Community

With a focus on building users and creating sustainable communities, at Arbor Architects, we design beautiful spaces that are holistically low energy, healthy and seamlessly integrated with their local environment. We are deeply committed to building vibrant and inclusive communities through our specialised approach to inclusive and effective consultation. We share an approach to socially and environmentally aware design that puts building users at the heart of the design process.

We work closely with our clients, community groups and stakeholders to understand, draw out and develop ideas and aspirations, believing everyone should be empowered to influence a better future for their community.

Whether you're embarking on a new initiative or revitalising an existing community space, Arbor Architects will partner with you to craft spaces that prioritise comfort and sustainability and enhance the social fabric that binds us all. We’d be delighted to join you in shaping a brighter future for all through thoughtful, community-focused design and construction.

Consultation

We share an approach to environmentally aware design that puts building users right at the heart of the design process. To ensure projects are not only viable but represent the best approach for the community, key aspects will need to be informed by discussions and consultations with residents and community bodies. A continued process of consultation with stakeholders throughout a project informs how the project objectives and expected outcomes are developed. Consultation events and community engagement are a vital part of this process.

Community Projects

  • Canon Frome Court Housing

    We are currently working with the Windflower Housing Association at Canon Frome Court to develop 3 new affordable housing units - two of which are conversions of existing outbuildings in the grounds of the Grade II listed manor house and one will be a new build on a disused part of the site. We are working closely with the community group, through a series of workshops and consultation events to shape our proposals for the dwellings. The community wants to develop a low energy scheme using bio-based materials that will benefit occupant health and have a lower embodied energy.

  • Gellideg Wellbeing Centre

    Working with the Gellideg Foundation over a number of years to design a high quality, Passivhaus Wellbeing Centre on one of the most economically and socially deprived estates in Britain.

  • Shaldon Road Community Housing

    This community-led housing development on the outskirts of Bristol provides 49 affordable new homes for members of the Bristol Community Land Trust and tenants of Brighter Places Housing Association. Common houses and shared gardens will provide communal facilities at the heart of this community focused development.

  • Vipassana Meditation Centre

    Arbor Architects are working with the Vipassana Trust to deliver accommodation, dining and meditation facilities for the Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhana centres, which provide short and long meditation courses respectively.

  • Bicester Eco Business Centre

    The RIBA Award-winning building is the the UK’s first Passivhaus Plus non-residential building. The BREEAM Outstanding co-working office spaces make the most of natural materials and natural light through solar-controlled facades.

  • Rural Creative Retreat

    This project is situated on a working uplands farm, set on the border between England and Wales in area rich in history and folk law. The farm comprises of a Grade II listed farmhouse and a number of curtilage listed barns and outbuildings to the west of the farmhouse.

  • Jubilee Campsite

    We are working with Cardiff and Vale Area Scouts to develop a masterplan for the redevelopment of the beautiful Jubilee camping fields. The site will be developed to make it more accessible to a wider group of users, while retaining its unique wilderness feel and the opportunity for children to safely explore the woodland setting.

What’s the process?

From the project's outset, we will review and develop an understanding of the key client objectives regarding quality, viability, sustainability, social value, etc… These requirements will be developed into a set of drivers and project outcomes, which can be used at key points in the process to check compliance with the brief.

  • We will illustrate these in a project programme highlighting client sign-off against project outcomes at key milestones in the design development process. This ensures that everyone on all sides of the table understands their responsibilities and is working to the same timescales.

  • At the outset of the project, we set up regular client and design team meetings to report on progress, discuss matters arising and plan for future milestones and any risks identified. We set clear agendas for these meetings and always circulate concise minutes with highlighted actions.

  • At Arbor Architects, we share an approach to environmentally aware design that puts building users right at the heart of the design process. We work closely with clients, community groups and stakeholders to understand, draw out and develop their ideas and aspirations. We believe everyone should be empowered to influence a better future for their community. Central to this process is our approachability, open-mindedness, skilful communication style and creative approach, which combine to ensure delivered projects are truly collaborative, not only delivering objectives but exceeding expectations.

  • We have long-standing relationships with trusted local consultants with significant experience working with us to achieve high service standards and value for money. Over a number of years, we have managed to streamline our processes and develop robust ways of working that mitigate risk and add both quality and value.

  • We use the latest Revit software to model our buildings in three dimensions and ensure all our drawn and written information is of a high standard, avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring everyone clearly understands the proposals.

  • We always hold a pre-start meeting to review the contract with all parties to ensure everyone understands their obligations and what they’re signing up for. We then have regular meetings throughout the duration of the contract to ensure everything is running to programme and any issues can be dealt with quickly and effectively,