2024: A Year in Review
2024 has been a year of growth and positivity for us here at LA London. As we reach the end of the year, we’re reflecting on some of the team’s achievements, successes and memorable moments from the past twelve months. Here are some of our highlights from 2024:
In September, Lees Associates underwent an exciting transformation, rebranding to LA London, more than forty years after its establishment in 1981. Along with the name change, a newly designed website was launched; however, LA's core values, exceptional processes, and commitment to innovation remain the same.
This year's eagerly anticipated annual LA Summer Party held special importance as it celebrated the launch of our rebranding to LA London and the promotion of James Hall to partner. Despite the slightly drizzly September weather, we welcomed an impressive turnout of over 150 guests from various sectors, all enjoying our stunning rooftop garden.
Notable Project Completions
A client consultation about accommodating a new fridge evolved into a much more substantial project for LA London – one including a 25m subterranean swimming pool. LA London worked with interior designers, Accouter, and main contractors, Morgan Rae, on this ambitious and complex project, which took place on a privately managed estate on a former royal hunting ground in rural Surrey.
We delivered the full refurbishment of this elegant Kensington townhouse for a private client. Purchased for use as a pied à terre by an international family, the four-bedroom 1980s home is located in the heart of London’s museum district. Partner, Kathryn Archer and Associate, Cristian Tudose led the project for LA London, working closely with interior designers, Accouter.
New Project Appointments
We have been appointed to some fantastic new projects over the course of 2024 and have an exciting pipeline ahead in 2025. Recent appointments include new-build homes in St George’s Hill and St John’s Wood, another renovation in Kensington, and a Grade I-listed restoration in Mayfair. Our survey arm, LA Surveys, has also continued to pick up many projects throughout London and beyond.
Work on the Menier Chocolate Factory begins!
August saw the long-awaited start on site of our renovation of the Menier Chocolate Factory, opposite our office in Southwark Street. Once a British outpost of French confectioner Menier, this grand, Victorian Grade-II listed building is now home to an award-winning theatre and tenants spanning retail, media, hospitality and the arts, which meant our design needed to be versatile and adaptable to a range of uses. You can read more about this project here.
The Building Safety Act: One Year On
Over the course of the year, we have been appointed as Principal Designers for Building Regulations on most of our existing and new projects, including two apartments in higher-risk buildings. As a new role to the industry, this has been a learning process for everyone and so it has been very rewarding to see the bespoke system and processes that we have built in-house so positively received by the teams we are working with. You can read what we’ve already learned here.
AI in Architecture
We partnered with LightField London earlier this year to launch a journal series focused on AI in architecture. This series explores how the architecture sector is at the forefront of adopting AI technologies, particularly through the integration of 3D tools like 3ds Max and Building Information Modelling (BIM). To discover more about this fascinating subject head to our journal page here.
© Lightfield London
Improving our PRIME Score
Our next PRIME rescore is fast approaching and we have been working hard behind the scenes to make more incremental improvements to everything we do, this year including continuing to develop our design and specification standards to wherever possible make sustainable options our defaults, such as more efficient heating for the office and recycling more. Read our reflections on our first year as PRIME members here.
LA Surveys Expands
This year has seen the popularity of our separate measured surveys service via LA Surveys grew further. We now carry out surveys and build existing BIM models for all of our own projects, as well as regularly carrying out surveys for others. Our surveys team is currently expanding to ensure we can meet the increased demand moving forward.
And so to 2025…
As we’ve already said, we have many more exciting projects in the pipeline to start working on in the new year. We’re also looking forward to seeing some current projects completing, including an incredible private home in Chelsea, a beautiful family home in Little Venice and of course, the Menier Chocolate Factory. And, as LA Surveys grows, we will be introducing the benefits of using architects to produce measured surveys to a wider audience with our new CPD. Get in touch if it’s of interest!
and finally…
Merry Christmas and a very Happy new Year from us all!
