Seven guiding principles
We’ve distilled our way of working down to a list of seven ‘S’s. Some have formed part of our mantra since the early days, and some have become more important as the years have gone by. All of them now frame our conversations, ground us, and say quite a lot about our collective mindset. They underline who we are and how we roll.
To learn about these guiding principles, read on.
Studio
—a space that reflects the way we work
We’re a collaborative, convivial and non-hierarchical mix of people, and our Studio reflects that. It’s definitely a studio, not an office.
Showroom
—opening up the conversation
Our Studio spills into our Showroom. This blurring of ideas and of spaces is a crucial part of the way we go about our work.
Strategy & Specificity
—from the wide angle to the close up
Strategic frameworks and specific interventions – these are equally important to us, and you can’t have one without the other. We’re constantly changing our focus, zooming in and then out again, and moving easily between our many different ways of seeing.
Storytelling
—making sense and giving meaning
Creating places isn’t just about architectural interventions. It’s when we tell stories about a place that it all starts to make sense.
Symbiosis
—a fusion of disciplines
Great places are a balance of different things – strategic urban design, memorable architecture and ecology-driven landscape.
Serendipity
—the power of happenstance and chance discovery
Looking back at how far we’ve come, we’re struck by the role that serendipity plays. It’s now a method in itself and a fundamental element in our everyday practice.
Sustainability
—a 360-degree approach
Landscape is fully integrated into our urban design and architecture. It’s not simply an add-on or for the sole purpose of decoration. But sustainability goes so much further than that.