Andrew Waugh and Anthony Thistleton met at university in 1991. They shared a sense of humour and many of the same views fundamentally, but not exclusively, on architecture.
Conveniently complementary in their skill sets, the pair set up practice together in 1997. Fifteen years on, Waugh Thistleton have established an international reputation for their beautiful buildings. The practice has a long-standing aim to prove that intellectually rigorous architecture does not need to come at the expense of accessibility.
The starting point for every project at Waugh Thistleton is always to consider the brief alongside the building's cultural, social and historical context. We put enormous effort into understanding the nature of the site and the needs of the building's users and believe that it is only from here that the design, materials and methods can be determined. Working as a team, in close collaboration with clients, consultants, contractors, and all other stakeholders the result is a responsive, original and intelligent architecture.
Waugh Thistleton Architects is dedicated to designing buildings that acknowledge their impact on the environment. The practice strives to produce environmentally sustainable design, using leading edge technology; adding value through imaginative, innovative and positive design solutions.
A highly experienced, close-knit team, the entire Waugh Thistleton office meets regularly to discuss every project currently on the digital drawing board. In addition to computers models, photography and hand sketches are crucial to the design process and to communicate the work effectively.
In this way, Waugh Thistleton have successfully delivered affordable housing and private residential projects, offices and commercial spaces, and buildings which accommodate mixed, cultural and leisure uses. Our success is reflected in both the competitions and design awards that we have won and the satisfied clients that we continue to work with.
Finally, one more important source of pride at Waugh Thistleton is its open-door, shop-front, receptionist-free London premises. Right in the heart of Shoreditch, this is an architectural office that has become a hub of social and architectural activity - as central to the locality as any of the buildings designed within it. Clients, friends and interested parties are encouraged to stop by at any stage: they will get an immediate hello from those doing the actual architecture.
