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.

The studio is centred on the Mott Street & Nightingale Works residential redevelopment in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, a build-to-rent scheme designed by Associated Architects for Cordia UK.

As part of the project launch, our team introduced the site, client brief, design expectations and real-world constraints, offering students insight into how the scheme operates in practice. Across the semester, students will develop proposals from early concept through to construction-level thinking, supported by regular reviews, formative feedback and a mid-semester site visit.

The project will culminate at the Architectural Degree Show during Innovation Fest 2026, where final outcomes will be reviewed by industry representatives.

We look forward to seeing how the students reimagine the site and respond to the challenges of a live, practice-led brief.

Thanks to Senior Associate Alex Slatter, Architects Jason Trickett and Jack Francis, alongside Alexa van Heerden, for launching the project, and to Birmingham City University staff Dr Heba Iskandarani, Nick Irvin SFHEA and Milad Mohtadi for their continued collaboration and support.

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Congratulations to Kyle Conway, in our Birmingham Studio, who passed his Part III examination just before Christmas!

At Associated Architects, we are really proud of the way we support our staff as they move through their qualifications and into practice.

Seeing Kyle reach this milestone is a great reminder of the commitment, hard work and talent our Part II Assistants show along the way, as well as the supportive learning and mentoring culture we work hard to create across the practice. As he steps into his new role as a RIBA qualified architect, we are looking forward to continuing to support him through the next stage of his career.

Well done!

The post New Architect to kick off 2026 appeared first on Associated Architects.

The panel brought together members of the project team, with each speaker exploring the scheme’s progression from their own area of expertise. Jack spoke alongside Paul Norris of Estilo Interiors, Melissa Cicin-Sain of Webb Yates Engineers and Luke Blyth of Hoare Lea, offering a combined insight into the collaborative approach behind this significant commercial retrofit.

Jack presented the architectural vision for 35 Newhall Street, a 54,369 square foot Grade A office building currently undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment. The project includes a full façade and roof replacement, an enlarged and redesigned reception, enhanced end of trip facilities and the addition of a new sky lounge and terrace to create high quality amenity for future tenants.

Speaking from the architectural standpoint, Jack outlined several key themes central to the redevelopment:

• The complexities of working with existing building stock, particularly a building that has undergone several extensive refurbishments during its lifetime
• Retrofitting new amenity spaces by transforming previously redundant or underused areas, including plant rooms and inefficient basement car parking
• Increasing net internal area through the infill of the former atrium, where the existing five metre soffit height allowed for a generous and high-quality reception without reinstating the atrium above
• Careful coordination of exposed M&E services to maximise clear heights and create a more open and flexible office environment
• Revealing original 1960s structural elements uncovered during strip out, exposing them to increase height, celebrate the character of the building and ensure that each floor benefits from its own distinctive identity

Jack also noted that every floorplate required a bespoke solution, responding to the unique conditions revealed during the strip out process and ensuring design intent was delivered consistently across the building.

Thanks to Conor Nolan from Building Brum for hosting.

The post Perspectives on 35 Newhall Street at Building Brum appeared first on Associated Architects.

The annual event brings together clients, designers, and education specialists from across the UK to share best practice and explore the future of learning environments, something at the very heart of Associated Architects’ work for over three decades.

From early years and SEN schools to university research facilities, the practice’s expertise spans the full education spectrum. Our portfolio includes DfE schools, Academies, All-Through Schools, Teacher Training Schools, and UTCs, alongside major projects for universities across the UK. This breadth of experience gives us a unique insight into how well-designed environments can support teaching, enhance wellbeing, and deliver long-term value.

We bring a Director-led approach to every project, ensuring close client engagement, best value, and design quality. Our familiarity with DfE output specifications, building bulletins, and sector benchmarks, combined with our in-house sustainability expertise and BIM capability, helps us deliver robust, flexible buildings that meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

Associated Architects currently works with many of the UK’s leading universities, including Aston, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, and Warwick, and continues to play an active role in sharing best practice through industry groups such as the BCO, AUDE, and UKGBC.

If you’re attending Education Estates, Craig and Paul would be delighted to connect and discuss how thoughtful, sustainable design can help shape the next generation of education spaces.

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Associated Architects pleased to highlight the continued growth and momentum of its Leeds Studio, which has recently relocated to new premises at Platform on New Station Street, right in the heart of Leeds city centre. 

Contact:
Associated Architects Leeds Studio
Platform, New Station Street,  Leeds LS1 4JB

hello@associated-architects.co.uk
https://associated-architects.co.uk/

The post Leeds Studio Completes Move to Platform appeared first on Associated Architects.

In this section, we:
✔ Explain the criteria for HRBs
✔ Provide real-world examples of both new builds and existing structures
✔ Show why these definitions matter for compliance

The document gives you a snapshot of a few scenarios, but we’ve created a complete set of illustrated posters with all examples and explanations.

📥 Click the posters below to download the full set and get the complete picture.

The post In Practice: Unpacking The Building Safety Act – HRBs appeared first on Associated Architects.

In Part 3, we examine COMPLIANCE, how the design process must evolve to meet the new regulatory landscape.

Read the full article below and download the PDF for deeper insights.

The post In Practice: Unpacking The Building Safety Act – COMPLIANCE appeared first on Associated Architects.

This part looks at Duty Holders, who are they and what are their roles and responsibilities?

Read the full article below and download the PDF: 

The post In Practice: Unpacking the Building Safety Act – DUTY HOLDERS appeared first on Associated Architects.

Accelerate Action Round Table

According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress it will take until the year 2158 (which is roughly five generations from now) to reach full gender parity. IWD 2025 campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’. While the statistics may be better for women in architecture in the UK and are improving (eg. the percentage of new female registrants to the ARB register is increasing towards 50% to reflect the 50% of Part I students that are female) there is still work to be done. Crucially, it is still important to acknowledge and discuss challenges for women studying and working in the Built Environment, and give them the opportunity to share solutions and strategies for change to continue to build an inclusive future.

The round table included a keynote from Senior Architect Hannah Perry, the sharing of achievements we’ve already made as a practice and as individuals, the sharing of experiences, and a productive discussion of practical steps the Practice can take to further accelerate action. Key take aways will be shared with the wider practice to action the suggestions made, continue to share knowledge, and continue allyship as a Practice.

Speaking after the event, keynote speaker Hannah Perry said:

“Bringing together the women across all three offices to discuss the issues we can face as females in our profession today was really engaging and insightful. Creating a platform where we can share and support each other is so important and to see the Practice so encouraging of this is wonderful.”

Architectural Assistant in the Leeds office Grace Reeve said:

“It was inspiring to hear from everyone across the practice today. I definitely feel like we’re all very supportive of each other, and it was great to hear about the experiences of more senior female colleagues, like Hannah, in reaching their position. It was also great to talk about our common experiences as women in architecture – it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in the challenges we face!”

Achievements to date

In the last 12 months, the Practice has taken steps to address some of the industry-wide inequalities that are also apparent across the practice. Achievements include:

• Establishing the AA Women’s Network
• 40% increase in female staff
• Introduction of new protocols eg. Parental Buddy Scheme’ and ‘Enhanced Post-Maternity/Paternity Return to Work protocol’
• Continued uptake of Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave Schemes
• Implementation of new HR protocols to track progress against ED&I targets
• Miscarriage Awareness training for Mental Health First Aider
• Engagement with industry female-orientated groups
• Continued commitment to 50% female work experience placements pledge
• Continued commitment to 50% female young people engaged through Social Value activities
• Christmas gift collection for a female-orientated charity
• CPD and donation to Make Space for Girls
• Ongoing ED&I Awareness Training

Impact

Associate Alex Slatter who spearheaded many of the initiatives including the enhanced maternity/paternity pay policy and return to paid work protocols said:

“Becoming a parent can be a daunting and significant life change in itself. Having a workplace that supports you financially and mentally whilst on leave and during the transition back has been a key reason as to why I’ve grown to feel confident working full time as a mother. I’m passionate about my career and passionate about being a parent – both can be possible! If working mothers have this support, I’d like to think we will close the gender disparities in the Architectural profession.”

Director Steve Townsend added:

“Events like this roundtable provide an important forum for the women of our practice to provide support and encouragement to one another as well as suggesting ways that we can better promote gender parity within our practice. We recognise we still have a long way to go as a practice and as an industry to achieve full gender parity, but we have made some good progress and we are committed to taking further action by actioning the outcomes of this lively and productive discussion.”

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