Arbor Architects: 2025 Reflections

As we approach 2026, we’ve taken time to reflect on a year marked by steady, meaningful progress; achieved amid shifting policies, market uncertainty, unavoidable planning delays, and significant changes within the Arbor Architects team. Despite these challenges, the year has been one of growth and resilience. Looking back, we’re proud to share and celebrate several key moments that have shaped our journey, and we’re delighted to share these reflections below:

Planning Achievements

We’re proud to have secured planning permission on several significant schemes this year. Each representing a long-term commitment to low-energy design, community value, and sensitive placemaking.

NMITE Keystone Building – A key academic building for the New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering, designed to embody their ethos of hands-on, future-focused education.
Growing Local Cook School – A project that pairs food, education, and community resilience, offering a space where learning is rooted in the relationship between people and land.
Penymoor Farm Redevelopment – A thoughtful reimagining of a historic farmstead, balancing heritage with contemporary low-energy design.
Sensitive Rural New Builds and Replacement Dwellings – We continue to support clients navigating complex rural contexts, achieving planning for Church Stile Barn, Kempley Farm, and Buskwood. Each brings considered, high-performing homes into landscapes that demand care and attentiveness.

These planning successes have been hard-won and collaborative, and they speak to the trust our clients place in us to steer their projects with clarity, creativity, and environmental responsibility.

Celebrating Recognition

A particular highlight was seeing The Tin Barn shortlisted for a RIBA South West and Wessex Regional Award.

This project embodies so much of what drives us: adaptive reuse, circular principles, and architecture that is humble, warm, and deeply connected to its place. Being recognised among standout projects across the region is an honour, and a reminder that quiet, fabric-first design can have a powerful impact.

Progress on Site

2025 has also seen important progress across several construction sites:

NMITE Centre For Innovation and Future Skills – Moving from drawing board to reality, this building has begun to reveal its character as a robust, future-focused educational environment.
Block J at Dhama Dipa – A complex project requiring coordination, patience, and true collaboration across teams, now nearing completion on site.
3G Pitch at Belmont Wanderers – A community facility that will support local sport, wellbeing, and youth engagement for years to come.

Seeing projects materialise is always grounding. It reminds us that good architecture relies on the collective effort of designers, contractors, craftspeople, and clients working in unison.

Clients in Their Homes -The Real Measure of Success

This year, two of our clients moved into their new homes, Jalan House and Ysgubor Berth. Their words have stayed with us.

They’ve spoken about joy, delight, and the feeling of living in spaces filled with light, warmth, and a sense of calm.

Hearing how a building performs in daily life, how it supports routines, wellbeing and comfort, is the most meaningful outcome of our work. We are grateful to each client who has allowed us to be part of that journey

Team Transitions and Milestones

Internally, this year has brought change, a natural part of any practice’s evolution.

We said heartfelt goodbyes to Matt and Rachel, wishing them well in their new chapter. Their contributions helped shape Arbor, and they leave with our appreciation.

We also welcomed Kirk, who has brought fresh energy and perspective to the team, strengthening our capability as we look ahead to an increasingly ambitious project pipeline.

Community, Learning, and Sharing

This year we had the opportunity to present our work at a number of events and conferences, including Grand Designs Live. Sharing our approach to low-energy design, collaboration, and biophilic principles continues to be a rewarding part of our practice. These platforms allow us not only to advocate for better building but to learn from others across the industry.

We also valued quieter moments throughout the year; lunch walks, informal catch-ups, and a summer BBQ, which offered time to pause, reconnect, and take stock of how far we've come.

What's next?

While the year has had its challenges, it has reinforced our belief in designing with care, intention, and optimism. The work continues, and so does our commitment to buildings that create comfort, connection, and long-term resilience.

2026 holds exciting developments for Arbor, including new projects, new collaborations, and a renewed focus on thoughtful architecture that enriches both people and place. We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead.

Thank you to our clients, collaborators, and the communities we work with. Your support makes everything possible.