Introducing Alex Bolton and Helen Reid of ABHRA.

ABHR_A is a London-based RIBA-chartered practice dedicated to crafting architecture that thoughtfully blends heritage and innovation. Led by Alex Bilton, an advocate of fabric-first sustainable design and Helen Reid, known for socially inclusive, net-zero housing solutions. The firm emphasises context, sustainability, and community in every project. From striking residential refurbishments to award-winning housing schemes and educational projects, ABHR_A's work reflects deep care for both environment and people.

More Good and Less Bad

Dive into a compelling discussion with Jake Winter, Director of Winter Architects in Oxford and London, a practice focused on "making and doing more good and not less bad for the environment".   In this interview, Jake challenges the status quo, offering a fresh perspective on the architect's role, the future of sustainable building, and the often-misunderstood relationship between design and construction.

Hear from Jake on why Winter Architects eschews the traditional path, opting to hire drafters and people from a construction background instead of only registered architects.

The Architecture Revolution: Classical Design Meets Passive House and AI.

Stop choosing between timeless elegance and modern efficiency. In this essential interview, Timothy Smith and Jonathon Taylor of Smith & Taylor Architects reveal how they are pioneering a new form of architecture that blends the beauty of the classical language with the demands of the 21st century.

Discover how traditional, mass-based materials like stone are inherently suited for Passive House building standards, and how CNC technology is cutting the cost and time of intricate stonework—turning a month-long job into just three days. Timothy and Jonathon also share their philosophy on client trust, radical design honesty, and how they once convinced a client who explicitly said "no columns" to build them anyway. Watch now to see the future of beautiful, honest, and sustainable design.  

Designing Tomorrow: How We Rethink Buildings, People, and Possibility.

In this episode, architect Oliver Lowrie of Ackroyd Lowrie shares why the future of UK cities starts with reusing what we already have. From converting offices into hotels to tackling complex retrofits, he explains how “retrofit first” policies are reshaping design and why the UK’s demanding but under-resourced planning system both pushes quality and slows progress.

He also looks ahead at how AI will transform architectural practice, raising big questions about how the next generation will learn as technical tasks become automated. That’s why he founded the AAL Academy: an inclusive, hands-on pathway that replaces the traditional £100k route with real-world training, T-levels, and funded apprenticeships. It’s a new way to grow architects who truly reflect and understand the cities they’re shaping.

Designing in the Age of AI: Pierre Saunal on reclaiming the future of architects.

In this episode, we sit down with Pierre Saunal, architect-turned-digital pioneer and co-founder of Arc Digital and SnapTwin, to talk about what really happens when architecture collides with AI. Pierre shares a refreshingly honest view on how BIM, automation and scan-to-model workflows are reshaping the profession. As he claims: 'Not as a threat, but as a chance for architects to take back control of projects, time and creativity.'

The conversation ranges from AI-generated BIM models that take minutes instead of days, to why the future of architecture may look a lot more like the “master builder” role of 100 years ago. Pierre also dives into the pressures facing the industry, the risk of falling behind if practices don’t adapt fast enough, and why collaboration, data and speed will define who thrives in the next few years. Thought-provoking, candid, and quietly optimistic, this episode offers plenty to chew on for anyone thinking about where architecture is really heading!

In this episode of Philosophy In Form, we’re joined by Tina Norden, Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners, for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about what it really means to design well!

From resisting short-lived trends in favour of timeless, sustainable spaces, to leading creative teams with curiosity rather than ego, Tina shares the thinking that underpins her work. She also reflects on the changing role of technology and AI in design, and why human judgment, storytelling, and mentorship still matter more than ever. Beyond the studio, the conversation touches on Tina’s personal journey into architecture, the influence of early mentors, and how creative confidence is built over time. She offers a candid take on imposter syndrome, the realities of senior leadership, and the balance between creative freedom and responsibility.