AT chats to Mellis Haward from Archio about finding the formula for healthy competition, housing nerdery and organised fun – and the secret of a good pub quiz.
What brings you to UKREiiF/what do you hope to achieve?
Our work is collaborative on many levels, whether we’re working with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Developers or other practices. The event last year was packed with interesting clients and partners, sharing thoughts on the direction of the industry, and I left with more insight into their priorities. Also, it’s an intense couple of days, which was fun and full of conversation. So, it’s an efficient use of precious time! Not being in London was refreshing. This year we’d like to build on our network and really talk to clients and collaborators about how they are taking a creative approach in a challenging time for housing delivery.
If you could change one thing about UKREiiF what would it be?
We are changing things this year by hosting Archio’s “Public Housing Pub Quiz” – we thought it would be refreshing to have a format for networking with a bit of healthy competition, housing nerdery and organised fun.
Mews houses and play street at Felixstowe Road in London’s Abbey Wood, a development of nine affordable homes on a former garage site. Working with London Community Land Trust and Greenwich Citizens Housing, Archio worked closely with local residents to understand their needs and aspirations for the site. Archio won the project when local people were invited to vote for their preferred architect.
What are you working on at the moment?
Archio continues its housing focussed work with some brilliant clients – Lewisham Shopping Centre housing with Landsec U+I, innovative edge of town housing with the Crown Estate and TOWN, Greenwich sites with London CLT, accessible and supported housing on infill sites with Habinteg and Camden Council, plus a host of Local Authority estate infill sites including Hackney and Islington. We are also really pleased to be working on the next wave of Retrofit funded social housing projects, working with Local Authorities and a number of Housing Associations.
What keeps you awake at night?
The juggle of running a practice and delivering quality work.
What makes a good pub quiz?
An emoji round and a great host!
