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Winter Webinars 2020
Date posted: Wednesday 11 November 2020
Starting next Thursday, ArchitecturePLB’s senior team will be running a series of short ‘Winter Webinars’ on topics that are very close to our heart. Each session will offer an insight into key aspects of the design of education, student accommodation and sustainable buildings, providing a great opportunity for healthy debate and forming new connections.
Guest speakers will include Peter Marsh from Peter Marsh Consulting and James Garner from Gleeds.
The talks will be held on MS Teams and there will an opportunity for questions and further discussion at the end.
Please book through Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/dztAm77
We look forward to seeing some of you there!
Climate Strike ‘One Year On’
Date posted: Tuesday 13 October 2020
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Climate Strike ‘One Year On’ event. It was a good opportunity to refocus on tackling and adapting to the climate crisis.
Jo DeSyllas to speak at Education Estates Digital Week
Date posted: Thursday 8 October 2020
Associate Director Jo DeSyllas will be giving a talk on the new Solent Sports Complex as part of Education Estates Digital Week. She will be speaking as part of the Colleges and Universities ‘Community’ session on Friday 16th of October and will be joined by Solent University’s Head of Sport Martin Nailor.
Climate Strike ‘One Year On’
Date posted: Thursday 10 September 2020
LETI launches Climate Emergency Design Guide
Date posted: Thursday 30 January 2020
This week, The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) launched the Climate Emergency Design Guide and Embodied Carbon Primer which sets out how new buildings can meet UK climate change targets. LETI is a network of over 1000 built environment professionals that are working together to put London on the path to a zero carbon future. The guides were developed by over 100 members including ArchitecturePLB Senior Architect Wyn Gilley who attended the launch earlier in the week. We look forward to acting upon Clara Bagnal George’s words in launching the guides, “before we reduce, we need to learn”. The Guides can be downloaded from LETI’s website: https://www.leti.london/cedg
ArchitecturePLB attend ‘Architects Declare’ Workshop
Date posted: Tuesday 3 December 2019
Since signing ‘UK Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’ earlier in the year, ArchitecturePLB has been working to embed its commitments into our everyday practice. Last Wednesday, two of our team; Director Rupert Cook and Senior Architect Wyn Gilley attended a full day of workshops at Battersea Arts Centre, on behalf of the practice. Over 300 architects and engineers participated in working groups and listened to inspiring talks and presentations, including a keynote from renegade economist Kate Raworth about her Doughnut Economics theory. The focus of the day was on shifting from ‘business as usual’ and embracing regenerative practices to transform the industry away from its destructive paradigm.
Autumn Practice Day 2019
Date posted: Tuesday 5 November 2019
Once a quarter ArchitecturePLB’s two studios come together for some team building and CPD. This year the focus was on tackling the climate emergency. For our afternoon session, we invited Chris Swinburn, Building Services Engineer from QODA to talk to us about what we can do as Architects to make our buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient. After a sobering and informative talk, he set us an ‘airtightness challenge’ using cardboard boxes and a variety of tape. The day generated a lot of enthusiasm and a shared commitment to improving our energy targets.
Earlier in the year ArchitecturePLB signed up to the commitments in ‘UK Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’. Since then we become a member of the Passivhaus Trust and have held our own multi-disciplinary ‘Climate Strike’ Workshop in our Winchester Studio.
Nick Mirchandani to speak at the Education Estates Conference
Date posted: Monday 14 October 2019
Director Nick Mirchandani will be speaking at the Education Estates Conference on Wednesday alongside Kensington Prep School’s Deputy Head Claire Raynes. The pair will be talking about the recent phased re-development which has transformed the school’s teaching and learning spaces.
The ‘Creating Spaces for Growing Minds’ programme has included three phases; the ‘Explore floor’ a colourful, flexible space with interactive learning stations and a multi-media recording studio, a set of agile classrooms, and a mature IT free library at the heart of the school
They will be on the Architecture and Interiors Stage between 10:50 and 11:05.
Nick and Claire are also looking forward to attending the Awards dinner, as the project has been shortlisted in four categories; Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Inspiring Learning Spaces, Pupil/Student Experience and Refurbishment of the Year.
Climate Strike Workshop Report
Date posted: Wednesday 9 October 2019
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our multi-disciplinary Climate Strike Workshop on the 27th of September. Participants on the day included council members and officers, landscape and sustainability consultants, local climate activists, project managers and contractors.
Over the course of the session, we asked our participants to discuss three key themes; new development, reuse of existing buildings and lifecycle / whole-life carbon. The areas of discussion were drawn directly from the commitments set out by ‘UK Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’.
We have put together a short report summarising our discussions. This can be found here.
ArchiecturePLB strike for climate change
Date posted: Thursday 29 August 2019
To mark the week of the Global Climate Strike (20th – 27th September), ArchitecturePLB will be stopping work for an afternoon to host a multi-disciplinary climate workshop. We will debate the issues and work towards agreeing to some priority actions we can take as professionals within the construction industry.
We are attending AUDE 2019
Date posted: Thursday 11 April 2019
The Association of University Directors of Estates arrange and run an annual conference, taking place over 3 days. The delegates attending the conference get to hear speakers on a range of topics, the event also features exhibitor stands from across the industry. We are looking forward to attending the conference again this year, making it 10 years since we first attended in 2009. If you are attending the conference at Lancaster University next week, come and talk to us at stand 21 on Monday or Tuesday.
Spring Practice Day 2019
Date posted: Monday 1 April 2019
Once a quarter ArchitecturePLB’s two studios come together for some team building and CPD. This year’s Spring Practice Day was hosted by our Winchester Studio last Thursday.
Paul Phasey to speak at futurebuild
Date posted: Thursday 14 February 2019
We are excited to announce that Associate Paul Phasey will be speaking at the upcoming futurebuild event in London. Paul and Head of Radian Build, Jonathan Rickard will be talking about how we have used the new Assured Performance Process developed by the National Energy Foundation to reduce the energy performance gap between design and construction at Quebec Park.
Paul Conway takes on the cycle to MIPIM
Date posted: Friday 21 December 2018
ArchitecturePLB will be attending MIPIM in March 2019. It will be our first attendance at the conference in Cannes and we are looking forward to meeting old friends and making new connections.
Our Associate Director, Paul Conway, is taking on the challenge of the Legal and General Real Assets Cycle to MIPIM. Paul will be amongst 200 riders setting off from London on 7th March, covering 1500km in 6 days in a team relay format.
Autumn Practice Day
Date posted: Friday 19 October 2018
Once a quarter ArchitecturePLB’s two studios come together for some team building and CPD. This year’s Autumn Practice Day was hosted by our London Studio in Southwark.
RIBA Hampshire CPD Overheating in New Homes
Date posted: Tuesday 25 September 2018
ArchitecturePLB will be hosting an RIBA Hampshire CPD event at our Winchester Studio on Tuesday 2 October, 6pm. Paul Ciniglio from BM3e will be talking about preventing overheating in new homes. ArchitecturePLB have worked closely with Paul during his time with Radian Homes and VIVD Housing Association. We very much look forward to what promises to be an interesting and informative talk.
Paul Phasey to speak at National Urban Design Conference
Date posted: Wednesday 19 September 2018
Associate, Paul Phasey will be speaking at the Winchester Guildhall on Thursday evening as part of an event to open the National Urban Design Conference. A series of ‘short sharp’ presentations will show councillors why they need best practice urban design in their town or city. Paul will be presenting Quebec Park, a development of 100 homes which is the first scheme to trial the National Energy Foundation’s Assured Performance Process Mark (APP Mark) which seeks to reduce the performance gap through energy focused design and monitoring of construction. The presentation will outline how the scheme evolved to meet the aspirations of the masterplan and also provide feedback on the implications of the use of the APP through our top three priorities for reducing the performance gap.
The event will be held at King Charles Hall, Winchester Guildhall on Thursday 20 September. Doors open at 6pm.
ArchitecturePLB visit Kew Gardens
Date posted: Wednesday 18 July 2018
Last Thursday, the ArchitecturePLB team went to Kew Gardens for our annual summer study tour. Each year we venture out to a different location to explore some notable projects and see how our contemporaries have responded to design challenges. It is also an opportunity for the two studios to come together and talk about their own projects with colleagues.
Armed with a map pointing out some of garden’s interesting architecture and sculpture, the team spent the morning taking in a range of projects including; the newly refurbished Temperate House (Donald Insall Associates), the Gallery of Botanical Art (Walters and Cohen), the Tree Top Walkway (Marks Barfield Architects) and the Beehive Pavilion (Wolfgang Buttress).
We followed up the gardens with a boat trip back to Westminster, which gave us a new perspective of old and new developments along the Thames.
HEDQF workshop at UEA
Date posted: Friday 8 June 2018
Director Rachel Shaw spent the day at the University of East Anglia yesterday, taking part in an event organised by the HEDQF which included an interactive workshop looking at developing a new movement strategy within the UEA campus.
Autumn Practice Day 2017
Date posted: Friday 3 November 2017
Twice a year the teams from London and Winchester get together in one of our offices to share current and upcoming projects and to get an update on practice and industry news. This October it was the turn of our London studio to host and staff provided a magnificent feast of home cooked food for lunch. As usual we ended the day with a team building activity. Director Mike Skiton set a series of entertaining tasks to get us thinking about the importance of verbal communication. Our first exercise was to ascertain which word had been pinned to our backs through a series of ‘animal, vegetable, mineral’ yes/no questions. This done, we were able to find our word counterpart, fish met chips, batman met robin etc. Placed back to back in pairs we then had the task of recreating a photograph on paper with one person describing what they saw and the other drawing. Finally, we were allowed to test our visual drawing skills with a two-minute caricature of our partners which caused much amusement all round!
HEDQF members visit the University of Kent
Date posted: Tuesday 19 September 2017
As a founder member of the Higher Education Design Quality Forum, ArchitecturePLB works to promote good design in the sector. This includes developing and sharing best practice knowledge through thought leadership events and reference visits to university buildings of particular interest in the UK and overseas.
Associates Emily Rissom and Andrew Fifield visited the University of Kent Canterbury Campus last week to see how the 1960s campus is being updated to accommodate the university’s plans for future growth and investment. In line with other universities across the UK new synergies and efficiencies of collocating departments are being explored and new student destinations being created.
The visit was an opportunity for HEDQF members including built environment professionals and university clients to come together to discuss good quality design. For more information on the work of the HEDQF please visit their website.
Summer Practice Day 2017
Date posted: Thursday 27 July 2017
Our annual Summer Practice Day this year saw ArchitecturePLB’s two offices take in a research trip to Bournemouth. The day included a guided tour of Arts University Bournemouth, led by Simon Beeson, leader of the Architecture course. He talked us through the ongoing campus expansion, guiding us through the latest developments, including the new Drawing Studio by AUB alumnus, Sir Peter Cook. As always, the day was a refreshing opportunity for the practice’s studios to share ideas and find inspiration for our ongoing portfolio of projects.
University of Portsmouth Masterplan completed
Date posted: Friday 14 July 2017
ArchitecturePLB’s masterplan for the University of Portsmouth has been completed. Launched at a breakfast event in the city last week, the proposals were developed in support of the University’s strategic vision and will be rolled out over a 15-20 year period with a planned expenditure of circa £400m.
Comparing Heart Spaces
Date posted: Wednesday 12 July 2017
Rachel Shaw is speaking at an Associated Construction Network event on Thursday 20 July, entitled ‘Comparing Heart Spaces in student accommodation, retirement homes & care homes’. In healthcare, residential and education schemes, the heart or hub of a building can be an inspiring space; the main ‘place for people’. However keeping it adaptable and flexible to allow for future changes and ensuring that the space doesn’t become under utilised or lifeless can be a challenge…
Report – Massive Passiv: Applying Passivhaus to Larger Scale Developments
Date posted: Friday 2 June 2017
We recently hosted our Green Sky Thinking event ‘Massive Passiv: Applying Passivhaus to larger scale developments’.
Using new build student accommodation as an example, a panel of speakers explored how Passivhaus can raise the bar in terms of building design and construction quality, as well as the benefits to owners and users over the building’s lifespan.
Driving efficiency through estate rationalisation – an HEDQF workshop
Date posted: Sunday 21 May 2017
The Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF) has published its latest briefing paper entitled ‘Driving Efficiency Through Estate Rationalisation’. The paper follows a workshop staged by HEDQF for the Scottish Association of University Directors of Estates members at the Glasgow School of Art, at their annual conference.
The group, which included ArchitecturePLB director Rupert Cook, as well as the estates teams from a number of Scottish universities, focussed on the challenges they face in delivering and maintaining quality HE facilities, under the constraints of efficiency and rationalisation.
The workshop included presentations and group discussions facilitated by members of the HEDQF – of which ArchitecturePLB are a founder member – and established 10 dilemmas they face, on the themes of Place, People and Process, and proposed a series of Top Tip solutions for each. The paper can be viewed here.
Green Sky Thinking with Overbury at LSE LIFE
Date posted: Thursday 27 April 2017
ArchitecturePLB Associate Emily Rissom will be participating in a discussion organised by Overbury as part of next month’s Green Sky Thinking.
In collaboration with the LSE, Overbury’s Head of Environmental and Sustainability, Dr Joe Croft, will chair the discussion which is entitled “SKA for Higher Education: exploring the new benchmark for sustainable fit outs”. It will be held in LSE LIFE, the new academic, personal and professional development centre housed within LSE Library, which is the latest in a programme of works delivered by Overbury and ArchitecturePLB for the School. The project was completed using SKA rating to create a sustainable working environment for staff and students. Opportunities for sustainability within the higher education sector’s property portfolio will be discussed and the challenges of working across multi-use spaces explored.
Massive Passiv: Applying the Passivhaus principles
Date posted: Tuesday 11 April 2017
We are very pleased to be have been selected to take in part in Green Sky Thinking 2017. Entitled ‘Massive Passiv: Applying the Passivhaus principles to larger scale developments’, our event will take place on Thursday 18 May from 4pm – 6pm.
Spring Practice Day 2017
Date posted: Friday 24 March 2017
This year’s Spring practice day brought together the two ArchitecturePLB offices at our Winchester studio. These occasions allow the whole practice to update each other on new and recent projects, research and initiatives, including presentations on future business and marketing strategies. The day ended with a keenly contested team building activity that required groups to design and build an airship on a limited budget using balloons and basic craft materials, all of which were set to a budget. Points were awarded for engineering, cost control, team skills and design flair!
Meeting London’s school needs
Date posted: Wednesday 1 February 2017
For the duration of February we will be showcasing a range of projects for which a successful estates rationalisation strategy has been instrumental in realising ambitious capital projects. Combined with our cross-sector experience, our expertise in optimising organisations’ built assets has allowed us to deliver many projects, from residential through to education and health sectors, for clients whose needs could not be met without our creative vision for their overall estate.
In keeping with this theme, ArchitecturePLB director, Rachel Shaw, will be part of a panel of speakers at a half day conference on ‘Meeting London’s school needs’ at New London Architecture next Wednesday 8 February.
Well Built: Designing for Health and Wellbeing in Architecture
Date posted: Thursday 3 November 2016
ArchitecturePLB’s recently completed ‘agile classrooms’ for Kensington Preparatory School feature in a new exhibition, entitled ‘Well Built: Designing for Health and Wellbeing in Architecture’.
Autumn Practice Day
Date posted: Wednesday 2 November 2016
This October ArchitecturePLB’s Winchester team came to London for our Autumn Practice Day. This twice yearly event is a chance for the whole practice to catch up, hear about recent projects and other practice wide initiatives. For many it was also an opportunity to see our new London at 50 Southwark Street. The London team took on the catering with everyone bringing along something special to share. To finish off the day, Senior Architects, Thomas and Michael organised a team building challenge, which required three teams to collaborate to create a ‘roller coaster run’ for a ping pong ball using recycled materials.
ArchitecturePLB hosts Women In Property
Date posted: Wednesday 31 August 2016
ArchitecturePLB is hosting a Women In Property drinks reception to mark the end of summer on Wednesday 14th September 2016 from 6pm–8.30pm. The event takes place at our Winchester office, hopefully enjoying some late summer sunshine on our outdoor terrace. The evening will include networking with drinks and canapés, together with two short presentations from ArchitecturePLB and fellow sponsor, Remarkable Content, along with some surprise entertainment!
To book a ticket email rebecca.humble@wyg.com for further details.
Summer Practice Day 2016
Date posted: Wednesday 20 July 2016
For ArchitecturePLB’s Summer Practice Day our London and Winchester studios came together for a research trip to Oxford. We spent the day exploring the city’s architectural landmarks, old and new. After a hard day of architectural sightseeing, some of the team took to the river to try their hand at punting, some more successfully than others! The day was a great opportunity for team members from different studios to catch up and gather new ideas to feed into current projects.
Nick Mirchandani to speak at HCC event
Date posted: Friday 24 June 2016
Nick Mirchandani is speaking at SPACES, a study day to be hosted by Hampshire County Council in Winchester next week. The theme of the day will be discussing how to successfully deliver educational buildings within a landscape of challenging programmes and budgets, without compromising on quality, whole life or the environment, and aims to stimulate debate, share experiences and explore the lessons that can be taken away by architects, school estates managers and the wider public/private sector.
Andrew Fifield speaks at NLA event
Date posted: Thursday 9 June 2016
Associate Andrew Fifield was recently invited to speak at “Universities: Closed estates or integrated campuses?” a half day conference hosted by New London Architecture, which looked at the changing nature of London’s university estates.
Nick Mirchandani to chair schools panel
Date posted: Thursday 2 June 2016
Nick Mirchandani will be chairing a panel discussion on 20 June at The Building Centre, entitled Building Healthy Communities: Schools and Education. Part of the London Festival of Architecture, and organised by the Museum of Architecture with the Building Centre, it is one of a series of events focusing on how creative thinking and innovative design within particular building typologies are contributing to collective health and wellbeing in communities. The speakers will look at how schools can and should be more than just practical, functional buildings. For further details, including how to get tickets, click here.
Reading UK 2050
Date posted: Tuesday 3 May 2016
Rupert Cook has been invited to join the Reading UK 2050 initiative, a group of design professionals brought together by Barton Willmore to create a Vision of how Reading could look in 2050.
Spring Practice Day 2016
Date posted: Friday 29 April 2016
The ArchitecturePLB team recently gathered in our Winchester Office for our Spring Practice Day, an opportunity for everyone to get together and share project knowledge. Following a series of presentations from project architects, the day was rounded off with a Lego-based team building activity. The task required teams of ‘builders’ to recreate a Lego model using only information relayed from ‘the client’ through the ‘architect’. It was an inspiring exercise, and had everyone from architectural assistants to directors racing to complete their model. Points were awarded for accuracy, but also creativity!
Re-inventing the London Plan
Date posted: Wednesday 10 February 2016
In November, Director Rupert Cook attended ‘Re-inventing the London Plan: A charrette on the capital’s future’ run by New London Architecture, facilitated by ARUP. This intensive full-day session brought together professionals from across the built environment industry to address London’s key development issues and help inform thinking around the next iteration of the London Plan before the Mayoral elections in May. Findings from the day in the form of a report and policy recommendations for the next London Mayor can be found here.
Mike Skilton to speak at ECN-RCN conference
Date posted: Thursday 5 November 2015
ArchitecturePLB Director Mike Skilton will be speaking at the ECN-RCN Conference in a few weeks time on 26th November. Mixed use developments and residential education projects form the the focus for Day 2 of the conference, Mike will talk about current and potential future thinking in the design of student residences and how they relate to our idea of ‘home’.
University of Portsmouth Sustainability Prize
Date posted: Wednesday 5 August 2015
University of Portsmouth graduate Martyn Webb (centre left) has been awarded the ArchitecturePLB sponsored Sustainability prize. The celebration event was led by Pam Cole (left), Head of School of Architecture with Dan Blott (right centre), Principal Lecturer and MArch Course Leader. The award was given by Rupert Cook (right) Director of ArchitecturePLB at the event held within the School of Architecture prior to the Graduation ceremony.
Summer Practice Day 2015
Date posted: Friday 24 July 2015
This year our annual practice study day took place in East London. We began with a boat cruise from Westminster to Greenwich, an opportunity to observe the capital’s diverse architectural styles from a unique vantage point. Unconventional views continued with a trip to the top of the Orbit tower in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Lunch was followed by an urban design tour of the new housing developments of East Village and Chobham Manor, as well as the more familiar sporting arenas. The day concluded with discussion of all we had seen over delicious pizzas and craft ales in the arts quarter of Hackney Wick.
New starters graduate!
Date posted: Wednesday 22 July 2015
Three new starters graduated on Friday from Portsmouth University. Paul Moss, Liam Whitfield and Anna Osborne. Paul completed his BA Hons. His project investigated how the power of good architecture can have a real social impact on the lives of people from vastly different social groups, creating a place of unity and giving through an interpretation of the Food bank.
City of Westminster College Student Awards
Date posted: Thursday 2 July 2015
Senior Architect Michael de Nobrega recently attended the City of Westminster College Annual Student Awards Ceremony to present an achievement award sponsored by ArchitecturePLB. We are currently working with the College on a project to refurbish their Maida Vale campus. The project is now on site, due for completion in 2016.
Click here to read more about our refurbishment project for the City of Westminster College Maida Vale campus.
Touch Rugby Tournament
Date posted: Tuesday 9 June 2015
Congratulations to ArchitecturePLB’s touch rugby team that took part in this year’s Southampton Commercial Property Mixed Rugby Tournament.
After a slow start, the team rallied with strong wins against Clarke Willmott LLP and AECOM and narrowly missed out on the semi-finals.
The Handle Bar Cafe – A SPUD Youth Project
Date posted: Thursday 9 April 2015
This week our Winchester studio has provided workshop space for the SPUD Youth Group, as they finalise designs for their proposed Cycle Cafe project. The SPUD Youth Group was set up by Mark Drury with the intention of providing an opportunity for budding new designers to engage in real life design projects. The proposed design will re-appropriate a decommissioned train carriage situated on a national cycle route to provide refreshments, seating and a cycle repair shop to the passing crowd.
Place Shaping Event, Winchester
Date posted: Thursday 12 March 2015
Director Ian Deans was invited to facilitate a training day for local councillors and officers, to provide an insight into the way the design of the built environment needs to be considered to ensure that it enhances quality of life. This training is a response to the Farrell Review, which concluded that places across the country would be greatly improved if the people who make decisions about our built environment, were empowered by an understanding of what makes places work for people. It is a joint project between Winchester City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council, supported by the Urban Design Group and Feria Urbanism.
CIH South East Exhibition and Conference 2015
Date posted: Tuesday 17 February 2015
Our Housing team will be heading down to the south coast in early March for the annual CIH South East Conference & Exhibition at The Brighton Centre. ArchitecturePLB are sponsoring the 3 day event starting on Tuesday 3rd March. There will be a full programme of presentations, masterclasses and think tanks. One of the ArchitecturePLB team will be present throughout to digest and discuss recent innovations and best practice within the sector.
Visit the CIH website to view a list of confirmed speakers and the detailed programme of events.
JLL – Trading space for height in student residences
Date posted: Tuesday 9 December 2014
ArchitecturePLB were invited by JLL as part of a series of presentations to consider the future of purpose-designed student residences. The talks covered a variety of topics: a brief history of student housing, small and shared, shared social space, size vs quality and our subject – trading space for height.
Ascot Road Free School
Date posted: Thursday 4 December 2014
Ascot Road Free School reached it’s topping out point last week and a ceremony took place on site on Wednesday 3rd December. The new build primary school will accommodate 420 pupils and 35 nursery children on a former derelict site in Watford. The event provided an opportunity for a number of pupils to add their mark by laying a brick on the North facade. The event was well attended by members of the school as well as the Vice Chancellor of Hertfordshire University and the Mayoress of Watford. The construction programme is on schedule, with the school set to open in May 2015.
ECN Conference Day 1 Speaker Presentations
Date posted: Tuesday 11 November 2014
Director Nick Mirchandani is to be one of the opening speakers on the first day of the Education Construction Network conference to be held at The Building Centre in Store Street, London on 26th and 27th November 2014.
Nick is due to respond to the question ‘What Makes an Education Building Exemplar?’ followed by a Q&A panel. Further information and tickets are available from the ECN website at www.educonnet.co.uk
Autumn Practice Day 2014
Date posted: Friday 24 October 2014
Autumn Practice Day took place in our Winchester studio again this year. A summary of the last 6 months, current business development activity and objectives for the future was provided from the directors. Project architects presented the status of the various projects within our current diverse sector spread, from Schools and Housing to Commercial and Colleges and Universities. A delicious spread of savoury and sweet supplements were provided by willing staff from both studios. There was time at the end of the day for a team photograph and a chance to share images which we found particularly inspiring.
Conference Sponsorship: NLA Londons Education Estates
Date posted: Wednesday 15 October 2014
ArchitecturePLB enjoy delivering a diverse range of projects that provide settings for education from early years to adulthood. We are also currently working with a range of clients across the education sector, supporting them in carrying out strategic appraisals of their estates to ensure that they will support rapidly changing future provision. This gives us a distinct perspective on education estates; sponsorship of an NLA education conference was an exciting opportunity to use our experience to assist in developing a rich programme covering the wide diversity education estates in London.
NLA Education Conference
Date posted: Tuesday 30 September 2014
ArchitecturePLB are sponsoring a half day NLA conference, “London’s Education Estate – schools, colleges and universities in the capital”.
The conference will look at the changing face of education at all levels with presentations that we hope will stimulate some lively debate about the future shape and form of the “education estate”.
The conference takes place on Friday 10th October at NLA HQ – Store Street, WC1 7BT. Should you wish to attend, you can book a place here
APLB join the Residential Construction Network
Date posted: Thursday 11 September 2014
ArchitecturePLB have become one of the founding members of the Residential Construction Network. Already members of the Education Construction Network, the practice are keen to join the current debate on the housing crisis – the lack of provision, sustainability, the planning process, affordability, the use of the greenbelt and the ageing population. Alongside our other memberships and initiatives in this sector, we value this opportunity to explore the future of our industry and look forward to contributing with new research and innovative design solutions to address these issues.
Architects of the future
Date posted: Tuesday 22 July 2014
It is the time of year when we invest time and energy in the possible architects of the future. We have enjoyed having four Year 11 and year 12 students from various schools with us for work experience placements. As well as taking the students to meetings and site visits we set each student a mini design project which they undertake with guidance from a mentor. Director Rupert Cook took part in an careers event at his old school to give year 12 students an outline of Architecture as a career.
Practice Day – Hayling Island
Date posted: Friday 11 July 2014
This years Practice summer study trip was held at Hayling Island Sailing Club; an appropriate destination as a result of the recent design competition win for Parkstone Yacht Club in Poole. As well as a visit around the club facilities, the day involved team building activities of windsurfing and dinghy sailing, including an introduction to racing. The two studios enjoyed a barbecue lunch together on the balcony, with the whole day providing a great opportunity to catch up and share project progress on a beautiful day on the south coast.
NLA Awards Expert Assessor
Date posted: Tuesday 17 June 2014
Rachel Shaw, Director at ArchitecturePLB was recently invited to be Expert Assessor for the Education buildings category for the 2014 New London Architecture Awards. Rachel brings experience of designing a diverse range of education buildings for all ages, from nurseries to University buildings to the role.
Live Work Play Workshop
Date posted: Monday 16 June 2014
On Monday 16th June ArchitecturePLB directors, Nick Mirchandani and Rupert Cook delivered a model making workshop for two Hampshire primary schools on the theme of ‘Workspaces’.
It was delivered in conjunction with as part of the Live Work Play initiative, alongside the exhibition currently being held at the Discovery Centre in Winchester. The exhibition is an RIBA initiative to showcase recent work by Hampshire based architects.
‘Learning Environments’ conference
Date posted: Tuesday 10 June 2014
ArchitecturePLB, Director Rupert Cook will be delivering a presentation as part of the ‘Learning Environments: Future-Proofing our Education Spaces’ conference on Tuesday 1st July at the new Central St Martins facility in Granary Square.
Rupert will explore key themes of the conference using the Teaching and Resource Centre, Royal Veterinary College as a case study.
Follow this link for further details.
Green Sky Thinking Week
Date posted: Friday 2 May 2014
ArchitecturePLB’s Green Sky Thinking Week event ‘Skeleton Safari – Adding Value Through Passive Retrofit’ at the Royal Veterinary College was well attended despite the tube strike. The event was held in the Social Learning Space designed by ArchitecturePLB. Along with other design team members and the client we presented how the project was developed to bring maximum value to the campus in the most sustainable way. Themes included lean materials and engineering, passive ventilation design and design to maximise natural daylight.
AUDE 2014
Date posted: Wednesday 16 April 2014
This year’s AUDE conference took place at Roehampton University attended by a mixture of ArchitecturePLB directors and associates. Our custom designed stand was well received, attracting both fellow exhibitors and delegates. Our team met with a range of directors of estates, contractors and fellow consultants, engaging in conversations about the state of the Higher Education sector and potential development opportunities.
Green Sky Thinking Week
Date posted: Thursday 10 April 2014
As part of this years’s Green Sky Thinking Week, ArchitecturePLB will be hosting an event; ‘Skeleton Safari: Adding Value Through Passive Retrofit’ – This is a great opportunity to visit the Lightwell Cafe at the Royal Veterinary College. The sustainable and innovative project created a vibrant, new space on the campus by enclosing an underused courtyard below an ETFE roof. The design team focused on a low energy, passive approach which they will talk more about at the event. You can book a ticket by following this link.
We look forward to seeing you there!
CIC South BIM Hub
Date posted: Wednesday 2 April 2014
ArchitecturePLB’s William Bond, was recently invited to give a presentation at the CIC South BIM Hub. William, who has a Masters in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, focused on the contractual risks and responsibilities of BIM protocols, particularly the new CIC BIM Pro (2013).
HEDQF Meeting and Design Competition Masterclass
Date posted: Wednesday 26 March 2014
As part of the annual programme of events hosted by HEDQF, ArchitecturePLB director, Rupert Cook attended the spring meeting at LSE’s new Saw Swee Hock Student Centre on Wednesday 26th March. The day included informative presentations from a number of Directors of Estates, Joanne Wallis, RIBA Competitions Consultant and Peter Murray, NLA Chairman concerning design competitions within the Higher Education sector.
Spring Practice Day 2014
Date posted: Thursday 20 March 2014
This year it was the turn of our London studio to host the whole ArchitecturePLB team for our Spring Practice Day. Directors and Associates gave a number of forward looking presentations including future business development strategies. Project progress was shared with everyone showing one image and saying a few words about their current project. London office staff provided a magnificent feast of home cooked food for lunch (hoping to reap the reward when they visit the Winchester office for our Autumn Practice Day in October!)
CIH South East Conference
Date posted: Thursday 6 March 2014
This week, we made our annual pilgrimage to Brighton for the CIH South East Conference, the largest event in the sector’s calendar and a valuable venue for catching up on the latest thinking, and networking with friends and colleagues from the housing industry. Typically, the event attracts hundreds of housing professionals who come for the conference and associated exhibition on all aspects of the challenges facing us in the delivery and management of affordable housing.
HEDQF: Estates Matter
Date posted: Monday 17 February 2014
Estates Matter – HEDQF Report on Survey of Students’ views of their universities’ estates 2013
ArchitecturePLB have co-sponsored the publication of the Research led by LSE, seeking to understand whether the University Estate has an impact on the Student Experience. The research carried out by ZZA Ltd for the Estate team at LSE and was first launched at the AUDE conference in 2013 through an interactive workshop delivered by HEDQF.
SPUD Group – Final Presentation
Date posted: Thursday 16 January 2014
Bringing to a close our support for the Winchester SPUD Youth Group, the young participants gave their final presentations an invited audience. The guests included Winchester City Counsellors, Officers, local artists, parents and other invited guests. The young people, who are mostly in their final GCSE years, presented confidently with ideas which challenged decision makers with the designs for their Cycle Cafes, in locations around the City which frankly need greater activity. The group were invited to present to the Town Forum, a group of the City Council to consider whether any ideas could be taken forwards.
Student Accommodation Conference 2013
Date posted: Thursday 5 December 2013
On 4 December 2013 Paul Conway, Associate, attended the prestigious Student Accommodation Conference at Westminster Park Plaza, London. The event was organised by Property Week and supported by a number of sector leaders including CRM Students, Collegiate Student Accommodation, Balfour Beatty, Campus Living Villages, Campus Development Management, Jones Lang LaSalle, Unite and many others.
NLA – Panel Discussion
Date posted: Friday 29 November 2013
Rupert Cook Director of ArchitecturePLB was invited to join the panel discussion at the recent NLA breakfast talk – ‘How do we deal with the legacy of 1960s university buildings?’ The debate was focussed on addressing problems with buildings created during the sector’s booming period through the 1960-1970s, loosely based about the extremes of demolish or retro-fit. The panel also included: Julian Robinson – LSE, Bill Hunt – London Met, Carol Lelliot – Nick Hare, James Dunnett, Past Chair – DOCOMOMO-UK and Peter Murray, Chairman, NLA (Chair). Full NLA news article.
Revit Training
Date posted: Wednesday 27 November 2013
We have carried out a further session in-house to deliver Revit Fundamentals training to another group of six staff, meaning well over half have now been trained. We have worked closely with our partners; IMS CAD, who supported us to deliver a cloud based solution to access Revit, along with Ian Howard of Revit Store who delivered the bespoke training. This roll-out fits within our third phase of BIM implementation, supported by further investment where we are seeking a greater breadth of skills within the practice, along with in-house resources offering, better design information earlier, with greater efficiencies and the elimination of coordination problems.
RSA Event, Winchester
Date posted: Friday 15 November 2013
On Thursday 14th November Directors Rupert Cook and Nick Mirchandani gave a presentation and led a discussion as part of the RSA’s Ideas in Education series.
HEDQF Belfast Workshop
Date posted: Friday 25 October 2013
As part of the ongoing initiative to develop a program of workshops with estates professionals within the University sector, four members of the HEDQF facilitated a workshop for Queens University Belfast and colleagues of other local institutions. The aim was to assist project teams within Universities to improve the quality of smaller projects.
How long does it take to design a school?
Date posted: Thursday 24 October 2013
ArchitecturePLB Director Rachel Shaw presented thoughts and projects as part of the expert panel for the 24th October Education Construction Network Event titled “How long does it take to design a school?”. Presentations from four panelists were followed by lively debate with many different viewpoints.
Autumn Practice Day
Date posted: Thursday 24 October 2013
This year’s Autumn Practice Day took place in our Winchester office. It was an opportunity for all staff to share practice news and project progress, reviewing successes and sharing experience. Afternoon presentations were interspersed with tasting and voting for our very own “Great APLB Bake Off”. Associate Andrew Fifield took top place with his fantastic New York Cheesecake just beating strong competition.
Academy of Urbanism: Response to Housing Standards Review
Date posted: Sunday 13 October 2013
ArchitecturePLB Director Ian Deans attended an invited workshop hosted by the Academy of Urbanism, to respond to the Governments Housing Standards review. Chaired by Andy von Bradsky of PRP, the group of eight practitioners from across the housing sector, debated the detail of the DCLG proposals and how the changes could be implemented in real terms.
Rachel Shaw presents at NLA “New Ideas for London’s Schools” Event
Date posted: Wednesday 4 September 2013
The evening focused on innovative examples of school design in London, funding new schools in a period of economic difficulty and solving the need for more school places. Using ArchitecturePLB projects as examples Rachel discussed two themes. The opportunities that arise from sharing space were illustrated using examples of all age schools, co-located special and mainstream schools and schools with community-use facilities. The second theme explored how a little more time spent understanding each school’s needs could lead to innovative design solutions that deliver “more for less”.
Practice Summer Outing
Date posted: Thursday 25 July 2013
This years Practice summer outing was to the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. Both offices joined forces for a visit to the Stirling prize shortlisted Savill Building which houses the visitor centre. The partly buried building has an elegant and distinctive three domed, double-curved ‘sinusoidal’ roof with a larch interlocking timber lath structure. Winchester and London staff caught up over a relaxed lunch at the gardens. The afternoon was taken up with some fun team building activities including a highly competitive crazy golf championship.
The Farrell Review
Date posted: Tuesday 23 July 2013
ArchitecturePLB director Rupert Cook was invited to participate in the Design Quality Workshop hosted by the NLA, as part of the call for evidence which feeds into the Farrell Review. The Farrell Review is a commission of the Culture and and Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey to undertake a new, independent Review of Architecture and the Built Environment, reporting to Government in 2014. More about the Farrell review can be found here.
Love Architecture Event
Date posted: Thursday 20 June 2013
ArchitecturePLB is delighted to support Love Architecture again this year. We are pleased to host an exhibition of work from M.Arch students at the University of Portsmouth. We have been working closely with a group of students on a particular project based on the Royal Hospital Haslar site in Gosport to create exciting proposals for a mixed use development. Our doors will be open on the evening of Thursday 27th June from 6pm onwards. Enjoy a glass of wine and wander through our studio. See for yourself our more recent work and have a chat about the profession in a relaxed atmosphere.
New London Office Move
Date posted: Monday 20 May 2013
We have recently relocated from Great Suffolk Street to a newly refurbished top floor studio in Long Lane. Keeping loyal to the south side of the river, we remain close to London Bridge and Waterloo main line stations and within a few minutes’ walk from Borough tube station. Full contact details can be found via the Contact area of our website. We look forward to welcoming you to our new premises.
SPUD Youth mentored by APLB staff
Date posted: Tuesday 5 March 2013
Our Winchester studio has been selected as the local practice partner, for the SPUD Youth initiative in Winchester.
BD’s October ‘Tweetup’ at ArchitecturePLB
Date posted: Friday 5 October 2012
Following an online vote, Winchester was elected as the location for the BD team to co-host an evening #BDTweetUp outside of London. Held at ArchitecturePLB’s Winchester studio on 4th October, BD Twitter followers attended to watch Peter Murray, the Chairman of the NLA (London’s Centre for the Built Environment), give a CPD talk ‘So you want to be famous?’ on being a successful architect, to help raise money for Article 25 and the Architects Benevolent Society by cycling from Portland Oregon to Portland Place, London. For further information visit petermurray.co.uk
Portsmouth School of Architecture’s Summer Exhibition 2012
Date posted: Thursday 19 July 2012
The 2012 Summer Exhibition for the University of Portsmouth’s School of Architecture was held at our London studio from 12-13 July. The Private View and Exhibition featured selected work from students on undergraduate and diploma courses in Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Design, Sustainable Design and Historic Building Conservation. For more information please visit Portsmouth School of Architecture’s website here.
ArchitecturePLB attend AUDE 2012
Date posted: Monday 5 March 2012
ArchitecturePLB was one of 7 architectural practices selected to feature in this year’s annual Association of University Director’s of Estates Conference and Exhibition, hosted by Loughborough University. Two of our Directors Rachel Shaw and Rupert Cook attended and presented a range of our ongoing and completed higher education work to Estates Directors from across the UK, including laboratories, social learning spaces and student residences. In his role as joint convenor of the Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF), Rupert Cook also helped deliver an interactive workshop to AUDE delegates. You can view the workshop on youtube by clicking here.
Successful consultation event held for St Clements Surgery
Date posted: Monday 23 January 2012
A consultation event has taken place for our design of St Clements, a new 1600sqm GP medical centre and pharmacy in the heart of Winchester. Located on a prominent corner site between a busy road with large scale civic and commercial buildings, and a street characterised by two-storey vernacular housing, the design addresses the different environments by allowing the building to step down across the site. A new public space will be created at the front, with a series of consulting and treatment rooms arranged around a quiet internal atrium providing a vertical connection between waiting areas.
Teaching and Research Centre – Royal Opening
Date posted: Friday 2 December 2011
The official opening of our most recent building for the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, took place on Friday 2nd December 2011 by HRH The Princess Royal. The Teaching and Research Centre, known as TaRC, was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne as Chancellor of the University of London. Joe Misselbrook, the project architect, attended on behalf of ArchitecturePLB.
Guerilla Tactics
Date posted: Wednesday 9 November 2011
Following on from our repeat Good Employer Awards over the past few years, the RIBA invited us to speak at their small practices conference at the Portland Street HQ. Our presentation considered the way that practices can make the most of their resources by treating employees well and fostering a good environment for them to work in. Beginning with the statutory and pastoral aspects, the talk went on to look at the range of benefits, training and events we offer to our staff to make the practice a happy place to be.
Autumn Practice Day 2011
Date posted: Wednesday 19 October 2011
Twice a year the whole practice gathers in one of our offices for an update on what everyone is doing, a chance to show off projects to colleagues, clock up some CPD points and socialise. This time, as well as presentations about our new branding, new projects were introduced and projects under construction presented. CPD included debate about drawing for different types of contracts and a seminar on the introduction of BIM across the practice. A glass of wine and a snappy “pecha kucha” style presentation from each office – with very different interpretations of the same ‘design inspiration’ theme – ended the day, although discussions carried on in the pub!
Radian Design Seminar
Date posted: Thursday 13 October 2011
We recently sponsored the Radian Design Seminar, which focused on the impact of Environmental Design on the quality of Affordable Housing. The opening address was given by Ian Deans and the keynote speaker was Peter Murray, Chairman of the NLA, who gave the London perspective. Other speakers were Wendy Shillam on Bordon EcoTown and Justin Bere on PassivHaus, but the highlight was our own Paul Phasey who presented the European Perspective, following his study trip to Frieburg in Austria, sponsored by the office.
Charity Cycle Ride for Enham
Date posted: Wednesday 3 August 2011
As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, the hardy cyclists amongst us set ourselves a challenge… to ride the 78.5 miles between our London and Winchester offices to raise money for Enham, a charity whose aims we have learnt about whilst designing their new residential education facility, Coopers Chase. Heavy rain, slippery roads and a few good hills tested our pedal power. Ten cyclists started – one visited Guildford A&E and two had to retire – finally, seven arrived in Winchester in good spirits but with tired legs. We exceeded our £2500 sponsorship target by £305.
RIBA Schools Event
Date posted: Monday 25 July 2011
Eastlea School in Newham recently featured at the RIBA event ‘Re-thinking school building for the Class of 2020’ responding to the planned 60% reduction in school capital investment. Alongside presentations from representatives of Government, a series of real-life scenarios were presented by members of the RIBA Schools Client Forum, designed to address some of the likely challenges ahead and work towards creative solutions for the future.
ArchitecturePLB Summer Trip
Date posted: Friday 15 July 2011
The summer CPD outing for ArchitecturePLB this year involved tours by project teams around the new Academies of Shoreham and Sir Robert Woodard’s (near Littlehampton), then a late lunch at Heatherwick Studio’s East Beach Café. The Academies are being built by Balfour Beatty for West Sussex County Council for completion late 2011.
ArchitecturePLB celebrates 40 years
Date posted: Friday 8 July 2011
2011 is ArchitecturePLB’s 40th year and to mark the occasion we have planned a whole programme of events and activities, including a review of our visual identity. We started the celebrations last night with a party in one of our most recently completed projects at the Royal Veterinary College in Camden. Clients, colleagues and friends of the practice joined us to celebrate 40 years of fine architecture.
Housing Forum Regional Workshop
Date posted: Wednesday 15 June 2011
ArchitecturePLB has just hosted the Housing Forum Regional Workshop at the Winchester Cathedral Visitor Centre, a building we designed and only a stone’s throw from the Winchester office. The event, attended by delegates from house builders, contractors, RSLs and consultants, was held to discuss all issues surrounding the design and delivery of housing including current trends, statutory developments and funding. They are also great networking events.
In September 2019 ArchitecturePLB held a workshop to coincide with the Global Climate Strike. We challenged our participants including, council members and officers, landscape and sustainability consultants, local climate activists, project managers and contractors to make meaningful changes in response to the Climate Emergency.
One year on we are hosting on online event where we will hear from some of our participants about the progress their organisations have made over the last year. There will also be an opportunity for debate and discussion.
This event will be held on Zoom, Thursday 24th September, 3:30pm. Please book your place here.
Speakers include:
Paul Phasey – Director and Passivhaus Designer, ArchitecturePLB
Adrian Fox – Strategic Planning Manager – Winchester City Council
Kay Lung-Kendall – Technical Director – fabrik landscape
Simon Gill– Associate Director – Arup
Paul Ciniglio Ciniglio – BM3e – Boulter Mossman
We hope you can join us.