Ben Derbyshire
Ben Derbyshire is managing partner of HTA Design, a design-based consultancy to the housing industry, specialising in placemaking, providing community engagement, project management, master planning, urban design, architecture, landscape design, planning, environmental sustainability, graphics and web design. Ben took over as chairman of the Housing Forum in April 2013, and is also a board member for Design for Homes and the New London Sounding Board. He has been appointed to the design review panels of the GLA Custom Build programme and Urban Design London.
OpinionCouncil housing, conversions and the green belt: rethinking London’s future
What should Sadiq Khan’s next spatial development strategy for Greater London consist of? Ben Derbyshire looks at the key issues of debate
OpinionBetter housing, not just more housing, must be the goal
The government – and housebuilders – must be given the best possible chance of achieving its ambitious target writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionWhy the key to reviving our towns is people-centred regeneration
It is time for the government to focus on ‘thriving towns for a revived nation’ writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionIf new housing can be delivered in Canary Wharf, what is to stop the Square Mile following suit?
Ben Derbyshire looks at how London’s two business districts have taken a very different approach to housing as they respond to working from home
OpinionWhat next after the Office for Place?
With the closure of the Office for Place, questions arise about how to maintain focus on design quality, placemaking, and sustainability in the built environment, writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionLabour’s opportunity: Releasing the potential of modular housing
The UK leads the way in the field of offsite housing construction. It is time for the government to have some skin in the game, Ben Derbyshire writes
OpinionHow the planning system can be improved under Labour
Ministers must be wary of unintended consequences when pushing ahead with planning reforms, writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionFrom Miesian cool to urban discord: Why the new 1 Undershaft scheme misses the mark
As developers push for more floorspace at 1 Undershaft, the historic St Andrew Undershaft church and St Helen’s Piazza face significant disruption, writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionWhy I’m objecting to the Sellar development at Liverpool Street Station
The developer has failed to learn the lessons from the successful London Bridge redevelopment and risks destroying a precious piece of the City’s heritage, writes Ben Derbyshire
OpinionLiz Truss could do worse than listening to King Charles
Ben Derbyshire has seen King Charles’ passion for housing design and planning up close. Here he lists the areas on which the new monarch is likely to provide private advice to prime ministers
OpinionWhy I’m supporting Muyiwa Oki to be the next RIBA president
Former president says progressive candidate could “hugely enrich” the institute as nomination deadline looms
OpinionWhat can we expect from the Queen’s Speech?
Ben Derbyshire is optimistic that Gove will propose a range of innovative proposals
FeaturesLet’s open our institute to architects fleeing from eastern Europe
We have an opportunity to stand with our Ukrainian counterparts and to offer collective support, writes Ben Derbyshire
FeaturesThis is not how to level up the country
Gove’s 12-point plan is hardly the Roosevelt New Deal we were promised, writes Ben Derbyshire
FeaturesLiving with Beauty promised much but its delivery is falling dangerously short
The government’s planning reforms are inherently contradictory and risk confusing beauty with popularity, writes Ben Derbyshire
FeaturesOur suburbs are a messy, quirky patchwork. This makes radical thinking all the more important
Turn Nimbys into Yimbys by giving them a stake in the development process, argues Ben Derbyshire
FeaturesI hear you, but RIBA’s reforms are the best way to restore architects’ status
Plans for five-yearly competence tests have sparked an outcry among small practitioners. Former RIBA president Ben Derbyshire tries to win them round
FeaturesBeauty, privacy and cupboards. What do the people really want?
Ben Derbyshire asks how we should approach a nationwide design code
FeaturesLearning from lockdown: Why placemaking should be at the centre of the recovery
Our damaged communities need a positive vision of the future, says Ben Derbyshire
FeaturesCoronavirus: What are the priorities for architects?
Ben Derbyshire has survived three recessions and says the first lesson is to act quickly and decisively