It’s been a strong start to the year for Gort Scott’s social value commitments, with Placemaking and Engagement Lead Emily heading work experience for our Open City Accelerate students alongside Architect Fraser and Architectural Assistant Kleovoulos.

Open City Accelerate partners A-Level students with London-based architecture practices for three days of industry experience during which they explore a location and produce proposals and a scale model in line with a brief. This work is celebrated and displayed at an event in July where students can meet professionals from a breadth of practices.

Meanwhile, Architect and Sustainable Design Leader Paul has been engaged with the RIBA Future Architects Mentoring programme, supporting three students with group mentoring sessions and a site visit to Walthamstow Forest Civic Centre and Town Hall.

’Amazing is an understatement. Yesterday’s site visit was such an instructive exercise in properly understanding the process of construction, the logistics behind the build phases and also the detail elements – window build ups, pre-fab integrating with in-situ (loved the stairs for that reason). It only remains for me to say thank you for arranging and then taking us to see finished GS projects in context!’ - RIBA Future Architects Mentoring Student.

Gort Scott and Sela-Jaymes Architects have been awarded an AR Future Projects Award 2023 in the Competition Entry Prize category for Nea Paphos. The project design was shortlisted in this international competition for mosaic shelters at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nea Paphos, the ancient capital of Cyprus, for the Getty Conservation Institute.

Our proposals for Nea Paphos encompass the creation of delicate sheltering structures to cover and protect some of the world’s finest surviving Roman mosaics, on a very sensitive UNESCO World Heritage site.

The design incorporated lightweight reversible timber structures, to allow for visual connections through the shelters and minimise any impacts on the landscape and setting.

Protecting the heritage site was a priority at every stage of the design process, with innovative structural solutions introduced to resist the effects of wind and seismic activity whilst eliminating the need for foundations to avoid any impact on the extensive archaeology.

The proposals utilised local materials, and were designed as a ‘kit of parts’ to take account of the availability of local skills and resources, whilst reducing site logistics and associated impacts by maximising off-site fabrication.

Observing the context of the site the wider proposals interpret its history, restoring historic movement patterns and improving accessibility and visitor circulation around the site.

We are delighted to be shortlisted for The Pineapples 2023 in the category ‘International Future Place’. Grønlikaia is a major new waterfront transformation project in the heart of Oslo. As one of the last waterfront sites of the city, the development represents an opportunity for Oslo to create a sustainable, inclusive, and diverse ‘fjord city’.

A great example of a true collaborative project, powered by a team of experts in architecture, sustainability, placemaking, new forms of living, circular and doughnut economy, landscape design, and waterfront development.

Designed by LondonOn represented by Haptic Architects, Morris+Company, Gort Scott and Mae, Elliott Wood.

Supported by Useful Projects, Periscope, Neighbourhood and Tin

Gort Scott is pleased to be working with OPDC on Old Oak West, alongside a team of consultants including engagement consultant Soundings.

With the help of the local community, OPDC is now developing the emerging principles for how Old Oak West should take shape. These principles will also help inform new planning guidance for Old Oak West. Old Oak West is made up of land surrounding the proposed Old Oak Common Station, Willesden Junction and North Acton. The regeneration will focus on key former industrial brownfield sites, most of which are in public-sector ownership.

In March 2023, all local residents, businesses and community members are invited to a series of co-design workshops – PlaceLabs - to help shape the future of Old Oak West. These workshops will provide an opportunity for us to listen to your views and to explore how we can jointly create a new urban district that truly reflects local needs and aspirations.

Old Oak West will be a place for everyone, with affordable, quality homes, jobs for the future, community facilities, well-connected transport links and a healthy environment. OPDC’s goal is to make Old Oak West a zero- carbon regeneration, built for climate resilience and sustainability.

Please visit our website for more information and to sign up to receive the latest updates on Old Oak West: consult.opdc.london.gov.uk

Gort Scott has been shortlisted for the RIBA Regional Awards 2023, with St Hilda’s College, Oxford by RIBA South, and Unity Place, and Waltham Forest Town Hall by RIBA London.

Gort Scott is pleased to be recognised in RIBA’s annual celebration of architectural innovation and inspiring spaces.

“The quality of projects in the South Region this year is as high as ever. Be it sensitive conservation or modern intervention, all the projects demonstrate skill, passion and determination, and have resulted in a range of beautiful new buildings and spaces that are truly unique to their environment.” - Stuart Eatock, RIBA South Jury Chair.

Winners going forward to RIBA Regional Awards to be announced in the spring.

Congratulations to all involved in the shortlisted projects, including: Beard, Feilden Clegg Bradley, Alison Brooks Architects, Hawkins Brown

Gort Scott and Morris+Company are excited to be selected to join the A+U framework for the procurement of new Housing & Mixed Use. The Mayor of London has awarded 65 innovative and diverse built environment consultants as part of the framework. Gort Scott is committed to supporting the Mayor’s mission to shape a better, greener, and more sustainable London by making spaces that connect and inspire.

Gort Scott and Morris+Company have worked together consistently over the last decade and have combined research in sustainable design as well as a shared ethos for inclusive mixed-use places which makes a truly innovative partnership. Gort Scott brings knowledge in housing, complex masterplanning, integrated urban and landscape spaces, and pioneering research in high streets and town centres as previously commissioned by the Mayor of London.

The A+U Framework will support the delivery of Good Growth and quality in the built environment across London and will be open to other public sector clients to appoint and manage architects.

Find out more here.

Oxford City Council have committed to invest £6.8m in a unique regeneration masterplan for the historic Oxford Covered Market.

Following extensive public consultation and close work with existing traders the proposed strategy includes later opening hours, accessible communal spaces and more visible entrances. There is also a move toward creating a more engaged space for people to visit, with 70% of people asked saying they would visit the market more regularly if later opening hours were coupled with events and dining.

“As one of the only inclusive public spaces and business incubators at the centre of Oxford, it [Oxford Covered Market] is a vital piece of community infrastructure, housed in a glorious heritage building. It’s been a labour of love, working with a great team, traders and the public.” Susie Hyden, Associate Director.

Gort Scott is proud to be involved in preserving Oxford Covered Market for future generations and to be working to revitalise and expand the potential of a space so integral to local community and business infrastructure.

Read more about Oxford Covered Market.

Gort Scott’s St Hilda’s College, Oxford has been nominated for the 14th ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards in the Educational Architecture category.

ArchDaily selects projects across 15 categories which display innovation, sustainability, design and functionality.

Gort Scott is pleased to have this significant project recognised by ArchDaily and want to congratulate all involved in the design and build.

Voting for the winning project is open to the architecture community until 15 February 2023.

Beard (contractor), Marcus Beale Architects (heritage consultant), JCLA (landscape architect), Solid Structures (structural / civil engineer), Skelly and Couch (M&E), JPPC (planning consultant), Austin Newport Group (project manager and QS), Forbes Massie (visualisations), Malcolm Reading (project brief development)

Gort Scott is excited to be contributing to LETI’s forthcoming non-domestic retrofit guide which follows on from previous industry-leading LETI guidance such as the Climate Emergency Design Guide and the Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide.

Driven by our long-standing retrofit commitment, we are giving our time to help lead a workgroup and we look forward to the positive impact the new guide will bring. We strongly advocate retrofit for its drastically reduced whole life carbon, and also its wider benefits such as reduced programmes and cost, reduced impact on communities and the natural environment, and the ongoing evolution of richer urban fabric.

LETI is a network of over 1,000 built environment professionals working together on a voluntary basis to put the UK on the path to a zero carbon future. We are pleased to be a part of collaborative industry change.

Hive Curates is seeking applications from artists with a connection to Walthamstow to design two large scale murals for the interior courtyard and exterior wall of Gort Scott & Pocket Living’s affordable home project at Forest Road.

The design team have opened the creation of these murals to the public with the intention of cultivating designs which celebrate the creativity and innovation central to Walthamstow’s culture. Dynamic compositions which act as a mirror to the heritage and stories of the area and positively connect local communities are anticipated.

Hive Curates is a North London based art organisation which provides workspace for artists and specialises in arts and placemaking.

Click here to find out more about the open call and to submit your work.

How does housing fit on the high street?

At the end of 2022, Gort Scott facilitated a Property X-Change Forum to explore this topic with a range of experts and stakeholders.

Here’s what we learned.

Gort Scott is proud to be supporting Open City Accelerate in 2023. In its ten year history Accelerate has established a programme which supports 16-18 year olds interested in architecture with a series of workshops, in-depth university application guidance, and mentoring from an established London-based architecture practice.

This year, Gort Scott will be taking on two Accelerate students for three days of in-practice mentoring. Emily Temperton, Fraser Leach-Smith, and Kleovoulos Aristarchou have volunteered their time to the programme and have teamed up to devise an in depth structure for the placement which aims to help students feel ready for their Part 1 studies.

Gort Scott’s proposals for 331 affordable new homes and ten townhouses at Silvertown have been submitted to Newham Council for planning approval.

With Silvertown, Gort Scott has exercised its valuable high street and town centre research in the development of two urban blocks which provide affordable homes above a carefully considered and resilient street level which aims to build community and provide social infrastructure by offering a high street setting which integrates existing and new neighbourhoods.

We are pleased to have been able to work so closely with Lendlease throughout this significant project which will bring new life and purpose to Silvertown’s historic industrial location in Newham.

Our project team includes our collaborative partners OMMX.

We have developed our proposals with Prior + Partners, the masterplanners for the Silvertown development, alongside several other leading architecture practices working on plots across the site.

Gort Scott was recently shortlisted by Argent alongside three other practices for a substantial scientific building and laboratory project in St Pancras with a focus on thoughtful placemaking and multi-use.

As part of the selection process for this significant project, competing architecture practices were invited to take part in a charette to share ideas and open the floor to discussion. This was followed by a design competition process.

“The design competition focused on connecting with new talent who understand and promote carbon net zero design, inclusivity and wellbeing. It was a hugely positive process and we have established a wealth of new relationships with new firms.” - Robert Evans, Managing Partner, Argent LLP and Chief Executive of the Kings Cross Estate

The Gort Scott team looks forward to continuing to build ties with Argent on future projects.

Gort Scott’s St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and Unity Place, as well as Waltham Forest Town Hall & Fellowship Square, submitted by Hawkins\Brown, have been shortlisted in the Civic Trust Awards 2023.

The awards celebrate schemes which display design quality and are sustainable, accessible and offer a positive civic contribution.

A ceremony will be held in London on 31st March 2023 where special commendations and awards amongst the 50 winning projects will be revealed.

Congratulations to Hawkins\Brown for their completion of WF Town Hall, Beard Construction Group, LLC for their work on St Hilda’s and to our collaborators at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Alison Brooks Architects for this celebration of our work on Unity Place.