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Two AKT II projects recognised at Civic Trust Awards 2025.

Arding & Hobbs / UCL East Marshgate.

Arding & Hobbs and UCL East Marshgate have been honoured at this year’s Civic Trust Awards, both celebrated for their civic contribution through thoughtful, forward-looking engineering.

Arding & Hobbs – Award Winner.

The Arding & Hobbs restoration project was recognised with a Civic Trust Award, celebrating the renewal of a much-loved London landmark. Located in Clapham, the Grade II-listed department store has been reimagined as a modern mixed-use development, delivering 14,900m² of office and retail space.

Working with architect Stiff + Trevillion, AKT II engineered the structural retrofit and extension, introducing two lightweight upper storeys while retaining and strengthening the existing Victorian-era frame and foundations. Key interventions included the removal of the north core to create new floor space, upgrades to the central core, and a partial lowering of the basement slab to improve headroom. The rooftop pavilion – composed of a steel-and-timber structure – adds new office space and functional terraces, all set back to minimise visual impact. The project targets BREEAM Excellent and exemplifies how contemporary interventions can sensitively extend a historic urban fabric

UCL East Marshgate – Highly Commended.

UCL East Marshgate received a Highly Commended mention, recognising its pivotal role in East London’s academic and civic transformation. Delivered with Stanton Williams (design) and Sheppard Robson (delivery), Marshgate forms part of UCL’s new campus within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a key legacy initiative.

AKT II’s engineering enables long-term flexibility across Marshgate’s 35,000m² mixed-use academic facility. The structure uses an efficient concrete flat-slab system to accommodate varied programme requirements – from dry and wet labs to open teaching and learning environments. A central ‘Fluid Zone’ atrium integrates the building with its public realm, while the robust precast envelope delivers elegance, durability, and passive shading. The design also responds to complex subterranean constraints including nearby river infrastructure and deep UKPN utility tunnels

Celebrating civic value.

Directors Steve Toon and Valentina Galmozzi joined the celebration under the historic Concorde at the award ceremony, championing AKT II’s continued commitment to shaping places that matter.

Congratulations to all involved – and to all everyone recognised at this year’s Civic Trust Awards.

Arding & Hobbs thumbnailArding
&
Hobbs.
 
UCL East
 
Marshgate.