APPROACH

We want to work closely with all our clients and users because we believe in tailoring architecture very directly to your needs, to the needs of all inhabitants of buildings, and to the specifics of the site.

We believe that thoughtful design can make a positive difference to people's lives and that architecture doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

We prefer materials that age well – timber, brick, steel – and which have dignity. We believe that architecture has long- and deeply-understood cultural codings whose subtleties should be employed wisely, from a contemporary perspective.

We always want to find the simplest and most appropriate solutions.

One of our most important services is helping you to write the brief for the project. We're good at assisting people to formulate problems clearly, to work towards the best solution. For more complex groups of users, we have experience in running engaging participation events to capture peoples' ideas and imagination.

We have expertise in a wide range of architectural problems and building types.

Achieving the best value for money is important to us.

Good spaces provide a rich environment which can make people feel better about their surroundings.

We are good at working with what's already there: with difficult sites and with existing and historic buildings.

Sustainable design is inherent to all our projects and the key moves – like maximising insulation, choosing the right materials, optimising openings to balance daylight and heat loss – needn't add significant cost.

We believe that design should be research-led; that the best solutions are the most informed.

We believe that dealings with others must always be collaborative rather than adversarial. Our collaborations are founded on honesty and trust.