SPACE Architects is a purpose-led studio based in the North East. For seven decades, we've delivered buildings for people, places and planet alike.
Who we are
We're architects, researchers, and collaborators committed to designing with integrity. Our studio is grounded in shared values and thoughtful design. For us, purpose isn't a by-product, it's embedded from the start.
What we do
We work across sectors, but our approach is consistent: to create architecture that supports the lives it holds. From civic buildings and cultural landmarks to net zero schools and conservation projects, we see every commission as an opportunity to make a lasting contribution.
How we work
Our work is guided by use and informed by research. As a certified B Corp and Three-Star Best Company, we're committed to doing business differently. Signalling a culture of care and openness because how a practice operates is just as important as what it produces.
Purpose
Architecture with Purpose Built-In
Our work begins with clarity of intention. We design buildings that respond to real needs, enrich daily life, and consider their place in the world.
Built Through Dialogue
Design decisions come from exchange, not assumption. Conversation is central to our process. We listen closely, ask questions early, and welcome different viewpoints. This creates environments that feel attuned with their users.
Tools for Better Buildings
Innovation strengthens the quality of our projects. Our modelling tools help clients and communities see how ideas translate into built form. Other tools drastically reduce whole-life carbon. Together, they bring technical insight into view and make complex information more accessible for everyone.
Values
Care for People and Place
Architecture carries social and environmental responsibility. We pay close attention to the qualities of place and to the people who will interpret and inhabit our buildings. This awareness informs our decisions and keeps our design work tethered to genuine needs.
Honest Process
Communication here is generous. We share our thinking and build understanding together. This spirit of openness creates partnerships where the best ideas rise naturally to the surface.
Ethos
Curiosity Toward Research
We learn from what’s been done, pursue what’s possible, and draw on findings across climate science and conservation. Curiosity keeps us moving forward, and each project grows richer with the knowledge we gather along the way.
Committed to Decarbonisation
Our sector is both a major contributor to the climate crisis and a vital part of the solution. We design with this duality in mind, making choices that lighten our footprint while inspiring broader change. Zero Three Zero frames our progress, and through our annual _shift conference, we encourage collective action across the industry.
Northern Ground
We collaborate with cultural institutions and community groups across the North East, not as outreach but as essential practice. Our projects span the entire country, yet the passion, resourcefulness, and civic spirit of this place remain threaded through all that we create.
Our History
1950s
Arnold Waring and Len Netts established the Waring and Netts Partnership in Gosforth, Newcastle, in 1956. Their early work set the foundations for a practice focused on civic responsibility and the needs of growing communities.
1960s
Working with Gosforth Urban Council, the practice designed key public buildings, including the civic hall, library and swimming pool. In the same decade, Waring and Netts completed the 12-storey Montagu Court residential tower, contributing to post-war neighbourhood growth.
1970s
Waring and Netts enhanced their civic-building profile and gained recognition for award-winning social and private housing across the North East. The decade also saw the practice contribute to new education and healthcare projects as the region expanded.
1980s
The practice continued to grow in its existing sectors but also developed expertise in healthcare buildings, including Blyth Community Hospital. This period also brought larger public commissions and modern housing developments.
1990s
The practice broadened its work in the care sector and continued to deliver major social housing projects. It also supported an international food retailer’s UK expansion. New National Trust commissions added to the practice’s growing reputation for conservation.
2000s
In 2007, Waring and Netts became SPACE Architects, opening studios in Leeds and Manchester. The decade saw the practice take on major Quayside projects such as Trinity Gardens and Baltic Place, and marked a new chapter for school design, underpinned by digital workflow investment.
2010s
SPACE advanced its education portfolio and expanded into higher education, collaborating with universities across the north of England. The practice also progressed commercial work through the Stephenson Quarter masterplan, including the delivery of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
2020s
SPACE Architects continues to champion adaptive reuse, heritage regeneration and net-zero design. The practice achieved B Corp accreditation, earned a 3-Star Best Companies rating, and now runs an annual climate conference while remaining committed to its local community.
Community
Working closely with our communities
