The latest episode of The Leading Edge, the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers' podcast, takes listeners inside The Riverside at Fulham Football Club, the Winner of Winners at the 2026 AI Specification Awards.
Hosted by GAI Chief Executive Rachael Bliss, Episode 3 features Tom Penney of Stuart Forbes Associates and Neil Jeffery of Allgood Ltd, who share the story behind one of the industry's most celebrated recent projects.
Rather than focusing solely on the finished building, the conversation explores how close collaboration between architect and architectural ironmonger helped bring an ambitious design vision to life.
Designed as a year-round riverside destination as well as a Premier League football stand, The Riverside combines hospitality, leisure and public spaces within a highly complex development.
Throughout the episode, Tom and Neil discuss the challenges of coordinating an extensive ironmongery specification, balancing design ambition with practical performance, and working together to deliver an exceptional user experience.
Among the topics explored are:
- The vision behind The Riverside and the experience the design team set out to create.
- What architects value in an architectural ironmongery partner.
- How collaboration helped overcome complex specification challenges.
- The role of specialist knowledge in turning design intent into practical solutions.
- The lessons both architect and architectural ironmonger will take into future projects.
- The discussion highlights how successful projects rely on more than great design alone. They are built on strong partnerships, technical expertise and a shared commitment to achieving the best possible outcome.
Whether you're an architect, architectural ironmonger, specifier or simply interested in how award-winning buildings come together, Episode 3 offers valuable insights into the people and processes behind one of the UK's most impressive recent developments.
Listen to Episode 3 of The Leading Edge now: https://the-leading-edge.simplecast.com/episodes/award-winning-quality-at-the-riverside-fulham-fc
New episodes of The Leading Edge are released on the first Tuesday of every month and are available on all major podcast platforms.