We Made That

We are looking for examples and case studies of good practice when writing and implementing cultural strategies.

We Made That and Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy have been commissioned by the Local Government Association to produce a guide for local authorities on writing a cultural strategy. The guide will offer a core framework approach along with key considerations for developing a strategy. This work is vital in maximising the impact of cultural assets for community cohesion, as well as the local economies in which they sit. 

For this guide to have maximum impact, it is crucial that we receive your examples of good practice, as well as challenges you have faced and what was done to rectify the issues. This will allow us to address as many relevant themes as possible and provide the best guidance possible for councils looking to develop cultural strategies in the future. 

To respond to this call with your evidence and experience, please email lorna@wemadethat.co.uk by Friday 15th November. 

We Made That is working with Hatch Regeneris, PRD, 3Space, Graham Harrington Planning Advice and Stockdale on a spatial framework for the expansion of Kensal’s creative economy through the delivery of the Kensal Canalside Opportunity Area (KCOA). The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea were successful in securing Mayor’s Good Growth Fund (GGF) for £1m for a research and capital delivery project focused on employment delivery and the economy in and around the Opportunity Area. This has been match funded by £1m from the RBKC Capital Fund and the We Made That-led team commissioned.

The team will undertake research and develop interventions required to ensure that the KCOA’s development reflects, supports and boosts the creative economy alongside the local economy. Findings will underpin a framework, delivery plan and new employment space that creates opportunities in the short and medium term for North Kensington. The new workspace and interventions are expected to be delivered by 2021.

We Made That - supported by a team including Hatch Regeneris, Urban Movement, Graham Harrington Planning Advice and Stockdale - has been commissioned by London Borough of Wandsworth to produce an employment-led development framework for the Strategic Industrial Location and Industrial Business Park at the western end of the Nine Elms on the South Bank Opportunity Area.

Battersea Design & Tech Quarter aims to build on a strong existing creative economy which is forecast to develop further with future investment in the Nine Elms area, including the arrival of the UK headquarters of Apple and Penguin Random House. The arrival of the Northern Line, the expansion of the Royal College of Art’s Battersea campus and the ‘Apple effect’ is already generating investor interest in the area. Plans will draw on a strong existing design community in this part of Battersea with creative enterprises such as Philip Treacy, Vivienne Westwood and Foster and Partners and others.

We Made That, leading an exemplary consultant team, are excited to announce our successful bid to deliver the Tottenham High Road Masterplan. We will be working alongside well-established collaborators: Hatch Regeneris, PRD, Gort Scott, Urban Movement, AuthenticFutures and Stockdale.

Supporting the London Borough of Haringey in its ongoing regeneration programme for the Tottenham High Road area, the team will deliver an ambitious masterplan and lead the development of Concept Design and Business Cases to inform a Stage Two application to the Future High Streets Fund. In parallel, a supplementary package of interventions towards High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme funding will be developed, curating both sets of proposals to ensure a holistic approach to change. 

Proposals will include clear economic and social evidence, alongside well-crafted design embedded in people and place, to inform a selection of transformative projects to be brought forward. 

Come join We Made That at Eyesore Imprint publishing fair!

We Made That will be taking part in the Eyesore Imprint publishing fair exploring the city though print, on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December at The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, Fitzrovia, London, WC1E 7BT.

Rip it Up, Again

Holly Lewis will be in conversation with Thomas Aquilina, Marwa El Mubark and Siufan Adey from Afterparti, New Architecture Writers. They will be discussing setting an agenda for places and the profession through publishing, learning from We Made That’s Unlimited Edition newspapers and Afterparti’s fanzine. If we did it again what would we do differently? Our biggest mistakes, regrets and erratum laid bare. 

The Unlimited Edition

We will also have a stall where printed copies of The Unlimited Edition newspapers will be available, exploring, celebrating and speculating the future of places. Each issue is place-based, focussing on different cities across the UK and Europe, including Whitechapel, Bermondsey, Liverpool and Aarhus in Denmark.

More details of the event here

We Made That are excited to announce that we are working with Hatch Regeneris, PRD and Urban Movement on the second phase application for the ‘Future High Streets Fund’ for the town of March (Fenland, Cambridgeshire). 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has shortlisted March amongst 100 other town centres across England. The application will explore innovative responses to bring transformative change to March town centre. 

The strategy will develop proposals around transport, housing delivery and public services with associated business cases setting out how to regenerate and develop March town centre.

We Made That are delighted to announce East Street Exchange won the Best Small Project category in the Blueprint Awards 2019.

East Street Library is one of two ‘catalyst projects’ that have been delivered as part of a wider strategy What Walworth Wants commissioned by Southwark Council and the Greater London Authority to make significant improvements to the area.

The new extension allows the library to enhance its offer, providing an affordable space for local businesses and community groups, a flexible meeting space, and space for a homework club.

Read more on the judges comments here.

We Made That are looking for a skilled Part I/ II architectural assistant to join our practice. The ideal candidate would have a desire to work on urban-scale strategies, participative co-design projects and early stages of project development. 

Deadline for applications is 31st October 2019 and details of how to apply can be found in the job description pdf.

Holly will be speaking at the Museum of Architecture Special: Alternative Careers in Architecture event on Thursday 17th October at Benk + Bo, 4-6 Gravel Lane, Spitalfields, London, E1 7AW.

The discussion is part of a series of talks that explore the vision, ideas and approaches that architects bring to other professional environments. The series has brought together a broad spectrum of architects to talk about their respective forays into areas that go beyond traditional practice, featuring explorations into the power of data, communities, exhibitions, graphics and fashion.

Other speakers include Matt Thornley (Gibson Thornley Architects), Laura Sanjuan (SODA) and Chris Hildrey (Hildrey Studio), chaired by Robert Fiehn, a freelance communications consultant working within the built environment industry.

We are pleased to share that East Street Exchange has been shortlisted for the Best Small Project category in the Blueprint Awards 2019.

East Street Library is one of two ‘catalyst projects’ that have been delivered as part of a wider strategy What Walworth Wants commissioned by Southwark Council and the Greater London Authority to make significant improvements to the area.

The new extension allows the library to enhance its offer, providing an affordable space for local businesses and community groups, a flexible meeting space, and space for a homework club. Its proportions and materials are designed to be distinct from the existing building. Bright anodised cladding and a perforate ‘turret’ make it a characterful contribution to the neighbourhood. The interiors prioritise flexibility of use with bespoke furniture that can be ‘flat packed’ and stowed away on pegboard walls, clearing the space for alternative setups.

The full list of awards and nominees can be found online and the winner will be announced on the 17th October.

Share your views and help test ideas for improving Penstock Tunnel.

Join artist Emma Smith to explore how spaces, light and colour make us feel and contribute your ideas to the artwork she is creating.

Wednesday 11th September 2019

3pm - 7pm

Penstock Tunnel in Wood Green

(near Coburg Road)

Haringey Council has commissioned architects and urban designers We Made That for the design and delivery of public realm improvements to Penstock Tunnel in Wood Green, alongside artist Emma Smith and lighting designers Studio Dekka. The tunnel forms a strategic link connecting Wood Green town centre and Cultural Quarter in the east with Alexandra Palace and Park and Hornsey in the west. The proposals seek to create better connections across the borough with improvements including drainage, wayfinding, lighting and landscaping, as well as an integrated artwork commission.

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted in the ‘Breakthrough Talent’ category of the FX International Interior Design Awards, which take place on 27th November. To vote for us and see the complete shortlist click here.

We’re delighted to announce that Nisha Kurian has been promoted to be Associate at We Made That in recognition of the fantastic work and important role she plays in the practice. Nisha will take an increased role in leading projects, supporting the wider team and representing the practice.

We are delighted to announce that Holly Lewis has been shortlisted for the ‘Female Leadership Award’ at the Building Awards, which take place on 5th November. The complete shortlist can be found here.

We Made That are looking for an experienced urban researcher with knowledge of the London regeneration landscape to join our growing team in our London office. We are seeking a new team member at a senior level capable of working alongside the practice partners and senior management team. The ideal candidate will have experience in undertaking quantitative and qualitative research through analytical and engaged processes. The role includes contributing fieldwork, desk-based data auditing and strategy development spanning spaces of culture, industry and employment.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a small project team delivering urban research and strategy commissions.

Deadline for applications is 2nd October 2019 and details of how to apply can be found in the job description pdf.

We Made That are excited to announce that we are working with Gort Scott, Hatch Regeneris and Urban Shape on the ‘High Streets - Adaptive Strategies’ study for the Greater London Authority. The study will explore strategies for innovative responses to high street challenges, based in a range of case studies from across London. Each case study will make recommendations in response to a question with London-wide relevance including: what to do with empty large-format retail units, how to adapt to the ‘experience economy’ and how to embed community participation in high streets. The study is based on a body of research developed from previous studies such as High Streets for All.

We Made That recently enjoyed a team summer day out to Milton Keynes!

We took a trip to the MK Gallery where we went on a backstage tour by Deputy Director Kate Chadwick, learning about the cultural and community benefits of the extension and refurbishment. The new exhibition rooms, visitor cafe and retail spaces allow the gallery to host larger and higher profile exhibitions, attracting higher visitor numbers and widening the audience base of the gallery. 

We also took a visit to the current exhibition “Obedience and Defiance” by Paula Rego, enjoyed a picnic in Campbell Park, and a walk around Tree Cathedral (the plan of Norwich Cathedral planted in trees in 1986). 

We Made That are delighted to announce the appointment of artist Emma Smith for an integrated artwork commission as part of Penstock Tunnel public realm project in Wood Green.

Penstock Tunnel is a commission by Haringey Council, including an integrated public artwork as a key part of the project to activate and energise the space. We Made That have been working with UP Projects artwork curators during the artist selection process, which involved number of local residents, Heartlands School, Alexandra Palace Trust, the GLA and Haringey Council.

Emma Smith is a visual artist based in the UK and works internationally. Her work investigates human connectivity: relationship, communication and sense of place through specialist research and collaboration. We look forward to working together on the design of the public realm improvements and engaging with local people and groups to develop ideas.

We Made That have been appointed by the Greater London Authority, along with Graham Harrington Planning Advice and planning solicitors Sharpe Pritchard, to produce the Culture and Workspace Planning Guide that forms part of the Mayor of London’s Cultural Infrastructure Toolbox. It sits alongside and complements other documents in the Toolbox to support the implementation of the Culture Strategy for London (2018) and Cultural Infrastructure Plan (2019). The guide will set out best practice as well as detailed planning law policy and procedures, and will help a number of different partners involved in bringing forward cultural infrastructure and workspace.