Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Witherford Watson Mann Architects was established in 2001, combining the significant experience of its three directors in cultural buildings, public spaces and urban design. From our initial collaborations in 1997 we have consistently demonstrated a high level of design ability, winning three Europan housing competitions in 1999, 2001 and 2006.

We were runners-up in the 2005 'Young Architect of the Year' awards and included in the AJ/Corus '40 under 40' selection. The work of the practice has been exhibited throughout Europe, at the Sao Paulo International Biennale, the Center for Architecture in New York and at the 2008 Biennale di Venezia, British Pavilion. We completed the £5.75 million Amnesty International UK headquarters (Hackney Design Award winner), our first built project, in 2005 and the £5.7 million Whitechapel Art Gallery extension opened to the public in April 2009. We received outline planning permission for our Europan 8 winning housing scheme of 120 units in Brent, on behalf of Stonebridge HAT and Hyde Housing Association and completed our first major public space in Woolwich in 2008. Our fit-out for the new Arts Council England North West Office in Manchester is due to start on site in September and the Bankside Urban Forest framework is currently underway with the development of detailed design proposals. Since establishing the practice we have worked with a diverse range of ambitious clients, which include Tate Modern, Argent, Arts Council England, the British Council, the London Development Agency, English Partnerships, Whitechapel Art Gallery and Hyde Housing.

Working within large teams and modest budgets we have consistently produced designs with an enduring quality and taken them through highly scrutinised processes without compromising the ambition. Over the past ten years approximately half of our work has been for repeat clients allowing us to maintain an office of twelve people and establish a solid infrastructure to support our commitment to delivery.

Our collaboration started off fifteen years ago – innocently enough – with a series of walksthrough the edges of London. We didn't have a fixed plan, but were hungry to observe the ways that changinginterests shape our streets and landscapes, and to see how coalitions of individuals couldmake space for collective values. We believe as strongly as ever that buildings, and the spaces in between them, are a key articulation of shared culture.

We build economically and durably, making the most of existing qualities, supporting our clients' creative and social ambitions with craft and guile. The studio is now twelve strong, an inquisitive, energetic and creative collaboration. Whether salvaging a ruined castle or structuring the afterlife of the Olympic site, we are able to plot a confident path through big ambitions and complex conditions.