Derek Latham is an urban designer, masterplanner, architect, landscape architect and conservation architect.
Creative Re-use and Conservation
Derek’s early career included the design of an innovative high density, medium-rise housing development in Kensington, and work for the charity Shelter - advising people on how to fight for rights of tenure, rehabilitate their properties and improve their areas.
Guided by a philosophy of adapting old properties for new functions, he developed the concept of gradual renewal in preference to wholesale redevelopment of inner city areas. He later published his ideas in a two-volume book, Creative Re-use of Buildings.
“Derek Latham is one of the most highly respected conservation architects, well known for his work in the re-use of historic buildings where his specialist expertise and experience provides a blend of the highly sensitive with the necessary imagination and originality to evolve successful and often award winning schemes turning often unwanted and redundant properties into viable and marketable assets.”
RICS Building Conservation Journal
His work in conservation has seen Derek serve with a number of key organizations such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (1993-2001) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (2000-2006). As well as personally advising clients such as HRH The Prince of Wales, he has undertaken commissioned work for the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, The Royal Household at Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Lord Shelburn, English Heritage and the National Trust.
Urban Design and Regeneration
Derek is passionate about placemaking, designing and creating places holistically in response to their context.
He is a Regional Representative for CABE in the East Midlands, a founder member of Opun - (East Midlands Architecture and Built Environment Centre) and Chairman of Regeneration East Midlands (Centre for Excellence). He was also instrumental in setting up the Regional Project Design Review Panel, and is a Yorkshire Forward Urban Renaissance Panel Member.
Working as Design Advisor, Design Champion, masterplanner and architect, Derek has worked at the heart of major regeneration and urban renewal projects around the UK, including : Sheffield Development Corporation; Derby City Challenge (Pride Park); Leeds (Victoria Quarter); Birmingham (Jewellery Quarter); and Manchester (Empress Centre)
Transforming Education
Derek is a Cabe Education Enabler, an RIBA Client Design Adviser, and a Design Champion for 6 BSF bidders and LEPs
