As one of the UK’s leading forums for real estate, investment and infrastructure, UKREiiF provides an excellent platform for meaningful conversations around the future of our towns, cities and communities. It is an opportunity to reconnect with existing clients and collaborators, build new relationships, and take part in the discussions shaping the future of development across the UK.

Representing Associated Architects this year will be Tom Cotton, Associate Director from our Oxford studio, Craig Reed, Director from our Leeds studio, and Alex Paul, Director from our Birmingham studio. Each brings extensive experience across multiple sectors and regions, supporting clients with projects that deliver long-term value for people, places and communities.

Our Leeds team will also be attending a number of fringe events throughout the week, creating even more opportunities to meet, share ideas and strengthen connections across the industry.

Whether you are attending the main forum or one of the many fringe events taking place across the city, we would be delighted to connect. If you would like to arrange a meeting, grab a coffee, or discuss current and upcoming opportunities, please feel free to get in touch directly with our team:

Tom Cotton
Associate Director, Oxford
t.cotton@associated-architects.co.uk

Craig Reed
Director, Leeds
c.reed@associated-architects.co.uk

Alex Paul
Director, Birmingham
a.paul@associated-architects.co.uk

We are looking forward to another fantastic year at UKREiiF and to being part of the conversations that continue to shape the built environment across the UK.

The post Associated Architects Returning to UKREiiF 2026 appeared first on Associated Architects.

A huge congratulations to Stuart Lanigan in our Birmingham Studio on successfully completing his Part III and becoming a qualified architect.

Stuart’s qualification reflects not only his own achievement, but also the value of practices creating a supportive environments where learning, mentoring and professional growth are part of everyday work.

At Associated Architects, we are passionate about helping our team develop through every step of their career, from Part I Assistants through to qualified architects and beyond.

We are excited to see Stuart take this next step in his career and look forward to what comes next.

Congratulations, Stuart.

The post NEW ARCHITECT! appeared first on Associated Architects.

Appointed as part of the Department for Education’s redevelopment programme, Associated Architects is working alongside Galliford Try to deliver a purpose-built primary school for 466 pupils. The project will replace the existing facilities with a sustainable, modern learning environment designed to support both pupils and staff.

Drone photography captured in recent weeks highlights the pace of progress. The roof structure is nearing completion, all windows and glazing have been installed, and brickwork to the external façade is ongoing. Internally, partitions are being formed and MEP installations are advancing throughout the building.

The scheme has been carefully phased to allow the school to remain fully operational during construction. Phase 1 will deliver the new school building, ready for occupation. Phase 2 will follow with demolition of the existing school and the creation of new landscaping, parking and external spaces.

Working within a live school environment has required careful coordination, particularly given the site’s constraints. These include challenging level changes, a single access point, limited space for construction logistics, and the need to retain existing playing fields. Despite these challenges, the project continues to move forward in line with programme.

Once complete, Hill West Primary School will provide a cohesive, “one building” learning environment, designed to support efficient operation, integrate new technology, and create a lasting investment for the local community.

The post Hill West Primary School Shaping Up appeared first on Associated Architects.

Airtightness is one of the most critical measures of a Passivhaus building’s performance. The tighter the envelope, the less energy is lost, and the better the building performs for its occupants over the long term. Achieving a record result here reflects the care and precision that’s gone into every stage of construction.

The Global Health Building sits at the heart of Oxford’s Old Road Campus, designed to support the University’s growing ambitions in global health research. It’s a project we’ve been proud to be part of, and seeing it come together at this stage is genuinely exciting.

The building is now approaching completion, with external cladding largely in place and the envelope fully watertight. Inside, fit-out is well advanced, partitions are nearly complete, and ceilings and lighting are going in. The atrium, one of the most characterful spaces in the scheme, is taking shape too, with joinery now being installed. The outbuilding structure is also complete, rounding off construction across the whole site.

We can’t wait to see the building in use.

The post Great test result for the Global Health Building at Oxford appeared first on Associated Architects.

• Midlands Property Awards – ESG Category
• Midlands Property Awards – Building of the Year
• BCO Midlands Awards – ESG Category

Designed for Kier Property and delivered with a brilliant team, the project has transformed a 1990s office into 139,000 sq ft of high-performance, future-ready workspace in the Colmore Business District.

Sustainability and performance were embedded from the outset. The building achieves EPC A and BREEAM Excellent, with NABERS UK 5.0 Design Reviewed, and is targeting WELL Gold and WiredScore Gold. A fabric-first approach, all-electric systems and rooftop PV contribute to operational energy use 66% better than the UK office average.

Just as importantly, the scheme demonstrates the value of reuse. Retaining the existing structure and materials significantly reduced embodied carbon, while new interventions have created a vibrant, people-focused workplace centred around a 32m-high atrium.

Great to see retrofit, sustainability and long-term thinking being recognised at this level.

Project team: Willmott Dixon Interiors, Cundall, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, SBK Consulting Ltd, Colliers

The post 19 Cornwall Street shortlisted for three awards appeared first on Associated Architects.

Associate Director Reno Whitehead and Landscape Architect Sam Chi joined volunteers from WSP, AtkinsRéalis and Ramboll, contributing to the early stages of transforming a former historic rose garden into a new sunken garden.

The initiative was led by University of Birmingham Horticultural Supervisor Adrienne Wade, guiding the team through the site’s history and future vision.

This initial phase focused on the clearance and preparation of the existing planting beds. While physically demanding, this work is essential in setting the foundation for the next stage of the garden’s development.

The future scheme will introduce a diverse mix of herbaceous perennials alongside a striking collection of tree ferns, creating a layered and immersive landscape that reflects both botanical richness and spatial depth.

The transformation aims to reinterpret the historic garden setting while introducing a contemporary planting strategy.

As Phase 1 concludes, attention now turns to the next stage of works, where the vision for the new sunken garden will begin to fully take shape.

The volunteering day demonstrated the value of collaboration across the built environment sector, bringing together designers, engineers and specialists in a shared effort to enhance a significant local landscape.

We look forward to returning to Winterbourne to see the next phase of the garden realised.

The post Supporting the Transformation of Winterbourne Gardens appeared first on Associated Architects.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements and contributions of women across Associated Architects.

This year we are celebrating four colleagues who were recently promoted within the practice. Their progression reflects the talent, commitment and collaboration that shape our studios and projects.

We spoke to Rosangela Sinapi, Alexandra Slatter, Hannah Perry and Amy Kirby about their career journeys, the progress they have seen within the profession, and the changes they would still like to see in the future.

Alongside recognising individual achievements, the practice continues to support conversations about the experiences of women in architecture through initiatives such as the Women in Practice Focus Group, which provides a space for discussion, shared learning and peer support.

Rosangela Sinapi

Senior Architect

My recent promotion feels particularly rewarding within a practice that delivers meaningful projects and aligns its work with strong human values. During my time in the profession I have seen encouraging progress for women in architecture, and at Associated Architects I have experienced genuine support for women working in what has traditionally been a male dominated field. Initiatives such as the Women in Practice Focus Group are important because they create space for women to discuss issues that can sometimes be overlooked in the day to day pace of practice. Looking ahead, I would like to see more training within practices to help remove gender bias, alongside stronger and clearer action from professional bodies such as the ARB and RIBA against discrimination. For women starting their careers in architecture, my advice is simple: stay true to your passion, your values and your self respect.

Alexandra Slatter

Senior Associate

Being promoted within the practice is a reminder that hard work pays off, and it is rewarding to see that recognised. Architecture can be a demanding profession, so my advice to women starting their careers is to advocate for yourself, stay curious, continue investing in your skills and surround yourself with people who champion your development. During my career I have seen positive changes in how practices support working parents. Earlier on, enhanced maternity or paternity packages were rare, but initiatives such as the family friendly package introduced at Associated Architects in 2022 reflect a real shift in supporting long term careers in the profession. However, I would still like to see more women progressing into senior roles. Too many leave the profession before reaching that stage, so understanding and addressing those barriers is vital for meaningful change.

Hannah Perry

Senior Associate

I’m really pleased to have been promoted and to take on new responsibilities within the practice while continuing to develop professionally. For women starting their careers in architecture, my advice is to immerse yourself in the office environment. There is so much to learn from what is happening around you, and that learning continues throughout your career. I was fortunate to work alongside female architects from the beginning of my career, at a time when that was not always common. It has been encouraging to see the growing representation of women across architecture and the wider construction industry since then. Ultimately, I hope we reach a point where there is no longer a need to highlight women in the profession separately. Initiatives such as the Women in Practice Focus Group help create space for conversation and support across the practice.

Amy Kirby

Senior Chartered Architectural Technologist

Being promoted is really rewarding and reinforces that technologists can receive the recognition they deserve when they put the work in. My advice to women starting their careers, particularly those pursuing the technologist route, is to begin working towards MCIAT chartership as early as possible. Starting that process is an important step in believing in your own abilities. Having taken time to begin mine, I now wish I had done it sooner, as it helped me recognise just how much knowledge and experience I had already built, while also highlighting areas where I wanted to grow, particularly in confidence. It has been encouraging to see more women progressing into senior and management roles across the industry, but I would still like to see women feel fully supported when returning to work after maternity leave. Initiatives such as the Women in Practice Focus Group are important because they create opportunities to share experiences, understand common challenges and support one another across the practice.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity not only to recognise achievements, but also to reflect on the experiences and perspectives that continue to shape the profession.

The reflections shared by Rosangela, Alexandra, Hannah and Amy highlight both the progress that has been made for women in architecture and architectural technology, and the importance of continuing to support long term careers within the industry.

Through initiatives such as the Women in Practice Focus Group, alongside policies including enhanced parental leave and family friendly support, Associated Architects remains committed to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to develop, progress and contribute to the future of the practice.

The post Celebrating Women in Practice for International Women’s Day 2026 appeared first on Associated Architects.

Delivered in collaboration with London South East Colleges, Kier Construction, Box Clever Consulting, Curtins and Stace, the £45m, five storey campus forms a key part of the wider Future Greenwich masterplan alongside partners including Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greater London Authority and L&Q.

At 5,500 sq. m, the new campus replaces outdated facilities with a flexible, digitally enabled learning environment designed in close collaboration with the College’s curriculum and timetable teams. The building increases Guided Learning Hours while strengthening the College’s civic presence on Plumstead Road.

The design is organised as two principal blocks of teaching to the north and south, divided by an atrium and expressive stair cores creating a clear and legible internal arrangement that supports both focused learning and social interaction. An open ground floor creates a strong visual connection across activity spaces and maintains an active frontage to the public realm. A central breakout space provides a vibrant heart to the building, linking café, learning resource centre, student support services, and communal study areas.

Sustainability has been fundamental to the project from inception. The completed building becomes one of the country’s only BREEAM Outstanding Further Education buildings. Environmental strategies include rooftop air source heat pumps, an efficient ambient loop heating and cooling system, and a bio-solar roof system. These measures, combined with high performance fabric, passive architectural interventions, and intelligent building systems, significantly reduce operational carbon while providing comfortable, healthy internal environments for students and staff.

The campus was delivered while maintaining ongoing college operations, demonstrating careful phasing, coordination, and collaboration across the project team. Beyond the building itself, the project contributes to the protection and strengthening of further education provision in the borough. Delivered through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the scheme has supported apprenticeship opportunities, tailored pathway courses and community initiatives during construction.

The result is a contemporary, sustainable campus that reflects a shared belief in what further education can achieve for people and place, providing a lasting asset for students, staff and the wider local community.

The post London South East Colleges Greenwich Campus Reaches Completion appeared first on Associated Architects.

Designed by Associated Architects and constructed by VolkerFitzpatrick in collaboration with Mott MacDonald, the station was delivered on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority as part of a transformative investment in regional transport infrastructure.

Responding to Growth

Originally opened in 1978, the former station was designed to accommodate approximately 700,000 journeys per year. It now serves up to 3.5 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest stations in the region.

The new station has been designed to support anticipated growth of up to 7.2 million users per year, reflecting the continued expansion of the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The existing station building has been retained and repurposed as an exit only facility, while the new development provides a significantly enhanced passenger experience.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

The scheme includes new bridges spanning both the live railway line and the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, forming a critical piece of infrastructure that improves access, safety and connectivity.

New wider entrances, stairways and exits now better serve the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital campus. Increased concourse space improves circulation and waiting areas, while lifts to the platforms provide step free access for all users.

The main pavilion building also incorporates space for a café or convenience retail unit, alongside an NHS facility on the first floor, further strengthening the station’s role as a civic gateway.

A Collaborative Achievement

The project was delivered through extensive collaboration with Transport for West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority, the West Midlands Rail Executive, the University of Birmingham, the NHS University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and Cross Country Trains.

University Station demonstrates how infrastructure can combine architectural clarity, environmental sensitivity and long term community benefit.

We extend our congratulations to all partners and project contributors on this recognition.

The post University Station Shortlisted for RIBA West Midlands Award 2026 appeared first on Associated Architects.

Associated Architects currently supports five apprentices across our Birmingham and Oxford studios, each progressing through the RIBA Apprenticeship pathway while contributing to live projects across education, commercial and civic sectors.

Our Apprenticeship Snapshot

Meet Our Apprentices

• Bethany Long – Final Year, Oxford Brookes University
  Fast-tracking to qualification, completing Part II and Part III concurrently.
• Dylan Godwin – Year 2, Oxford Brookes University
• Barbara Poczatek – Year 2, Birmingham City University
• Harvey Farren – Year 2, Birmingham City University
• Gagandeep Sandhu – Year 1, Oxford Brookes University

Apprenticeships widen access to the profession, enabling talented individuals to earn while they learn and gain practical experience within a live studio environment. For regional practices, they also help strengthen local talent pipelines and retain skills within the communities we serve.

In light of recent government decisions affecting apprenticeship funding, we have added our support to the Royal Institute of British Architects open letter calling for continued backing of this vital pathway into architecture.

We remain committed to investing in future talent and to creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of architects.

The post National Apprenticeship Week 2026 appeared first on Associated Architects.