Allison Piehn

On the tailwind of project-oriented commissions in Europe and America seven years ago, Studio Egret West struck a chord with me. At a time when a place-oriented design approach was a rarity and – to some – incompatible with austerity, I shared with the Studio the intent to deliver social value for communities through landscape and architectural urbanism.

Our work has made way for projects to re-focus as place, and for place to take a back seat to people. I have enjoyed seeing first time homeowners unpacking in the commercially anchored Boiler House, and bicycle-makers setting up shop within the affordable industry-infused spaces of Caxton Works. I have revealed ground-breaking school premises to the academy trustees at Erith Quarry, expanded the amenities at London’s beloved Regents Canal with a public park and workspaces at Sturt’s Yard, and formed a new skyline at Birch House within Kidbrooke Village. On a larger scale, I have led the regeneration of Tottenham’s supercharged High Road West, driven the transformative design of a new neighbourhood at Maidenhead’s The Landing, and found commonality between local interest groups within the design of Bow Common Gas Works.

Alongside our design teams and in partnership with industry-leading clients, I have been involved in designs covering over 177 acres of land, £5bn in construction value, 2 million square feet of commercial space, and over 8 million square feet of residential accommodation delivering 10,000 homes.

But even more impressive than the numbers has been the development of our Studio’s ambition and confidence to take an active part in societal do-good environmental change. The future is clear for the studio and for me – we continue to put creative, collaborative, people-first thought into our work for positive community impact.