcases the award-winning projects from the 2025 Build It Awards.
Brockenhurst House was the winner of the Extensions & Renovation category. The judges praised the project for its beautifully detailed, fabric-first approach, highlighting how thoughtful design can be truly transformative, even within an average budget.
The scheme reimagines a tired 1970s property as a contemporary, low-energy home. Carefully tailored to support the owners’ needs, the design incorporates a high degree of flexibility, ensuring the house is resilient, adaptable and future-proofed for years to come.
We visited the Courtyard House site last week, located in the New Forest near the village of Burley, and were delighted to see that the building is now ‘watertight’; an important milestone in the construction process.
With the glazing fully installed and the roof now tiled, the project is now completely enclosed and protected from the elements. This marks a key transition on site, allowing the construction team to move their focus to the internal works, including plumbing, electrics, and finishes. From this stage on, the scheme will begins to feel more like a home and less like a building site.
Internally, the house feels spacious and filled with natural light, something we have worked incredibly hard to achieve on this narrow site. The internal courtyards, carefully cut into the building form, respond to the constraints of the elongated plot by drawing daylight deep into the plan and strengthening the connection between inside and out.
We look forward to sharing further updates as this New Forest residential project continues to take shape.
In this roundup, we’re pleased to start the year with news about our new Sheffield church project, update from the Brick Pavilion in Chichester, and details of Darren’s recent RIBA Hampshire lecture.
We are thrilled to have started to expand our reach, and are currently working on a comprehensive feasibility study for the existing buildings at St Thomas’s Church in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
The study has reviewed the condition, layout, and long-term potential of the church’s built assets, with the aim of ensuring the property continues to support both the congregation and the wider community in a sustainable and meaningful way. We look forward to sharing more updates from the scheme as the design develops, to see more details about the project click here.
Brick Pavillion Planning Submitted
We have submitted our designs that reimagine the Brick Pavillion located in Priory Park, Chichester, West Sussex.
Working with Chichester Community Development Trust (CDT) we have explored the potential and redevelopment of this locally significant building which has been vacant, and neglected for years. Our designs look to transform the building into a vibrant community facility, integrating the pavilion with the existing park amenities. For more details of the scheme, click here.
RIBA Hampshire
Darren was invited to take part in the RIBA Hampshire Lecture series, as part of their ‘Lightning Talks’ session alongside five other Hampshire based practices.
During the event, each speaker was giving a short time to deliver a concise talk explaining how small moves have generated big impact in their projects. Darren discussed the work Studio BAD delivered at St Margaret’s Church in Portsmouth, reinterpreting the church building to drawing people to reengage with this incredible building – read more about the project here.
