Architecture Today enters a new era as Isabel Allen takes over as editor.

Allen takes up the reins from out-going editor Chris Foges today, and will work with technical editor John Ramshaw and Jessica Mairs, previously architecture editor at Dezeen, to guide Architecture Today into its next chapter.

Internationally renowned designer Simon Esterson also joins the team to ensure impeccable design values for the magazine.

“Architecture Today has a long, proud history as a magazine founded by architects for architects,” says Allen. “With Jessica, Simon and John we have the knowledge, expertise and passion to create a multi-media brand that reflects the energy and diversity of the profession today.”

“We’re looking forward to working with Isabel and drawing on her wealth of experience, both as an Editor and as a client, to steer Architecture Today through the years ahead,” adds publishing director Jonathan Stock.

Allen, a former editor of The Architect’s Journal and the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Citizen magazine, has won multiple awards for her editorship including The British Society of Magazine Editors Editor of the Year and the Periodical Publishers Association Editor of the Year. She is also the co-founder of the sustainable and affordable housing developer HAB Housing with the broadcaster Kevin McCloud, and has curated exhibitions on architecture and urbanism including the London pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 and the London exhibition at Seoul Biennale 2019.

Allen’s contribution to architecture has been recognised with a RIBA Honorary Fellowship, and a place on the jury for national and international awards including the RIBA Awards, the National Housing Awards, the World Leadership Awards and the Stirling Prize.

She combines her editorship with a wider role as editorial director of new multi-media publishing company BEAM (Built Environment & Architecture Media), that will provide the profession with information and inspiration across a range of media including print, digital, podcasts and film.

Allen is one of four directors of BEAM, alongside Jonathan Stock, Midge Myatt and David Pead. Its focus is on brands and initiatives with real potential to serve and support the profession and contribute to the broader mission of creating a built environment that complies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and allows current and future generations to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Architecture Today and Specification Today will be joined in the BEAM portfolio by partnerships and acquisitions announced throughout 2021.

“The media has a critical role to play in the quest to avert the climate catastrophe and create a built environment that is sustainable, healthy, resilient and safe,” says Allen. “BEAM’s mission is not just to publish great buildings but to disseminate knowledge, foster collaboration, and provide the profession with the tools it needs to do its best possible work.”

“We’re excited to be working with Isabel and drawing on her wealth of experience, both as an editor and as a client, to steer Architecture Today through the years ahead and to develop BEAM as a modern multi-media brand that supports and champions the industry as it grapples with the challenges of these extraordinary times,” adds Stock.