We are a young architecture and urbanism practice, eager to grow by meeting and learning from clients and consultants. We like to think of architecture as a complex team research process, where the most important goal is to think creatively to identify the right problem. Although we are very proud of our technical process, we’re also proud of how we communicate our ideas. Let’s face it: architects can be socially awkward, but we try to establish a relationship of trust and friendship with our clients.
We like to propose bold ideas to create stimulating and inspiring spaces to live, work, grow, and learn. Our mixed culture, British and Italian, makes us particularly appreciate brightness and natural light, open plans; we try to avoid corridors, doors and anything that fragments spaces.
Finally, we work hard to understand the effects of our work on the city and the environment in general.
Our services embrace architecture, urban design, and planning, but we have focused most of our attention on private residential projects in the last few years. In the past year, we obtained planning permission for two new-build houses and a mixed-use development.
We believe in space’s ability to influence people’s lives, affecting layers of perception that are often neglected. We like quality and make sure things work correctly, energy stays inside, money and time are not wasted, and people are at the centre of the process. After several years, we have learnt how a well-managed design process can be an exciting, experimental and life-changing experience for both the clients and the designers.
"Unagru architect’s beautiful, elegantly detailed and very skillful adaptation of a simple terrace house into a place of comfort and tranquility. Thoughtful clients and developers, hire them without a second thought!"
- Tony Fretton, 2021
Our team
Davide di Martino
Director
RIBA ARB
M.Arch. IUAV University, Venice, Italy
ETSAB, Barcelona, Spain.
Ph.D. In Urbanism and Ecology
Lucrezia di Martino
Marketing and Business development
Gary Yeow
Content and Office
Manager
M.Arch. University of Strathclyde
UK
Elizabeth Sonubi
Architectural
Technologist
B.Architectural Technolgy and Construction Management
Associate Level, CIAT
Thomas Barstow
Project Architect
M.Arch. Plymouth University
UK
ARB registered
Jamie Kelly
Project Architect
M.Arch. Manchester School of Architecture
UK
ARB registered
Aviv Amiel
Architectural Assistant
M.Arch. Architectural Association
ARB registered
Work with us!
We always look for talented, fun and enthusiastic people to join us. We are currently not opening any positions, but we welcome speculative applications! Please send to mail@unagru.com with your portfolio, CV and cover letter stating why you wish to work with us.
Looking forward to hear from you!
Awards
2022
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The House for Cellist, Osywth Road and Peckham Courtyard featured in the London Open House
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The House for Cellist shortlisted in Design Awards 2022
2021
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The Sponge House shortlisted in Build It Awards
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The Sponge House featured in Don't Move Improve Awards
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The Sponge & The House for Cellist featured in the London Open House
2019
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InsideOut courtyard house featured in the London Open House
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The Boat and Pavilion featured in the London Open House
2018
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The Boat and Pavilion featured in the London Open House
2012
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3rd prize Sorso waterfront masterplan. International competition. Member of project team: urban planning and landscape
2011
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Shortlisted Grosio Sports Centre, Grosio, Italy. National competition. Project leader.
2010
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5th prize “AAA Architetti Cercasi”, Milan, Italy. Under 35 national competition. Project leader
2008
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Shortlisted and special jury price Concorso Eu-genio Campania Region. Under 40 architecture and urbanism competition
Research
Academic Publications
visit Academia.edu profile
Projects
AAA Architetti Cercasi competition submission
Future Magazine
Spain, Europe, China
(published in English, Spanish, and Chinese)
Academic, peer reviewed
di Martino D. (in press). Urban wetlands as performative, multifunctional design devices: the wetland scenario. In F. D. Moccia, M.F. Palestino, Planning Stormwater Resilient Urban Open Spaces, Clean: Napoli. 193 - 204
Barcelloni Corte, M., di Martino, D. (2014, in press). Pollution ecologies: from reclamation to restructuring. In Bandieramonte, V., Cavalieri, C., Guida, I., Rashidzadeh, K. (eds.), The Next Urban Question. Roma: Officina Edizioni.
di Martino, D. (in press). Bonifica e riciclo della Piana Campana. In PPC Piano Progetto Città: Zero Waste 27-28, 2013.
Published works
House for A Cellist
The Sponge
Grand Design Magazine
Don't Move, Improve Magazine
Spider
Peckham Courtyard
Colander
The Boat & Pavilion
Peckham Glass Box
Studdridge Tiny Courtyard