Mae

knowledge dock

Research underpins our work and provides a space in which to test ideas. As a practice we have expert knowledge in housing design and policy, in modern methods of construction and technological innovation, in standards and best practice, in burial practice and its architecture.

learning resource

	We lecture as a means of promoting best practice to the industry and key decision makers, to Schools of Architecture and professional audiences. Included below are selected learning resources available to download:
Design Quality
Patterns and Parameters A talk given by Alex Ely at the University of Cambridge, October 2010
What's Social about Housing? RIBA, July 2008
Successful apartment living: preventing urban sprawl Institute of Public Administration conference, Dublin, September 2007
Are MMC compatible with good design? Waterfront Modern Methods of Construction Conference, December 2005
Good design to aid sustainable mixed tenure developments NHF Conference, July 2005, breakout session
AF Gold podcast Michael Howe and Alex Ely in conversation with Geoffrey Darke of Darbourne and Darke Architects. An Architecture Foundation seminar
Procurement
Self build in London, Not around it DIY Urbanism forum, November 2004, lecture
Professional Practice
AND NOW WHAT: Rethinking Spatial Practice Architecture Foundation, April 2009.
Roles in the Development Process Part of Urban Design London's training programme
Design quality and procurement Presentations from the HCA Design Awareness training day

design research

	mæ constantly undertakes research to inform the philosophy of our work, keep abreast of the design debate, remain critical and deliver design excellence.
ESP-SIM A viable model for self procured housing in the UK
10 point plan Our principles for a sustainable city
Pattern book A catalogue of mæ designed HCA plan compliant house types
Flexible housing Ongoing research into flexible and adaptable housing
Compostable architecture Waste-free design for a compostable temporary performance space
Manifesto for streets mæ's analysis of urban street clutter in London

publications

	We undertake and publish research in order to inform the strategy and direction of the practice on urbanism, architecture and policy. Recent publications can be downloaded or ordered below:
Design related articles
Exploring Eye Michael Howe writing about Delhi's Hauz Khas complex The Architectural Review, July 2009
Review of London Metropolitan University's graduate show Alex Ely, Architects' Journal, 9 July 2009
In our polychrome homes Review of the 'Significant Colour' exhibition at the Aram Gallery
Barkow Leibinger - An Atlas of Fabrication Review of an exhibition at the Architectural Association
Does London need a new vernacular for housing? Article in Building Design, March 2009
Housing related articles
The Plan's the Thing A review of Dutch book 'The Residential Floor Plan: standard and ideal'
The Rule of Regulations A review by Alex Ely for the Architects' Journal on the Architecture Foundation exhibition by Finn Williams and David Knight
Accommodating diversity whilst meeting density targets Article in Planning in London, October 2008
Evolving Norms of British Housing Exhibition catalogue written and produced by mæ
Housing Design Awards 2007 A review for the Architect's Journal
Delivering Great Places to Live Housing design guide written and produced for CABE
The Home Buyer's Guide: what to look and ask for when buying a new home CABE and Black Dog Publication
Better Neighbourhoods: Making higher densities work Research managed for CABE
Housing Audit: assessing the design quality of new homes Research managed for CABE
Public Realm related articles
Towards a smoke-free London architecture Article for Debate London
Cemeteryscape: observations on our burial crisis Published article
Policy related articles
Setting Standards Michael Howe writing in the Architects' Journal on the research behind the London Housing Design Guide, July 2009
Double Standards An essay on the state of housing policy and design standards
Where next for housing Article for Debate London
Level Thinking A critique of planning legislation, published article

network

	mæ participate in and contribute to a number of professional practice forums through our work as enablers, assessors or as steering group members. Below are forums that we are involved with:
Building for Life, we are accredited BfL Assessors
CABE, assisting their enabling programme
Transform South Yorkshire, assisting the DDQ initiative
RIBA, as a member of the RIBA Housing Group
Sustainable Placemaking Forum, as a participant
Urban Buzz, as an Innovation Fellow
British Council, assisting their international learning programme
The Housing Forum, as a steering group member