Where we work
We work purposefully and responsibly.
As an integrated team of designers and consultants with a wealth of experience spanning the entire spectrum of the built environment, we are equipped to plan and design projects of any scale that are commercially deliverable and socially and environmentally sustainable.
We work across four key areas, Residential, Regeneration, Heritage, and Commercial.
Residential
We put people, design innovation and commercial viability at the centre of all our projects.
With the design and technical capability to deliver projects of all sizes, we work across the full residential spectrum from build-to-rent, co-living, and student accommodation to social and affordable housing, later-living and extra care. Our approach puts people, community, and health and wellbeing at the centre of all our housing development work, no matter the tenure or type.
As experienced masterplanners, we are able to advise on strategic land identification, settlement housing growth, masterplan policy, and major urban extension. We combine excellence in design and place making with a deep understanding of development and funding requirements to create places and homes that address the demands of a changing demographic and achieve the commercial objectives of our clients.
A masterplan should be built upon the essence of a place and its people. A ‘ground-up’ approach. Too many masterplans take the opposite approach – a ‘top-down’, formulaic, almost prescriptive attitude. It’s not for us to dictate or assign but to discover, understand and build upon those discoveries and understandings. The approach needs to be both holistic and realistic in aligning design aspirations with commercial, technical and delivery requirements”.
Steven Whitehouse
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Regeneration
MCAU was established to tackle the regeneration challenges our towns and cities face.
We have a proven capability in the commercial rejuvenation of struggling places and buildings. Whether a declining shopping centre, high-street, retail park or housing estate, we specialise in the regeneration of those parts of our built environment that are either forgotten or present challenges that initially may appear overwhelming or commercially unviable.
There is an opportunity for our towns and cities and neighbourhoods to evolve and adapt to bring about positive change and breathe new life into these essential places. Re-using and retrofitting existing housing, commercially redundant spaces, and industrial and heritage assets in smart, creative ways must be part of the solution.
“Every project is a chance to craft a more inclusive, resilient future, where communities feel empowered and inspired. The impact isn’t just physical; it’s social, economic, and deeply human. It’s about having the ability to see and create opportunity, embracing innovation and breathing new life into places. Transforming them into vibrant hubs where people connect, businesses thrive, and local pride is reignited.”
Dave Skidmore
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Heritage
We transform redundant buildings and underused assets into valuable places.
The built environment is constantly evolving, yet many old buildings, spaces and assets can become problematic and ignored and ultimately left redundant. We help clients to reimagine these building and places, giving them renewed value and real purpose in the contemporary economy.
We identify opportunities for creative reuse and adaptation, inspiring new ideas for old buildings, underperforming spaces, and heritage sites. From Victorian baths, old breweries, and railway arches to declining shopping centres, surplus offices, vacant stores and obsolete factories, we have developed successful reuse strategies to drive investment, build community pride, boost the local economy, and meet the needs of future generations.
“Each project is about so much more than conservation. It’s about making these places work for today’s communities. The challenge of bringing together compelling architecture with practical business models and the right partnerships. It’s about making places feel as valued today as they did in their heyday. Great buildings don’t all need to be museums to be loved.”
Jim Roberts
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Commercial
We emphasise flexibility and adaptability to cater to changing industry demands.
MCAU’s industrial and logistics architectural projects prioritise practicality, sustainability, and innovation. They combine contemporary design with efficient layouts to maximize workflow and space usage.
Each project is customised to suit the precise needs of manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies, integrating advanced technologies for improved operations. MCAU’s designs emphasise flexibility and adaptability to cater to changing industry demands and client needs, creating dynamic environments that promote productivity and expansion.
“Collaboration is key. Working closely with our clients to fully understand their needs, constraints and future plans. It’s not just about designing for the foreseeable future, but anticipating what might be beyond that. It’s the intersection of design vernacular, useability and sustainability - ensuring you deliver a visually appealing structure that is practical, flexible and efficient.”
Phil Jervis
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