DONALD McCRORY

Research & Design Architects Studio

Blog:

June 2025 - Works currently progressing on-site for a new Children’s Library in Canary Wharf. The space has been designed to engage and attract communities who may not traditionally visit the area, due to the financial and commercial nature of the site. With recent shifts in footfall and use since the pandemic, the aim is to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.

April 2025 - OMG Education Independent School, new educational initiative launches at the Fruit and Wool Exchange. “Our innovative curriculum, focused on music, creativity, and practical experiences, is designed to help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential….a safe and supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and build the confidence they need to succeed." Jamal Miah, Founder and Director of OMG Education

January 2025 - we are proud to have contributed to the refurbisment programme at Victoria Park, transforming multiple disused buildings, including former rangers’ offices, into vibrant amenity spaces. Providing facilities, WCs, office areas, and a welcoming café, for the community whilst preserving the park’s heritage.

July 2024 - Planning permission granted for our designs of four family-sized affordable tenure family passive homes, to address the acute housing needs in East london. Each home constructed utilising CLT with stone brick cladding, powered by PV & solar hot water cells and ground source heat pumps. Complying with Part O of the Building Regulations, meeting with biodiversity requirements and complying to Passivhaus standards,

March 2024 - Interior works including new dda access, mechanical and bespoke furniture completed at Chrisp Street Library, London.

September 2023 - Construction completed for a new arts and leadership programme for young people charity, We Are Spotlight, at the former Fruit and Wool Exchange in the heart of London's Spitalfields.

March 2022 - Historic Buildings Grant and Listed Building approval achieved for Columbia Road Market School to the former Columbia Market

Jan 2022 - Research at the RIBA Collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum, reviewing Sir Frederick Gibberd’s original drawings for the Chrisp Street Clock Tower for future restoration.

Oct 2021 - Our shortlisted entry to The Wood Awards is now on display at The Building Centre in London, until 3rd December.

The exhibition is part of World of Wood (WOW) Festival, a six-week celebration of global timber and global forests that demonstrates the benefits forest supply chains bring to the natural and urban environment. It seeks to build on the increased interest in climate change policy, highlight the vital role which forest supply chains play in reducing carbon emissions, and showcase the innovation and design potential of timber.

October 2019 - The Duke of Gloucester and the Mayor of Tower Hamlets open Tower Hill Terrace.

July 2019 - Roads around The Oval (E2) to be closed to traffic for the new Oval Night Market with street bands and DJs all through the summer evenings. https://www.ovalnightmarket.com/

April 2019 - Central St Martins Study Tour of Amsterdam, examining contemporary housing schemes. Het Schip built in the architectural style of the Amsterdam School of Expressionist architecture, MVRDV’s Silodam polychromatic apartment building on the harbour and Borneo-Sporenburg.

March 2019 - The Druid Order Spring Equinox Ceremony at our latest project Tower Hill Terrace. The traditional Druid welcome to mark the arrival of spring. They form a circle and a make a call of peace to the four quarters (which represent the qualities of clarity, energy, stability and inspiration), before issuing a welcome to Ceridwen the Earth Mother and making a symbolic offering of seeds back to the earth, thus acknowledging the season's potential for new growth and new beginnings.

Jan 2019 - Visit to specialist metal fabricators, at their rural studio, inspecting bespoke construction techniques, 1:1 scale mock ups and material samples for the forthcoming pavilion.

Nov 2018 - Office trip visit to Bromley Hall School., which has remained closed since 2002. Built in 1967-8, this building was designed as a school for physically handicapped children by the LCC/GLC Architects’ Department and it is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.