We Made That

We Made That aims to be better for everyone

We Made That starts a project by developing the brief with the stakeholders. But it’s not altruism that drives their commitment to community and forgotten spaces.

It’s said often enough that architects need to get out of their professional ghetto, collaborate with other professions and trades, be less concerned with look-at-me buildings and more with the public realm, do solid research, hit the streets and talk to real people more. It’s hard to disagree, especially when you are talking to one of the now firmly established practices which does all these things. Here they are, and they are called We Made That.

See full article on The RIBA Journal here: 

https://www.ribaj.com/culture/we-made-that-architects-as-strategists-public-spaces

Social value has been firmly on the public sector agenda since 2012 when it gained a formal place on the pre procurement radar of public sector clients with the passing of the Social Value Act. Under the Act, Social Value is considered in three parts: social, economic and environmental. Since 2018 it has moved further up the agenda after even the notoriously dry Treasury Green Book sought to include social value in its guidance on how to appraise and evaluate projects.

These developments have altered the procurement process, as commissioners have been asked to increasingly asked to consider how to get more social value for money out of procurement. They are considering how best to secure wider social, economic and environmental benefits for their area or stakeholders, often as a ‘by-product’ of the original commission. Any tender should therefore target these three parts of social value directly, demonstrating how the practice will enhance social value through each one specifically.

In a competitive tender market, at We Made That we’re always seeking to maximise the social value that can be realised through the processes and outcomes of our work.  One approach that we’ve found to be successful is to work in collaboration with other practices, local partners or stakeholders to enhance social value in both the tender and delivery process.

Collaboration offers multiple opportunities to boost social and economic benefits to a project. For example, including team members with a close relationship to the local community, or collaborating with local practices to support spend in the local economy of a project.

One example of this approach is our current work on a mixed-use masterplan for the Purley Way in Croydon. We Made That are leading a large project team, including design collective, Resolve, an interdisciplinary team which combines architecture, engineering, technology and art to address social challenges. They have a close relationship to the local community in Croydon having grown up in the area, and frequently work with youth and under-represented groups in society and engaging them in the design process, as well as working with local communities as stakeholders in the short and long term management of local projects. Resolve are leading the engagement strategy for the masterplan and have developed an online platform in response to COVID-19 implications, to crowd source stories, memories and local knowledge about the area. At the other end of the practice scale spectrum, the project team also includes Hawkins\ Brown, who are long-term collaborators with We Made That, bringing their diverse team and experience to the project.

Supporting spend in the local economy can also offer ‘added value’ to a project. In 2017, We Made That were appointed by Harrow Council to lead on the design of the new public space in the centre of Wealdstone, with the intention of using the project to bring the community together. This included building an identity for Wealdstone which celebrated the town centre and it’s successful activity. We collaborated with Spacemakers and design studio, Silo, alongside local graphic designer Karolina Ciakaite who led a series of workshops for a group of local young people to research, design and produce furniture for the new square. This was a direct response to addressing the emerging challenge of a lack of activity for young people due to cuts to youth services, and the resulting negative perception of groups hanging around the town. The Wealdstone Youth Workshop produced ‘The Wealdstone Leg’, a furniture component that forms the basis of a range of stools, benches and chairs to be used in the square. The resulting furniture is also available to buy, with all proceeds going back into the project, and the workshop participants each receiving a royalty on sales as well as a stipend for taking part in the project.

In addition to social value gained for the local community through collaboration, We Made That directly experience the additional value offered through a collaborative approach; working with larger or more established practices helps to open doors that otherwise might not otherwise be open to us, and working with more recently established practices brings new ideas and energy to the team, whilst providing a helpful ‘hand up’. In a global context that’s keeping us all physically apart, we will continue to pursue project that bring teams and communities together.

By Lorna Reed

See article on Building Design Online here: 

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/briefing/in-a-world-thats-keeping-us-apart-lets-work-together/5106593.article

We Made That are looking for two new team members to join the practice: a skilled Part I Architectural Assistant and an early-career Urban Research Assistant with a minimum degree level qualification in urban studies/economics/geography or a similar related discipline.

Architectural Assistant (part I)

The role includes working on urban-scale strategies, participative co-design projects and early stages of project development. You must be a talented designer and have good technical knowledge with a great eye for presentation. Excellent communication skills and a desire to contribute to lively creative & productive team working required. Job description pdf.

Urban Research Assistant

The role includes contributing fieldwork and desk- based data auditing to a number of research commissions spanning spaces of culture industry and employment. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research design and methods a conscientious approach to research and the ability to build manage and analyse large datasets. Job description pdf.

Deadline for applications is Friday 29th May 2020 and details of how to apply can be found in the job description pdfs above.

We Made That, “polemic, provocative and, in most cases, imminently practical, inviting the reader to ask what it really means to make “good” architecture today.”

We Made That feature alongside the London Practice Forum in Ark - the Finnish Architectural Review - in an article about the potential for architects to take collective action on ethical grounds. It includes our “Things We Won’t Do” manifesto, first exhibited at the Royal Academy’s What is radical today? show in 2019.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

What is radical today? 40 positions on architecture in the Architecture Studio at the Royal Academy of Arts.

We Made That are part of a free exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts that brings together 40 radical visions on how architecture can respond to today’s rapidly changing world, featuring the likes of Denise Scott Brown, Sam Jacob and Peter Cook. 

The display runs from 6th September to 7th November 2019 at the Architecture Studio, the Dorfman Senate Rooms, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts.

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.