Denton Corker Marshall

We pursue simplicity and clarity in design that will meet the objectives and aspirations of clients. We design and deliver buildings whose functionality, contextual response, environmental performance, and aesthetic qualities come together in striking, well-focused architecture. We do not force functions into preconceived forms. We design buildings whose architecture is innovative, but absolutely appropriate for particular purposes, places, and lives.

We believe the best and most memorable architecture distils a really strong central design idea that brings together form and function with the greatest possible clarity.

Our pursuit of architectural directness does not mean that our architecture has a ‘house style’. We strive for decisive designs, but they respond individually to challenges and opportunities relating to specific contexts, client aspirations, planning or heritage factors, and significant community issues. Environmental performance is another hugely important factor, and our approach is to design this in from the outset, rather than add environmental bolt-ons at the end of the process.

This means that the buildings we design may be architecturally recessive or extrovert, calm or colourful, solid or transparent, stark or articulated — it depends on how best new buildings can add to the spirit, energy and diversity of places. Sometimes, the design concept is extremely bold: when it’s appropriate, we don’t shy away from designing a building as a uniquely singular object. But in every case, the core ideas of form, materiality and spatial character will be very clear. And every design detail reinforces the central concept.