Forty-six architecture practices have been appointed to LHC’s Architectural Design Services (ADS2) framework.

ADS2 was developed in partnership with Southwark, Islington and Westminster Councils. It was designed to attract diverse-led practices and SMEs. Over 90% of the appointed companies are SMEs, with 19 falling into the micro category (10 employees or fewer).

Potential suppliers were scored against a range of criteria including their approach to diversity and representation, with the framework aiming to mirror the diversity of London’s communities.

ADS2 has seven workstreams valued at £75million covering masterplanning, education and public buildings, residential, retrofit, MMC, and public realm and landscape. One lot has been allocated exclusively to micro-SMEs and small practices. To be eligible, practices had to evidence an annual turnover cap of £1 million.

Graham Collie, director of product innovation at LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG), said: “The objectives for ADS2 focused on bringing new opportunities forward for practices with a track record of collaboration, innovation and community engagement.

“That included improving access to public sector work for micro-SMEs as well as more established firms. It’s a great example of how procurement can be used as a lever to create opportunities for businesses that might not otherwise get public sector work.”

The first iteration of the framework, ADS1, became an award-winning exemplar of best practice for its approach to delivering social value impact and promoting diverse representation within the architectural sector.

This followed an expansion of the framework focused on increasing opportunities for diverse-led practices, following significant market engagement.

Approximately 100 projects were delivered through the framework.

As a not-for-profit framework provider, LHCPG reinvests any surplus generated from frameworks in communities, putting legacy right at the heart of projects.

“As well as specialist technical support, we will stay on hand to help appointed companies deliver meaningful social value throughout projects,” added Graham. “That way, projects make a much wider impact beyond the scope of the development itself, offering a real opportunity for communities to benefit.”

ADS2 is being managed by LHCPG’s Midlands, London and South East regional team. The framework will run until 2029, providing a long-term pipeline of opportunities.