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 prowess, 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, 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. Two of our projects have been featured in the London Open House Festival, and one is featured in this year’s Don’t Move Improve exhibition.
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.
Our team
Davide di Martino
Director
RIBA ARB
M.Arch. IUAV University, Venice, Italy
ETSAB, Barcelona, Spain.
Ph.D. In Urbanism and Ecology
Thomas Barstow
Project Architect
M.Arch. Plymouth University
UK
ARB registered
Lucrezia di Martino
Marketing and Business development
Jamie Kelly
Project Architect
M.Arch. Manchester School of Architecture
UK
ARB registered
Gary Yeow
Content and Office
Manager
M.Arch. University of Strathclyde
UK
Awards & Research
2021
The Sponge House shortlisted in Build It Awards
The Sponge House featured in Don't Move Improve Awards
The Sponge & The House for Cellist featured in the London Open House
2019
InsideOut courtyard house featured in the London Open House
The Boat and Pavilion featured in the London Open House
2018
The Boat and Pavilion featured in the London Open House
2012
3rd prize Sorso waterfront masterplan
International competition
Member of project team: urban planning and landscape
2011
Shortlisted Grosio Sports Centre
Grosio, Italy National competition
Project leader.
2010
5th prize “AAA Architetti Cercasi”
Milan, Italy Under 35 national competition
Project leader
2008
Shortlisted and special jury price Concorso Eu-genio
Campania Region Under 40 architecture and urbanism competition
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
The Sponge
Grand Design Magazine
Don't Move, Improve Magazine
Colander
The Boat & Pavilion
Peckham Glass Box