Government Digital Service (GDS) recently brought together dozens of architects from across local government and central government for the first Architects Assemble event, hosted by the Local Government Association in London. While attendees came from different organisations and disciplines, they shared a common goal: improving local public services through better collaboration, better decision making, and firmer foundations for technology, digital and data. Architecture often happens behind the scenes, helping organisations navigate complexity, make informed decisions and deliver change. Yet many of the challenges we face are shared across the sector. Architects Assemble was designed to create space for people to connect and learn from one another, through three workshops and general discussion, to explore how we can start to tackle those challenges together.
Growing adoption of the Local Government Architecture ModelThe first workshop explored how wider adoption of the Local Government Architecture Model (LGAM) could be achieved across the sector.
Participants discussed what would give councils the confidence to adopt the model and the factors that are most important when deciding whether to invest time and effort in a new approach.
The discussion then focused on practical application, exploring what would make the LGAM easier to use in day-to-day architecture and transformation work. There was a strong emphasis on ensuring the model is accessible, actionable and relevant to the challenges councils face.
Finally, participants considered what GDS could do over the next 12 months to make the LGAM feel indispensable to everyday practice.
The discussion generated a wealth of ideas that will help shape the next phase of the model's development by GDS Local and designs for the adoption approach.
Creating the conditions for better decisionsThe second workshop focused on how better architectural decision making can help create firmer foundations for local government technology, digital and data.
Participants explored how better decision making can help organisations move beyond short-term choices and create the conditions for long-term success. This included discussions about governance, standards, strategic planning and how architecture can provide a framework for making consistent decisions across organisations.
A recurring theme was that stronger foundations are not created through technology alone. They require clear outcomes, shared understanding and better alignment between business, data, digital and technology perspectives.
Building a public sector architecture communityThe third workshop focused on building and sustaining a thriving community of practice for architects working to improve local public services.
Many participants recognised that they are often tackling similar challenges, whether related to service transformation, data sharing, organisational change or technology modernisation. Creating opportunities to connect enables people to learn from one another, share what works and avoid solving the same problems repeatedly.
The discussions generated a range of ideas for how the community can continue to develop, including opportunities for peer support, sharing patterns and practices, showcasing work from across the sector and creating more regular opportunities for collaboration. The aim is to put in place a monthly community webinar, hold quarterly face to face workshops, and extend the community to people who don't have "architect" in their job title.
Looking aheadArchitects Assemble was never intended to be a one-off event.
The conversations throughout the day demonstrated both the value of bringing architects together and the appetite for continued collaboration.
Whether discussing adoption of the LGAM, creating firmer foundations for technology, digital and data, or growing a sustainable community of practice, participants were united by a common ambition: improving public services on a local and national scale.
The challenges facing the sector are significant, but so is the collective expertise, experience and willingness to collaborate.
By continuing to connect architects from across organisations and disciplines, we can help create the conditions for better decisions, firmer foundations and ultimately better outcomes for communities.
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https://technology.blog.gov.uk/2026/10/01/assembling-architects-to-improve-local-public-services/
seen at 16:38, 1 October in Technology in government.