Location?

City Road, Islington, in a building which we have heard was formerly used for bottling HP Sauce…

Have you always been at this studio?

No, though we have been here now for fifteen years. Avanti Architects was based during its early years in Omnibus Studios in Islington, prior to a long spell in a former piano factory in Kentish Town (with its own eco-system of mice, snails and ants…).

 When did the practice start?

1981

Company ethos?

We have found over the years that it is really difficult to reduce what we do, and thirty-six years of history, to a memorable and succinct statement that truly reflects our character. We often state that: ‘We seek to create socially responsible, considerate buildings which are inspirational to their users and the wider public and are both economically and environmentally sustainable’, which, while all true, feels rather generic. Avanti was originally formed by a group of young Architects who had worked together at a housing association, and the growing practice was strongly influenced by the social ethos they shared. This group, and those that joined them during those first few years, drew inspiration from the way in which the pioneering first generation of Modernist Architects in the UK worked with visionary clients to create prototypes for new, egalitarian building types (including buildings we have subsequently worked on including the Isokon Building by Wells Coates, and Finsbury Health Centre by Berthold Lubetkin and Tecton). Although we have branched out in many directions in the subsequent years I feel that this vision of Architecture as a tool to improve lives is still at the core of everything we do.

Although we have branched out in many directions in the subsequent years I feel that this vision of Architecture as a tool to improve lives is still at the core of everything we do.

Current projects?

We are currently working on projects in a broad range of sectors including health, education, residential, regeneration and conservation. Some of the exciting projects we are working on at the moment include:

• A major development at Nile Street in Hackney which required us to overcome the challenges of co-locating a pupil referral unit for children who have been excluded from, or are unable to attend, a mainstream school with private residential accommodation above: an innovative approach to enabling the creation of much needed social infrastructure while working within the strict financial constraints currently imposed upon local authorities.
• The redevelopment of St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross, one of Scotland’s most important modern buildings. Designed by the significant Glasgow practice Gillespie, Kidd and Coia, the building had fallen into ruin over decades of abandonment: Avanti have been involved throughout the long process of creating a new purpose for the structure, from making it safe, to incrementally transforming it into a new kind of public arts venue.
• Healthcare projects for some of the most forward-looking clients in the NHS, including the redevelopment of the Ulster Hospital in Belfast, and our work at Sheffield Children’s Hospital which is transforming the experience of using the hospital, including through the integration of arts projects throughout.

Recently completed projects include Mossbourne Riverside Academy, the first school to be delivered on the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park.

Favourite part of the studio?

The light and open feel of the studio, coupled with the dramatic and contrasting views over London to the north and south, is for me the best characteristic of our studio – for about a month after moving to our current office from our previous, largely windowless, accommodation I struggled to get any work done as I was so transfixed by the novelty of having a view!

 Favourite nearby coffee shop?

The best coffee is sold to some of the Avanti team by one of our Architectural Assistants, who then sends the money earnt to a Colombian care home charity, though The Coffee Works Project on Islington High Street is also popular.

Do you eat lunch together?

The kitchen is definitely the most popular spot in the office and it is always full at lunch time. In the summer lunch on the canal or in Duncan Terrace Gardens is also popular.

Our office is in a great spot for food, with Exmouth Market & Chapel Market close by and a never ending stream of holiday treats and cakes in the kitchen. 

Pets allowed?

No 

Most played song/artist/musician?

People generally listen to their own music – tastes are too eclectic to achieve consensus! Previously unknown depths of musical talent were recently unearthed at our 36th birthday party, however, in the form of two bands - The Avanti Music Collective and The Shakeys (who were both surprisingly good).

Favourite Building in London?

Selecting a single favourite building in London is an impossible question – but one building that I feel is particularly significant to Avanti Architects is the Isokon Building, for several reasons. The building is one of the most important examples of pre-WW2 modernism in London, with a radical brief that sought to transform urban living for a new era. It is also fascinating as a piece of history, including its role as the temporary home of some of the most important figures in the Modern Movement following their departure from Germany. Avanti were instrumental in bringing the building back to life following its descent into dereliction, and were also heavily involved in the more recently created Isokon Gallery, located in the building’s former garage, designing the gallery and supplying volunteers to support its operation. Finally, the reborn building reflects the social ethos upon which our practice was founded, providing much-needed affordable housing for key workers in an area that has generally been priced out of their reach.