We Made That

A new member has joined our team!

Szandra is a Studio and Bidding Assistant at We Made That. Prior to this she was responsible for bid and project support at Cousins & Cousins architects and 6a architects, and gained programme managing experience from her time at New London Architecture. She has also coordinated and delivered exhibition projects directly for the Greater London Authority, City of London Corporation and NLA.

We Made That and Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy were commissioned by the Local Government Association to produce a guide for local authorities on writing a cultural strategy. The published guide offers a core framework approach along with key considerations that can be adapted by local authorities looking to develop a cultural strategy. The guide also presents a set of case studies and best practice points under each key consideration.

This guide is vital in helping local authorities to maximise the impact of cultural assets for community cohesion, as well as the local economies in which they sit.

Read the full guide here. 

We Made That remain committed to our clients and the communities that we work in. We understand our collective and social responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have the infrastructure to effectively maintain the functioning of the office and business during this challenging period.

All meetings are being moved to virtual platforms and all engagement events are being postponed or adapted to online methods.

Best wishes to all our clients collaborators and communities during this time.

‘A Home for Culture’ Thamesmead’s Cultural Infrastructure Plan is the first localised cultural infrastructure plan in London. We Made That led a team including Hatch Regeneris and Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy to produce the plan and supporting evidence bases. It has been nearly two years in the making and sets out Peabody’s commitment to creating a network of new cultural spaces as part of the long term regeneration plans for Thamesmead.

The Cultural Infrastructure Plan provides the opportunity to hard-wire culture into Thamesmead, by planning for culture in the same way as we plan for housing and transport. It puts artist housing on the agenda and focuses on both small and large cultural facilities, such as a new home for our community radio station and archive, to large scale production facilities and a new waterfront arts centre.

Read the plan here.

We Made That are delighted to announce the launch of the ‘Industrial Intensification and Co-Location Study’ research for the Greater London Authority as part of the Good Growth By Design programme.

The project team, We Made That, Savills, Feasibility, and Momentum were commissioned by the Greater London Authority to explore the potential for intensifying use of London’s industrial land, in response to new policies in the draft London Plan.

The study is based on a range of model sites, selected to typify London’s industrial areas in scale, value and accessibility. It investigates the design challenges, underlying costs and viability of ambitious mixed-use. It provides guidance on approaches to industrial intensification including co-location with residential and tests the viability and deliverability of various proposals.

We Made That have been appointed by Croydon Council to analyse existing community facilities in central Croydon, and to develop ideas for improving the current offer; improving accessibility, extending hours of use, diversifying range of available spaces and increasing activation and programming. In exploring the existing community spaces, the team will identify gaps in provision and develop a clear and deliverable strategy for reimagining and transforming the community facilities landscape of Croydon.

We Made That is supported by economic consultancy PRD and engagement specialist Migrant’s Bureau to deliver this project which will include a series of engagement events to understand community needs and aspirations, as well as generate ideas collaboratively with the local population and existing voluntary and community sector organisations. 

We Made That-led team picked for major Purley Way masterplan, along with collaborators Hawkins\ Brown, Steer, Hatch Regeneris, Cushman & Wakefield and Resolve Collective. The 140ha mixed-use masterplan will create a framework for high quality development including new and intensified industrial uses and a step change in mixed use and residential development.

Anisha Jogani, Team Leader of the Placemaking Team at Croydon Council, says “The masterplan is a significant opportunity for the council to be at the forefront of shaping change coming forward along the Purley Way, in order to support Croydon’s need housing and employment space, and supporting infrastructure. The project will create an opportunity to test the future of out-of-town and industrial and retail locations and how they evolve into mixed use neighbourhoods. We are delighted to have We Made That and the rest of the team are on board who will use their breadth of experience to tackle the big challenges along the Purley Way head on”.

Oliver will be co-delivering a workshop and talk in Goa, India at A Social Design Festival - organized by Kokum, a design trust founded by five members in Goa - as part of a programme to connect government, designers and active citizens.

From 17 - 19 February, along with Malini Krishnankutty and the State Government, Oliver will be mentoring a 3 day workshop on urban mobility in Panaji. Participation is open to architects, urban planners, engineers, systems thinkers, behavioural researchers, design professionals and students.

On 20 February Oliver will be presenting We Made That’s work on environment and governance as part of the conference programme.

More info: Social Design Festival

We Made That are delighted to announce the launch of the Public Spaces Programme 2020, organised with The London Society.

This year The London Society are exploring the theme of ‘public’ for a series of talks, panel discussions, walks and tours. ‘Public’ is identified as a key ingredient to all cities, as the space where we interact with other citizens, and the quality and efficiency of these spaces that determines liveability. The series will therefore explore a series of issues including public space, public transport, public art and public housing. We Made That are curating the ‘public spaces’ element of this series.

The first events as part of the Public Spaces programme include:

TALK | Public Spaces, Diverse Places: identity and race and the public realm, Thursday, 20 February 2020

Nile Bridgeman (Afterparti) and Akil Scafe-Smith (Resolve) discuss their articles from Afterparti Issue 00, unpacking contemporary urban space through the lenses of identity and race.

TALK | OK Boomer! - Age and the Public Realm, Tuesday 3rd March 2020

A panel discussion on the implications for public space design of an ageing population, chaired by Holly Lewis.

We Made That is working with Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy and Hatch Regeneris for the London Borough of Hounslow on a market study and creative industry strategy for the Great West Corridor.

The Great West Corridor is a key strategic employment location located in the eastern part of the borough. It is designated as an Opportunity Area by the draft new London Plan and is one of the major drivers of London’s creative economy, with unique global connections dominating the Broadcast, Digital and IT sectors. The area is considered to be a potential key area for enhancing the creative sector and was designated as Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) by the Mayor of London in 2018.

The study will provide an in-depth understanding of the current economic, sectoral and business level make-up of the Great West Corridor, identifying ways to strengthen and increase the creative sector in the area and providing evidence to supplement the existing Great West Corridor CEZ Action Plan as well as supporting future interventions. 

We Made That have been commissioned to deliver a significant redesign of the highways and public realm of Greenwich Town Centre, part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. 

Part of TfL’s Liveable Neighbourhood programme, proposals include the removal of the town centre gyratory to create significant additional public space and dedicated cycle facilities which will be a key attribute of Cycleway 4 between Woolwich and Tower Bridge; supporting mode shift towards walking, cycling and public transport.

We Made That will be supported by a team including movement specialist, Urban Movement, heritage consultancy, AuthenticFutures and Professor of Horticulture, James Hitchmough. We will be working collaboratively with Royal Borough of Greenwich and Aecom to develop proposals from existing concept designs to completion on site. 

A new member has joined our team!

Freya is a Senior Architectural Assistant who recently completed her masters at Delft University of Technology. She has previously held positions at East architecture, landscape, urban design, Adams & Sutherland and Ash Sakula Architects gaining a broad range of experience of different urban design, public realm and co-design projects in London. 

We Made That are delighted to announce the launch of the ‘High Streets - Adaptive Strategies’ research for the Greater London Authority as part of the Good Growth By Design programme. 

The project team, We Made That, Gort Scott, Hatch Regeneris, Urban Shape, produced the research in collaboration with a number of London boroughs and key agents to emphasise public value of high streets and town centres. The study draws on ten case studies to showcase strategies for innovative responses to high street challenges and provides guidance on supporting London’s high streets in the face of significant change.

We Made That are looking for a Studio & Bidding Assistant to join our practice. This is a deadline-driven and busy support role in a collaborative environment alongside a highly motivated team of architects, urban designers, researchers and support staff.

You will support the wider team and practice manager in company marketing and communications, bidding for new work and supporting document production on projects. Strong communication skills, an interest in graphics and meticulous attention to detail would be desired. Experience in a similar role would be an advantage.

Deadline for applications is 28th February 2020 and details of how to apply can be found in the job description pdf.

We Made That have been appointed to work alongside Haworth Tompkins on the development of a multi-storey Industrial Intensification scheme in Barking. The scheme is commissioned by Be First, Barking and Dagenham’s urban regeneration company, and will act as an exemplar project for future industrial intensification schemes within the Borough and London-wide. Located within the Thames Road/River Road SIL, an area of key importance within the London Riverside Opportunity area, the proposal aims to provide viable and affordable workspace which meets the needs of local businesses.

We Made That have been appointed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council to develop a strategy for Guildhall Street, an important high street in Folkestone’s Town Centre. With one of the highest vacant rates in the Town Centre, Guildhall Street represents many of the challenges facing the UK’s high streets.

An intervention framework for Folkestone’s Guildhall Street will guide investment from Folkestone and Hyth District Council’s newly launched High Streets Fund and inform a future Town Centre strategy.

Join us to help shape a vision for Basildon Town Centre.

Wednesday 18th and Friday 20th December 2019 

1pm - 3pm 

Town Square

(opposite the former M&S building)

Basildon Borough Council commissioned We Made That and real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield to develop a Masterplan for the future of Basildon Town Centre. The Masterplan aims to build on the current assets of the town centre and identify where there are opportunities for improvement and development. It will set out a clear vision for the town centre that will guide regeneration activity by the council as well as encourage investment into the town centre. 

What do you like about Basildon Town Centre and what could there be more of? Come and have your say tell us what you like or what you want improved!

Two new members have joined our team! From left to right we welcome Cristina and Ella.

Cristina is joining us as a Senior Architectural Assistant, recently graduating from the London School of Architecture. Her thesis project explored the integration of new industrial typologies within the city through symbiotic exchanges between businesses and the community.

Ella is joining us as an Architectural Assistant, after graduating from the University of Cambridge. For her third year project, Ella designed a university building in Manchester with a focus on introducing greater public involvement to the institution.

Nisha will be speaking at the Looking at Best Practice talk, part of the Meaningful Engagement event by Urban Design London, at 14.00pm on Wednesday 4th December at Palestra House, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ.

The Meaningful Engagement event will look at the current policy drivers to empower communities, the unconscious assumptions we may make when considering and assessing schemes, the different techniques different projects may require and what is needed for an inclusive, meaningful engagement strategy.

Other speakers for the Looking at Best Practice talk include Nazeya Hussain (Director of Growth, LB Kingston), Hanna Benihoud (We are Streetspace), Iona Lawrence (The Cares Family), Ben Addy & Will Wright (Sustrans) and Fin McNab (Streets Reimagined).

Holly will be speaking at the Royal College of Art School of Architecture at 6.30pm on Monday 25th November at Darwin LT1, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2EU.

Holly will provide a whistle-stop tour through We Made That’s diverse portfolio of projects. With a focus on high streets, industrial places and public space, she will explain how the practice seeks to deliver public good through socially-engaged design processes.