Archangel Architects

28/05/2026

A timely opportunity to unlock underused church land for housing

The The Church of England’s Housing Project is helping parishes and dioceses rethink how underused land and buildings could meet local housing need—transforming spaces like surplus car parks or ageing church halls into affordable, sustainable homes.

With a new grant round closing on 23 June 2026, there is a clear window for churches to take the first step. The programme offers early-stage funding for feasibility, surveys and professional advice, removing some of the key barriers that often prevent these projects getting off the ground.

For many, the opportunity isn’t just about housing—it’s about strengthening community assets, supporting local mission, and creating long-term social value.

At Archangel Architects, we are well positioned to support this journey. With experience across heritage settings, community-led development and complex site constraints, we understand how to unlock sensitive sites in a way that balances viability, design quality and long-term impact.

For parishes considering what might be possible, this is a chance to move from aspiration to action—with the right support in place.

👉 Learn more about the Housing Project here: https://lnkd.in/ebVhfw2X

21/05/2026

What have you got planned for the bank holiday? 🌿

Any adventures afoot?

Dirk has just completed an incredible 5-day hike to summit the three highest peaks in South Africa—taking in some spectacular views (and earning some well-deserved bragging rights along the way!).

Most of us won’t be aiming quite that high… but we hope it inspires you to get outside, explore, and make the most of the long weekend.

Let us know what you’ve got planned 👇

21/05/2026

On 13 May, Nigel and Apostolos spoke at the RIBA East Small Practice Network event, reflecting on the origins and development of Archangel Architects.

The session explored how the practice evolved, how its values have shaped the type of work it takes on, and some of the lessons learned along the way balancing community, church and residential projects over the last 25 years.

One of the things we’ve increasingly realised is that small practices can bring something distinctive. Not because they are small in themselves, but because they often have the freedom to pursue work with clarity, purpose and personality.

We enjoyed the discussion and hearing the stories of others navigating similar journeys.

14/05/2026

Sometimes you don’t realise where a conversation will lead.

Back in September 2019, Nigel delivered a training session for the (Church of England) exploring how churches might think differently about their buildings, communities and long-term future.

Yesterday, during a planning conversation for an upcoming conference, he discovered that the churchwarden and team vicar organising the event had been in that room.

They told him those earlier discussions helped shape their thinking and played a part in the journey that followed. That was genuinely encouraging to hear.

On 15 May, Nigel will be speaking at a day conference at Community Changemakers in Norfolk, focused on the challenges facing rural churches and the opportunities created through Festival Church status.

What makes this particularly interesting is that the conference is taking place within the story itself. The church and community behind the project have clearly worked incredibly hard to reimagine what their building can be and how it can continue serving people well into the future.

One of the privileges of working with churches is that projects rarely happen quickly. Ideas are planted, conversations continue, confidence grows, and sometimes years later you begin to see the fruit of those earlier discussions.

Nigel is looking forward to being part of the day and hearing more of the story firsthand.

06/05/2026

We were pleased to be asked to contribute to this recent article in & Renovating exploring what to consider in a church-to-house conversion.

Church buildings are unlike any other type of architecture. They carry layers of history, memory and meaning, often sitting at the heart of their communities for generations. Converting them into homes can create extraordinary spaces, but it also brings significant responsibility.

Successful projects require more than simply fitting a domestic layout into an existing structure. They demand a careful understanding of heritage, craftsmanship, light, acoustics and the character that makes these buildings special in the first place.

At Archangel, we’re always interested in the future of church buildings and how they can continue to have purposeful lives, whether through worship, community use, housing or sensitive adaptation.

Thank you to the team at Homebuilding & Renovating for including our thoughts in the piece.

* Photograph of St Peter & St Paul Church in Bassingbourn - very much still a church!

30/04/2026

At Archangel, we are increasingly exploring the role that churches can play in addressing affordable housing, and working with clients who are looking to respond to this need in practical ways.

At Oakridge Baptist Church in High Wycombe, this is not a new ambition.

For over 10 years, the church hosted the Wycombe Homeless Connection night shelter, supporting people experiencing homelessness. Those relationships remain strong, alongside ongoing work with local partners such as Wycombe Refugee Partnership, supporting those who are vulnerable or at risk.

This week we attended an invited community consultation as plans move towards a planning application. The scheme, developed in partnership with J49, brings together a new church and community space, with 100% affordable move-on housing above.

Move-on housing provides a vital stepping stone. It offers stability, support, and time for people to move towards independent living.

What stands out is the continuity between past and future. A church already serving its community, now seeking to extend that support through its buildings.

It was a privilege to be part of the conversation and to hear Apostolos share the vision behind the project.

23/04/2026

This week we had the pleasure of coming together to celebrate the wedding of our colleague David and Kristin.

A joyful occasion, and a good reminder that behind every project and drawing set is a team of people who share life’s milestones as well as its deadlines.

It was a chance to step away, catch up properly, and see everyone looking rather smarter than usual.

Dirk was missed, but very much there in spirit while away abroad.

Wishing David and Kristin every happiness as they begin this next chapter together.🥰

27/03/2026

This week:
📍 A damaged church boundary wall in Bourn
📍 A garage and utility space in Great Shelford

Two very different projects, both starting in the same way — by understanding what is already there.

We carry out measured surveys and 3D laser scanning in-house, which allows us to work directly with accurate information from the outset.

We’ve also been applying the same approach on a deep retrofit project in Milton.

A clearer understanding at the outset helps reduce uncertainty and supports better decisions as projects move forward.

We’ve written a short piece about how we use this in practice:
👉

Starting with certainty: measured surveys and 3D scanning Most of our projects begin with a simple question. Is there a project here at all? Before design work starts, there is a stage of testing what is needed, what is possible, and what already exists. That last part is often less straightforward....

21/03/2026

Looking forward to this afternoon!

All Saints' Church, Cottenham are hosting a talk by Nigel Walter, Founding Director at Archangel Architects entitled 'Conservation and Change in Historic Churches' next Saturday 21 April at 3pm. All are welcome!

19/03/2026

Duck End Barns received a Highly Commended in the Best New Building under £3m category at the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards.

The judges highlighted the project as a high-performance home designed for long-term, adaptable living, combining Passivhaus-led design with a net-positive energy ambition and careful detailing.

Each shortlisted team had just three minutes to present their project to an audience of industry peers. Apostolos used that time to reflect on the importance of celebrating small milestones and enjoying the process — something that feels particularly true for projects like this.

It was a pleasure to share the evening with our client and to see the project recognised among such a strong field of work, including many impressive public buildings.

Congratulations to all the winners and teams involved.