Tim Heatley didn’t set out to be “just another developer.” He grew up in rural Salford, watching his social worker parents take in vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, even when times got tough. Those early lessons stuck: buildings aren’t just bricks and mortar, they’re the backdrop for people’s lives, a chance to lift communities up rather than line pockets.

I wanted to share with you all, friends of Il Salotto, the roots of my passion for architecture and design, so I brought the talented team at Superbeam to my hometown - Gemona, a small town of ten thousand people north of Udine, in Italy’s northeast.

BTR and all that Jazz - From Edinburgh to Manchester: Unpacking the Future of Built-to-Rent

BTR and all that Jazz - From Edinburgh to Manchester: Unpacking the Future of Built-to-Rent

In a world where housing policy often prioritizes quantity over quality, the Burns Road development in Cumbernauld stands out. Discussed passionately at a recent panel on social and affordable housing, the project was hailed not only for its architectural innovation but for its deep commitment to placemaking, community, and longevity. As panelist Donna Milton put it: “This is the best I’ve ever seen.”

At Il Salotto, host Sara Serravalli brought together three expert voices—Anthony Newman (MLA), Anna Christabel (Page & Park), and Rob Morrison (BEST/VEST)—to unpack the complex, urgent, and often misunderstood topic of retrofitting. What followed was a rich, candid discussion on the challenges, misconceptions, and opportunities that retrofitting presents for cities like Glasgow and beyond.