Spring 2026: Studio Update

An update from the studio this spring. Two London planning approvals secured, and a new build in Indonesia moving from design into construction.

A villa in Indonesia

The site fronts the sea, and the design begins from there. Our work is shaped by stewardship of the land and the demands of its setting, salt, sun, wind and rain. The intention is to build with restraint and with care for ecology, to create a place of quality that sits lightly and responds to its context.

With that in mind, we are proposing a building of restrained means and lasting character. Materials are drawn from the locality and worked by local craftspeople. We are testing a limited palette of lime renders, pale Indonesian limestones and earth-based blocks, chosen for their endurance and for the way they belong to the landscape. Simple, elegant building is the principle.

The architecture itself is straightforward. Solid walls carry a lightweight roof. Passive cooling does the work of comfort, with air conditioning held back to the bedrooms. A body of water sits between the pavilions, both a cooling device and the quiet centre of the plan.

Mock-ups are being prepared on site. Once they are complete, we will travel out to review the work and sign off the materials in person.

Arvon Road, Highbury

In the Highbury conservation area, planning has been granted at Arvon Road. The brief asked us to add the most valuable room to the house without compromising the garden. We tested several positions before arriving at a single, well-judged extension that opens the rear of the house to light and to the garden, and keeps the outdoor space intact. The conservation case was answered directly and the consent came through without significant amendments.

Hatley Road

At Hatley Road, planning has been secured after a period of negotiation with the council. The scheme combines a mansard roof extension, a Juliet balcony to the rear and a glazed extension at ground floor: three moves that work together to lift the quality of light and space inside the house, without altering its presence on the street. Materials were a particular point of discussion. The final palette was approved alongside the consent.