24.06.2022 Material Evolution
We have a diverse portfolio from artist pavilions, temporary structures, retail galleries and private homes. These projects have wildly different budgets, clients and constraints, so what ties them together?
At the heart of each of our projects is a sense of collaboration, craftsmanship and pragmatic resourcefulness. The evolution of our material research.
Our collaboration with Gentle Monster for their London flagship store was a fascinating, fast-paced project and was a brilliant testbed for material ideas. The Korean sunglasses giant were keen to explore the use of local materials sourced from the UK. So we took the design team to visit London timber reclamation yards and local landscaping suppliers. We had terrific design team meetings not only discussing the appropriate level of conservation of the listed context but the suitability of the internal application of a bare resin bond gravel often used on suburban driveways for a luxury retail gallery floor - why not?
It's not only about finding new material applications but also how existing architectural features can inform the new material interventions. At Gentle Monster, we worked closely with the M&E consultants, Max Fordhams, to design bespoke bronze grills to face the large plenums located below the existing shop windows - their materiality and elegant detailing complimenting the fine bronze work of the existing listed shop front.
At the other end of the scale, the Naked House is a compact revival of a private family home in east London, where we pursued the honest expression of materials. Each material selected was robust, had integrity, natural beauty and was self-finished - hence the name, the Naked House. Bespoke joinery elements were made from laminated bamboo panels, a carbon-neutral, sustainable product and renewable resource.
The clients loved the raw finish of the boards so much, that we left the boards un-stained, which creates a beautiful softness to the pieces. The contractor's plumber made the simple bent copper pipe sanitaryware, and the kitchen splashback isn't simply tiled, it's made from glazed bricks, which form the exposed brickwork wall. The new roof was finished with expertly laid leadwork and natural slate, to satisfy the conservation area design criteria.
I guess our interest in the manipulation and reuse of materials comes from our early career experience, particularly my architectural conservation background learning the craft of building through first principles. We have a deep appreciation and respect for traditional trades, the efficient use of materials, the ethics behind the material and for people who challenge materials' properties.
As architects, we are continually striving for the best outcomes and so we continue. We're lucky we've found clients who feel the same and are willing to embark on a journey of discovery with us!
24.06.2022 Material Evolution
We have a diverse portfolio from artist pavilions, temporary structures, retail galleries and private homes. These projects have wildly different budgets, clients and constraints, so what ties them together?
At the heart of each of our projects is a sense of collaboration, craftsmanship and pragmatic resourcefulness. The evolution of our material research.
Our collaboration with Gentle Monster for their London flagship store was a fascinating, fast-paced project and was a brilliant testbed for material ideas. The Korean sunglasses giant were keen to explore the use of local materials sourced from the UK. So we took the design team to visit London timber reclamation yards and local landscaping suppliers. We had terrific design team meetings not only discussing the appropriate level of conservation of the listed context but the suitability of the internal application of a bare resin bond gravel often used on suburban driveways for a luxury retail gallery floor - why not?
It's not only about finding new material applications but also how existing architectural features can inform the new material interventions. At Gentle Monster, we worked closely with the M&E consultants, Max Fordhams, to design bespoke bronze grills to face the large plenums located below the existing shop windows - their materiality and elegant detailing complimenting the fine bronze work of the existing listed shop front.
At the other end of the scale, the Naked House is a compact revival of a private family home in east London, where we pursued the honest expression of materials. Each material selected was robust, had integrity, natural beauty and was self-finished - hence the name, the Naked House. Bespoke joinery elements were made from laminated bamboo panels, a carbon-neutral, sustainable product and renewable resource.
The clients loved the raw finish of the boards so much, that we left the boards un-stained, which creates a beautiful softness to the pieces. The contractor's plumber made the simple bent copper pipe sanitaryware, and the kitchen splashback isn't simply tiled, it's made from glazed bricks, which form the exposed brickwork wall. The new roof was finished with expertly laid leadwork and natural slate, to satisfy the conservation area design criteria.
I guess our interest in the manipulation and reuse of materials comes from our early career experience, particularly my architectural conservation background learning the craft of building through first principles. We have a deep appreciation and respect for traditional trades, the efficient use of materials, the ethics behind the material and for people who challenge materials' properties.
As architects, we are continually striving for the best outcomes and so we continue. We're lucky we've found clients who feel the same and are willing to embark on a journey of discovery with us!
