Architect Stuart Hanafin is a conservation specialist, a project architect, a team leader … and an explorer. Every project is different. He says, “We are always striving to achieve a quality outcome but every project needs fresh eyes and a review of the approaches we might take”.

Stuart works on diverse projects of all sizes, including major public buildings. For larger projects, his work often combines conservation with adaptation. All involve looking for ways to rejuvenate a building and give it another life — improving fabric performance, maintaining heritage values and achieving standards compliance. And it’s not just about sustainability or the value of heritage places to society. This approach can be cost and time effective, and it’s an architectural opportunity.

Outgoing and sociable, Stuart is a true collaborator. He loves working with trades people to solve problems and find better solutions for better outcomes. As well as a fascination with the interface between conservation, architecture, adaptation and new-build, he finds working with materials very rewarding — on-site materials investigation, and research into materials, finishes and methodologies all underpin his work. “We get to work on buildings where the details are failing. We want to solve those issues, so the buildings get another 100 years …”