THING Information

At its core, THING's work is unmistakably architectural, yet intentionally trespasses into other disciplines. With backgrounds spanning theatre, live events, industrial design, education and making, our work begins with what is found – materials, stories, relationships – and builds from there. A thread that runs through our work is a fascination with making processes and craft in its broadest sense. The materials that form each thing are not applied to a pre-conceived design, but are inseparable from it, acting as conversational partners in the creative process. Finding movement and harnessing the transformative potential of light are recurrent themes. Our work celebrates the act of care and the richness that comes from a process drawn from what is found. We approach each project as a collaboration, with conversation at the centre, both within our studio, with our clients and with kindred spirits across many fields. By listening deeply and working responsively, we uncover the specific complexities of each context. We value time as the most precious ingredient in design, allowing space for ideas to settle, shift and grow into something joyful and unforeseen. Our energy is playful and our ethos is social. Good design is inherently social, and our responsibility extends beyond the contracts with our clients – towards the end users, the general public and ultimately the planet. These ethical fundamentals are at the core of the studio’s work and we take them seriously, using them as parameters in which to creatively work and play. Design innovation is essential, not for its own sake, but to address the urgency of our time. Our practice is rooted in regenerative design, low-carbon construction, imaginative repair and re-use of what already exists. We are committed to the public good and civic space – designing for the many, not the few. The founders’ work spans a range of disciplines and scales, with experience across many organisations including The Nation