We develop culturally rich mixed-use places for and with the community.

Oldham Spindles

AEW Architects deliver architecture, masterplanning and regeneration projects that create vibrant, inclusive places for communities to live, work, learn and connect.

Our Culture & Community experience spans libraries, learning hubs, civic centres, cultural venues, town centre regeneration and heritage projects nationwide.

We work closely with local authorities, stakeholders and communities, providing inclusive consultation and supporting funding applications including Levelling Up, Future High Streets and Towns Fund programmes. Our recent projects include the restoration of the Grade II Listed Glossop Town Hall, Accrington town centre regeneration and the transformation of Spindles in Oldham into a new civic and community hub. 

Our Culture & Community Experts

Our specialist Culture & Community team has extensive experience designing for diverse users, communities and stakeholders. We understand the unique requirements of cultural and community projects, from civic facilities and public spaces to heritage-led regeneration. The team also has strong knowledge of funding streams and supports clients with funding bids. Where projects involve heritage assets or conservation areas, our architects bring specialist expertise to create sensitive, context-led designs.

Colin Savage

Commercial Director

Colin specialises in the residential sector with a focus on the design of housing, sustainable refurbishment and the regeneration of communities. His work spans both the private and public sector for developers, contractors, registered providers and local authorities. Colin is a Fellow of the CIAT and is heavily involved in encouraging the next generation of Architectural Technologists into the industry. Colin also oversees all aspects of Commercial Management on behalf of the practice.

Full Profile
Full Profile Full Profile

Phil Hepworth

Director

Phil works across all our sectors overseeing community, industrial, office, residential and retail and leisure projects for a range of clients in the public and private sector. Combing this varied sector experience, much of Phil’s recent work has focused on achieving funding for and delivering mixed-use, town centre regeneration projects. Phil enjoys leading a team through all stages of the design process, seeking to deliver well-considered, innovative design solutions. Phil is a member of the British Council for Offices, bringing sector-specific insight to our team.

Full Profile
Full Profile Full Profile

Hannah Cook

Associate

Hannah’s experience spans from residential and office schemes to retail and leisure projects. Most recently, her work has focused on town centre regeneration and the creative reuse of existing buildings. This mixed-use and regeneration experience gives her a unique insight into industry trends and legislation which she applies and shares with the wider team. Hannah enjoys working through all stages of the project, from concept design and planning through to delivering practical projects on site. Using her detailed technical knowledge to achieve successful projects for our clients.

Full Profile
Full Profile Full Profile

Ben Smith

Associate

Ben has delivered large, complex projects with challenging briefs across a variety of sectors. He welcomes complex client requirements and the challenge of maximising a difficult projects potential. Having successfully delivered schemes of varying scales, Ben has the knowledge and experience required to interrogate early-stage designs and develop considered and well resolved proposals for planning and tender information.

Full Profile
Full Profile Full Profile

Liz Durcan

Associate

Liz is passionate about delivering interior schemes to provide enhanced environments for all. Her experience spans a wide range of sectors from offices and workplaces to retail and leisure. Liz strives to understand a client’s brief from all angles and translates this into high quality design proposals. Liz enjoys collaborating with project teams and stakeholders to deliver projects and exceed expectations. She combines her established sector knowledge with excellent presentation and communication skills.

Full Profile
Full Profile Full Profile
Client Testimonial

- Stockroom - repurposing of underused retail space into a community-focused cultural centre in the heart of Stockport.

- St Anthony's, Wythenshawe - sympathetic community hub extension to a Grade II listed church

Let's Talk