News
Keep up to date with all our project news, hear topical insights and expertise from our people, see events you can attend and find out what’s happening within the practice.
Events
AHR is heading to UKREiiF 2026
Discover more about the AHR team heading to UKREiiF 2026, ready to share knowledge, expertise and discuss inclusive, sustainable, future-focused places.
Date: 31 Mar 26
by AHR
min read
Our team is ready to connect with industry leaders, investors, developers and public sector partners to explore how we can continue shaping inclusive, sustainable, future-focused places.
The annual conference brings together regional combined authorities, local councils, government departments, investors, developers and end-users to explore key themes such as sustainable design, transformative investment and inclusive regeneration.
It’s a key opportunity to listen, exchange ideas, showcase best practice and discuss future trends and industry challenges. We’re looking forward to sharing our competence and expertise across a breadth of multisector experience, bringing innovative ideas, pragmatic problem-solving and commercially focused, viable solutions in adaptive reuse, decarbonisation strategies, wellbeing-focused design and thoughtful placemaking.
As architects and building consultants, we’re committed to being a reliable, responsive and trusted partner, always acting in our clients’ interests. With strong local relationships and regionality, backed by national coverage, resource capability and consistent teams, we help repurpose existing spaces and deliver sustainable placemaking that creates vibrant, adaptable environments for communities and supports net zero carbon.
Meet us at UKREiiF 2026
With nearly two centuries of experience and a forward-looking approach, we bring together architects, building consultants, masterplanners, geomatic specialists, project managers, interior and landscape designers to support the full lifecycle of the built environment. Clients trust us for our integrity, responsiveness and ability to combine inventive thinking with commercial realism.
What we’ve learned from our 2025 decarbonisation roundtable series
Our 2025 decarbonisation roundtable series brought together professionals from across the built environment to share insight, challenge assumptions and explore how we can accelerate the transition to a net zero future.
Since launching the programme in 2023, these events have created space for open and honest conversations about the practical realities of decarbonisation. This year, the discussions reflected a sector navigating rapid technological change, rising regulatory expectations and the wider impacts of a shifting climate landscape — while also demonstrating growing confidence and momentum.
Read the full 2025 roundup report here
Our approach to placemaking
We bring years of experience creating inspiring communities that stand the test of time. From masterplans to town centre regeneration, we test every idea against what people and communities need. Places only work when that insight shapes decisions from the start.
We recently developed a seven-part placemaking with purpose series which explores a variety of themes including:
- Reframing placemaking: How to create places that work in practice
- People first: Designing for community and identity
- Rooted in place: Placemaking through the local lens
- Delivering placemaking projects: From strategy to reality
- Resilient placemaking: Designing future-proofed places for a changing world
- Designing healthy places: The role of placemaking in wellbeing and inclusion
- The legacy of place: Measuring the long-term impact of placemaking
Our approach is built on meaningful stakeholder engagement, backed by the care and expertise of our teams. That helps us shape places with confidence and get it right first time.
Dive into our white paper on trauma-informed design
Developed in partnership with the University of Salford, our academic white paper explores how trauma-informed design (TID) can help create environments where people feel safe, supported and confident.
The research draws on our work shaping Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre, one of the UK’s first trauma-informed buildings. The project allowed us to test how principles from trauma-informed care can be translated into practical design decisions across sectors including education, healthcare and community settings.
Did you know?
Many environments unintentionally create stress. Harsh lighting, unexpected noise and confusing layouts can undermine confidence and make everyday interactions harder than they need to be. Over time, these experiences affect wellbeing, engagement and how people feel about the places they use.
Working alongside academics, clinicians, students and community partners, we explored a different approach. One that starts with how people experience space, and asks how design can actively support emotional safety and clarity rather than simply avoiding harm. The result is a set of practical, evidence-informed principles that can be applied across a wide range of building types.
Read it here or get in touch with our design experts
Meet us at UKREIIF
We'd love to catch up at the annual event
We would love to meet you at UKREIIF 2026 and hear what you are working on. Let’s connect, get in touch to share your thoughts and explore opportunities to work together.
Frequently asked questions
We are ready to talk through the issues shaping projects right now, including viability and funding pressures, carbon reduction targets, retrofit choices and programme risk. We will also explore how inclusive regeneration and net zero carbon development can stay commercially grounded.
We will share lessons from work in adaptive reuse, estate renewal, decarbonisation and wellbeing-led design. Underpinning it all is placemaking, creating resilient communities and developments people feel proud of.
We build sustainability into the process, not as an add-on. We support practical pathways to net zero carbon through fabric-first upgrades, smart building services strategies and phased, estate-wide investment planning.
Colleagues will be attending from across our services and regions. If you are attending, share a time that suits you and what you want to explore, and we will set up a friendly chat.
Practice News
Creating places where people feel safe: introducing our new white paper on trauma-informed design
We're delighted to release white paper on trauma-informed design with the University of Salford exploring how design can support wellbeing, safety and inclusive environments.
Date: 2 Feb 26
by AHR
Practice News
We’re delighted to have been reappointed to Kirklees Council’s Professional Consultancy Services Framework
We look forward to building on our decades-long relationship with Kirklees Council by delivering a wide range of design and restoration projects through to 2029.
Date: 16 Jan 26
by AHR
Project News
Our major hospital project, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (SaTH), reaches exciting milestone
The exciting event marked a significant milestone in the delivery of improved facilities for patients, colleagues and communities across the region.
Date: 6 Jan 26
by AHR
Latest Updates
- Security, resilience and wellbeing: designing defence facilities that perform
16 Apr 26
- The workforce plan starts with place: Designing an NHS estate where people can thrive
15 Apr 26
- Planning approved for new regional cycling hub in Bristol
13 Apr 26
- Placemaking with purpose: insights from our placemaking series
10 Apr 26
- We're shortlisted at this year's Insider North West Property Awards
9 Apr 26
Keep in Touch with AHR
A focus on sustainablity
When creating or caring for buildings and spaces, every project counts. Through a range of methods and initiatives we seek to leave the world better than we found it, with responsible and healthy places.
Practice News
Sharing what we’ve learned from our 2025 decarbonisation roundtable series
Discover insights from our 2025 decarbonisation roundtables on net zero buildings, circular economy, energy resilience, and digital tools for sustainable construction in the UK.
Date: 19 Jan 26
by AHR
Thought Leadership
Designing climate resilient university estates to future-proof campuses
Learn why climate resilient university estates are a strategic priority, helping leaders safeguard operations, reputation and institutional value.
Date: 12 Nov 25
by AHR
Project News
The new Women and Children's Building becomes first in England approved under NHS Net Zero Building Standard
The new, AHR-designed Women and Children's Building, which places healthcare staff and patient wellbeing at the fore, is the first NHS building to achieve net zero carbon in operation.
Date: 1 Oct 25
by AHR
Contributors
Gareth Banks
Director, Architecture
Stephen Bottom
Director, Building Consultancy
Stuart Bryson
Regional Director, Architecture
Karle Burford
Director, Architecture
David de Sousa
Director, Architecture
Jamie Gregory
Associate Director, Architecture
Stefan Harris
Associate, Architecture
Robert Hopkins
Director, Architecture
Allan Hunt
Managing Director, Building Consultancy
Imran Kassim
Director, Architecture
Simon Lamprell
Director, Architecture
Dominic Manfredi
Director, Architecture
Lee McDougall
Director, Building Consultancy
Gary Overton
Director, Architecture
Helen Revitt
Regional Director, Architecture
Gurminder Sanghera
Director, Architecture
Victoria Shepherdson
Associate Director, Architecture
Samantha Smith
Director, Building Consultancy
Mark Stead
Director, Building Consultancy
Matt Stephenson
Associate, Architecture
Amanda Taylor
Sales Director
Hira Teirney
Regional Director, Architecture
AHR
