How does being a B‑Corp certified practice influence your day-to-day decisions in architectural design and project delivery? 

Being a B corp means thinking more about all aspects of our designs; material credentials on all levels, making sure our design is based on necessity, balancing form, function with desire - which can be challenging, but something we enjoy. Not over designing, or over specifying too! 

For your retrofit work, such as SIX St Andrew Street, how do you decide which parts of the existing structure to retain versus renew? 

We always carry out, with the whole team, a thorough carbon analysis which looks at maximising fabric retention, with the redevelopment potential and long-term life span, it is not just about the initial carbon, we consider the big picture and provide recommendations to our clients.  

Your team has grown significantly, and you’re now an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). How has that affected your studio culture and governance? 

We have grown, nearly 70 people, which is wonderful, and a huge responsibility! We have been an employee owned trust for over 3 years, and we have provided staff since day one, bonuses relating to length of service, and even a Christmas bonus, regardless of seniority or salary, this is important to us. We are successful as a collective, our studio all helps each other.  

How does Barr Gazetas ensure social value in regeneration projects, for example, by creating public realm or community spaces? 

A projects capacity for social value varies enormously;, normally because of scale, or location, and sometimes because of more technical issues. We make sure, by using our practice rituals, that each project at all stages, has a social value innovation embedded within the brief. We have a project health check, which reviews a projects ability to provide environmental or social benefits, at either a micro level, for the occupiers, like cafes, terraces, wellbeing rooms or a more local, or national level. We have a fabulous later living scheme in Barnet, which takes a previously private, inaccessible open space and provides a 7 hectare wildlife common for everyone to enjoy.  

As you celebrate 30 years in practice, what do you see as the core values that have driven Barr Gazetas’ longevity and growth? 

We listen, push and respond. Everyone has a voice at Barr Gazetas, and I see the practices ability to continually improve. Alot has changed in the 25 years I have been here, and I think knowing that change can be beneficial, and learning to listen to the people that create the practice is the best value we have. Also key is to surround yourself by talented people, and give them the ability and support to help that growth. I think we are known for looking after our staff; appreciation, development, culture and fun.