Design, Detail, and Discovery: A Meeting at Levitt Bernstein

I had met Irene Craik only briefly at the launch of “Beyond the White Picket Fence” by Savannah Fishel and arranged to meet after my Manchester trip. Running late due to a tube station miscalculation, I was incredibly grateful that Irene and her colleague Olivia Smith could still make time for me – we could have chatted for hours! Irene is a Director at Levitt Bernstein, the architectural practice behind the innovative Melfield Gardens development in Lewisham. Our meeting took place at their studio, an open, collaborative space that reflected the ethos of their work: thoughtful, community-led, and socially responsive design.

We began by discussing Melfield Gardens, a co-housing project that brings together older adults and postgraduate students in a shared living environment. Olivia walked me through the design process, highlighting how the scheme was shaped by deep engagement with residents and local stakeholders. The project’s ambition, to foster mutual support, reduce isolation, and create a sense of belonging, resonated strongly with the intergenerational models I had seen elsewhere in the UK and Europe.

Irene provided broader context on Levitt Bernstein’s long-standing commitment to social housing and inclusive design. Their portfolio spans decades of work that prioritises dignity, sustainability, and community. What stood out was their ability to balance architectural excellence with social purpose, something that is often talked about but rarely achieved at this level.

Then came a moment of unexpected connection: as we discussed my visit to the Brunswick Centre, Irene smiled. “We did the restoration of that,” she said. It was a full-circle moment. The Brunswick Centre, with its bold modernist form and layered public realm, had struck me as a powerful example of mixed-use, multi-generational urban living. To learn that Levitt Bernstein had been behind both the Brunswick redevelopment and Melfield Gardens was a reminder of the firm’s enduring influence on the social fabric of London.

Our conversation was rich with insights about the challenges of delivering intergenerational housing in a constrained planning environment, the importance of long-term stewardship, and the need for design to reflect cultural and generational diversity. It was also a reminder that architecture is not just about buildings but also relationships, values, and vision. I asked Irene if she could refer me to someone at Melfield Gardens for a site visit and luckily Steve Connor was available so I could see the plans, come to life.