From Thought to Form
Research connects the questions we ask to the buildings we design. It draws on what’s known, tests what’s possible, and brings thinking into form with care and precision.
New Tools, Better Outcomes
We see innovation as something practical. Tools like our Schools Configurator and D-CARB guide early decisions, when ideas are forming and direction matters most. They bring clarity and help good ideas go further.
Places with a Past
Our heritage research goes beyond the fabric of a building to uncover the lives, events, and craftsmanship behind it. We study historic methods, materials, and archives, speak with those who know these spaces best, and explore ways to preserve their character while adapting them for new uses.
Design in a Changing Climate
We investigate how buildings can work in harmony with the planet’s limits. From embodied carbon to adaptive reuse, our research examines how buildings can address the challenges of a warming world. We focus on strategies that cut carbon, extend building life, and leave a lighter footprint. Through initiatives like our annual _shift conference, we share these findings and spark action across the built environment.
Activism and Action at _shift 2025
World Design Congress 2025
Catherine Sinclair Appointed Head of Research
Autodesk University 2025
Bold By Design
Catherine Sinclair Becomes A Certified Passive House Designer
B Corp Month at SPACE Architects
Construction vs Plastics
ZeroThreeZero
Verified against Science-Based Targets, we are reducing emissions across all scopes on our path to Net Zero. Alongside measurable reductions and responsible offsets, we are investing in sustainable procurement, renewable energy, and the knowledge of our people to deliver meaningful change.
Our work is shaped by context, driven by innovation and grounded in use. We care about the social value of buildings and the environmental cost of making them.
Partnerships
The best research happens in good company
