Research & Writing

We don't just design buildings, we set standards, shape opinion and contribute to books and papers, guidelines and reports. Our work has been in press and it's helped influence government thinking. Our efforts are directed towards making policy more practical and effective, campaigning for quality and fairness, finding creative ways to solve specific problems, and reflecting on lessons learned from 50 years in practice.

  • Books/Reports

Making SAP and RdSAP 11 fit for Net Zero

We collaborated with CIBSE, Elementa, WSP, UCL, Clarion Housing Group and Etude to publish a report on the future of Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The work makes recommendations on improving... Read more

  • Opinion

Why the government should end permitted development rights for office to residential conversions

This brief report explains why the government needs to abandon its policy of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for office to residential conversions. It sets out how the policy works, when... Read more

  • Books/Reports

The Housing Design Handbook: A guide to good practice (second edition)

Everyone deserves a decent and affordable home, a truth (almost) universally acknowledged. But housing in the UK has been in a state of crisis for decades, with too few homes... Read more

  • Books/Reports

RETHINK Design Guide: Architecture for a post-pandemic world

How will society emerge post-pandemic? Will we take the opportunity to reset the status quo? And, if so, what possibilities are there for architects to take the initiative in designing... Read more

  • Books/Reports

Age-Friendly Housing: Future design for older people

The latest addition to the RIBA’s ‘Future’ series, this book can also be seen as the sequel to the original HAPPI report because that too, focused on the role of... Read more

  • Opinion

Housing forms 90% of our urban fabric and needs to sit at the heart of architectural education

The housing crisis has forced policy makers to address how we can increase the number and quality of homes available across the country. However, it’s only of late that schools... Read more

  • Books/Reports

Making More of the Green Belt

In collaboration with LSE, we have recently published a report exploring the opportunities afforded by a strategic review of the green belt. With a particular focus on the potential of... Read more

  • Post-occupancy evaluation

Loudoun Road post-occupancy evaluation

Loudoun Road in LB Camden provides 42 new homes, of which 36 are affordable. Completed a few years ago for Origin Housing Group, we have since returned to carry out... Read more

  • Books/Reports

One Hundred Years of Housing Space Standards: What now?

Part history, part insight and part opinion, this is perhaps the most detailed and contextual analysis of housing space standards that exists, and certainly the most current. Written by Julia... Read more

  • Books/Reports

Thinking Ahead

Local Authority estates have been a vital part of the UK’s housing provision for over 50 years, and although many face social, economic, placemaking and physical stock issues, the advantages... Read more

  • Books/Reports

Offsite: design meets manufacture

We are passionate about the opportunities presented by offsite, particularly in the production of our future homes. Occupying the intersection of architecture and industry, the technology has real potential to... Read more

  • Post-occupancy evaluation

Resident training

Our post-occupancy research has highlighted that residents benefit from training when moving into new homes – especially where complex building services are installed in addition to passive design measures. We offer... Read more