Barr Gazetas

At Barr Gazetas, our ‘people first, always’ philosophy drives us to prioritise the mental and physical wellbeing of our employees through a combination of formal policies, soft initiatives and staff benefits. Here is a glimpse into some of these… Currently, we are holding our annual Bake Off competition in the office. And of course, cake has a special way of creating joy and bringing people together! All of the proceeds will be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. Last week, we welcomed BusyBodies Workplace Massage to provide relaxing massages for our team. These quarterly sessions are fantastic for relieving stress and boosting morale. Last month, we enjoyed our annual summer trip. This year we went to Paris, and it was a wonderful opportunity for us to explore, bond and unwind together. “Our staff’s wellbeing is our priority and key to everyone’s ongoing commitment to our work and our practice. Work plays such a crucial part in our lives. We aim to always provide a supportive and inclusive environment to make a positive impact. As well as getting to know each other better so we can be a close-knit team and lend each other support when needed.” - Rebecca Martin, Associate and trained First Aider / Mental Health Responder at Barr Gazetas

An eight-story architectural gem sitting within a coveted Mayfair postcode, Twenty Berkeley Square has been recently refurbished to create exceptional office spaces supported by retail on ground and first floors.   The building, located on the eastern side of Berkeley Square, was originally constructed in the 1920’s as a purpose-built office. Its stunning neoclassical façade features historic elements such as Juliette balconies, string courses and modillions. To improve the building’s energy efficiency a total of 129 new sliding box sash windows were installed, preserving its traditional aesthetic. The project gracefully reimagines the building's Arts and Crafts heritage whilst also establishing it as one of the greenest office buildings in Mayfair. Want a closer look? Stay tuned for more video content exploring the stunning interiors of Twenty Berkeley Square!

The best environments are accessible for all. But what does this look like? In the UK, there are 14 million people with disabilities. Of these, only 8% are wheelchair users, meaning that there is a lot more to consider when it comes to designing for inclusivity than just providing wheelchair access. Truly inclusive design also addresses the needs of the remaining 92% of people who may have other physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities, including neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and autism. With inclusivity at its heart, our Fivefields project aims to holistically address this broad range of users, blending function with form to create accessible, beautifully-designed spaces without compromising on aesthetics. By combining innovative design techniques, products and technology, we have created a contemporary co-working environment which is inclusive for everyone. Some of the features include: - Artwork and Soft Furnishings: Chosen for their sensory appeal to those across the neurodiverse spectrum. - Signage with Braille and Text: Assists all users in navigating the building. - Functional Platform Lift: Integrated within the listed façade to enable independent access. - Improved Circulation: Eliminates level changes across floors and features a seamless reception area ramp. - Pictogram Signage: Helps all users identify different rooms and spaces. - Height-Adjustable Meeting Tables: Accommodate wheelchair users. - Dimmable Lighting: Assists those with hypersensitivity. By addressing these diverse needs, Fivefields sets a new standard for truly inclusive design.

Why has the BRPD role come into practice? Reinforcing Dame Judith Hackitt’s demand for a more ‘robust ownership of accountability’, the BRPD role is significantly changing the way in which the profession reasserts control during the design stages. Tom Jordan, Technical Director at Barr Gazetas, outlines why this newly-introduced responsibility has been detailed under the Building Regulations. Having recently joined the RIBA Principal Designer Register for both Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) and non-HRBs, Tom is our in-house expert and go-to person for this role. During this campaign, he will be sharing some important points about the role and will provide clarity around the topic. What are your thoughts on the new BRPD role? Let us know in the comments! #Architecture #Construction #BRPD #TechnicalDesign

June marked Pride Month, a time which holds a special place in our hearts here at Barr Gazetas. Our office was vibrant with festivities during the most colourful month of the year 🎉🌈   While the iconic Rainbow Flag is the most well-known symbol of Pride, did you know that there are more than 20 different Pride Flags? The BG team embraced this by sporting the colours of each of their assigned team flags, alongside bringing in a wonderfully creative array of different food and drink also based on the colours of these flags. These included the Pride, Transgender, Genderqueer, Nonbinary and the Lesbian Flags. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can bring their true, unique selves to work every day. Celebrating equal love and acceptance for all! 

As we celebrate Net Zero Week, we are reminded of our shared responsibility to put more vigorous climate action into motion. With this in mind, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share an update on our carbon reduction journey. You might remember our Net Zero roadmap, which set our baseline emissions and goals for 2030 and 2050, marking the starting line of measurable change and continuous improvement for us as a practice. So, what are the numbers saying? We've reduced our Scope 1 emissions by 85% and our Scope 2 emissions by 21%. This is due to a range of different measures being implemented, including ending our reliance on a gas-fired boiler, reducing any air travel to the absolute minimum, and amending our supplier list. This is excellent progress towards reaching both our short and long-term targets. The journey doesn't stop here, though. This is an ongoing process, and we are already focusing on the next phase. Our key area of focus for the coming year will be our Scope 3 emissions. Even though we have reduced our emissions by partnering with some wonderful sustainable suppliers like Fruitful Office (UK) and Zero Waste Bulk Foods , we will be looking at more creative ways to continue to reduce our emissions in this area of our business. We always have and always will view our role in the built environment as an opportunity to drive positive change. We are proud of the progress we have made, but are aware that there's still a lot of work to be done. #netzeroweek #sustainability #climateaction

Meet Shukti – one of our Part 2 Architectural Assistants who is currently undertaking her Part 3 qualification.   With a deep interest in residential design, Shukti holds a Master’s degree in housing and urbanism, and has worked on several residential projects in India. When she first joined us over three years ago, she had the opportunity to explore that passion for residential design, as part of the design team for one of our Later Living projects. Hear from Shukti as she shares some insights into her role, the projects she has been involved in, and the support she has received during this final stage of her formal architectural training. Who would you like to see next?

Awards season is in full swing… We are very proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Building Design. Interior Architect of the Year Award! We believe in design as a tool for transformation and Fivefields, Grainhouse, Broadwick Street and Six are a testament to this. Holbein Gardens has also won the Sustainability Award at this year’s Schüco UK Limited Excellence Awards, further proving the potential of transforming offices into exemplary workplaces that push the boundaries of sustainability.  

With the General Election around the corner, carbon reduction and sustainability will be at the forefront of people’s minds. The next UK Government must invest more in retrofit and adaptive reuse initiatives to help reduce carbon and meet ambitious Net Zero targets, as well as continue to push and support innovation in this field. This comes at a time when the UK’s property markets are facing significant challenges, with changing demands in the office sector and a chronic housing shortage. Part of the solution lies in a more innovative and flexible approach to our existing built environment. Retrofitting existing buildings to create flexible, mixed-use programmes can bring numerous benefits, including carbon reduction, longevity and lower operating costs. Furthermore, mixed-use buildings and developments have the potential to become vibrant spaces that accommodate the diverse needs of residents, communities and businesses alike.    For years, we have been exploring adaptability and the potential of transforming and reimagining buildings that are no longer useful to their communities. At Tower House - once a prominent department store and a recognised landmark in the heart of Lewisham - we brought this much-loved historic listed building back to life after a sensitive renovation that included retail space, co-working and residential. By thinking creatively, we have breathed new life into this challenging building, which now performs several functions and has a renewed sense of importance and vibrancy within the community. Maximising the efficient use of urban land and addressing the critical need for greater sustainability and a focus on community well-being.  

For this year’s London Festival of Architecture we hosted an evening workshop at our offices, inviting people to reimagine the iconic West End. Participants were divided into four groups, each focusing on a distinct theme: public realm, transport, buildings or heritage. Supported by a few of our wonderful architects, they had one hour to analyse the existing area, brainstorm ideas, and collaborate with the other groups. At the end of the evening, each group presented their creative visions for how to improve this part of the city - with concepts rooted in people, inclusivity and sustainability. We absolutely loved hearing the different ideas from each group, which ranged from a green and leafy elevated pedestrian path network to a new museum for Soho to showcase its cultural significance and evolution. The final ideas are in the process of being collated and drawn onto a map of the area, which will soon be published on our website and socials - so keep an eye out! Having worked in the area for over 30 years, we are passionate about its future. As the city continues to evolve, we will continue to encourage and listen to the community’s ideas and contributions in shaping what lies ahead… whatever that may look like!