Partnership helps deliver shared Social Value ambitions

Chapman Taylor was appointed by our client Socius to deliver the Soapworks project in Bristol. Soapworks is planned to be a sustainable new mixed-use district with 180,000 sq ft of flexible workspace, 243 new Build-to-Rent homes (with 20% affordable), independent retailers, food and drink outlets that includes Bristol’s first purpose-built food hall.

In partnership with Socius and investor Barings, we have recently been supporting a number of Social Value, and tutoring and mentoring, projects in Bristol city centre to give back something to the communities we work in.

Director Nick Thursby explains how working with Socius is helping our Bristol social value projects progress.

“In 2022, Chapman Taylor’s Bristol studio was selected by Socius and investor, Barings to develop the architectural design of Soapworks, a significantly important mixed-use project in Bristol.

It was evident from the beginning that our firm's approach to social value aligned, through a shared commitment to invest and support the communities in which we work. As an award-winning architect practice, we have three studios in the UK that are embedded in the neighbourhood in which they sit.

Chapman Taylor has been working in the South-West for nearly 30 years and our Bristol Studio is a major employer of Architectural Graduates from the University of the West of England and Bath University. We are actively involved with Architectural Tutoring, mentoring, and the Architectural Apprenticeship Schemes, but Socius encouraged us to also become involved in some of their Social Value initiatives.

As such, we have recently been involved in the Babbasa mentoring scheme, a Bristol programme to support young people in ethnically diverse inner-city communities, in terms of providing advice, guidance, and assistance in finding employment. This has led to members of our team attending focused Club Mentoring evenings to offer advice on cover letters, CVs or getting into an industry, as well as networking with other Equal Opportunity Ambassadors in a range of industries.

Socius and Barings have been actively involved in supporting the local community in Bristol, and recently they invited members of the Soapworks Consultant Team to participate in the Hannah More Primary School Careers Fair.

Representatives from Chapman Taylor’s Bristol Studio, brought along sketches, models, and an animation of Chapman Taylor’s award-winning Castle Park View project. These visual aids helped explain the role of an architect to the students attending the fair. The goal was to promote architecture as a potential career choice that many of the Hannah More pupils may not have been aware of. The children at the event showed great enthusiasm and posed a delightful range of questions, exploring the fascinating world of architecture. They inquired about the various responsibility’s architects undertake and the subjects required to pursue a career in architecture.”

Chapman Taylor have many more important activities planned and working alongside Socius and Barings, with their dedication and commitment to social value, we will ensure our journey in this area continues.