The GLA, via Transport for London, has published a prior information notice signalling its intention to start looking for architects for its new four-year framework. The proposed roster of practices – effectively the fourth generation of the pre-approved pool of talent – will supersede the existing Architecture and Urbanism (A+U) framework and will run from 2027 to 2031.
The upcoming process will select a raft of teams for a new ‘comprehensive compliant design framework’ intended for ‘use by the GLA Group and other public sector commissioning authorities for architectural, place-making and urban planning services’.
Full procurement documents will be issued through the formal procurement portal when the opportunity goes live in late summer 2026. Further updates will be available through Find a Tender and the GLA website.
It is understood the next framework will continue to support high-quality architecture, urbanism and design led services for the GLA Group and public authorities, with a continued focus on Good Growth, design quality, sustainability, social value and inclusive procurement.
Among the 65 firms selected for the last framework three years ago were: Stirling Prize-winning Mikhail Riches; AJ 40 under 40 stars JA Projects, IF_DO, OMMX, Freehaus and Jas Bhalla Architects with AR Urbanism; RCKa; Peter Barber Architects; Nimtim Architects; Gbolade Design Studio; Al Jawad Pike; and emerging practice Sanchez Benton Architects.
Data obtained from the Greater London Authority (GLA) by The Architects’ Journal showed 83 contracts worth £11.27 million were let via the 10-lot framework between its launch in February 2023 and 10 March 2025.
The first pool – then known as ADUP (the Architecture Design and Urbanism Panel) – was announced in 2012 to promote ‘quality architecture, public realm, urban regeneration and sustainable development in the capital’ and officially launched two years later.
Among the 60 architects appointed to the inaugural panel were established firms including Studio Egret West and Stirling Prize-winner Witherford Watson Mann, alongside emerging studios such as Assemble, winner of the 2015 Turner Prize. Feilden Fowles, 6a architects, Duggan Morris, DK-CM, We Made That and Foster + Partners were among practices chosen for the second mayoral architecture framework, ADUP 2, in 2018.
Key schemes awarded through the framework have included Meridian Four in Enfield – won by Karakusevic Carson Architects with Maccreanor Lavington, Mary Duggan Architects, Architecture Doing Place, Wallace Liu, Al-Jawad Pike, Office Sian and Sahra Hersi.
The ‘ADUP’ branding was superseded by A+U with the most recent edition of the framework in 2023. Like its predecessors, the latest A+U framework will also be available to be used by London boroughs, housing associations, mayoral development corporations and other bodies.
The last A+U Framework was divided into 10 lots: spatial policy and research; sustainable cities; high street and town centre recovery; landscape and public realm; cultural and social infrastructure; workspace; small housing sites; residential and mixed-use development; transport infrastructure; and transport design.
Teams selected for the previous A+U Framework