Meet a Living Wage employer: HNW Architects

1. Hi Lee! Can you tell us a bit about who HNW Architects are and your role in the business?

My name is Lee Davies, I’m a Director at HNW Architects – an architecture practice based in Brighton & Hove and Chichester. We are recognised for our collaborative approach and our award-winning team of around 45 experienced, highly skilled and dedicated people who are the heart of our practice. Our work covers a large range of building types and scales.

I’m one of five directors, and I head up our studio in Hove. My personal expertise lies in masterplanning, regeneration, and residential led projects. Additionally, I’m a RIBA accredited conservation architect, specialising in challenging sites within sensitive and historic locations. Alongside my role at HNW, I’m a RIBA jury panel member, trustee for BHT Sussex, and work closely with the University of Brighton’s School of Architecture.

2. You design buildings that leave ‘a positive social legacy’ could you tell us a bit more about this?

At HNW Architects, we believe that architecture has the power to shape communities and improve lives. Our designs aim to create lasting, positive impacts by considering not just the immediate needs of the users, but also the broader social and environmental context. Whether we are designing sustainable buildings that reduce carbon emissions, or creating spaces that foster community cohesion, our goal is to leave behind a legacy that contributes to the well-being and growth of future generations – creating places that people actively choose to go to and spend their time.

3. How does this fit with your commitment to the Living Wage?

Our commitment to the Living Wage reflections our broader philosophy that architecture and business should benefit people. Just as we design buildings to positively impact society, we believe in supporting our team with fair and sustainable wages. By joining the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign, we are investing in the well-being of our employees, ensuring they can thrive both professionally and personally, this in turn allows us to deliver better projects for our clients and communities.

4. Having opened a new studio in Brighton & Hove in 2021, how was managing expanding into another city?

Opening our Hove studio was both an exciting and challenging experience, it required careful planning and ambition. HNW already had a long-standing relationship and understanding with the city, having worked on projects like the new buildings at BHASVIC through to the Blockhouse in the heart of the North Laine. Personally, having lived in Brighton & Hove and led previous practices in the city for over two decades made the transition smoother. The city’s creativity and forward-thinking approach aligns perfectly with our values, and we’ve been fortunate to attract an amazing team. This has made the expansion a successful and rewarding journey, and we are proud to be part of this vibrant community.

Can you help us reach 1000 Living Wage employers in Brighton & Hove?

Find out more about the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign here. If you think you’re already a Living Wage employer, or would like to sign up, head over to this page to get started (it’s free!)