Untitled Practice

I cannot recommend Untitled Practice highly enough. They were appointed on my recommendation by a family Trust I advised to develop designs for 3 new dwellings and adaptations/extensions to 2 existing dwellings on a number of plots on a highly sensitive and contentious heritage site in the centre of the ancient village of Ditchling at the foot of the South Downs in East Sussex. Inheriting a poorly-conceived scheme that had failed at appeal, Fenella and Murray set about to work with an navigate through a complex client group of family members. The family had a strong historic and ongoing connection to the village, but also firm - and different - opinions as to its development. Through a process of detailed research into the village, how its built form had developed over the centuries and key client and external stakeholder engagement, Fenella and Murray drew together "contemporary vernacular" concepts complementary to the specifics of the site/plots. Addressing the issues raised by the site sitting in a Conservation Area, including Listed Structures, its sensitive and historic landscape setting and becoming a part of the South Downs National Park during the period of their instruction, their proposals culminated in an officers report recommending approval. Despite material objections and presentations at committee by other consultants hired to support refusal, consent was secured.

Untitled Practice is, as the name suggests, a wonderfully refreshing anomaly within architecture. The founders, Nel & Murray, are the kind of super-thoughtful people that society needs right now - intelligent and talented yet humble souls intent on doing the right thing for the long run with grace, elegance and optimism. They approached our home in Cornwall with a wide range of extraordinary ideas for living, working and bringing up 2 daughters in a remote location (after 20 years in zone 1, London) with each one worthy of serious consideration. When we eventually narrowed it down, the way they took us and the planners through the design process to gain listed permission for a radical studio extension proposal was a joy (not an emotion often associated with planning consent). Their subtle interdependent skills means they read the land and the existing listed buildings like an old friend, re-establishing a flow through the site, restoring opening and linking up levels across the site. The new studio space has become a beacon of warmth and light and transformed the arrival point for our home, not to mention the many other clever interventions and ideas to revitalise this old damp farmhouse into a warmer, brighter multi-functional family home. It easy to see why they're both hugely respected within their fields of industry and academia. The overall process and build has been so transformative, I've since worked with them on a commercial project to create a village around a working community farm where their masterplan outshone so many other larger practices and big name individuals. The sector needs more Untitled Practices. The world needs more Nel & Murrays.

Our experience with Untitled Practice for a building extension project has been superb. Very imaginative and creative, with a great attention to detail. Highly recommended.

I asked my local Estate agent if he could recommend somebody to meet me to discuss a major reconfiguration of an old property that I was moving in to and UPturned out to be perfect for me Untitled Practice turned my brief in to a modern and sympathetic interpretation which more than met my expectations and provided 3D visuals to make the project come to life. I would have no hesitation in recommending Untitled Practice Extremely professional and creative with it.

Murray was great person to collaborate with. He was inventive, sensitive and practical in his response to our brief: to create a light, airy studio space from 2 existing top floor bedrooms; modern-looking yet still respecting the intrinsic aesthetics of its Victorian proportions. The result is a beautiful, inspiring space. It is a pleasure to go to work everyday.