Design Philosophy

Architecture embraces the world of both art and technology. Architecture is an art but unlike other visual art-forms, it is about the making of real buildings which people inhabit and which must endure for many years. It exists primarily for the client, not for the designer. We aim to create good architecture which satisfies all of the practical requirements of our clients whilst also delighting their senses and fulfilling their dreams. To achieve all of this, the architect must not only design but also manage the whole process of construction from pricing and contracting to completion.

Our practice values are based on the commitments to the following :

• creative but practical design solutions
• competitive and affordable professional fees (with no surprises)
• personal involvement of the practice principal
• efficient, timely and reliable service to high professional standards

We believe that good design is fundamental to all architecture no matter how large or how modest the project. Our ultimate desire is to create places that are appreciated by those that use them.

 

OUR DESIGN STYLE

At Upton Architects we like to design buildings that are contemporary but which also appear to "belong" to their context (whether urban site, rural landscape or historic building).

Aspects that we feel are important in all building design include :

• sense of light and space
• interesting experience for users
• carefully considered details
• materials that suit the site and location
• good indoor-outdoor relationships
• appearance which reflects the building's function or owner's personality

Given a "free hand", we prefer simple clean-lined building forms using lots of glass (with slender steel supporting structure) contrasted with more solid-looking sculptural elements. We prefer to keep details minimal and restrained in appearance. We like to create a sense of order and therefore favour plans based on simple geometric forms or details that repeat a design motif throughout. Curved shapes are effective when used sparingly and offset against more rectilinear forms.