Matthew Clay Architects | RIBA Chartered Practice

About time!

More self-build, please! Currently in the UK only around 8% of homes are self-build or custom-build. Yet almost half of new homes are delivered this way in countries like Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland and Australia. It’s a brilliant way to deliver homes, beyond the Big Four developers.

Orchard Room | Matthew Clay Architects Extension to the daycare facilities at Bognor Regis Nursery

We were delighted with the reception two of our projects received when they were submitted. Both were entered when we were a young practice, and helped to play an important role in establishing the studio as it is today.

Orchard Room
tinyurl.com/orchardroom

Squitchey Lane
tinyurl.com/squitchey

Grandpont Nursery | Matthew Clay Architects Inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia Children Nurseries, this new purpose-built extension provides one of the most advanced Children's Centres of this kind and the best environment for the ...

Featured projects:

Grandpont Nursery
www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk/project/gran...

Benmead
www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk/project/benm...

Legion Hall
www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk/project/legi...

Bagley Wood
www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk/project/bagl...

January may be grey and drab, but that doesn’t mean design has to be too!

We like a little bit of colour to brighten up the day. Thoughtful architecture brings light, warmth and character into even the darkest months, and ensures spaces work beautifully all year round.

#Architecture #colour

We’re looking to grow our team!
If you’re interested in joining us please take a look at our Careers page for more information:

www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk/careers

📍Corsham, Wiltshire
🗓️ Closing date: Friday 30 January 2026

#architecture #architecturejobs #yfajobs

We’re thrilled to share Little Sands: a transformation of a tired 90s property into a light-filled modern home in Wiltshire.
Our thanks to our clients, design team and contractors for helping to deliver a wonderful project; photos courtesy of Adam Carter

#architecture #cotswold #architecturelover

A very Merry Christmas to all. Thank you as ever to our clients, our contractors, our wider design team and everyone else who have helped progress some rather wonderful schemes across this year. Enjoy the break!

A big day today! We’re delighted to be supporting Rose who, of her own volition, has set herself the challenge of helping to fundraise for two fantastic charities: @thebhf.bsky.social and @wbairambulance.bsky.social

Www.justgiving.com/team/rosejarrett

MPs call for VAT cut on retrofit projects to tackle ‘disparity’ with new-build The government should reduce the VAT paid on retrofit projects to reflect their environmental benefits compared with new-build, a committee of MPs has said

About time, surely?

www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/mps-cal...

Church of the Good Shepherd, Batheaston - Martin Fisher, 1966-67 Image credit: Immi Corry

Church of the Good Shepherd, Batheaston - Martin Fisher, 1966-67 Image credit: Immi Corry

Georgian Bath? How about Brutalist Bath!

Sign the petition to save the fabulous little Church of the Good Shepherd in Batheaston (1966-67) from demolition, and allow the local community to buy it instead.

✍🏼 c.org/PdMGmFFhqZ

Appleby Blue Almshouse gives Witherford Watson Mann its second Stirling Prize win Appleby Blue Almshouse gives Witherford Watson Mann its second Stirling Prize win

Witherford Watson Mann has won its second RIBA Stirling Prize after its ‘generous and thoughtful’ Appleby Blue Almshouse in Southwark, south London, was crowned the UK’s best new building

A rather delightful outcome.

Thank you Sam, Jack, and all at Bluemill and Clements, and their sub-contractors for the hard in helping it get there.

Photos and video courtesy of Adam Carter Photography.

#barnconversion #conservation #listedbuilding #renovation #restoration

Happy World Architecture Day, everyone!

#worldarchitectureday2025 #worldarchitectureday

Which schemes are vying for the 2025 Stephen Lawrence Prize? Which schemes are vying for the 2025 Stephen Lawrence Prize?

The RIBA has announced the six projects by up-and-coming architects in the running for this year’s Stephen Lawrence Prize

If you’re ever offered the privilege of tutoring architecture students, do it because you want to offer something to them. Our team’s lucky enough to work some some fabulous and thought-provoking minds over at @uniofbath.bsky.social, and it’s an absolute joy to be kept in our toes by them!

Shhh! Keep it secret, but we’ve just heard about a new social media platform, and have - certainly not belatedly - decided to take the plunge with it.

Want to find out more? Go on, give us a follow!

www.facebook.com/MatthewClayA...

UK schools and offices not equipped for impact of global heating, report warns Exclusive: UK Green Building Council calls for adaptation of millions of buildings and warns of flood threats to towns The UK’s schools, care homes and offices are not equipped for the effects of global heating and face lengthy heatwaves even in optimistic scenarios, according to a groundbreaking report that calls for climate resilience to be declared a national emergency. The report by the UK Green Building Council also predicts that towns including Peterborough and Fairbourne will be uninhabitable by the end of the century because of flooding. The appointment of a minister for resilience within the Cabinet Office A new legal objective to ensure all planning decisions deliver climate safety. A more ambitious future homes standard to protect against increasing climate hazards – overheating, flooding and water scarcity. A comprehensive retrofit strategy to make homes and buildings climate safe. The protection of all communities with trees, parks and ponds. Continue reading...

UK schools and offices not equipped for impact of global heating, report warns

Liverpool’s Catholic cathedral has listing upgraded to Grade I Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, AKA ‘the Wigwam’, recognised as one of UK’s most important buildings

A fantastic building by Sir Frederick Gibberd.

Great the see ‘the Wigwam’ being Grade I Listed, and recognised as one of UK’s most important buildings.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

'Innovative' Glenmere Primary School gets listed status The building is described as a

Two things we like:

1) sustainable, beautiful timber construction; and
2) thoughtful, considered educational spaces.

Great to see it’s being recognised as a national asset. Well done to all involved.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We’ve got a new website to showcase our work, and thought you might like a sneak peak!

Www.matthewclayarchitects.co.uk

#architecture #new #website

Do you live in the SOUTH WEST? We need your nominations for our Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2025! Email us about your local threatened, dilapidated and neglected Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Here's how: bit.ly/3YzRjk

#southwestengland

To mark the 90th birthday of 66 Portland Place, the RIBA have shared a series of fantastic archive stories on Google Arts and Culture.

Here, artist Edward Bainbridge Copnall sculpts the figure of Architectural Aspiration above the main entrance in 1934. Taps-Aff!

Hello all, and welcome. As it’s our #firstpost, we thought we’d introduce ourselves. We are a #RIBA Chartered Practice in Corsham (near Bath), and will post the occasional muse and news.

We are a small team of #architects, so won’t be on here all the time, but do get in touch to find out more.