Research underpins our work and provides a space in which to test ideas. As a practice we have expert knowledge in housing design and policy, in modern methods of construction and technological innovation, in standards and best practice, in burial practice and its architecture.


Publications:
We undertake and publish research in order to inform the strategy and direction of the practice on urbanism, architecture and policy:

> 'The Rule of Regulations', a review by Alex Ely for the Architects' Journal on the Architecture Foundation exhibition by Finn Williams and David Knight- download
> 'Accommodating diversity whilst meeting density targets', article in Planning in London, October 2008 - download
> 'Evolving Norms of British Housing' exhibition catalogue written and produced by mæ- link
> 'Housing Design Awards 2007' a review for the Architect's Journal- download
> 'Towards a smoke-free London architecture' article for Debate London- link
> 'Where next for housing' article for Debate London- link
> 'Delivering Great Places to Live' housing design guide written and produced for CABE- download
> 'Double Standards', an essay on the state of housing policy and design standards- download
> 'Cemeteryscape', observations on our burial crisis, published article- download
> 'Level Thinking', a critique of planning legislation, published article- download
> 'The Home Buyer's Guide: what to look and ask for when buying a new home'- review
> 'Better Neighbourhoods: Making higher densities work', research managed for CABE-
- download report
- download literature review
> 'Housing Audit: assessing the design quality of new homes', research managed for CABE-
- download executive summary
- download full report
> 'Building for Life', an initiative managed for CABE, HBF and The Civic Trust- www.buildingforlife.org


Speeches:
We lecture as a means of promoting best practice to the industry and key decision makers, to Schools of Architecture and professional audiences. We have contributed to conferences including The Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference, The London Housing Federation Conference at The Housing Market Renewal Developer Forum and National Housing Federation Regional Forum and the Association of Burial Authorities Annual Conference.

> 'What's Social about Housing?', RIBA, July 2008- download transcript
> 'Successful apartment living: preventing urban sprawl', Institute of Public Administration conference, Dublin, September 2007- download transcript
> 'Are MMC compatible with good design', Waterfront Modern Methods of Construction Conference, December 2005- download transcript (1.1mb)
> 'Good design to aid sustainable mixed tenure developments', NHF Development, Regeneration and Maintenance Conference, July 2005, breakout session - download speech
> 'Mistakes of the Past', AJ Affordable Housing Conference, June 2005, presentation - download speech
> 'Lost the Plot', Grand Designs Live, June 2005, seminar
> 'Self build in London, Not around it', DIY Urbanism forum, November 2004, lecture - download
> 'Is your home 100% designed', 100% Design seminar, September 2004
> 'Young, and interesting?' Architecture Foundation Winter-nights, January 2004, lecture - download review
> ' The future of prefabrication for housing', 100% Detail, September 2003, seminar- download


Policy:
We engage with policy at the highest level. We have advised government and its agencies on a range of policy issues:

> The Quality of Life Policy Group- Built Environment and Planning Policy advisor-link
> GLA- advising on the housing policy of the Draft London Plan
> The Treasury- giving evidence to the Barker Review on housing supply and demand
> The ODPM- advising on the Sustainable Communities Plan
> The ODPM- contributing to the end-to-end review of the Housing Corporation
> Constructing Excellence- as a member of the Housing Forum's off-site manufacturing working group
> English Partnerships and The ODPM- advising on the Design for Manufacture Competition
> CABE, HBF and The Civic Trust- managing the Building for Life initiative and Standard.
> The Association of Burial Authorities- on design and Health and Safety issues relating to cemeteries