This 47th issue of NLQ marks a key moment in the life of NLA, as it moves from what has been its permanent home at the Building Centre for the past 15 years to a more nomadic existence, dropping down for residencies as part of a ‘meanwhile’ movement across the capital.The move is a positive one, to help London re-activate from the ground up, to engage more people, foster debate and help London meet the challenges it faces in the aftermath of the pandemic. And the first stop is a fitting one: the Coal Drops Yard development, a large part of one of the key exemplar regeneration schemes of recent years for any city, anywhere — King’s Cross.

Another major city quarter that has undergone widespread change, Wembley, is the subject of our estate review. With its mix of residential, commercial, retail and food and beverage, the estate is emerging as a new place that is meeting its goals and gearing up to host this summer’s delayed UEFA Euro 2020 semi-finals and finals this June.Housing is of course a major part of any successful city, and this issue looks at one of the big disruptors in the sector, Pocket Living, as it approaches the creation of its 1,000th unit in the capital. We look at how Pocket has shaken up the market, the keys to its success, and which cities it has its eyes on next.And another big player in the wider housing game, Mae, features as Louise Rodgers takes a look back with its prime mover Alex Ely over its 20 years in business. As we come out of lockdown, we revisit key interviews conducted across Zoom during the period, Peter Murray recalling the best of his video talks, and Pooja Agrawal, the new chief executive of Public Practice, figuring as one of the more memorable Five Minutes With...chats. 

Viewpoint, meanwhile, explores those things we implemented during COVID that just might stick around as the ‘recovery phase’ gathers pace.Another new recruit, Vicky Richardson at the Royal Academy, takes part in our coffee break interview, while elsewhere there is the usual mix of news and views, thought leadership and practical exemplars — wherever they may be across the capital. Ultimately, it’s all change for NLA’s home, and for London. The task for both is to ensure we do actually build back better.

David Taylor, Editor, NLQ

Pocket Living is about to build its 1,000th home. David Taylor meets a team with its eye on future growth

Peter Murray weaves his way through a year of online interviews with key built environment thinkers

David Taylor catches up with Peter Barber and his long-term photographer collaborator, Morley von Sternberg

Louise Rodgers on Mae and its prime mover Alex Ely as the practice approaches its 20th birthday

We take a look at Wembley Park as the fast-growing estate prepares to host the Euro 2020 finals

LaSalle Investment Management’s 60 London Wall, designed by EPR Architects

REGULARS

The quarter — our summary of all the key news events this term

We ask: what did you learn about working practices during lockdown that you will implement at your physical office or across the company?

Peter Murray takes a look back at the mayoral contest and hatches a plan to stand next time, on a pro-London, built environment ticket

Hawkins\Brown’s Helena Howard asks: are we ignoring a powerful tool to support dementia patients?

Yolande Barnes proposes automatically affordable tenure (AAT) — a new idea for a new mayor

Vicky Richardson, new head of architecture and Heinz curator at the Royal Academy answers the questions

Our regular round-up of conferences and events at NLA

Architect and NAME Architecture founder Nathalie Rozencwajg talks about her dual perspective on Paris and London

PLUS...

This year’s Don’t Move, Improve! competition overall prizewinner, the House Recast, by Studio Ben Allen

Rosa Rogina of the London Festival of Architecture and NLA Collaborate on experimentation in the urban realm

David Taylor catches up with Pooja Agrawal the new CEO of Public Practice about taking the organisation to the next, national step

Katrina Kostic Samen of KKS Savills looks at the workplace vs working from home

Robert Gordon Clark of London Communications Agency on acting, writing a play, and his indoor rowing machine...

London’s enduring resilience, by Jonny Lee and Kate Horton of Knight Frank