Past Architectural Experience

Audley English, a ‘Windrush Child’, began his architectural career as an Architectural Technician trainee, employed by George Wimpey (now known as Taylor Wimpey). This was the foundation and the start of his journey into the benefits from standardisation on mass scale by the leading volume housebuilder. From Wimpey’s he moved to the government Property Services Authorities (PSA), having signed the Official Secrets Act. Audley worked on a number of interesting architectural projects at the PSA that used standardised components on a large scale.

Once qualified as a technician, he then studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) and was inspired and tutored by many prominent architects, including Walter Segal.

The Association for Spinal Injury Research Rehabilitation and Reintegration (ASPIRE) Sports and Rehabilitation Centre at Stanmore, opened by HRH the Princess of Wales. 

       

As the UK’s first West Indian architect, Audley opened the first black-led architectural practice. Since its inception the practice was at the forefront in developing innovative solutions, sustainable design and project delivery for social housing clients.

Audley English Associates (AEA) has always adopted a different approach from the norm, winning design awards related to sustainable developments:

Core schemes include social and private housing developments, master planning, urban regeneration.

With a varied portfolio of projects included new build housing and rehabilitation schemes for mainstream HA client groups. AEA has designed for both general and special need requirements including flats for the disabled, sheltered accommodation for the mentally ill, extended family units, housing for HIV sufferers, rough sleeper hostels, dwellings for refugees and ethnic groups, homes for the elderly, homes for vulnerable women, wheelchair user homes, lifetime homes, low energy houses, as well as a range of multi-functional community buildings.

AEA has worked in partnership including pooling resources for employment experience and training skills for common benefit. Also joint venture with other consultants, contractors and manufacturers in tendering for contracts and specialized competitions:

Audley’s hand drawings exhibited at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition.

 

AEA’s first commissioned project was for a change of use of commercial space into a hair salon.

           

AEA was involved in an advisory role on two self-build housing co-op schemes in the 90s, using the Walter Segal methods system.

                 

To view our modern interpretation of the Segal style.

Under the main heading ‘SECTORS’ refer to drop down menu ‘MODULAR HOUSING PROJECTS’ and scroll to Local Authorities or Housing Associations (RPs): Design of the temporary accommodation is in the Segal architectural style.

The first practice to design a BREEAM Excellent Certified low energy housing scheme with annual running costs of £170 in the 90s.

             

Sustainability is an inclusive part of the full circular economy, which includes the way projects are procured, by reducing its delivery programme time. AEA was the first practice to use Construction Management & Cost Plus procurement for social housing project delivering Centrepoint’s first rough sleepers’ initiative hostel. It was funded by the Housing Corporation, known as ‘Homes England’. The hostel was opened by its patron, HRH the Princess of Wales.

                            

Winner of the award from the ‘Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Neighbourhood Renewal Unit’ for this innovative modular approach to the retention and regeneration of an existing building. Scheme also shortlisted for the Housing Design Award 2002.

                   

Due to the complexity of the floor plan of the Bouverie Road Project, a solution was devised to reduce construction time. It was the first occasion that the use of steel structural liner trays for floors on a social housing project were specified. The scheme was opened by the Housing Minister Nick Raynsford.

                 

The first architectural published scheme to use the term ‘Modular Building’ was attributed to an AEA project by the Architectural Journal.

             

The first Social Housing grass roof scheme in London. Winner of many awards.

                 

Stephen Lawrence Trust Architectural Open Competition for its new ‘Creative Arts Laboratory Building’. Stephen’s aspiration was to become an architect. AEA was a runner up in this competition won by Sir David Adjaye. 

          

Affiliation and Voluntary Work.