Design Office

WHAT DO WE DO? The Design Office is an architecture and urban design consultancy run by the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Newcastle. We are experienced in providing design and consultancy services to a range of clients from individuals to organisations and corporations. We focus on research-led practice and practice-led research. This means that our work draws from the accumulated expertise of our leading school and the distinctive research abilities of our team. Beyond the reach of conventional architectural and urban design consultancies, we are distinctively placed to devise research-led solutions for unusual situations and special challenges. We are used to working with our clients and collaborators to understand the unique requirements of every project and devise the input that’s appropriate at the time that it’s needed. Our expertise relates directly to the school’s research themes and research centres. We also pursue work which connects these themes and extends them into new areas. Increasingly, Universities are interested in opportunities to transfer knowledge, to engage with communities and generate research ‘impact’. The Design Office is a vehicle for the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape to pursue these ends. HOW DO WE DO IT? All research begins by formulating the problem. We actively engage with clients and user groups to understand your needs, and we enjoy working with a wide variety of individuals and groups. We develop an appreciation of the parameters and variables of any problem. Our strategic solutions are based on evaluating and extending existing knowledge.