{"id":746738,"date":"2024-07-16T10:19:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T09:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=746738"},"modified":"2024-07-17T08:32:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T07:32:57","slug":"new-practice-smith-maloney-hillier-architects-fees-must-rise-to-avoid-decline-in-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/new-practice-smith-maloney-hillier-architects-fees-must-rise-to-avoid-decline-in-standards","title":{"rendered":"New practice Smith Maloney Hillier Architects: \u2018Fees must rise to avoid decline in standards\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Practice name<\/strong>\u00a0Smith Maloney Hillier Architects
\nBased <\/strong>At present we are based in Bristol and Frome, but our plan is to consolidate to a single studio in Bath in the next 12 months, as it\u2019s an ideal location to serve our Bristol, Somerset and London clients.
\nMain people<\/strong>\u00a0Mark Hillier (director \u2013 architecture and landscape); Ashley Smith (director \u2013 architecture and masterplanning); Natasha Smith (director \u2013 architecture and interiors)
\nFounded <\/strong>May 2024
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where have you come from?
\n<\/strong>The practice formed from the amalgamation of two design-led studios: Bristol-based Smith Maloney<\/a> Architects, founded by husband and wife, Ashley and Natasha in 2013; and London-based h2archtecture, founded by Mark in 2004.<\/p>\n

We previously worked together at Rolfe Judd Architects more than 20 years ago and remained in touch. Mark moved to Frome 18 months ago and started teaching with Ashley at the University of Bath, and one thing led to another. Mark\u2019s brother (ex-Buro Happold) has recently joined us as an environmental and structural design consultant, and we\u2019re also bringing in a highly experienced planning consultant so it\u2019s more of a multidisciplinary approach than previously. We’re bringing each discipline into the process at the earliest stage to ensure sustainable objectives are integrated without sacrificing architectural or aesthetic aspirations.<\/p>\n

What work do you have and what kind of projects are you looking for?<\/strong>
\nWe’re fortunate to have a range of projects that have come through existing contacts in the South West and London. Mark is looking at several retrofit and house remodelling projects for private clients in south-west London. We are about to submit a pre-app for a supported living development in New Malden, and we\u2019re at the tail-end of the planning process for a development comprising 26 new dwellings and community facilities just outside Bristol.<\/p>\n

We enjoy variety so we\u2019re happy to look at any project where design is high on the priority list. We\u2019re in early discussions to do some pro-bono work on a community-led theatre refurbishment in Somerset, and we\u2019re also talking to the YMCA about a retrofit project to improve the layout and environmental performance of a youth centre in north Somerset.<\/p>\n

\u2018If there\u2019s an existing building deemed to be safe, there\u2019s a moral imperative to see if it can be adapted\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A lot of our work, around 60 per cent, is retrofit. If there is an existing building on a site that the structural engineers deem to be safe, we feel there is a moral imperative to establish whether it can be adapted to suit our client\u2019s needs before new-build options are explored. Our Hillside Road project<\/a> in Portishead, north Somerset, is a good example of this approach.<\/p>\n

Our aspiration is to work on a variety of projects where we can use our broad spectrum of experience to assess and direct our clients in the best way we can. This process would include the consideration of any existing buildings, how these structures could be reused, what impact this might have on the planning process and any cost benefits it could bring. We\u2019d also consider the environmental characteristics of any retained structures and then consider how new interventions could benefit the functionality of the existing building and also allow the buildings to adapt to their new users\u2019 requirements.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Hillside Road project in Portishead, north Somerset by Smith Maloney Hillier<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

What are your ambitions?<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ve no preconceived ideas about where this new venture will lead us. The Covid crisis gave us time to reflect on our experiences in practice and to rethink our priorities. We\u2019re not concerned about growing the practice to a predetermined size.<\/p>\n

We want to focus on aspects of the process we enjoy. This means exercising our analytical skills and creativity, and working collaboratively with like-minded clients and fellow professionals who understand the value of good design. Ultimately, we want to create beautifully crafted sustainable architecture, landscapes, and interiors, but it\u2019s important to us that everyone involved feels enriched and valued throughout the process.<\/p>\n

At the same time, all three directors continue to enjoy teaching roles at leading design schools. Design faculties are a testing ground for new ideas and new technologies, which encourage us to evolve as designers and practitioners.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also looking to develop partnerships with local contractors that share our commitment to high-quality, environmentally responsive design. This will allow us to bring the builder into the project at an early stage and to benefit from their knowledge of construction and building costs.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Yanleigh Green, north Somerset \u2013 a 26-home rural development on the outskirts of Bristol that transforms an underused car parking into a vibrant community green<\/p>\n\t

Source:Smith Maloney Hillier<\/p><\/div>\n

What are the biggest challenges facing yourself as a start-up and the profession generally?<\/strong>
\nThe obvious challenge is fee levels, which appear to have remained relatively static during a period of record inflation. Practices should not be charging the same hourly rates in 2024, as they were in 2019. There needs to be a greater degree of solidarity on fee levels if the profession is to avoid a steady decline in standards.<\/p>\n

\u2018The planning process has become a lottery\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The planning process has also become a lottery, both in terms of timescales and outcomes. It\u2019s increasingly difficult to manage client expectations, timescales, and resources. Architects continue to have an essential role in creating high-quality sustainable environments. We must recognise our value and charge appropriately rather than continuing to do more for less.<\/p>\n

Which scheme, completed in the last five years, has inspired you most?<\/strong>
\nIn our teaching roles we are exposed to so many new projects. It\u2019s almost impossible to pinpoint a single scheme. That said, 168 Upper Street by Groupworks is a firm favourite. It seems to subvert the notion of \u2018in-keeping\u2019 espoused by UK planning authorities, creating something unequivocally contextual and at the same time quite alien.<\/p>\n

\"168

168 Upper Street by Groupwork<\/p>\n\t

Source: TIMOTHY SOAR<\/p><\/div>\n

We love the fact that the needs of the interior, in terms of window and door placement, are unapologetically superimposed on an architectural edifice entirely derived from historic precedent.<\/p>\n

Are you using any new design techniques, such as AI?<\/strong>
\nYes, we love new tech. As Smith Maloney, we were early adopters of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality back in 2016, both as a design and a presentation tool. We find VR useful for evaluating design iterations, particularly spatial qualities, scale, and natural daylight. For clients, being able to experience the design at 1:1 scale in 3D is also extremely reassuring.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re using AI for concept stage design development\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We\u2019ve found that it significantly reduces the risk of client-driven design changes during the construction phase. We\u2019re also using AI for concept-stage design development, image manipulation and copywriting. We\u2019re starting to use AI to generate visuals from the output of traditional craft-based design activities like models and sketches.<\/p>\n

How are you marketing yourselves?<\/strong>
\nWe know from previous experience that marketing can\u2019t stop when the office is busy delivering projects. That was one of the main attractions of merging the two practices. We\u2019ve just launched a new website, and we\u2019re regularly updating our feeds on social-media channels. Most of our work is repeat business, so we invest a lot of time maintaining a dialogue with past clients, and making sure we are available when they need help.<\/p>\n

\"\"

A sketch for an extension in Guildford<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

www.smithmaloneyhillier.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Practice name\u00a0Smith Maloney Hillier Architects Based At present we are based in Bristol and Frome, but our plan is to consolidate to a single studio in Bath in the next 12 months, as it\u2019s an ideal location to serve our Bristol, Somerset and London clients. Main people\u00a0Mark Hillier (director \u2013 architecture and landscape); Ashley Smith …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":915,"featured_media":749126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[681],"tags":[1493,1378,1861,101194],"yoast_head":"\nNew practice Smith Maloney Hillier Architects: \u2018Fees must rise to avoid decline in standards\u2019<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The latest in a series of practice profiles looking at architects who have recently decided to change direction or start afresh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/new-practice-smith-maloney-hillier-architects-fees-must-rise-to-avoid-decline-in-standards\" \/>\n<meta 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