Make Architects has received official approval to proceed with plans for retrofitting what will be their first major project of this scale. The green light represents a significant milestone for the firm as they expand into the growing retrofit market, which has become increasingly important in sustainable construction practices.
The approval comes amid broader discussions about challenges facing Britain's construction industry, particularly regarding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in housing development. Industry experts are calling for solutions to make housing projects more economically viable for smaller builders, who have struggled to compete in the current market environment.
Meanwhile, the architecture and construction sectors are grappling with various regulatory and technological changes. There are growing calls from industry leaders, including the BSR chair, for broader regulation of construction professions to ensure higher standards and accountability across the field. Additionally, debates continue about how artificial intelligence will impact architectural practice, with some critics suggesting that architects are not adequately preparing for these technological shifts.
Several other major projects have also received recent approvals, including Perkins + Will's Westminster library scheme, which gained unanimous approval from planning authorities. JTP architects secured permission for a substantial 2,900-home development on a former east London gasworks site, while Ackroyd Lowrie has redesigned a SPPARC office scheme in Bermondsey, converting it into co-living housing to meet changing urban residential needs.
The wave of approvals and project developments reflects the construction industry's ongoing adaptation to new market demands, sustainability requirements, and changing urban living patterns. Make Architects' retrofit project approval signals the growing importance of updating existing buildings rather than demolishing and rebuilding, aligning with environmental sustainability goals and resource conservation efforts.
