Beehive Local Plan / Berkhamsted Neighbourhood Plan
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Berkhamsted Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
Project Type: Community-Led Planning
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2013–2014
The Berkhamsted Neighbourhood Plan was a community-driven initiative to shape the town’s future development while protecting its heritage assets. Coordinated by a steering group of councillors, stakeholders, and residents, the plan empowered local voices in planning decisions. Hugo Hardy Architect played a key role in the early visioning and strategic input, helping to articulate a coherent framework that balanced growth with conservation.
Our involvement focused on translating community aspirations into viable planning strategies, offering design insight and feasibility guidance that strengthened the plan’s credibility. The final document influenced by the B-Hive work, now serves as a blueprint for sustainable development in Berkhamsted, with heritage sensitivity and civic identity at its core.
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Friends of St Peter’s
Project Type: Heritage Restoration & Public Realm
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2015–2022
Rectory Lane Cemetery was transformed from a neglected burial ground into a vibrant community park and wildlife haven, thanks to a £989,200 grant from the National Lottery. Hugo Hardy Architect supported the regeneration from its earliest stages, helping shape the vision, secure funding, and guide the design process.
Our strategic input included feasibility studies, stakeholder engagement, and concept development, laying the groundwork for a project that has since won multiple awards—including the Green Flag Award for one of the UK’s top 10 green spaces (2025), and two Landscape Institute Awards for Excellence in Heritage and Community Engagement (2021). The project stands as a model of community-led heritage restoration, with lasting environmental and social impact.
Berkhamsted Castle Visitor Centre
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Berkhamsted Castle Trust
Project Type: Heritage Access & Interpretation
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2022–2022
In collaboration with Berkhamsted Castle Trust, Hugo Hardy Architect contributed to early feasibility studies for a new visitor centre and improved access to Berkhamsted Castle. The project has now moved on to be part of a wider heritage strategy supported by Land Use Consultants and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Our role focused on 3D modeling the site: identifying opportunities for interpretation, accessibility, and community engagement, helping to shape a vision that honours the site’s historical significance while inviting broader public use. The intention of the proposed centre will enhance educational programming and tourism, anchoring the castle as a civic and cultural asset.
Dacorum Heritage Trust Archive Museum
Location: Dacorum, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Dacorum Heritage Trust
Project Type: Cultural Infrastructure
Status: In Development
Timeline: 2024–2025
Hugo Hardy Architect supported early research and strategic planning for a proposed museum archive to house Dacorum’s historical collections. Our work included feasibility analysis and spatial planning, helping to define the scope and potential impact of the new facility. The proposed archive would provide secure, accessible storage for thousands of artefacts, while offering public programming and educational outreach. Our involvement helped clarify the spatial and adjacency requirements of the various functions and by doing so allowed for an ideal area model to be established and tested against possible future sites for the Archive.
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: Chesham Renaissance CIC
Project Type: Urban Regeneration
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2017–2019
Hugo Hardy Architect helped develop the Chesham Masterplan, “A Vison for Chesham”, a comprehensive regeneration strategy focused on densification of housing to provide much needed infrastructure, revitalising the town centre. Our early-stage input shaped a vision for sustainable urban renewal, balancing growth with community needs recognizing the power within the historical structure of the town allowing the park and water walks to reconnect the town and it’s wider environment. The scheme proposed soloutions for housing over car parking, infrastructure easement by sinking St. Mary’s way into a cutting or tunnel and altering the length of the high street, revitalizing the centre with a new water walk “parkway linked” cultural quarter to transport hubs. We provided strategic design guidance, stakeholder engagement, and feasibility support, helping to align the plan with local aspirations and planning policy. The masterplan was recognised as a key document guiding Chesham’s future development with consultation meetings with of residents often reaching several hundred attendees.
Chesham Renaissance CIC and Public Housing above Waterend Car Park
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: Chesham Civic
Project Type: Community-Led Development
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2017–2019
Hugo Hardy Architect supported the formation of Chesham Renaissance CIC, a community interest company driving regeneration and development in Chesham. Our strategic consulting helped establish the CIC’s mission, governance, and initial project pipeline. Although Hugo Hardy’s personal involvement has ended the the CIC continues to lead initiatives that reflect local priorities. Recognised by Buckinghamshire Council as a key strategic partner, our early involvement ensured a strong foundation for civic engagement and long-term impact. As part of the initial project pipeline feasibility a housing feasibility was conducted to build public housing units over Waterend Car park.
Buckinghamshire Council’s and Public Housing on the Current Youth Centre Site in Chesham
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: Buckinghamshire Council
Project Type: Community-Led Development
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2021-22
Hugo Hardy Architect due to his involvement with the Elgiva expansion proposals and the Chesham Cultural quarter under, “ A Vision for Chesham” was asked to carry out a design and feasibility exercise considering how to fit housing on the difficult site currently occupied by the Youth Centre, redundant Scout building an outside Multi Sport Court and constrained by it’s adjacency to the listed Quaker grave yard and proximity to St. Mary’s road.
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: The Elgiva Theatre and Chesham Town Council
Project Type: Cultural Venue Renovation and Expansion
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2018–2022
Appointed to design a renovation and extension of The Elgiva Theatre, Hugo Hardy Architect proposed a new 90-seat studio theatre and enhanced support facilities. The design supports Chesham’s cultural growth, enabling more diverse programming and community use. . Our architectural vision balanced technical feasibility with artistic ambition, ensuring the theatre remained a vibrant cultural hub and a leader in any future Cultural quarter discussions.
Chesham Moor Gym & Swim Renovation
Location: Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: Chesham Town Council
Project Type: Community Leisure Facility
Status: In Development
Timeline: 2018–2022
Hugo Hardy Architect contributed to design feasibility for an expanded and redesigned Community Lido at Chesham Moor Gym & Swim. Our work focused on improving accessibility, sustainability, and community use.The proposed renovation supported year-round recreation and wellbeing, enhancing one of Chesham’s most beloved public amenities. Our early and mid-stage input helped clarify design options and lead to a decision for a light touch restoration carried out by the Chesham Council in 2024.
Frogmore Paper Mill Restoration
Location: Apsley, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Apsley Paper Trail
Project Type: Industrial Heritage Restoration
Status: In Progress
Timeline: 2023–Present
Following a devastating arson fire in 2022, Hugo Hardy Architect supported restoration efforts for Frogmore Paper Mill—the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill. Our work focused on heritage-sensitive design and strategic planning for recovery. The site previously received the Engineering Heritage Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (2019), recognising its global significance. Our involvement ensures that restoration efforts honour the mill’s legacy while enabling future educational and cultural use.
Location: Boxmoor, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: Community Campaign Group
Project Type: Heritage & Arts Venue
Status: In Development
Timeline: 2023–Present
Hugo Hardy Architect provided architectural support to save Heath Barn, a Grade II listed former music school in Boxmoor. The campaign has garnered over £25,000 in pledges and 520+ survey responses, with 97% of respondents supporting its transformation into an arts and wellbeing centre. Our work included feasibility studies, concept design, planning and policy advise, community engagement, and development appraisals, helping to build momentum and clarify the project’s potential. The campaign continues to attract local support and funding interest.
Cheddington Community Pavilion
Location: Cheddington, Buckinghamshire
Client/Partner: Cheddington Parish Council
Project Type: Community Infrastructure
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2018–2022
Hugo Hardy Architect designed a modern, energy-efficient community pavilion in Cheddington, featuring a well-equipped kitchen and secure play area. The facility supports local events, recreation, and social cohesion. Our architectural approach prioritised sustainability, accessibility, and long-term usability, resulting in a space that reflects and serves the needs of its community.
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Client/Partner: AVID Community Group
Project Type: Civic Landmark Reinstatement
Status: In Development
Timeline: 2025–Present
Hugo Hardy Architect is involved in proposals to reinstate the historic Hemel Pavilion at The Bury, a Grade II* listed Georgian house. Working alongside AVID—a community group that has lobbied for over a decade—we’ve helped shape a vision for a new arts venue in Dacorum. A petition with over 900 signatures calls for its restoration, and the site is under strategic review by Dacorum Borough Council. Our design input balances heritage sensitivity with contemporary cultural needs.
Hounsloe Community & Recreation Pavilion
Location: Hanslope, MK
Client/Partner: Local Authority & Community Stakeholders
Project Type: Multi-Use Civic Venue
Status: In Development
Timeline: 2025–Present
Hugo Hardy Architect is contributing to the concept and strategic planning for a proposed multi-use venue in Hanslope, MK. The pavilion will support sport, wellbeing, and cultural programming, offering flexible space for community-led initiatives.Our early-stage input focuses on inclusive design, funding strategy, and stakeholder engagement, helping to shape a venue that reflects Hanslope’s growth and vibrant identity as a village on the move.