We’re an experienced, award-winning team that has a diverse portfolio of architectural projects. Our people can handle all kinds of commercial and residential endeavours, as well as things like libraries, art galleries, and educational buildings. By working with the best architects in London, you can meet all your specifications. We’ll do all we can to make sure you complete everything on time as well as within budget.

The Government got a huge amount of criticism recently following the closing of the Office for Place. It had been established during the previous Tory regime. The body’s purpose was to guarantee that quality and design were at the centre of housing supply.

The Office for Place was originally a small, specialist team. However, it became an arm’s length body to the-then Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in July 2023. Its leader was Nicholas Boys Smith, chairing in Stoke-on-Trent.

Comments from the Housing Minster

While the Office for Place had a fantastic cause, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook recently gave confirmation that because of spending cuts, it will close. As for its staff members, they will redeploy over the country. They will take roles within the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Pennycook said that the Government isn’t downgrading the significance of good placemaking and design. It’s the same for the role of design coding in enhancing development quality. Instead, he wants the pursuit of placemaking and design to be a completely integrated consideration. To do this, he’ll draw responsibility and expertise back into the MHCLG. This is as the government reforms the planning system and brings out digital local plans. They will also be offering support to strategic planning and local authorities.

Additionally, the minister believes that embedding this work within MHCLG will better utilise their expertise in decision-making. Also, it should be integrated within an existing delivery team in Homes England. This already focuses on placemaking and design.

Criticism

Michael Grove and Tory MP Robert Jenrick both had the Housing Secretary brief before the announcement. They were critical of the Labour Government’s decision.

Jenrick said that by disposing of the building beautiful agenda, they will lower consent for new housing. They will also ruin the character of communities. During a hyper-globalised era, people want a strong sense of place more than ever.

Gove further said that The Office for Place was central to building quality homes. It is a centre of architectural excellence, so it is disappointing for it to disappear.

Working with top architects in London

At Coffey Architects, we’ve done our fair share of work over the years. Projects include new-build homes and renovations. There are also offices, retail outlets, theatres, and more. You can browse many of them on our website, with briefs and various images to see the quality of the work.

So, whatever it is you need doing, the top architects in London will help. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.