David Taylor
And you also mentioned that you're involved in a later Living Project, which I think is a particular area of your focus. Could you talk to us about that?
Jon Eaglesham
Yeah, very quickly. So, it's a new focus. And the reason we're interested in it, I suppose, is we're all getting older - it's one thing we can't stop. But what we are also doing is getting healthier. And I think there's a huge need in the UK to recognize that one way of freeing up housing stock is to provide later living schemes, and it's now part of the London plan, so the GLA are requesting it. Every borough has to produce it. So, we just submitted planning for one in Barnet, which is exciting - our first scheme…
David Taylor
Is this Marstead Living?
Jon Eaglesham
It is, yes. It's 175 homes. And again, this for us has been an incredible journey because we've designed the masterplan and the community by thinking about every single experience that will happen there. Every memory that will be created, you know: who will be going there, why are they going there? How do they feel as they continue to age? People are happy and healthy - I think that's very important to note. So what activities are created for them? I think lots of people think about downsizing and stuff. This isn't about that - this is about providing community living. So, it's all about the activities and the wellbeing, as well as having a wonderful home. Some of the homes are bigger; I think it's often misinterpreted that later living is all about kind of compression, whereas it's not at all, this is very much about opening up new ideas, opening up new ways of doing the task. And in the UK, we've only been doing it for about 10 years; I think, on the continent, this is not a nascent market at all. So we've got a lot to learn.
David Taylor
And what is it about the active lifestyle that's included in this project, then?
Jon Eaglesham
The site is amazing. Every project has to be site-specific, in the spirit of place. But for this one, I think it's about the gardens; the activities that the gardens can provide. It's about seven hectares, and one of one of the benefits is going to be a three-hectare public space. If you think of Barnet and you think how dense Barnet is, to be able to provide three hectares of green space back to open up to the public is just incredible, as well as providing 170-odd homes. And the gardening clubs, the wellbeing, it's about providing community-based living that has optionality within it.
David Taylor
As a sort of slight gear change, I was looking at images of your team. I think you're up to 49 staff now, is that right?
Jon Eaglesham
Yeah, I think we're just over 50
David Taylor
Which is pretty sizable, and it looks like quite an international bunch, which is great. I wondered whether Brexit had had an impact on that - whether people have had to go home, basically?
Jon Eaglesham
Er. God, what a question. Yeah, we've lost people. We've not lost people as a direct result, for themselves, but mostly for their partners: for their wives or their husbands that have been associated with employment that couldn't continue. But yeah, we've lost wonderful talents because of it…
David Taylor
Great shame.
Jon Eaglesham
…But we are international; we absolutely love that. Again, if we've got a good variety people in our studio today, we're going to create a culture that cares about what they're doing. And as I said, the journey and experience is the most important thing.
David Taylor
And speaking of internationalism, you're heading to MIPIM, I think. How easy was that decision this year? And what do you think of the event going forward?
Jon Eaglesham
I think it has to change. We're going; we've always attended. It's a great opportunity to do business in a different environment. And it allows you to think about it slightly differently. It allows you to meet your colleagues, you know, and all the different professions and take time out from being you know? When you're actually doing the work MIPIM gives you an opportunity to sit back a little bit and have different conversations. And good comes from that. So, I'm looking forward to getting back. Slightly nervous; I think it'll be very interesting to see whether or not it has reinvented itself and how it succeeds.
David Taylor
What did you mean by saying that it has to change then?
Jon Eaglesham
I think at my first ever MIPIM, I was told to wear a suit and a shirt. And you know, I think that's not the MIPIM that needs to exist nowadays. It needs to evolve. It needs to be open to everybody. And I think there's still a huge part of MIPIM that isn't.
David Taylor
Yeah. Well, thank you for that insight into your practice. It all sounds very exciting. So good luck with it all. And also, with your role as an assessor for the Civic trust awards now as well. Is that right?
Jon Eaglesham
Yeah, yeah, that was a great privilege to join that. Because I get to experience other people's work, which is quite nice. Again, it's lovely walking around other people's successes and transformations and seeing how they did it, and why they did it. So, I'm very lucky
David Taylor
Brilliant. Thanks very much Jon, that was really great and good luck with it all
Jon Eaglesham
Thanks David, I appreciate it