In 1990, Lees Associates (now LA London) was one of the first firms to ditch drawing boards, becoming an early adopter of 3D architectural software Archicad. More than 30 years on, we still use it today! In fact, it has been with the practice for longer than almost all of our team – playing a pivotal role in LA’s journey to becoming one of London's premium boutique architecture and interior firms.

The recently-published London Climate Resilience Review, which was commissioned by the Mayor of London, highlights the considerable risks to central London if urgent steps are not taken to improve the city’s resilience to increasingly severe and regular weather events, including flooding and extreme heatwaves.

Using LA’s architect-led surveys and BIM (Building Information Modelling) software, we enabled Lexi Construction to better their competitors’ programmes and secure the project. Here’s how!

At this time of year, whether you are still studying or have successfully gained your degree, securing your first role in architecture can be challenging, with tough competition and lengthy application processes. To help you maximise your chance of success, the Lees Associates team have shared their advice for securing that first graduate job opportunity.

Embarking on a new project is usually marked by an air of optimism. Clients naturally envisage the inevitable success of their endeavour, understandably reluctant to anticipate potential pitfalls. However, even the best planned projects encounter issues that can’t be foreseen, and, as Lead Designer, it's our job to deal with these effectively, ensuring optimism and pragmatism are in equal balance. 

In the latest in our regular series, we meet Pearl James, a Senior Architectural Assistant at Lees Associates who joined the team in early 2021. During that time, she has been involved in a range of prime-resi projects in some of London’s most prestigious areas, including Knightsbridge, Hyde Park and the Crown Estate. She has also worked on a few commercial projects, including the new Tudor Watch Boutique in Harrods. 

In the first of a new series of articles exploring the evolution and application of AI in the world of architecture, LA Associate and Architect Miruna Stroe looks at AI’s impact and capabilities.

It’s been a little over a year since Lees Associates joined PRIME, a collective of like-minded responsible businesses that share a commitment to making a valuable, positive and sustainable impact on the environment and on the communities they serve. Here, we reflect on what we have achieved in our first year.

In 2004, Selfridges pulled off a remarkable feat: installing a 14-metre-tall fibreglass replica of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue above the main entrance of the store on Oxford Street, as part of a wider celebration of Brazilian style. “It was amazing at the time just to get planning permission for it, let alone get it up onto the front of the store,” recalls Kath Archer, partner at Lees Associates.

Expansive views, clean air and the sound of silence: a rural retreat remains a dream for many. Covid’s legacy of hybrid working has given urban-dwellers the freedom to move a little further from their principal place of work.

If you’re considering taking on a building project in the countryside, we’ve weighed up the various factors involved, with expert advice from the worlds of planning, sustainability and rural property.

Miruna Stroe is an Associate at Lees Associates and a Chartered and Registered Architect with a PhD in Architecture who has been with us for seven years. Since joining LA, she has been involved in a number of our high-end residential projects, including a renovation in Holland Park and a substantial listed penthouse redevelopment in Belgravia. So, what does a typical day look like for Miruna at Lees Associates?

Searching for innovative design ideas for your upcoming residential or commercial project? Look no further. Our team has consulted a range of industry peers and collaborators to discover what’s on the design agenda for 2024. From irregular rugs to the digital environment, we have something to inspire everyone.

James Hall began working at Lees Associates as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant in early 2015. After nine years with the company, rising to first Associate and then Associate Director, he was appointed as a Partner at the start of the year, joining Andrew Paulson and Kathryn Archer at the helm of the practice. We sat down with him to discuss this significant accomplishment and his plans for the future.

In the second part of his summary of the effects of the Building Safety Act (BSA), Lees Associates partner, Andrew Paulson looks at the new statutory requirements for owners and developers of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), providing a comprehensive overview for clients and contractors within the prime property sector. 

Key changes to the Building Regulations approval process, and stakeholders’ roles within it, came into effect in October as a result of the 2022 Building Safety Act.

But what are the changes, and what impact will they have on construction projects? Lees Associates’ Partner Andrew Paulson explains all.

One of the best parts of working in the thriving London metropolis is that we have an almost overwhelming wealth of pursuits on our doorstep and an enviable proximity to Europe. We always strive to stay ahead of industry trends and insights, and we believe that attending informative and inspiring exhibitions and trade shows is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.  

Sharing our top tips, we’ve hand-picked our top seven design, art and property-centric events we believe are a must-see in 2024! At LA, we like to stay up to date on not just the architectural industry but also what's happening in the lifestyle and art industries too. It's all about having eyes-on across the design world.

LA Partner, Andrew Paulson’s twentieth anniversary at the practice has been marked with an interview with PrimeResi Journal.

It has been an extremely busy and exciting year for us here at Lees Associates. As we reach the end of the year, we’ve been taking stock and looking back at some of the team’s achievements, successes and memorable moments from the past twelve months. Here are some of our highlights from 2023.

As 2023 draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on shifts and developments within our industry to predict what the new year has in store. 

From transatlantic collaborations to the rise of experiential shopping, LA partners Kathryn Archer and Andrew Paulson share their four key forecasts for London’s prime property market in the year ahead.

Andrew Paulson joined Lees Associates as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant in November 2003. Five years later, he was invited to become a partner in the practice, a position he has now held for over twelve years. In his twenty years with the practice, he has overseen a wide range of prime residential projects in London and beyond. We sat down with him to reflect on his first 20 years at LA.

We have recently celebrated two promotions in the LA team!

In the latest in our regular series, we meet Romanian Architectural Assistant, Ema, and discover the role a humble pencil had in her choice of career, learn why LA are such a good fit for her to fulfil her potential and find out how she recharges by immersing herself in nature and taking part in sports activities.

The prime London property market comes together during the first week of September every year for Lees Associates’ annual summer party, and 2023 was no exception. We are thrilled that it has become such a staple on the social calendar for so many!

Lees Associates’ regular look at what’s new in the prime residential market, compiled from the best of London’s leading real estate professionals and property experts.

Please visit contributor websites for more information.

In this edition, we look at:

• Why cash buyers led to a flurry of summer sales in prime Central London.

• Labour has ruled out a wealth or mansion tax if it wins the next general election.

• How demand for premium apartments in central London continues to grow.