Empathise and engage

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

Weconstraints

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

Passive future

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

Social detail

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Mud on our boots

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing quality and sustainability throughout construction.

Masterplanning Social Housing in Essex
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Curl la Tourelle Head
Work
  • Teviot Avenue

  • Social Housing

  • Essex

Client
  • Thurrock Council

We are currently working with Thurrock Council to deliver 48 new homes on Teviot Avenue, in South Ockendon, Essex. The scheme provides a mixture of housing and apartments, responding to local requirements. Ranging from 1-bedroom, 2-person flats all the way through to 4-bedroom, 6-person homes, creating a mixture of tenants towards a thriving community. The homes will be spacious and offer a careful balance between private and communal spaces, whilst providing value for money.

Our design principles were informed by the residential vernacular and our guiding sustainable values. Our response features socially active corners, views into sun-filled south facing gardens and neighbouring woodlands. The design is inherently sociable with sheltered porches and communal corners for socialising and play.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we will work closely with the design team as the design develops to integrate improved biodiversity, sustainable drainage, air source heat pumps and using passive heating, ventilation, and cooling strategies such as large windows and shading on south facing facades. Rewilding the courtyard to increase biodiversity around the new homes to create healthy, joyful, and sociable external spaces. 

Related works

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Curl la Tourelle Head

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