Enframe was founded to address a crucial need within the construction industry and the architectural profession: a cultural change that places safety, accountability, and proactive design at the forefront. We’re driven by extensive experience in varied roles across the industry, from architecture and client-side consultation to contracting and engineering. Our portfolio includes major design and construction projects, from London 2012 to million-square-metre office developments and historic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament. 

A Broken Safety Culture

For decades, the building safety culture has been fractured. Dame Judith Hackitt’s call for cultural modernisation reflects what many of us in the industry have recognised for years: an erosion of responsibility has led to tragic failures in building safety, including Grenfell Tower, Oxgang Primary School, and Lakanal House. Even in recent years, we’ve seen the consequences of these gaps, with incidents like the 2023 Luton Airport fire and the collapse of a balcony in a five-year-old building in Barking, London.

Often, the root of these issues lies in a broken design process where essential design elements are left unresolved until late stages or even deferred to contractors. The term “design and dump” has come to replace design and build, as consultants sometimes avoid taking on responsibility for critical design details.

“If it’s not drawn, it can’t be discussed…” as was said at the RIBA Young Lions Lecture Series in 1996, a principle that still holds true today. Yet, despite the increasing demands on building safety, we continue to see projects ending RIBA Stage 4 without meeting Approved Document compliance. How, then, can contractors ensure safety during construction if the designs they inherit are already lacking?

Bringing Safety and Process into Focus

Reflecting on other industries can provide perspective. Commercial aviation, for instance, is incredibly safe because of strict processes, checklists, and an unwavering commitment to procedure. British Airways, for example, has a culture where even seasoned pilots refer to manuals mid-flight to ensure they’re following precise protocols, despite the high stakes.

Enframe believes a similar commitment to process and procedure is overdue in the construction industry, especially for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). We have tools, methodologies, and ‘manuals’ to support architects, designers, and contractors in embedding safety throughout the design process.

Designing with Safety and Compliance in Mind

For some in the industry, pushing boundaries and avoiding stringent compliance was an aspiration. For others, non-compliance resulted from oversight. At Enframe, we believe that drawing must initiate discussion, and designing to align with the RIBA Plan of Work from start to finish should be standard. Integrating the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) Gateway Process with each phase of the design process ensures that safety isn’t an afterthought but a guiding principle.

The stakes have never been higher. The BSR’s mandate is backed by law, with severe penalties for providing misleading or false information. Violations of the Building Regulations Act now carry the weight of criminal consequences, including unlimited fines and imprisonment. If you are concerned about your compliance, speak to us.

A Call to Collective Action

Changing such an entrenched culture will take collective effort. Every stakeholder in the industry must be willing to support this shift, aligning their practices with the requirements of the Building Safety Act and fostering a community that values proactive, safety-first design. Enframe is committed to leading the way, helping to create a safer and more accountable industry, one practical solution at a time.

Will Freeman ARB RIBA - founder of Enframe

Enframe partners with Liz Male Consulting (LMC), one of the UK’s leading communications consultancies for the built environment.

LMC specialises in strategic PR, digital marketing, and reputation management for purpose-driven organisations in property, architecture, engineering, and construction.

Together, we collaborate on initiatives such as sponsoring the Building Safety Wiki, combining Enframe’s regulatory and technical expertise with LMC’s skill in communication, engagement, and storytelling to promote positive change across the industry.

Enframe is supported by mentors and consultants with expertise in digital technology, consulting, architecture and construction.