Process
Our approach to the development and delivery of well-crafted architecture
Our Approach
We work with clients and professional partners in both the public and private sectors to deliver award winning, design-led architecture.
Our work is grounded in a set of core values that guide every project, regardless of its type or scale.
Hiraeth
We design buildings that are tailored to people and places. The Welsh word hiraeth captures a deeply felt connection to a place or memory that words can scarcely convey. Each project is distinctly unique, rooted in its place, time and culture. We begin with rigorous analysis of the social, environmental, geographical and historical characteristics of each site, drawing inspiration from vernacular examples to craft designs that respond with traditional wisdom to contemporary needs.
We aim to enhance the bond between people and their environment, making buildings that improve quality of life and are meaningful to those that use them. We enjoy producing simple and calm spaces: authentic buildings that feel comfortable and as if they ‘belong’. This pursuit of richly characterful design informs our approach at each stage, from the generation of conceptual designs, into the technical design of construction details and thoughtful choice of materials.
Find out more about our process below:
Partnership
Trust, integrity and respect are critical to the work we specialise in and the partners we seek. The building industry can be a challenging environment, and we navigate this successfully by collaborating closely with manufacturers, contractors, consultants and our clients to realise the best possible outcomes. We really care about what we do, and this is reflected in the value we place on forming good partnerships with those we work with. We are proud to find that many of our partners return to work with us on successive projects, a testament to the trust and value we foster in these relationships. We understand the importance of giving time and attention to our clients, to understand their needs and vision. We recognise that clear communication is at the heart of a successful project. We listen. Rather than imposing our ideas on the client, we embrace client engagement and prioritise stakeholder and user group consultation at the earliest stages of a project.
Adding Value
Many of our projects require a skilful balancing of challenging constraints because they are in some way particularly sensitive: whether it is a protected heritage asset; a sensitive landscape; a constrained urban site; or a building embedded within its community. Rather than representing obstacles to the design process, we believe these constraints provide the conditions for creative and innovative design.
We take pride in securing consents and supporting the construction phase of projects that have a high level of complexity and risk associated. The collaborative relationships we build with other professionals and contractors throughout the process are key. We feel that we add greatest value when we are engaged throughout the full project lifecycle, to ensure the highest quality and successful realisation of the client’s vision.
Studio Culture
We’re proud of our team and the creative energy, experience and specialist expertise we bring. We value collaboration and robust dialogue, frequently gathering as a studio to review, test ideas and reflect on our processes. This ensures our projects are critically examined in a constructive and friendly environment. Through this iterative practice, we refine ideas, sharpen communication and distil the key aspects of each project to keep our response to the brief focused and relevant.
Each project is overseen by the Directors, who lead a carefully selected team of architects, technologists and others with relevant skills. We use a wide range of techniques to design and communicate ideas appropriate to each project stage — from surveys, sketching and models to 3D computer models, drawings, visualisations and prototypes. This keeps us experimenting, innovating and refining as the brief evolves.
Our team is also active in the wider architectural community, contributing to teaching at the Welsh School of Architecture and engaging with organisations such as the Placemaking Wales Charter and the Women in Architecture programme. We continually sharpen our skills and expand our knowledge in a fast-moving industry.
Heritage
Much of our work is within protected historic settings. As accredited conservation architects, we have the privilege of working in some of the most exciting and challenging locations across Wales and the UK. Our approach is grounded in a deep understanding of traditional building types, materials and construction methods. We pair this with rigorous contextual research and extensive experience in applying conservation principles to guide the sensitive and appropriate adaptation of protected buildings and historic sites. We believe this is the most effective way to ensure these buildings remain vital, useful and relevant into the future. While rooted in respect for heritage, our design philosophy is contemporary and forward looking. We strive to deliver innovative solutions that are distinctly of their time, whilst thoughtfully enhancing the heritage asset in a sensitive and subservient manner. We are always mindful that our work sits within a much broader timeline. Our goal is to create architecture that not only stands the test of time, but is cherished and sustained by future generations.
Environment
We are ambitious in our commitment to low carbon sustainable solutions. We have specialist expertise in delivering high performance whole building solutions including those that meet Passivhaus standard. Members of our team have contributed to the research and development of innovative modern methods of construction using home grown timber and natural materials, supporting both environmental and local economies. Sustainability is a core value that underpins our approach to every project that we collaborate on. We view responsible low carbon design as a professional duty. We advocate for passive environmental design, looking wherever possible to harness the natural attributes of each site, combined with a fabric-first approach and complementary strategies that employ low embodied carbon materials and renewable energy technologies.
