About us

We are architects and urbanists based in London and Rotterdam. Founded in 1992, we have grown to be around 90 people, so big enough to tackle projects of any size yet small enough to remain a close knit, focused and friendly team.

Our team is made up of exceptionally talented and dedicated people. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon as well as a common passion, energy and enthusiasm for our subject.

We work at every scale from strategic to detail and view this as part of a singular process.  The decisions that we make within a masterplan are informed by a depth of architectural knowledge, individual buildings are made to play a role within their urban context.

We have considerable experience with many types of building: homes and housing of every kind; schools and community buildings; workspace; shops and evermore ambitious high-density-mixed-use-city-buildings.

Collaborating regularly with other practices and disciplines in many significant large-scale strategic projects: major city extensions, new sustainable neighbourhoods; and town centre regeneration.

We undertake research, produce design guidance and strategies that inform national and local government policy.

By approaching work through the lens of embedding social value we build a sense of agency and ownership with a place and the communities we work with.

We have earned a strong and trusted reputation with clients, peers and local authorities and our design work has been recognised with many awards including the RIBA Stirling Prize.

Visit our sister company MLA+ here.

Our studio is inclusive, open and friendly, allowing people to grow their careers in a kind and sociable environment. We want our team to be fully representative of all sections of society and each person feel respected and able to give their best.

We have an established equality policy that sets out our approach to equal opportunities and we are proud that our studio has consistently maintained a gender balance over the last 10 years.

We understand the value of learning collaboratively and we enjoy annual study tours, visiting cities and buildings, exhibitions and lectures together. We take time to stop each day with our tea breaks, giving everyone a chance to turn off and chat which we found invaluable working in the virtual world. We run together at lunchtime and sketch in the evenings.

There is a focus on wellbeing within the team where we are continuely working to improve employee experience and maintaining a positive life/work balance.

We are a happy studio.