We are pleased to share a selection of highlights from the past month, including Darren’s interview in The Architects’ Journal, the commencement of two new church projects in Birmingham, and celebrating the end-of-year exhibition at the University of Reading.
Retrofirst Article in Architects Journal
Darren was recently interviewed by the ‘Architects’ Journal’ as part of its extensive RetroFirst campaign, which advocates prioritising the retrofit and reimagining of existing buildings over demolition and redevelopment. We were delighted to contribute to this important initiative, which closely aligns with our practice’s commitment to sustainable design and making the most of existing built assets.
The interview focuses on the Brick Pavilion project, for which we recently secured planning permission. The scheme will transform a vacant local landmark in Chichester, breathing new life into the building while preserving and enhancing its existing character.
Two Birmingham Community Church’s
We have had the pleasure of working on two very different church projects in Birmingham: St Gabriel’s Church and St Chad’s Church.
Both churches play a vital role as community hubs and present significant opportunities to reimagine their existing buildings and wider sites, in order to better serve local people and support future generations.
We began the design process for both projects with community engagement workshops, providing an opportunity to hear directly from those who use and value these spaces. These conversations have been invaluable in helping us understand the needs, challenges and aspirations of each congregation and community.
Drawing on this feedback, we have developed bespoke feasibility studies that explore how we can maximise the potential of the existing assets. This includes creating more flexible and welcoming community spaces within the church buildings, as well as investigating opportunities for social housing and other community-focused development across the wider sites.
Reading University End of Year Show
Last week, the University of Reading School of Architecture hosted its annual end-of-year show, celebrating the creativity, dedication and achievements of students across all year groups.
The exhibition showcased an impressive range of design work, including projects from the first-year students whom Darren has been teaching throughout the past academic year. It was a fantastic event and a valuable opportunity to see the breadth of talent emerging from the next generation of architects and designers. The quality of work on display was both inspiring and encouraging, offering a positive glimpse into the future of our built environment.
Darren has a close relationship with the School of Architecture, where he has taught for the past nine years. As a practice, we believe in teaching and engagement with academia. The academic environment provides a valuable forum for testing ideas, challenging assumptions and exploring new ways of thinking about architecture. It encourages us not only to consider how we design, but also to continually reflect on why we do it.
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