Ethos
We are a practice who are passionate about architecture, urbanism and design. We are instigators, analysers, problem solvers, socialisers, creators and completers. We are collaborative, explorative and rigorous in our processes and free thinking in our creativity and research. We are responsive to the needs of our clients and design with responsibility for the needs of the people that will inhabit the buildings, spaces and places we help create. We are supportive and caring of our people and we are determined that our practice and projects leave a positive environmental legacy for future generations.
Design
Our design approach seeks to respond to the uniqueness and opportunities of brief, context, legacy and budget with rationalism, simplicity and delight to create sustainable and enduring places, spaces and buildings with the quality, adaptability and longevity needed for them to be enjoyed by current and future generations to come. We regard each project as a point of progression within a cohesive body of work, employing a rational architectural language that is differentiated in each project by context and programme.
Sustainability
We believe that architects have a pivotal role to play in helping society, humanity and the planet. We have a holistic approach to sustainable urban design and architecture. We believe in walkable cities, sustainable placemaking and the importance of contextualism in connecting to existing communities. For us the most sustainable building is an existing building and we will always undertake assessments at feasibility stage to analyse the viability of re-use as an essential first step. We believe the most sustainable new building is simple in its form, adaptable in its layout, enduring in its architecture and valued by its community.
Process
Behind all of our work is an iterative design process of research, analysis, design testing and co-ordination. We work across media to explore projects through drawing, model making, visualisations and animations as part of developing our design process and to communicate designs to our clients, planning authorities and stakeholders.
Our contextual approach is realised in our work through in-depth research of the specific conditions of a site’s geographical, climatic, historical, social and cultural context with the aim to improve the quality of experience and engagement within the city through a creative reimagining of its contextual conditions.
We believe the architect's role is central to managing a successful project and to fulfilling the needs and ambitions of our clients and the potential of our collaborating project team members. This is reflected in the rigour of our co-ordination process and the collaborative way in which we work with others.
We work in Revit and provide a full BIM service. We are also advancing our use of AI in practice and projects.
Research
Independent research projects form an important part of our practice's approach to practice, projects and design. They allow us to continue to learn and develop an evolving practice philosophy and to consider the world outside of our every day work.
Our research programmes have included an in depth analysis of Berlin through our Twelve Sites project; The Re-Birth of the High Street; Living Above the Shop; The Universal Building; Opportunities of the Car Free City; and Towards a Sustainable Minimalism.