Mæ

Area of Expertise: Masterplanning and architecture

Mæ's purpose is to design buildings and places that uplift the human spirit. Founded by Alex Ely, Mæ is a RIBA Stirling Prize winning practice at the forefront of sustainable, resilient, and socially conscious architecture and urbanism; creating work that exists in harmony with the planet and enriches culture and society.

Leaders and collaborators Mæ create inclusive welcoming places together with the people who use their buildings

Pragmatic innovators Mæ go beyond conventional thinking to make imaginative, affordable space that exceeds people’s expectations

Quietly radical Mæ respond positively to the climate emergency, designing resilient, low-carbon buildings

Phone +44 (0)20 7704 6060

Address 93 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HX, UK

Website www.mae.co.uk

Social media

• Instagram @maearchitects
• X: @MaeArchitects
• LinkedIn: Mæ

Tell us about your practice? What do you stand for?

We wish to see a world where the buildings and places around us uplift the human spirit for the long-term. At Mæ, we blend creativity, humanity and sustainability. We see the big picture. To us, place making is a vital part of the process. Working in the housing, urban design, health & care, public infrastructure sectors, we design at all scales. From the city to the living room, we apply integrated thinking.

We thrive on collaboration. Working on regeneration projects for public and private sector clients, we talk – and listen – to colleagues and communities. Our design solutions match the client’s brief with the varied day-to-day needs of the building’s users. With our culture of collaboration and design vision we create world class architecture.

What differentiate you from other architects? How do you describe your approach to the design?

We have three business priorities. These shape our governance and oversight of design, quality, health & safety and environmental responsibility:

Mæ Zero: Our ambition is to create exemplary, pioneering circular and environmental buildings.

Mæ+: We are the industry leader for low-cost / high-quality housing; and are developing the DNA genetic sequence for good housing, using research, data and automation.

Mæ B: We are a Certified B Corporation®, a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact.

What projects are you currently working on?

We undertake design commissions across four sectors

Urban design

We are masterplanning one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, the £60bn Meridian Water development creating 10,000 homes and 6000 jobs designed to circular economy principles.

Housing
We are designing the UK’s largest low carbon housing project to passivehaus standards helping reduce operational carbon over the lifetime of the development, and working with the Government of New South Wales to design their model affordable housing.

Health and Care
We design healthcare environments from health centres to care homes, and our latest project the John Morden Centre won the RIBA Stirling Prize, architecture’s highest award.

Public and Social Infrastructure
We design sophisticated and landmark cultural buildings. Our recent project the Sands End Arts Centre has set a new paradigm for circular and environmental design.

Why do clients come to you? What kind of clients do you work with?

We are recognised thought-leaders and work for Governments and developers who want to drive value through good design.

What have been the highlights for you in the past year?

Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize, one of just 21 architects to win this prestigious and globally recognised accolade which is presented for the UK’s best new building.

What is your special focus for Cityscape Global 2024?

I will be giving a keynote speech 'Forever Young - Sustainable Neighbourhoods for Every Generation’

And chairing a panel session “Creating Truly Sustainable, Smart and Future-Proof Districts” exploring the essential components of next-generation residential areas, emphasizing ecological and financial self-sufficiency while evolving into holistic smart ecosystems.

Two themes that I’m passionate about.