19-03-2021 | Margate Town Investment Plan funding success
We Made That and PRD are excited to announce that The Margate Town Investment Plan has been awarded £22.2m of Town Deal funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Margate Town Investment Plan provides a long term plan to transform Margate and act as a catalyst for future investment.
The bid was developed with PRD, alongside Thanet District Council, the Town Team, People’s Panel, stakeholders, local businesses and the community. Pleydell Smithyman ran an extensive engagement process that also informed the plan.
Four project interventions have been outlined to address the challenges facing the town, helping to provide long-lasting benefits for local people and create a nationally significant visitor offer to support COVID-19 recovery. The four interventions outlined include Scaling Margate’s Creative Production and Skills, Coastal Wellbeing, Public Realm and Connections and Supporting and Diversifying Heritage Assets.
The full document can be read here.
17-03-2021 | NEW POSITIONS AT WE MADE THAT
Are you driven by wanting to help create equitable cities through incisive research and impactful projects? One of these three positions could be for you:
Senior Urban Designer (Projects leader)
The ideal candidate will be responsible for delivering masterplans and area strategies at a range of scales across the capital and the UK and will be responsible for leading small project teams. Job description here.
Architectural Assistant (Part I/II)
The ideal candidate will have a desire to work on urban-scale strategies, participative co-design projects and early stages of architectural project development. Job description here.
Studio and Bid Coordinator
The ideal candidate would have previous public sector bidding experience and enjoy a collaborative environment alongside a highly motivated team of architects, urban designers, researchers and admin staff. Job description here.
Deadline for applications is 18th April 2021. See more information in each of the job descriptions.
We Made That is London Living Wage accredited and an equal opportunities employer. We are keen that our practice reflects the diversity of communities we design for, and welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
10-03-2021 | PENSTOCK TUNNEL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
We Made That are delighted to be engaging on our proposals to improve Penstock Tunnel and the open space at the eastern entrance of the tunnel. Following our last public engagement event in September 2019, we have been updating our proposals alongside lighting designers Studio Dekka, and artist Emma Smith, to take on on board comments from the public.
The proposals seek to create better connections between the east and west of the borough with improvements including drainage, wayfinding, lighting and landscaping, along with an integrated artwork commission. The project is part of the wider Connecting Wood Green programme supported by the Greater London Authority’s Good Growth Fund.
Exhibition boards detailing the proposals are available to view on site between 8 – 21 March 2021, as well as on the Haringey Council Penstock Tunnel Improvements page here.
08-03-2021 | WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2021
Congratulations to associate Nisha Kurian who has been recognised in The Planner’s Women of Influence for 2021!
Nisha is one of the programme leaders who has initiated RE—SET—GO, a programme with the mission of diversifying architecture practices and built environment professions. One hundred and fifty individuals from under-represented backgrounds will benefit through paid work experience, workshops and one-to-one mentoring. She has recently written for ICON on diversity and representation, saying: “If we are going to be serious about promoting greater diversity within the profession, then we need to proactively create the pathways and opportunities for access into the sector.” Professionally, she has led a number of influential planning and placemaking projects at We Made That, including Battersea Design and Tech Quarter Framework, Purley Way Masterplan and Park Royal Centre Masterplan.
25-02-2021 | Dealing with empty shops - a good practice guide for councils
We Made That were commissioned by the Local Government Association to produce best practice guidance to inform local authorities about what they can do to address the issue of vacant units in high streets and town centres. The guidance document has now been published and is available here.
This research is in response to growing vacancy on high streets and town centres, worsened by the significant reduction in demand for products and services from high streets as a result of the pandemic and associated restrictions. The impact of this is that many high street businesses, from individual units to large department stores, are reducing their presence in town centres - leaving the area and remaining neighbouring businesses with potential negative long-term consequences.
Councils will be keen to avoid a downward spiral and may decide to intervene, especially in those areas where it is clear that properties will never return to their former retail use. Our research presents a framework of best practice case studies on interventions, including opportunities for the provision of public or community services in former retail property, as well as a series of available council powers and funding sources used to tackle vacancy.
23-02-2021 | Harlesden Canalside – public virtual events
The aim of this project is to create a flagship community hub.
We’d really like plans to be driven by the community, with the team guiding the direction of the project to ensure this new space is financially sustainable.
The team are working with local people and groups to experiment and determine what uses would be most viable and suitable for people who work and live nearby. This will inform creation of the business plan and the associated design of the project.
We have already been engaging with local residents, businesses and groups through a range of conversations, and are now launching activities to understand what could happen in this space. We would love you to attend!
We would like to talk further with you about our findings through the upcoming events:
- 4th March 2021 – Harlesden Virtual Quiz
- 15th March 2021 –Harlesden Canalside ‘Your Voice Matters’ Webinar
- 18th March 2021 - Business Workshop
- Canal walk/kids activity pack – please see the link for further information here > FREE activity pack
Further information can be found here and/or contact the Community Co-ordinator Anita anita@3space.org.
19-02-2021 | Folkestone Place Plan
We Made That has been appointed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council to deliver a Place Plan for Folkestone Town Centre, rebalancing the relationship between the seafront and the rest of the town. This work is especially relevant now as high streets and town centres are high on the agenda, as is the focus away from major cities and onto previously overlooked places.
While there has been vital investment in Folkestone’s creative quarter, it is important to develop a plan that will holistically consider the needs of the town in its entirety. To do this, We Made That has brought together a team of specialists, with transport and infrastructure consultants Steer; socio-economic analysts PRD; and professional licensing policy advice provided by the Night Time Industries Association. Fletcher Priest architects will contribute their expertise to the architecture of specific opportunity sites.
Working with the Council, We Made That and partners will be engaging with stakeholders, businesses and residents, businesses to identify opportunities to build on the inherent strengths of the town centre.
18-02-2021 | TALK TO US ABOUT NORTH WATFORD
Watford Borough Council has appointed a team led by We Made That alongside Steer and AspinallVerdi to work with local residents, businesses and the wider community to develop plans for the improvement of North Watford.
The project seeks to enhance the existing distinctive character of the area by:
- Creating a more inviting space that people want to spend time in
- Improving the trading environment on this part of St Albans Road
- Promoting a safer environment
Your feedback is very important to us and we want to ensure everyone is involved in the future of the area, please register your interest and get involved here.
11-02-2021 | Purley Way transformation survey and masterplan consultation launched
Croydon Council commissioned We Made That along with collaborators Hawkins\ Brown, Steer, Hatch Regeneris, Cushman & Wakefield and Resolve Collective to develop a Masterplan for the future of Purley Way. The Purley Way is one of the areas earmarked in the council’s Local Plan Review for future transformation and growth, including housing, jobs, improved transport access, more public open spaces and social infrastructure.
The Masterplan is at a draft stage which is now out for consultation. The consultation is an opportunity for residents, businesses and visitors to feedback on the draft masterplan, proposals, and outline their priorities around sustainable growth for the Purley Way area, which stretches from the boundary with Purley up to Valley Park. It includes an online survey, as well as three online seminars in February and March open to the public and key stakeholders.
If you are local to the area or are familiar with the Purley Way, then visit www.purleywayfinders.com/consultation to get involved and contribute to the consultation process!
More information about the Purley Way Masterplan project can be found here.
09-02-2021 | RE—SET—GO mentoring - book now
We’ve now launched 1-to-1 mentoring sessions and “CV surgeries” through a series of free, regular and bookable slots with London Practice Forum architecture practices. 80 sessions are on offer between now and June 2021 and can be easily booked through eventbrite.
You can book free mentoring and Q&A sessions to gain career guidance, improved awareness of career opportunities as well as being an opportunity to discuss ‘hot topics’ that concern the built environment today. You can also book free 1-to-1 CV surgery sessions to help prepare for the workplace and gain advice on CV creation/ update or making job applications.
More here.
28-01-2021 | LGA Dealing with empty shops webinar
Holly will be presenting our recent good practice research on dealing with empty shops, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), at an LGA webinar on the 10th of February, 10.30-12pm. The webinar will be an opportunity for councillors and council officers to hear our findings, along with more detail from two best practice case studies in the guidance, presented by Katherine Kynaston, Director of Housing, Employment & Infrastructure, Housing and Communities at Telford & Wrekin Council, and Peter Chandler, Head of Economic Regeneration at Leicester City Council.
This research is in response to growing vacancy on high streets and town centres, worsened by the significant reduction in demand for products and services from high streets as a result of the pandemic and associated restrictions. The impact of this is that many high street businesses, from individual units to large department stores, are reducing their presence in town centres - leaving the area and remaining neighbouring businesses with potential negative long-term consequences.
Councils will be keen to avoid a downward spiral and may decide to intervene, especially in those areas where it is clear that properties will never return to their former retail use. Our research presents a framework of best practice case studies on interventions, including opportunities for the provision of public or community services in former retail property, as well as a series of available council powers and funding sources used to tackle vacancy.
27-01-2021 | LOCKWOOD WAY SUBMITTED FOR PLANNING
We Made That have submitted the Lockwood Way scheme to planning. Proposals include improvements to the public realm and building frontages on the industrial estate in Walthamstow - which is situated off Blackhorse Lane - and will support public-facing activity and events held on-site held by the tenants. The estate is home to Wild Card Brewery and now Hackney Brewery - who are opening up their new tap room at Lockwood Way in the Spring - as well as other light industrial uses.
The project team consists of Europa (graphic designers), Stockdale (quantity surveyors) and ABA (civils and highways) and is funded by London Borough of Waltham Forest.
27-01-2021 | WMT x Goldsmiths Live Brief
Rachel and Mark have been involved in writing a ‘live brief’ for Year 2 BA Design students at Goldsmiths, University of London. The brief sets out a 6 week design project, based on our work at We Made That. It looks into current topics including social value and 15 minute neighbourhoods as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 25th January they launched the brief, alongside others from Facebook Augmented Reality and Apple Design Group. They will be involved in attending interim and final crits and look forward to seeing the student responses!
21-01-2021 | NDSA PRACTICE PROFILE EVENT
Holly will be speaking at the The Nottingham and Derby Society of Architects event on Tuesday 16th February, 6.30-8.00pm. The event is a Practice Profile on We Made That, where Holly will present and discuss the origins and ethos of the practice, as well as some recent projects.
Holly co-founded We Made That in 2006. She has led a unique range of urban projects for the practice, from pioneering industrial intensification work through to comprehensive high street regeneration projects. This includes the research portfolio of the practice, with particularly incisive studies of local economies and placemaking across London.
Tickets for the event are available for free here.
08-01-2021 | FUTURE HIGH STREETS FUND SUCCESS
We Made That are delighted to announce that three of our projects have been successful in being awarded the Government’s Future High Streets Fund:
£17m for Woolwich (Royal Borough of Greenwich) to transform its historic market core, supporting new uses and connections across the town centre - the largest FHSF award in London!
£10m for Tottenham (London Borough of Haringey) to support the High Road and its surroundings with new uses and improved infrastructure, alongside major investment in its unique historic character.
£6.4m for the town of March in Fenland (Fenland District Council) to support transformative public realm at the town centre, and series of small scale mixed-use development proposals.
The bids were developed with collaborators Hatch Regeneris, Urban Movement, PRD, Gort Scott, Authentic Futures, Stockdale and Gerald Eve.
For more information on the £830 million funding boost for 72 high streets in England to recover from the pandemic and deliver ambitious regeneration plans is available here.
08-01-2021 | Back of House
Behind the stage curtain and in the big sheds
The economic importance of the creative industries to the London and UK economies is well researched and understood. But the creative industries do not operate in isolation and their daily activities rely on a mix of different kinds of businesses. London’s ‘creative supply chain’ - the set of goods and services that support at various stages creative consumption and / or production - is easily forgotten and not always well understood. These supply chains go deep into areas that people might not expect.
So much activity exists out of sight – off stage and ‘behind the curtain’. Making and manufacturing can be found in many different parts of the capital, reflecting a wide range of sectors and specialisms. Combined with logistics and other light industrial urban services, these play a vital role in London’s economy, delivering the goods and services so essential for the capital to thrive. We all know the city is home to a diverse range of workspaces, from converted warehouses, to newly built industrial spaces and small-scale design and artist studios. These support and sustain a huge array of activities within the creative and cultural sectors, as well as more broadly.
This is what makes London tick. It breeds the city’s success.
...Read More
The complexity and intricate relationships that exist between sectors, businesses, workers and geographies is difficult to reveal and demonstrate. Catching and steering change requires confidence in which levers should be pulled and understanding of how the public sector can intervene effectively. The inter-connectivity of the sectors involved – economic development, culture, regeneration - doesn’t always easily map through to the structures of local government decision makers. Unlike other city-shaping issues, such as housing, transport or waste management, the ‘economy’ is less tangible, consisting of an array of interdependencies which cannot easily be captured (and therefore planned for).
But our team has been trying.
Employment land reviews, drawing on forecasts of economic trends and anticipated business needs to recommend the safeguarding or release of different types of floorspace are the main tool used by local authorities to inform planning policy formulation and assessment of development proposals. Whilst these forge a robust and logical link between land use policies and anticipated business needs, they can often overlook the interdependencies that exist between businesses in different sectors, the complexity of supplier, customer and employee relationships, as well as the broad range of stakeholders involved in the day-to-day functioning of local economies. These overlooked aspects can be qualitative – or ‘soft’ – considerations that relate to operational, social or cultural behaviours.
Greater fidelity of understanding is required to make good decisions. That intelligence – in our case, driven by our urban research team – is a rigorous reminder to architects and urbanists delivering our cities. This has been a way of working for our practice for some time now.
Reflecting on it, we don’t know how else you can reasonably design. Surely you observe; study; interrogate, then speculate; test; iterate, then shape; design; construct. How do you arrive at successful parts of the urban fabric if you miss out any of these steps – or simply chose to land at what you want as a designer? To embed research as a way of practicing seems to remove ego from city-shaping. There’s simply no space for it when quietly assembling evidence and argument in the background.
Process of uncovering and rolling our sleeves up
Industrial areas in London have not been particularly well-understood. Contrary to the stereotyped mono-culture of ‘dirty uses’ such as breakers yards and car mechanics, these spaces host a huge variety of businesses from larger wholesalers and logistics uses serving central London’s residents and economies through to small photography studios and manufacturers which form an integral part of London’s much-envied creative industries. It’s probably fair to say that most people have no idea what is made and assembled in their local area and what happens in those big sheds.
It is difficult to gain an appreciation of the scale, purpose and ‘behind the curtain’ activity of these businesses without observing them first hand. The urban research team at We Made That has completed granular employment audits of over 1,400ha of employment land, 3,500+ businesses and 52,000+ jobs in London, including auditing of artists’ workspace, creative studios space, dance performance and rehearsal facilities across the capital. We’ve sought to reveal the activity, businesses and people behind the statistics. This includes commissioned studies with clear research outcomes, but it’s also a mode of practice that underpins strategies, masterplans and delivery projects. We always look first.
In different locations, we have used data collected from weeks and weeks of surveying and hundreds of interviews with businesses to give an insight into what people make, the facilities they operate from and demonstrate the local links and contributions made by particular business to others in their area. In these studies, a mix of granular survey and interview data is used to get under the skin of what happens in local economies. It’s fieldwork and it requires time spent on the ground, as well as a keen eye to reveal links. The interdependencies between businesses and their contribution to London as a whole are drawn out, and the productivity and resilience of these areas are highlighted.
In areas of rapid change, statistical data is certainly useful to give a means of comparison and a basis upon future scenario and trends can be built, but it is not sufficient to understand the full ecologies of places. The data is out of date by the time it hits the desk. Getting ahead of data through site visits, observations and discussion with local businesses allows us to get a more nuanced understanding of areas’ make up and businesses’ activities. There is often a large amount of activity missing from the statistical view.
Statistical data relies on Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) which are industry-defined rather than activity defined. Business clusters are therefore often over-looked in categories commonly employed, and we’ve found this to be a recurring theme when it comes to creative supply chains.
For example, where do you think one of Europe’s largest purpose-built underwater film studios, including where Harry Potter and James Bond was shot, is located? Answer: A quiet industrial estate on the outskirts of Basildon. Where do you think hair pieces for blockbuster films such as Matt Damon’s The Martian and Lord of the Rings are made? Answer: A local authority run workspace in Tottenham.
Such gems and activity to celebrate are often concealed in the data or missing altogether.
Gathering data on site through door-to-door assessment is time consuming though – a process of fieldwork and ethnographic study that can feels unreplaceable by ‘big data’. Our developed methodologies allow us to compile precise, centralised and accessible quantitative data on businesses and employment. Information gathered includes figures on employment and productivity, operations and supply chains but also more qualitative data around physical attributes of the area and premises, business tenure, connectedness to other local enterprise, social networks, business needs and plans for the future, business views on the area; hopes, fears and dreams!
Hopes, fears and dreams. What does it all mean?
While there is much to celebrate, London is losing space for production and industry. The need to house a growing population within a constrained city region and the resulting loss of industrial land is reducing the city’s capacity as a place of production and will ultimately threaten London’s position on the global culture stage. The interrelationship between industrial workspace, creative production and cultural consumption in London can appear both fragile and amazingly resilient to change.
The auditing process and studies can help play an important role in explaining the trends and patterns in data, particularly at local level. Talking to local businesses, collecting the views of the broad range of stakeholders involved in the day to day functioning of local economies will not only enhance overall understanding of the local economy, but it is also likely to reveal the value, beyond pure economic value, that businesses and organisations provide – for example social or environmental value. Particular activities are cherished by communities, some contribute to local economic diversity and more broadly underpin the human vitality that characterise local economies. In the context of COVID-19 these ecologies of activities and supply chains have been stretched.
The creative industries in London spend an estimated £40bn within wider supply chains in London alone. About 50 per cent of this expenditure falls outside the creative sectors, including such things as manufacturing of products of wood, manufacturing of fabricated metal products, specialised construction activities, wholesale of textiles, and logistics and distribution of supplies. Over 112,000 creative jobs could be lost in London this year. But we mustn’t forget there are a further 42,000 jobs at risk in London-based supply chains outside the creative industries.
We’re seeing how enterprises and individuals are reacting. Within these studies there are good lessons to be learned about local and individual initiatives that could be replicated or built upon to increase collaboration, innovation or resilience. In Hackney Wick we spoke to a cluster of food businesses who were able to share a forklift truck between them – reducing capital expenditure of each of them as individual enterprises. This one small example demonstrates equipment sharing between co-located businesses at a neighbourhood level. Such shared resources – and skills – will always be economically and socially important.
Influence, policy and impact
We believe that representing the diversity of urban economies opens up alternative, more inclusive approaches to urban economic development based on recognising, supporting and nurturing a spectrum of activity. Mix is good for our city, it always has been. Even more so than before the current pandemic, urban strategies for circular economy principles and relationships to climate crisis and social value need to be drivers for change.
Articulating this and shaping decision-making at a city level is what has driven us to take up progressive thinking in relation to London’s industrial places, including proposals for industrial intensification and co-location. This began in 2015, when we worked to develop the Mayor of London’s Industrial Land Supply and Economy Study. This study was among the first to highlight the emerging need for a changing approach to industrial uses in London. Now, as we shift into new thinking about space for production activities, we recognise their significance for businesses and for London as a whole, as well as the pressures facing local authorities and policy makers to allow intensification of such uses.
Adopting a holistic approach to the creative industries must be rooted in a recognition of the interconnected relationship between creative production and cultural consumption. London’s world-class cultural institutions rely on a range of production and support activities spanning across sectors, workspace typologies and locations. Our hope is that by allowing these enterprises to step forward from behind the stage curtain, we can reveal their value to the city and secure their future as part of the invaluable diversity of the capital.
By Oliver Goodhall & Lili Lainé
Published in Urban Design Group Magazine, Winter 2021, Issue 157.
Read Less05-01-2021 | Margate Town Investment Plan submitted to MHCLG
The Margate Town Investment Plan provides a long term plan to transform Margate and act as a catalyst for future investment. Submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in December as part of the Town Deal process, the plan identifies £29m of interlinked investments. The bid was developed by We Made That and PRD, alongside Thanet District Council, the Town Team, People’s Panel, stakeholders, local businesses and the community. The full document can be read here.
Four project interventions have been outlined to address the challenges facing the town, helping to provide long-lasting benefits for local people and create a nationally significant visitor offer to support COVID-19 recovery. The bid for £29m includes £9m investment in Scaling Margate’s Creative Production and Skills, £6.5m investment in Coastal Wellbeing, £4.5m investment in Public Realm and Connections and £9m investment in Supporting and Diversifying Heritage Assets.
Feedback from central government is expected by spring this year. If Heads of Terms are agreed, the Board will have 12 months to develop business cases for the selected projects with local partners, stakeholders and the People’s Panel.
16-12-2020 | Meet Anita - Our Harlesden Canalside Community Coordinator
We’re delighted to welcome Anita Whittaker to the Harlesden Canalside project team as our Local Community Coordinator. Anita will work with the team to assist, plan, develop and run an exciting programme of events and activities for the project. As a 3rd generation Harlesden resident and an active member of the local community, Anita will play a key part in the engagement and prototyping phase, where the team will work will local people and groups to discuss, experiment and determine what uses would be most suitable and sustainable for Harlesden Canalside.
Click here to watch a video to find out more about the work Anita is doing and her role in the project. To say hello to Anita and tell her about your interest in the project you can contact her via anita@3space.org.
For more information about the Harlesden Canalside project, please visit https://harlesdencanalside.co.uk.
10-12-2020 | Afterparti x RE—SET—GO
We are excited to announce that we will be collaborating with Afterparti on the RE—SET—GO programme. Afterparti is a fresh-thinking, architecture-infused collective with an event-and-zine series of the same name. Born out of the New Architecture Writers (N.A.W.) programme, they explore big ideas about contemporary urban space through the lenses of identity and race.
Afterparti will act as critical friends and challengers of the RE—SET—GO programme, helping to reflect and build on the experience of participants and ensure we deliver a sustainable programme for the future. Through activities such as zine-making and Social Mixers, they will be checking and challenging our biases to ensure that the programme centres participants’ voices and is as educational, empowering and uplifting as possible.
Applications for paid work placements are now open. The deadline to apply is 6pm, 11 January 2021. Find out more about RE—SET—GO.
08-12-2020 | WHEN IS AN ARCHITECT NOT AN ARCHITECT? - ARCHITECTS AFTER ARCHITECTURE BOOK LAUNCH
Holly has recently contributed to “Architects After Architecture” with her piece “When is an Architect not an Architect”? The publication, edited by Harriet Harriss, Rory Hyde, Roberta Marcaccio, seeks to answer: what can you do with a degree in architecture, where might it take you, and what kind of challenges could you address? It reframes architecture as a uniquely versatile way of acting on the world, far beyond that of designing buildings.
In this volume, 40 practitioners who have used their architectural training in new and resourceful ways, together describe a future of architecture that is diverse and engaged, expanding the limits of the discipline, and offering new paths forward in times of crisis.
The book launch is on Wednesday 16th December, with a virtual presentation in collaboration with the Architectural Association, scheduled at 6.30pm. Please join us then if you can!