David-Leech Architects

Ethos

The practice has a deep interest in history, continuity and association. We are interested in a playful architecture of character, comfort, atmosphere and wit. We believe in an intuitive architecture, where the design reveals itself organically through a deep interrogation of the brief and the context through testing and making.
This interest in making is reflected in the buildings we design. As an architectural practice we pride ourselves on our knowledge of materials, construction technique and assembly - often working closely with fabricators and craftsmen from the earliest concept stages we allow the practicalities of the detail and construction inform and reflect the spatial and programmatic strategy of a project from the off set.
The practice is interested in the emotional association with the built environment - the feeling of things.
Taking strong inspiration from the Arts and Craft movement the practice is interested in how colour, texture, pattern and craft can communicate feeling and well being.
I believe that good architectural design is more than a dimensional understanding of spatial arrangement but through material and assembly that an atmosphere and character can transform a space from the functional and pragmatic to the delightful and joyful.
The office believes that context is not solely limited to site and place but should include financial, political and social relationships. Building in the city requires an inclusive approach often negotiating within a complex field of forces.
Our practice believes that these challenges are not to be avoided but rather these constraints should be embraced as opportunities to imagine an appropriate function and character.
Often it is these limits that are the very drivers that make for a beautiful and useful building.