Focus

Alex Ely: 鈥楢rchitecture is so central to our culture - it鈥檚 a pity it doesn鈥檛 seem to gain the traction it deserves鈥�

By 2024-02-19T06:00:00

O_150506_N1661

The founder of the Stirling Prize-winning Mae Architects shares his influences and inspirations with Ben Flatman and concludes that his profession still has much to offer

Few contemporary British architects have managed to mix critical acclaim with wide-ranging impact on the built environment as effectively as Alex Ely. Mae, the practice that he founded in 2001, is recognised as an industry leader in housing, having not only designed numerous projects, but also written the hugely influential London Housing Design Guide 2010 for the Mayor of London. 

And, last November, his practice鈥檚 widely praised John Morden Centre won RIBA鈥檚 Stirling Prize for best new UK building, confirming Ely鈥檚 status as one of the leading British practitioners of his generation.

BD recently caught up with Ely in Marylebone, in the heart of the Church Street Masterplan area. It is a part of London with which he has been closely involved for more than a decade and where Mae has just completed Daventry House, a sector-leading community supported-living scheme for Westminster City Council, consisting of 60 flats for those in later life.

鈥�

This is PREMIUM content, available to subscribers only

You are not currently logged in. Subscribers may LOGIN here.

to access this story

Gated access promo


A subscription will provide access to the latest industry news, expert analysis & comment from industry leaders,  data and research - including our popular annual league tables. You will receive:

  • Print/digital issues delivered to your door/inbox
  • Unlimited access to building.co.uk including our archive
  • Print/digital supplements
  • 好色先生TVletters - unlimited access to the stories behind the headlines

now 

 

Get access to premium content