A comprehensive webinar focused on community engagement best practices and proper fee structuring for architectural projects is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, at 11 AM. The online event, titled "Community Engagement: Innovative Approaches and Getting the Overall Fee Right," is being organized in partnership with Fresh Projects and aims to provide practical guidance for both community engagement practitioners and practice managers.
Three distinguished industry experts will lead the panel discussion. Holly Lewis, who co-founded the acclaimed firm We Made That in 2006, brings extensive experience in shaping healthy, fair, and well-designed urban spaces. As a registered architect and affiliate member of the Landscape Institute, Lewis has spearheaded numerous pioneering projects ranging from industrial intensification initiatives to comprehensive high street regeneration efforts. She currently serves as the Mayor's design advocate for the Greater London Authority, holds the position of town architect for the London Borough of Hackney, and chairs the Croydon Design Review Panel.
Tim Forster, director and head of sustainability at AWW, will share insights from his leadership in creating low-carbon, socially impactful environments. Under his guidance, AWW became the first architectural practice to receive the Social Value Quality Mark, a recognition that helped the firm develop its approach to measuring social value through design. Forster was instrumental in the design delivery of the Mary Ward Centre, which won the AJ100 Community Impact Award in 2024 along with several other community-focused honors.
Nick Hayhurst of Hayhurst & Co Architects rounds out the expert panel. After founding Tyler Hayhurst in 2004 and later reforming his practice as Hayhurst & Co in 2009, he has led numerous pioneering education, community, and residential projects. As a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton specializing in design theory and practice, Hayhurst will discuss the Filwood Community Centre and Library project – a £10 million development in Bristol that forms part of the broader Filwood Broadway regeneration initiative.
The webinar agenda covers essential topics for successful community engagement work. Participants will learn how to establish effective work programs and timelines for community engagement projects, with particular emphasis on accurate fee pricing for social value work while avoiding hidden costs. The session will address strategies for ensuring comprehensive stakeholder representation and effectively hearing all community voices throughout the design process.
Attendees will gain insights into proper resourcing for community engagement work and learn from leading UK practices about structuring engagement phases for optimal outcomes. The panel will also cover critical aspects of accurately tracking scope changes, which frequently cause cost overruns in community-focused projects. These practical approaches can be immediately implemented in participants' own practices.
Simon Berry, founder of Fresh Projects, joins the panel as an entrepreneur and engineer who specializes in bridging creative excellence with business acumen in the architecture and engineering sectors. As former commercial director at WSP, Berry witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by architectural and engineering firms and now offers expert guidance on transforming architectural practices into thriving, sustainable businesses.
The Filwood Community Centre and Library project, which Hayhurst will feature in his presentation, represents a significant investment in community infrastructure. Currently under construction, the scheme is being developed by Hayhurst & Co in collaboration with YouMe and aims to provide outstanding social and cultural facilities for Knowle West and the broader south Bristol community.
Participants will have opportunities to ask questions directly to the expert panel and receive practical insights that can be quickly deployed in their own practices. The webinar is designed to explore the many elements that contribute to successful community engagement work, from initial planning through project completion. Registration for the free webinar is currently available, offering architecture professionals a valuable opportunity to enhance their community engagement skills and business practices.
