We need a culture shift from exploitation towards co-operation to fight low pay
Wongani has had a feature piece written in the Architect’s Journal reflecting on the RIBA’s Workplace & Wellbeing report. The report highlighted issues of low wages and unpaid hours across the architectural profession. Wongani’s piece reflects on how architecture practices need to encourage members to unionise, to be transparent with salaries, and how organisations can cooperatively engage to address issues. You can read the piece online here or you can purchase a physical copy of the 2025 May Issue of the Architect’s Journal entitled: OUT.
Why is housing so expensive?
Last week Liv spoke on the UKAEA workers union panel on the topic of why is housing so expensive in this country. Along with Hollie Wright from New Economics Foundation and Elaine Pony from South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse District Councils, Liv offered her insights into the causes behind the housing crisis and discussed how we might solve it. You can see the full recording here. This panel is part of a wider project by workers at UKAEA to build their own affordable homes and create a vision for how unions could tackle the housing crisis, you can read the full report here.
Getting back to nature
On Wednesday 21 May, the team swapped the office for the Ashridge Drovers Walk near Tring. We followed old paths once used for driving livestock on common land, enjoying nature, good company, and some great views. We shared snacks and Wongani’s homemade banana loaves! We picked some wild oyster mushrooms, and Olivia made a flower crown! It was a lovely day out with sunshine, fresh air, and lots of laughs.
How can we build an architecture for community-led neighbourhood transformation?
Wongani will be speaking at an event held by the Footwork Trust on Tuesday 24th June, 5-7pm in London. The event will spotlight community innovators up and down the country who are leading regeneration projects in their neighbourhoods – and architects who are backing them.
Contributors will reflect on the ins and outs of these partnerships, from procurement to contracting, from financing to resourcing, with lots of room for candid conversations! Further details and free sign up here.
London Architecture Networking Event
On Thursday, 15 May, Joyce attended a London Architecture Networking Event organised by Kongcept and Urban House Hong Kong. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with others working in the built environment who share a common background. The event sparked discussions about various career paths, and Joyce remarked on how rare it is to engage in Passivhaus and EnerPHit projects, especially within a cooperative architecture practice.
One of our projects is on site!
One of our residential retrofit projects has officially entered the construction phase! This two-storey extension includes an in-ground wine cellar and is aiming for EnerPHit certification, making it an especially exciting build. After months of design development and coordination, it’s a real milestone to see it taking shape on site—we’re looking forward to sharing progress as it unfolds.
Looking to retrofit your home? 🏡
At Transition by Design, we specialise in retrofits, extensions, and low-carbon design and have been offering high quality design services across Oxfordshire for over 13 years. With a commitment to sustainability and community-focused design, we bring your vision to life while reducing your home’s environmental impact.
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As seen in Oxford’s first EnerPHit project Hutchcomb Road, we combine thoughtful design with sustainable solutions, ensuring every project meets the highest environmental and aesthetic standards.
Contact us today to start your journey toward a greener, more comfortable home.
