The UK’s education estate faces a complex set of pressures. Ageing buildings, constrained budgets, rising expectations around energy performance and increasingly demanding safety and compliance requirements are forcing schools, colleges and universities to think carefully about where to invest, what to retain and when replacement is the better option.

This Architecture Today webinar will explore how architects, clients and project teams can develop smarter long-term strategies for education estates, balancing the immediate demands of condition, capacity and compliance with the need to create buildings that remain adaptable, efficient and fit for purpose over decades.

The discussion will examine the case for retrofit versus new build, and how decisions can be informed by whole-life value rather than capital cost alone. It will consider the role of standardisation and repeatable design approaches alongside the importance of architectural quality, as well as the challenges of improving existing buildings while maintaining live education environments.

Speakers will also explore building performance, procurement, maintenance and future flexibility, asking how projects can be designed to respond to changing patterns of teaching, technology and occupation. Through project case studies and practical experience, the webinar will identify lessons for creating education buildings and estates that are safer, more resilient and better able to adapt over time.

See presentations from:

• Crawford Wright, Head of Architecture and Design, Department for Education (DfE)
• Kerry Parker-Wray, Strategic Development Director, IKO
• Emaad Damda, Associate, Tuckey Design
• Joel Donoghue, Drawing Advocate, Tuckey Design
• Dominic Gaunt, Creative Director, Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt

Date: 17 November 2026
Time: 10.00–11.30
Platform: AT Webinar Platform

Partner: IKO

We hope you can join us, however, if you are unable to attend, register in advance to receive the free, on-demand recording as soon as it becomes available.

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