Cagni Williams Social Value

Architects have an immense responsibility to design places and spaces that positively contribute to the environment and to the way we live, work and play. It is important that our efforts focus on constantly improving those spaces, and that young adults approach our profession — or similar ones — with the right tools so that they can do the best possible job. We want the most passionate and talented people in the profession, not just those who happen to have access to it. Therefore, we put our efforts into ensuring that everyone has similar opportunities.

We enjoy sharing our experience, knowledge, and facilities, and we carefully select education programmes where we can actively contribute.

Social value is embedded in the way we plan, design and deliver projects. For NHS trusts, local authorities and public sector clients, social value means creating lasting benefits through healthier communities, decarbonisation, education, housing, regeneration and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Education and Skills

We believe it is both our duty and our pleasure to help the next generation of architects enter the profession — or related professions — especially those who may not have easy access to higher education and the professional knowledge that comes with practice.

We are committed to developing the next generation of architects and built environment professionals through the employment, training and mentoring of Part 1 and Part 2 architectural assistants. Working alongside experienced architects, our trainees gain practical experience across healthcare, housing, energy and regeneration projects, helping to build the skills needed to address future social and environmental challenges.

We support wider educational initiatives through mentoring, work experience and careers engagement. Team members regularly contribute to ULI Europe's UrbanPlan programme, helping students understand the financial, social, political and design factors that influence urban development through practical workshops and team challenges. We also participate in careers events at local schools, including St Charles College of Higher Education, where we provide advice on architectural careers and pathways into the profession. Through initiatives such as the Imperial Maker Challenge Programme, we welcome students into our studio, offering insight into professional practice and opportunities for work experience

• IntoUniversity: This charity focuses on helping young adults discover their vocation during their most critical years. Three architects in our studio have been trained as IntoUniversity mentors, sharing their knowledge and inspiration. Each mentor supports a student for a year as they transition from high school to university.
• ULI Europe’s UrbanPlan Programme: This programme, an educational initiative of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), introduces students to urban development through interactive workshops and team challenges in schools. It helps students understand the forces that shape land development. The programme is academically demanding, involving students in the financial, market, social, political, and design aspects of a hypothetical project. Our role is to act as industry experts, providing real-world advice to the students.
• St Charles College of Higher Education: High school careers fairs are vital in helping students make important decisions about their future. We participated in the careers fair of our local school, St Charles College, speaking with Year 12 A-level and vocational students about a career in architecture and their next possible steps. We were also able to offer them work experience in our studio.
• Imperial Maker Challenge Programme: We hosted students from this programme for a tour of our studio, followed by a Q&A session. This also opened the door for students to join us later for a week of work experience.

Climate and Sustainability

Climate action is central to our work. We help clients develop net zero strategies, building retrofit programmes and low carbon energy infrastructure that reduce emissions while creating long term environmental and social benefits.

A key example is the Sydney Street District Heat Network in Chelsea, where we have supported the development of an innovative community heat network serving homes, healthcare facilities, educational buildings and community uses. The project demonstrates how renewable energy infrastructure, stakeholder engagement and local partnership working can support neighbourhood decarbonisation while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Health, Housing and Community Impact

Our projects are designed to improve quality of life by creating environments that support health, wellbeing and community resilience.

In the healthcare sector, we have delivered major NHS projects including the Proton Beam Therapy Centre and other specialist healthcare facilities, creating high quality environments that support patients, staff and visitors.

Alongside healthcare, we work on housing, regeneration and community projects in the UK and internationally, including housing initiatives in Kenya, helping to create sustainable places that respond to local needs and deliver long term social value.

Professional and Cultural Leadership

We contribute to the wider advancement of architecture and the built environment through professional leadership, education and knowledge sharing.

Edward Williams is a founding board member of the British Architectural Library Trust, supporting the preservation and public accessibility of one of the world's most significant architectural collections. Team members also contribute to the profession through roles with RIBA Council, branch committees, design review panels, lectures and industry forums, helping to promote best practice and improve outcomes across the built environment sector.

Community Engagement

Meaningful placemaking begins with understanding communities. Members of our team contribute to local organisations, neighbourhood forums and residents' associations, including community initiatives in Chelsea. This involvement provides valuable insight into local concerns, aspirations and priorities, helping to inform our approach to consultation, stakeholder engagement and project delivery.

By combining professional expertise with active community participation, we help clients develop projects that respond to local needs, build trust with stakeholders and deliver positive outcomes for people and place. The Sydney Street District Heat Network demonstrates how community led engagement can successfully support both environmental and social objectives.