PROFILE
Chapel Place at Christmas

About
Supervene Architects is an independent architectural firm with a high level of technical expertise. Challenging tradition for a better future. Creatively. Technically. Materially. Not different for its own sake – but for the benefit of our clients, collaborators and planet. We bring creative thought and analytical insight to real world challenges. We are based in the UK. We work Internationally.

 

Analytical insight
The success of any project relies on the strength of the data that underpins the brief. Using diverse technologies we thoroughly understand and research the initial conditions of a project before we begin and robustly test our design solutions throughout the project. We take analysis seriously.

Expertise
Supervene Architects have strong experience of working on large projects as part of multi-disciplinary teams. From conceptual masterplanning, through to the detail delivery of buildings on site, every stage of design is important to us. If it is interesting (and it normally is) we want to work on it. We carry out a wide range of work in many sectors, including commercial, sports, residential, infrastructure and cultural buildings in both urban and rural settings.

 

Creative thought
Understanding what is good about what is already there and challenging traditional thought where necessary is at the heart of how we approach design problems. We are acutely aware of the role architecture plays in relation to the climate and biodiversity emergency the planet currently faces. We take every opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in how we work and what we build.

 

Collaboration
We really love working with other people and encourage useful collaborations on all our projects. Diverse experience and hearing different points of view are essential to meaningful design. Behind the success of every design lies a healthy and creative dialogue with our clients, users, consultants and contractors, from initial design through to delivery.

DIRECTORS
Michael Westlake

Michael Westlake

In his role as director, Michael brings his experience, care and attention to all the work Supervene does, no matter what the scale. With over 25 years’ national and international experience working on mixed-use masterplans and urban regeneration, events and sports projects. Working and leading multi-disciplinary design and construction teams he has a firm belief in true collaboration, bringing the best outcome in projects.

 

His approach to master planning experience focuses on quality public realm and active travel, understanding that places are made by people and creating environments that encourage this. He has worked on comprehensive urban mixed-use developments such as the NLA Award winning Sugar House Island in London, Aire Park in Leeds, Curran Road in Cardiff.

 

Architecturally his experience includes several new multi residential developments in Stratford, a historic renovation of the Tetley Brewery in Leeds. In a former life he also worked on several major football stadia in the Americas including two that have featured in the 2014 and 2026 FIFA World Cup’s.

 

He has a keen interest in understanding how historic landscape and settlement patterns develop and how opportunities outside of our cities, in our towns and villages, are as important to solving housing needs. Away from Urban Centers he is also working on a new village near Stevenage and several smaller rural masterplans in Kent and Sussex.

 

Research is key to aiding design in a meaningful and better-informed way. For several years leading the R&D at Populous in London he brings that experience to research projects within Supervene. Current projects include a UK innovated funded project into settlement growth, investigations into the rural stations and their capacity to support growth and a typology look-book.

Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor

Alex brings over 22 years’ experience in architecture, with a particular focus on large-scale residential, mixed-use and regeneration projects. He has led the design and delivery of complex schemes across London and the South East, working closely with clients, consultants, contractors and supply chains to take projects from concept and technical design through to construction, completion and handover.

 

His experience includes the delivery of major residential-led award winning developments in Fulham, Hounslow and Barking, including high-density urban schemes, mixed-use town centre regeneration, residential towers, retail, leisure, basement car parking and off-site construction. This breadth of experience gives Alex a strong understanding of how to balance design quality, technical coordination, commercial value and project viability.

 

At Supervene Architects, Alex strengthens the practice’s technical and delivery capability, particularly in relation to Building Regulations compliance, the Building Regulations Principal Designer role, competence, coordination and legislative governance under the Building Safety Act. He is also actively involved in industry technical and compliance groups, contributing to wider professional discussions around architectural practice, delivery and building safety.

 

Alex is known for his collaborative approach, attention to detail and ability to lead consultant teams through complex design and construction stages. He places strong emphasis on building long-term client relationships and ensuring that design intent is protected while projects remain deliverable, coordinated and commercially robust.

 

Alex qualified as an architect in 2008 and was nominated for the RIBA Silver Medal for his design thesis, which proposed a comprehensive redevelopment of London’s South Bank, including a new BFI film archive and mediatheque.

ACCREDITATION

Supervene Architects Ltd is a Royal Institute of British Architects Chartered Practice.
Chartered Practice No. 20051144

ISO 9001:2015 / 14001:2015
Cert No. 420842023

CLIENTS

Vastint UK Ltd.

Innovate UK

Realine Solutions Ltd.

Stantec

Turley

Kingsrock Construction Ltd.

Buro Happold

Martin-Baker

Affinity Homes Ltd.

Dowds

International Students Club

Lacunae

Watford Borough Council

Stonebridge House Ltd.

Coxdown Construction

Foundation