Customer Stories

Why 50° North Architects Switched to MapServe for Faster, Simpler Site Planning

Leigh Bowen is the Principal Director of 50° North Architects, a London-based practice of seven professionals. The team handles projects across London, the Home Counties, and beyond—managing everything from feasibility studies to planning applications and building control.

Architect

Before

  • Used Promap but found the interface complicated and time-consuming
  • Needed clear, accurate mapping for planning and feasibility studies
  • Juggled multiple tools to perform site appraisals and access analysis
  • Required height and services data to inform early-stage design decisions

After

  • Switched to MapServe for a faster, more intuitive user experience
  • Uses MasterMap in DWG format as a base layer for sketches on iPad
  • Combines MapServe data with Google aerial and street views for site appraisals
  • Efficiently creates site plans, utility overlays, and height-informed concepts
  • Streamlined document preparation for planning and building control

Process

  • Orders OS MasterMap in DWG format from MapServe
  • Imports the data into sketching tools on iPad to explore site access and layout
  • Uses MapServe’s clean interface to locate sites quickly and download relevant plans
  • Integrates MapServe maps with external tools for a complete site analysis
  • Prepares planning and feasibility documents using layered, accurate base maps"

Conclusion

Switching to MapServe allowed 50° North Architects to speed up site planning and simplify their mapping workflow. The clear interface and reliable data helped Leigh’s team produce better-informed designs with less friction. From initial appraisals to planning submissions, MapServe is now an essential part of their architectural toolkit.

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