May 27, 2025

Rooted: Beneath The Surface

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The Alcove at the Rockery has officially received the green light

How can we design places that are rooted in their contexts?

Inspired by Somerset House’s recent, groundbreaking exhibition investigating SOIL, Studio Egret West has transformed the façade of our Brewhouse Yard studio into a street-facing exhibition all about being ROOTED.

This window display brings our design research into the public realm — inviting reflection, curiosity, and connection with passersby and guests alike. At Studio Egret West, being rooted is fundamental to how we think about design and place shaping and it has been really exciting to share our thinking with our local community.

The exhibition offered a glimpse into how we:

Investigate local heritage and identity
Uncover cultural and contextual narratives
Respond to environmental and geotechnical complexities

A rooted discussion

To deepen this dialogue, we hosted a panel discussion during Clerkenwell Design Week 2025, featuring leading voices from architecture, interior design, and the wider built environment. Together, we explored how rootedness — in both the literal and metaphorical sense — can shape spaces that are meaningful, sustainable, and grounded in their context.

From questions of history and belonging, to how a place feels and functions, our panel sparked conversations that resonated deeply with our studio’s ethos.