Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Sustainable Architecture & Urban Design Solutions
Established in 1968, we are a multidisciplinary architectural practice dedicated to creating transformative spaces that prioritise people, sustainability, and social responsibility. Our work spans architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design, with a focus on enhancing communities through innovative, environmentally conscious solutions. With studios in London and Manchester, we combine over five decades of experience with cutting-edge research to address contemporary challenges like climate change and housing inequality. Our collaborative approach involves local communities in the design process, ensuring projects reflect the needs of those who use them.We pioneered socially responsible architecture in the UK and remain leaders in sustainable design, holding accreditations for Passivhaus and net-zero carbon standards. Our team of experts includes award-winning architects, sustainability specialists, and urban designers committed to advancing industry best practices through education, apprenticeships, and thought leadership. We have delivered landmark projects across sectors including housing, education, healthcare, and cultural spaces, consistently demonstrating that exceptional design can coexist with affordability and environmental stewardship.
Services
Architectural Design
Urban Regeneration
Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Development
Passivhaus Certification
Community Engagement
Net-Zero Planning
Heritage Conservation
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in socially responsible architecture.
- Our practice leads in Passivhaus and net-zero carbon design standards.
- We embed community co-design in every project's development process.
- Our interdisciplinary teams combine architecture, landscape, and sustainability expertise.
- We pioneered the first employee-owned architecture practice in the UK.
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- RIBA Chartered Practice
What people say
Award-winning sustainability
Exceptional community engagement
Innovative design solutions
Passivhaus expertise
Social value leadership
Services
Architectural Design
We create innovative architectural solutions that balance aesthetic excellence with functional requirements. Our approach integrates sustainability principles and community needs into every project, from initial concept through to completion. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, educational, and cultural sectors, delivering spaces that enhance quality of life while minimising environmental impact.
Urban Regeneration
Our urban design specialists revitalise communities through holistic regeneration strategies. We focus on creating vibrant, sustainable places that address social inequality while preserving local character. Our process involves extensive community consultation to ensure developments meet both current and future needs of urban populations across the UK.
Landscape Architecture
We design dynamic landscapes that connect people with their environment. Our work creates multifunctional public realms that enhance biodiversity, manage stormwater sustainably, and provide accessible green spaces. From small-scale gardens to large urban parks, our designs integrate seamlessly with architectural elements to create cohesive environments.
Sustainable Development
Our sustainability experts embed environmental responsibility throughout the design process. We specialise in Passivhaus standards, net-zero carbon strategies, and life-cycle analysis to reduce buildings' environmental footprint. Our research-informed approach ensures compliance with evolving climate regulations while maintaining cost-effectiveness for clients.
Community Engagement
We employ innovative participatory design methods to involve communities in shaping their environments. Our dedicated engagement team uses workshops, digital tools, and creative events to gather diverse perspectives. This inclusive approach ensures projects reflect local needs while building community ownership of development outcomes.
People
Irene Craik
Director
With over 25 years' experience, Irene leads sustainable design initiatives and has pioneered Passivhaus standards in social housing. She contributes to national policy discussions on net-zero carbon buildings and oversees major regeneration projects across London.
Jo McCafferty
Director
A leading voice in urban design, Jo specialises in city-wide regeneration strategies. She directs large-scale masterplanning projects and champions inclusive design approaches that address social equity in urban environments across the UK.
Gillian Harrison
Associate Director
Specialising in heritage conservation, Gillian combines traditional architectural knowledge with modern sustainability requirements. She leads complex refurbishment projects that balance historical preservation with energy efficiency improvements.
Clare Murray
Studio Director
An expert in educational architecture, Clare oversees school and university projects nationwide. She focuses on creating inspiring learning environments that support modern pedagogical approaches and achieve BREEAM Excellent ratings.
Mariana Yuste
Communications Manager
Leading external engagement, Mariana manages award-winning public outreach programmes. She coordinates community participation initiatives and promotes architectural education through school partnerships and apprenticeship schemes.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture with particular expertise in sustainable development, Passivhaus standards, and community-led regeneration projects.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
Sustainability is embedded throughout our process through energy-efficient design, material lifecycle analysis, net-zero carbon strategies, and integration of renewable technologies tailored to each project's requirements.
Do you work outside the UK?
While primarily focused on UK projects, we have international experience including recent work in Ireland, France, and Spain, collaborating with local partners to deliver context-sensitive designs.
How can communities get involved in your projects?
We employ participatory design methods including workshops, digital platforms, and public events to ensure community voices shape development outcomes from initial concept stages.
What sustainability accreditations do you hold?
We maintain ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, are RIBA Chartered Practice members, and have multiple Passivhaus-accredited professionals within our team.
Do you offer apprenticeship opportunities?
Yes, we operate a Level 6 architectural apprenticeship programme and support foundation year placements, providing alternative career pathways into the architecture profession.
