All Projects

Named one of Architects’ Journal’s 40 under 40, alma-nac are a practice of thoughtful designers based in Lambeth, London

TEAM
01

Meet the alma-nac team

We have an open studio culture where dialogue is encouraged and team members can take a true role in shaping the practice. We strongly believe in the importance of a good work / life balance. We are an inclusive and nurturing practice.

We are currently going through the B-Corp accreditation process.

We are not recruiting at the moment, but when we do, it is advertised on our Instagram feed.

Adam Shapland
Associate
Chris Bryant
Director
gap 1
Caspar Rodgers
Director
Iga Swiercz
Architectural Assistant
gap 2
Jenny Lyon
Practice Manager
Oli Cummings
Architectural Assistant
gap 3
Rachel Foreman
Architectural Assistant
gap-4
Tristan Wigfall
Director
HOW WE WORK
02

We see the value in genuine architectural exploration

As such, we don’t just build buildings – we build ideas.

We work for a wide range of client types, from those with highly commercial objectives to those with entirely creative ambitions. From individuals to organisations, public and private.

While our working methods broadly follow a simple structure; research, design, review, repeat,the focus of our approach differs according to client type and brief.

Underpinning any project we deliver are our Practice Values. These are a set of statements that predicate both our methods and our output across any project size or sector.

values
03

Conscious

Sustainability is non-negotiable.

We are committed to positively enhancing the context, community and environment in which we work.

  • We have a structured system of pro-bono work for charitable/community groups
  • We commit to learn of the environmental impact of our design decisions and build on these over time
  • We undertake self-initiated work for as a route to explore ideas or projects closest to our values
  • We set up and follow processes to ensure our work is responsive to a project brief
  • We define the key concepts/narratives of our work throughout it's lifespan and re-assess whether those core concepts are being addressed as the project develops
  • We strive to be conscious of the effects of our work and our working processes, and are deliberate with our subsequent choices

Innovating

We always ask 'what if?'

We explore, test and question to create innovative solutions.

  • All projects involve some area of exploring/testing and lead toward progressively developing our understanding/knowledge/technical approach
  • All projects are allocated a period of time to research. This research is documented
  • We implement strategies for internally sharing this information in a manner that allows subsequent projects to further develop our knowledge and approach
  • We encourage precedent/inspiration from beyond the realms of architecture
  • We undertake internal crit processes and project reviews to ensure the project is sufficiently ambitious

Joyful

Our projects are playful.

We hold our projects lightly, seeking out joy to deliver projects that delight.

  • We play to create better work
  • We commit to the production and delivery of ideas
  • We think design workshops are fun and/or involve healthy debate. They are not boring
  • We celebrate brave conceptual failures
  • We set and maintain a social culture diary in the office

Nurturing

No one has all the answers.

We create an inclusive and nurturing environment which supports continuous learning.

  • We commit to ongoing practice development
  • We commit to the ongoing education and development of our team
  • We build strong team communication and support
  • We encourage a culture of learning and research within the practice
  • We collectively provide a varied calendar of professional development events

Participation

Architecture is a social act.

Participatory design is key to our work. We learn, educate and collaborate all the way through.

  • We ensure that participation is integral to the design process and not an 'add-on'
  • We seek expertise and passion to create the best possible project team
  • We follow strategies to ensure the underrepresented have an equal voice in the design process
  • We share the knowledge and findings of the practice
  • We create and maintain a culture of free sharing of ideas within the office
  • We create a structure of formal and informal design reviews
  • We implement clear systems in order to function as a team, not a set of individuals
  • We follow strategies that enable strong internal communication
Awards / publications
04
Awards
Project
Result
Year
British Home Awards
Corner House
Shortlisted
2023
Brick Awards - Individual Housing
Corner House
Shortlisted
2022
Brick Awards - Individual Housing Development
House-within-a-House
Winner
2021
RIBA House of the Year
House-within-a-House
Longlist
2021
RIBA London Awards (Regional)
House-within-a-House
Winner
2021
Publication
Project
Title
Year
House London, Ellie Stathaki and Anna Stathaki
-
2022
Retrofit radicals: housing can be energy efficient and beautiful
House-within-a-House
The Financial Times
2022
The RIBA Small Project Handbook, Nigel Ostime
-
2021
Alma-nac inserts colourful music studios into disused London warehouse
Bermondsey Music Studios
Dezeen
2021
Building infill properties between houses could deliver 10,000 new homes by 2025
Slim House
The Times
2020
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