Studio BAD are celebrating our sixth year in business, over this time the business has evolved and what we, as a design collective, stand for has adapted. We are enormously proud of what we have achieved over this time, the projects we have worked on and the clients we collaborate with.

As part of this reflection we took a moment to analysis and redefine what Studio BAD stands for, uncovering six essential aspects of our design practice. These six strands are so important to us we felt wanted to announce them publicly, as our design commitment.

 

To Imagine; At the heart of our work is the idea of reimaging spaces and places, to create design rich sustainable concept.

‘A significant part of our imagination is empathy – the capacity to imagine how different situations are encountered experientially by others.’ Juhani Pallasmaa ‘Rootednes’ Wiley (2024)

 

To Listen (Deeply); We listen to understand, by understanding we know what the next step needs to be to unlock the potential of the site. By taking the time to listen deeply, given us the opportunity to really understand the needs for the space before we embark on any designing.

‘The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.’ Steven Holl. Wittgenstein. L. Cited in ‘Anchoring’ Princetown Architectural Press. (1989)

 

To Reflect; It is important during the design process to take a moment to reflect on the design, the site and materials, to ensure the finished project which amplifies the unique sense of place.

‘Architecture is about generating these joint imaginings of what could be…It is not necessary that all the people involved have the same imaginings all the time, but the basic elements of the concept need to be shared by all the people sharing the projects.’ Arne Carlsen, Stewart Clegg, Reidar Gjersvik. ‘Idea Work’ Cappelen Damm Akademisk. (2014)

 

To Understand; It is paramount to a successful design to really understand the needs of the client, the opportunities of the site and the surroundings.

‘So, without further ado, I put the question to him: “What is wisdom?” Dudley greets my query with a faintly startled look that recedes into a quizzical expression I have not seen before. “It’s in these places’ he says. “Wisdom sits in places”. Keith H. Basso. ‘Wisdom Sits in Places’ University of Mexico Press. (1996)

 

To Act; Architecture, when done well, can be used to create positive change, a type of alchemy to that can be a powerful and positive tool.

‘The design process is based on a constant interplay of feeling and reason. The feelings, preferences, longings, and desires that emerge, demand to be given a form that must be controlled by critical powers of reasoning, but it is our feelings that tell us whether abstract considerations really ring true.’ Peter Zumthor. ‘Thinking Architecture’ Birkhauser. (2006)

 

To Realise; With our process we create designs that take ideas and make them real, tangible solutions.

‘From Wonder must come realisation, because in your making you have gone through every law of nature. It is part of you. In the intuitive are recorded all the great steps of making in which momentous decisions were made.’ John Lobell ‘Between the Silence and the Light – Spirit in the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn.’ Shambala (2008)