LBY Expertise

Design & Technical Advisory

We offer technical insight and strategic design thinking to guide projects, inform decisions and improve outcomes.

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Drawing on extensive experience advising government bodies, local authorities, and major organisations, we bring a deep understanding of sector-specific challenges, opportunities, and innovations.

At LBY, we believe our role as architects extends beyond project delivery. We leverage our expertise to guide industry standards, inform strategic decisions, and support better design outcomes for clients and communities.

We’re committed to shaping spaces that are practical, adaptable, and inspiring – influencing not just individual projects, but the wider built environment.

How we advise and influence

Our advisory work typically focuses on five core areas:

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Education Advisory

Backed by decades of research and expertise, we provide technical guidance to government and local authorities on school and educational projects.

For over 20 years, we’ve delivered expert advisory services on government-led initiatives, including BSF, PSBP, Free Schools, University Technical Colleges, and SRP schools. Our involvement covers the full project lifecycle, from initial site selection and feasibility through design development and project completion.

Design & Technical Advisory

Related Work:
Strategic Guidance

Our team has advised on over 100 education projects, including Primary, Secondary, Technical Colleges and SEND schools. Feasibility studies, accommodation schedules and curriculum analysis help shape environments that meet changing needs.

Diagram of a building's natural ventilation and air conditioning system showing air flow paths with colored arrows for outdoor air, exhaust air, and heated or cooled air, and the building's interior layout.

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Community Project Briefing

We help local authorities turn ambitious community visions into viable projects by providing strategic briefing and robust design concepts, often supporting funding and enabling further development.

Design & Technical Advisory

In Practice:
Medway Community Hubs

Our concept design work for Medway Council’s series of ‘Community Hubs’ across Rochester, Chatham, Rainham, Strood, and Gillingham explored both new-build and adaptive re-use solutions and empowered the Authority to confidently progress its regeneration strategy.

Each hub integrates libraries, IT facilities, flexible community spaces, health services and cafés to support local communities.

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Illustration of a modern community café building named "The Hub" with people sitting outside and entering the café, surrounded by greenery and a clear sky.

Local Authority and Government Design Guides

LBY regularly develops clear, practical design codes and guidance for local and national authorities, influencing standards and shaping policy.

Design & Technical Advisory

In Practice:
Chatham Design Code / DfE

Our work for Medway Council involved supported the creation of a robust design code for Chatham’s town centre.

We have also contributed to the Department for Education’s standardisation programme, developing technical guidance that informs future frameworks and delivery.

Architectural site plan of a development project showing multiple buildings, parking areas, and landmarks with trees around the area. Includes labels for hotels, a new station, parking, roads, and a monument.

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Major Project Design Review

We lead and contribute to design review panels, helping shape significant infrastructure and regeneration schemes. We believe in empowering clients, planners, and communities with the insight to understand, champion, and defend high-quality design decisions.

Aerial view of a green park with walking paths, a road, and two covered parking areas.

A large sports stadium with an open roof, surrounded by urban buildings, with a railway track and some small structures in the foreground.

Design & Technical Advisory

Related Work:
National Panels

Our directors have chaired design review panels for CABE and the Design Council, and worked with the Olympic Legacy Delivery Authority and local authorities, influencing major projects across the UK.

We have provided strategic guidance on high-profile housing estate renewals across London and on significant infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing, the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel, along with major reservoir schemes for Anglia Water and Thames Water.

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Teaching and Professional Examining

Supporting the next generation of architects is integral to our practice.

Design & Technical Advisory

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Related Work:
RIBA and Education

Our team teaches, examines and contributes to architectural education, including RIBA course validation and professional examining.