Welcome to the Big Conversation 2022

Economies and people are resilient. Following the hiatus of the last two years we can already see an explosion of creativity with a renewed emphasis on careful, not careless design. We are designing a new generation of projects; adapting existing structures, ranging from a new school built inside a disused gym, historic industrial structures transformed as new communities, or down-at-heel town centres reinvented with a new mix of activities. Where we are building new we are using digital design and manufacture to stimulate efficiency and wellbeing.

Our new strategic plan ‘Investing in Ideas’ promotes knowledge sharing across our global studios, connecting sector experts and professional disciplines to foster innovation. This initiative will help us design for a changing world and the challenges it presents.

Last year we celebrated 60 years as a design practice. Our socially progressive roots remain as relevant today as they did in 1961. The global conversation around cities has for some time focused on environmental sustainability and technology and we want to extend the debate to include quality of life; for a city to be truly successful it must deliver socially.

Chris Harding
Chair