Enduring projects for a changing world
In changing social, environmental and economic contexts, we make projects with an enduring presence, influence or legacy whether they are buildings, temporary projects or long term strategies. Primarily, places endure when they are loved; so common to all our projects is care for people’s experience of the place, permeating all scales from the city to the detail.
This month we had the pleasure of hosting architecture students from the University of Westminster for a tour of our affordable housing project 458 Forest Road in Walthamstow.
The tour - led by Architect Benjamin Carter - forms part of the RIBA Future Architects programme, where we pair Gort Scott mentors with Year 3 BA Architecture students at universities across the UK, supporting future and emerging architects.
The initiative is part of our broader outreach programme, which includes workshops, work experience, internships and mentoring, and covers all ages from primary education through to adults in work.
Thanks to Pocket Living and the Forest Road residents.
Directors Jay Gort and Fiona Scott were invited by the Architecture Foundation to deliver the latest talk in the Architecture on Stage series.
The lecture, titled What Matters, reflected on how they practice architecture in a changing world. They structured the presentation around four key questions that drive the work that comes out of the practice:
1. What role does design play in the urban block?
2. Should we be building at all?
3. Can we be both bold and contextual?
4. Is it possible to create - in reality - the settings we imagine?
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Barbican last week. It was a privilege to share the questions and ideas that have shaped our work over the years. A recording will be available soon via the Architecture Foundation.
Thank you to the Barbican, Ellis Woodman and the Architecture Foundation for the invitation.
Forest Road is shortlisted for the 2025 Housing Design Awards in the Affordable Housing category. Gort Scott and Pocket Living will host a building tour for the judging panel in April.
Forest Road provides 90 affordable one-bedroom homes for local first-time buyers in Walthamstow, on a prominent site opposite Lloyd Park and the William Morris Gallery — the Grade II* listed former home of the Arts and Crafts activist. The building achieves a high density of affordable housing within a predominantly low-rise context, with sensitivity to neighbouring terraced housing. A third of the homes were sold off-plan within five months, reflecting high demand for affordable, community-oriented housing in the area. Almost 50% of the homes have been sold to people who live or work in the borough. Features include large floor to ceiling windows for maximum daylight, ample storage, continuous flooring throughout main living spaces and sensible room proportions. Communal spaces have been integrated into the design to foster a sense of community and wellbeing. Two roof terraces with park views, a south-facing communal courtyard and a lobby area serve as welcoming, shared environments where residents can relax and socialise.
Explore ProjectMany architects, through their work, create art and alter environments. A few, like Gort Scott, transform lives.
Private client, The Rock
