2023 A year in review

Our profession has always been at the mercy of national and global politics as 2023 has once again demonstrated. There is no sign that as we head into 2024 circumstances will be any different, it is going to be another challenging year.

For architects and our clients however, one of the biggest issues facing us in the coming year will be dealing with the planning system. Not only has it become over complex, but it is also entirely unpredictable. Even when the committee agree with their officers and approve a scheme there is a good chance that it will be Michael Gove who calls it in and kicks it down the road for a few months before announcing a decision.

London was once the magnet for global investment, which provides growth, jobs and taxes that in turn feed the vibrancy of our city. Recent decisions are jeopardising this and we can only hope that in 2024 we will have a government that understands the extraordinary value of our industry and of London to the UK economy.

Having said that, Stiff+Trevillion have had a good year. We have seen several significant projects complete, Newson’s Yard, Arding and Hobbs, Grand Central Apartments and The Carter building for example. We have some really exciting new starts on site, Woolgate Exchange, The Fitzrovia, Barlby New Homes, Tower Bridge Court, and 50 Berkeley Street.

Importantly we have achieved some notable planning consents as well, among them Judd Street, South Molton Street and City Road. We have every reason to hope that 2024 will be just as busy, with a variety of new schemes starting on site, including 21 Bloomsbury Street, Finsbury Dials, and Judd Street.

Our residential team has continued to be busy creating beautiful homes and our work with KERB has grown and developed with projects due to complete over the next two years in Berlin and Saluhall in San Francisco with the Ingka Group. We have also delivered five international art fairs in 2023.

We retained our position in the AJ100, the office cycled to Windsor and back in July. We have developed a relationship with The British School at Rome, one of our students, Sam Wimbush, spent a week there in September with 10 other students. We have had visits from students from the USA and the ie University in Madrid and have offered work experience programmes to over 15 budding young architects.

We have continued to sponsor Love Letters to London, a London Society creative writing competition, our colleague Serena Frisby took part in the Club Peloton Cycle to MIPIM, and several other members of our team did tough physical challenges from sea swims to HYROX to raise money for charity over the year.

Most importantly, as we reflect on the past year, we would like to recognise the contributions that all of our team make to the continuing success of the practice, thank you all. We wish everyone we work with a relaxing Christmas, and we are looking forward to the year ahead.