Marcus Beale gave a lecture on fees at the University of Cambridge Part 3 professional practice course on 27 June 2018. He began by asking: why pay an architect anything at all? Ray and Charles Eames drew a beautiful Venn diagram showing the intersection between the interests of client and architect and the needs of society. Where they meet is the place where you are most valuable, and it’s all about value for money. Architects add value to sites and reduce risk in the construction process. Marcus explored how architects and clients choose each other, how an architect calculates the cost price and sets profit, and gave some suggestions as to how to present fee proposals and how to win a job even when your fees are higher than the competition. For a text of the lecture click here: 2018_Architects_Fees_Marcus_Beale_B

Merton Priory Chapter House works are progressing on site. Phase 1, the installation of a new glass wall and stabilisation of the ruins will complete shortly. The museum will reopen in September 2018.  More here.

Planning permission was granted on 15 March 2018 for 16 new houses at Fairlight near Hastings, Sussex. The development replaces a former market garden on a sloping site at the centre of the village. MBA were appointed after a previous design for the site was refused permission and a second scheme withdrawn. After extensive public consultation a new design was developed which draws on local building types and materials, creating a variety of housing types to meet the urgent need for new housing in the area. Critical issues for the site included drainage, wildlife, and preserving the character of the village.  More information here.

Wimbledon College of Art have posted an article about the first artist-in-residency at MBA in 2017.

To view the WCA article click here.

Janine Hall, the artist in residence, has also posted some notes. To view Janine Hall’s blog click here.

Site works have begun at the Morris building in Oxford. Completion is expected in September 2018.

The scheme includes a new garden building providing fully accessible rooms, the conservation of four adjacent listed buildings, re-landscaping the Morris Yard, adjusting the collegiate offer to provide improved student accommodation and cluster flats including three fully accessible suites.

The new Garden building sits within the area of the outer ditch of Oxford’s medieval City Wall which dominates the New College campus.
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