15 January 2021

MWA are starting 2021 with a number of exciting new commissions and we're looking for experienced project architects to join our growing team!

For full details, please click here

Applications should be sent to careers@mw-a.co.uk

15 January 2021

MWA are extremely proud to announce that our new office development on King’s Cross Road has achieved BREEAM Excellent Rating. This aligns with the MWA wider sustainability ethos as we begin 2021.

The BREEAM Excellent Rating is awarded to the top 10% of UK new non-domestic buildings and exemplifies best practice performance levels in energy use, sustainability and architectural design.

The project has been an important test case for MWA in the integration of innovation with regard to joining architecture and the environment together to deliver buildings which aid the well-being of their occupants and the wider urban context.

Read more about the project here

08 January 2021

Continuing our ethos of sustainability, MWA has joined a growing list of signatures in becoming part of the ‘Architects Declare’ initiative, a declaration of a state of emergency for the world’s climate and biodiversity. As part of this declaration, MWA has committed to the Architects Declare ethos to:

• Raise awareness of the climate and biodiversity emergencies and the urgent need for action amongst our clients and supply chains.
• Advocate for faster change in our industry towards regenerative design practices and a higher Governmental funding priority to support this.
• Establish climate and biodiversity mitigation principles as the key measure of our industry’s success: demonstrated through awards, prizes and listings.
• Share knowledge and research to that end on an open-source basis.
• Evaluate all new projects against the aspiration to contribute positively to mitigating climate breakdown and encourage our clients to adopt this approach.
• Upgrade existing buildings for extended use as a more carbon-efficient alternative to demolition and new build whenever there is a viable choice

Read the full initiative on the website.

17 December 2020

We are very pleased to announce that our female-led design team has been entered into the Female Frontier Awards 2020. This award recognises the skills and abilities of exceptional team working and individual skills of a female-led team. Lauren, Rawan, Paulina, Vanessa and Penny have worked collaboratively to deliver the OneWelbeck women's health clinic in Marylebone to an exemplary high standard, on-time and during one of the most testing times for the construction industry in recent history. The facility occupies all seven floors (plus basement) of a converted office building in Marylebone, with Phase 2 incorporating a Women’s Healthcare centre, and ENT (Ears Nose Throat) clinic.

The team embraced collaboration to share knowledge and design aspirations, whilst developing strong relationships to overcome project and real-world complexities.

Construction continued during the Covid-19 lockdown with measures that allowed the team to collaborate and monitor progress remotely. This was successful in ensuring the programme was delivered on time and allowed the project to incorporate temporary overflow facilities to help the NHS. We are very proud of our female-led design team and look forward to hearing the results next Spring.

16 December 2020

After a productive 2020 on site, we are only three months away from completion on our exciting new-build industrial-styled commercial office development located at the heart of the newly developed King’s Cross Quarter.

Following recent topping out and works to make the building watertight, we enter the home stretch of this exciting project which has been with us since 2016. The project will see the transformation of an old warehouse formerly housing a mirror workshop into a sustainable, adaptable and modern workspace.

We have developed a striking industrial aesthetic for the project. The materiality, internally and externally, strike a rich tone for the architecture which is enhanced through the use of a daylight filled atrium. Natural light floods the new development from second floor right down to the new basement level, creating exciting work spaces.

In addition to these works we have collaborated with the New York based Urban Farm designers, Kono Designs, to integrate a radical indoor farming scheme within the atrium and office spaces. Employees will be encouraged to maintain and harvest crops such as melons, blueberries, passion fruit & lemon trees enhancing air quality for the well-being and micro-environment of occupants

Read more about the project here

16 December 2020

It is finally taking shape!

MWA’s 2012 commission to design a landmark family home in Hampstead overlooking the west of Hampstead Heath commenced on site in late 2019 with groundworks due for completion in late 2020. This exciting new-build development is set into the steep incline of Hampstead Hill in the historical Garden Suburb of Hampstead and sits amongst a rich architectural heritage alongside some of London’s finest modernist houses by notable architects including Richard Meier, Norman Foster and Ernö Goldfinger.

We have proposed a modern design solution for the home which is set over four floors, including a swimming pool, gymnasium and open-plan living spaces. We have utilised large expanses of glazing to take advantage of the scenic views over the Heath and to bring daylight deep into the rear of the plan. Planning Permission was initially granted by Camden in 2014 and since then, MWA have successfully obtained two further planning permissions, to suit the evolving requirements of the client. The project is due to complete in December 2021.

The project team is Robert Douge, Tori MacCabe, Tim Blackwell and Sam Wood.

Read more about the project here

11 December 2020

MWA have recently completed designs for a planning submission at Abbey Gardens in Saint John’s Wood.

Proposals to refurbish the period property which dates from the mid-19th century include the replacement of an existing rear extension with a modern glazed addition, re-planning of the existing rear garden to introduce an external terrace and tiered planters along with extensive remodelling internally to refurbish the property. Works will commence on site in Q2 2021.

Size: 2,554 sqft
Client: Private
Status: Planning/ Stage 3
M&E Engineer: Cundall
Structural Engineer: Form SD
Quantity Surveyor: Abakus
Heritage Consultant: Bidwells
Acoustic Consultant: RBA Acoustics
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects
Local Authority: Westminster City Council

11 December 2020

MWA’s proposal for 50 London Road has been granted planning permission by Hounslow Council.

The site is located close to Brentford Town centre and has an important position mediating between the town centre and a largely residential area to the west. The design process involved two years of consultation with a number of stakeholders including Brentford Community Council.

The application includes 69 residential units and 3,700 sqft of B1 office space, it was granted planning permission unanimously by committee. The scheme delivers a mixture of private and affordable housing, high quality architecture and increased green amenity space. The design was driven by an in-depth analysis of the local area. The proposal responds sensitively to the surrounding existing buildings with three separate blocks rising in height to 7 storeys. The colour palette of the façade draws inspiration from the Mulberry orchards that once occupied site.

Read more about the project here

08 December 2020

MWA are delighted to announce that Megan White has become an associate. Megan joined MWA in 2015 after graduating with distinction from Queen’s University in Belfast. During her time at MWA Megan has proven to be a key member of the team. Megan’s promotion is well deserved and earned through her extensive experience in project running and her team player mindset. Megan has been instrumental to the delivery of recent projects, Broadhurst Gardens, Clifton Hill, Bracknell Gardens and Springfield Road. Megan has a passion for heritage and recently undertook the RIBA Conservation course. We are delighted to welcome Megan to the management team and anticipate her continued success here at MWA.

02 December 2020

MWA’s proposal has been granted planning permission by Westminster City Council. The application property is within the St Johns Wood Conservation Area and includes a rear extension clad in natural stone with contemporary finishes throughout the extensive refurbishment of this semi-detached family home.

Size: 3,251 sqft
Client: Private
Status: Planning/Stage 3
M&E Engineer: DSA Engineers
Structural Engineer: Form SD
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects
Local Authority: Westminster City Council

02 December 2020

This week’s townhall presentation was given by Maria, a recent graduate from Bath University who has been nominated for the RIBA Silver Medal for her masterplan project on the city of Zagreb, Croatia. The masterplan explores an alternative future for Zagreb, putting ecological and urban regeneration as well as a holistic approach to sustainability at the forefront of the design.

Our weekly company wide townhall meeting provides an opportunity to come together, catch up and discuss a wide variety of topics. Well done Maria on your nomination and we look forward to the results.

25 November 2020

The extensive refurbishment of this grade II listed detached property on Clifton Hill will complete in December 2020. Proposals include a side extension; construction of a new basement; and extensive refurbishment throughout. Finishes such as marble, feature tiled floors and timber have been used to create a bespoke family home that is contemporary and vibrant.

Read more about the project here

Size: 3,725 sq ft SQ.FT
Client: Private
Status: Construction
Structural Engineer: Form SD
M&E Engineer: Cundall
Quantity Surveyor: The Millbridge Group
Party Wall Surveyor: TT Surveyors
Building Control: Salus Approved Inspectors
CDM Advisor: Goddard Consulting
Kitchen Designer: Smallbone of Devizes

18 November 2020

MWA have the privilege to be developing proposals for the conversion and restoration of three Grade II* listed properties on Great James Street, WC1; making it five projects the practice has now worked on along this historic street and esteemed pocket of London.

Each of the properties form part of an early Georgian terrace, constructed in 1720 by the lawyer-come-developer John Metcalfe and have a rich history of housing craftsmen, surveyors, and master builders. The original interiors to each of these buildings remain wholly intact, although they have suffered neglect during their use as offices during the late C20th. MWA are excited to return each of the buildings to their original use and reinstate the detail and craftsmanship they once boasted.

17 November 2020

We are very pleased to announce that Welbeck Healthcare has won a bronze award for the international WIN awards in the Healthcare and Wellbeing category. The awards celebrate excellence in architecture and interior design from all over the world. Healthcare projects are awarded for looking beyond the clinical approach to health environments to create more welcoming spaces that are better places to work.

Read more about the project here

06 November 2020

The exciting new project is the fourth John Nash designed Grade I listed property undertaken by the practice in the last twelve months and will build on the practices’ experience working with Heritage properties in The Crown Estate. Design proposals will involve the extensive refurbishment of a single family property on Regent's Park.

Stage 02 will complete in early December and works are due to commence on site in Q2 2021. The house will sit alongside previous projects completed by MWA in the vicinity of Regent’s Park including previous developments on Hanover Terrace, Park Square East, Park Square West and Cumberland Terrace.

Client: Private
Status: Planning
Structural Engineer: Form SD
M&E Engineer: Cundall
Planning Consultant: Montagu Evans
Heritage Consultant: Bidwells
Local Authority: London Borough of Camden

19 October 2020

We are delighted to announce that Bell Yard Apartments have won the Development Transformation of the Year award hosted by British Home Awards.

Bell Yard Apartments is a 10,600 sqft office-to-residential conversion adjacent to the Royal Courts of Justice, London. The existing building was low in architectural merit and presented an exciting opportunity to be reimagined as something of much higher quality. The façade has been completely rebuilt using robust materials such as Portland stone and local stock brickwork. Deep reveals surround the windows and offer Juliette balconies with views across to the Royal Courts of Justice.

Read more about the project here.

02 October 2020

MWA have commissioned Blackburn-based Darwen Terracotta, one of the oldest terracotta manufacturers in the UK to hand make the terracotta tiles for the contemporary extension at Bracknell Gardens in Hampstead. The design features geometric square terracotta tiles that are bevelled in the centre to create a subtly patterned tiled façade, as a modern take on the vernacular architecture within the Redington Frognal Conservation Area.

Size: 4,859 SQ.FT
Client: Private
Status: Construction
Structural Engineer: Pringuer James Consulting Engineering
M&E: Cundall
Quantity Surveyor: The Millbridge Group
Arboriculturalist: John Cromar's Arboricultural Company Ltd.
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects Ltd.
Local Authority: London Borough of Camden

16 September 2020

The proposed design provides a large contemporary family home set over four floors, including a swimming pool, gymnasium and large open-plan entertaining areas. Works commenced on site in March 2020 and are due to complete in December 2021.

Read more about the project here

Size: 8,856 SQ.FT
Client: Private
Status: On Site
Cost Consultant: The Millbridge Group Plc
Structural Engineer: Sinclair Johnston & Partners
Services Engineer: Cundall
Environmental Consultant: Ashby Energy Assessors Ltd
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects
Local Authority: London Borough of Camden

24 August 2020

Following recent granting of planning consent for the redevelopment of the historic Diorama Theatre next to Regent’s Park, developed design is underway with works targeted to commence early next year.

This exciting project has been in the development since 2019 and will see the transformation of the historic theatre into a sustainable, adaptable and modern workspace.

The historic rotunda has been reinvented as the centre of circulation and movement through the building looking to bring a strong identifiable theme that ties the building back to its origins. This space also presented a unique and exciting expression of the most important and human part of the original building – the auditorium. The use of a simple circular geometric plan which rises in section and brings into play the strong sculptural forms of the staircase and the suspended meeting room is both rational and exciting. The composition together fosters awareness with the original theatre its historical significance. The circular rooflight which illuminates the entire experience brings back daylight to the building once again.

Read more about the project here

19 August 2020

Phase II of this specialist day surgery and outpatient diagnostics centre in Marylebone is now complete. During the Covid-19 lockdown, construction works continued with social distancing measures in place and the project team continued to collaborate remotely; ensuring the project was delivered successfully and on programme.

This phase of the project includes a Women’s Healthcare Centre and ENT (Ears Nose Throat) suite. MWA selected a palette of warm timber panelling and soft furnishings to deliver a bright and comfortable welcome lobby which extends on to an external terrace with integrated planting.

Read more about the project here

Size: 21,458 SQ.FT
Client: Welbeck Health Partners
Status: Complete
Project Manager: 3PM
M&E Engineer: Ramboll UK Ltd.
Structural Engineer: Packman Lucas
Quantity Surveyor: Exigere
Contractor: Paragon
Interior Design & Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects Ltd.
Local Authority: Westminster City Council

13 August 2020

Emerging market trends and demands for this area of London have encouraged the stakeholders to investigate utilising this well positioned site as a Care Home. MWA prepared and submitted a pre-planning application for this use which was submitted to the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. The proposal comprises a part four and part five storey building with a basement level providing a first in class facility with 95 bed spaces. The building has been designed to respect the street scene and the character of the conservation area, taking inspiration from the many mansion blocks and residential buildings prevalent in the area. Proposals were positively received by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Read more about the project here

Size: 55,508 SQ.FT
Client: Private
Status: Pre-Planning
Transport: Iceni
Rendering: Marek Wojciechowski Architects
Local Authority: Hammersmith & Fulham

12 August 2020

MWA welcomes its staff back into the office after almost 5 months of working from home.

In March, along with businesses all around the UK and across the world, we transitioned from office to home in line with government guidance. We adopted new ways of working as a team, devised new methods of communicating with clients both in the UK and abroad, virtually attended design meetings, planning meetings and site meetings and we responded in an adaptive and innovative manner with lots of new challenges.

In preparation for bringing everyone back together, steps have been taken to manage and maintain workspace separation and to reduce risk in travel to and from work. Workstations have been re-organised to maintain social distance in accordance with government guidance. PPE has been purchased and new office protocols have been introduced. MWA is now covering the cost of all travel by hire bike to allow staff to commute to work without the need for public transport.

It has been a difficult time for everyone and the industry, and the resilience of our team is highly commended. We look forward to working together in person once more.

07 August 2020

MWA is a London-based practice with a strong reputation for delivering world-class projects with integrity and ambition. We focus on creative direction, architecture and design, producing exemplary projects in the high-end residential and commercial sectors.

The practice employs highly intelligent and driven employees, and is currently seeking Project Architects with relevant experience in central London.

Click here for more details

06 August 2020

Phase I of OneWelbeck has been shortlisted for the World of Interior News (WIN) Awards in the Healthcare & Wellbeing category. The WIN Awards celebrate and showcase outstanding architecture and interior design from across the globe. One Welbeck is a specialist facility for minimally-invasive day surgery and outpatient diagnostics in central London. Occupying a converted office building, the first Phase of the development delivers 63,700 sqft over five floors, with a phased completion starting in late 2019.

Designed to be calm, personable and welcoming, a palette of materials including timber panelling, perforated metallic privacy screens and soft furnishings create a sense of warmth and comfort. Ambient lighting softens the spaces and facilitates feelings of comfort and seclusion. Clinical requirements have been carefully balanced with the materials selected and all products and designs were carefully interrogated with the intention of creating a healthcare facility which feels comfortable, sophisticated and safe.

Read more about the project here

We are looking forward to the awards ceremony in November.

04 August 2020

MWA are delighted to announce that Bell Yard Apartments have been shortlisted for another award! The exceptional project has been selected as a finalist in both Development Transformation of the Year and Small Development of the Year categories for the British Home Awards 2020.

Development Transformation of the Year awards the best large-scale residential refurbishment, restoration or conversion, providing more than one home. It is open to conversions of existing buildings, such as office-to-residential; the upgrading of a housing estate; or the restoration of a heritage building.

The Small Development of the Year is for residential developments of 20 units and less that demonstrate exceptional sensitivity to context and clever solutions for design and construction. It focuses on overcoming the challenges of working on a small scale on constrained city, town or village sites.

We look forward to hearing the results on the 7th of October.

Read more about the project here