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Chris Dyson Architects

London, UK
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Practice Statement

Established in 2004 in Spitalfields, Chris Dyson Architects has developed a leading reputation for the creative renewal of heritage buildings, as well as for innovative contemporary architecture. 
Recent projects include the Greenhill Building for Harrow Arts Centre; the creative home and gallery of artists, Philip and Charlotte Colbert in Spitalfields, East London; the renovation of a palazzo in Liguria, Italy; and media offices and a brasserie within a terrace of buildings on Old Queen Street in the heart of Westminster. 
Current projects include part of the Truman Brewery development, Bishopsgate Goodsyard, and a range of commercial, cultural and residential projects in London and across the UK.
There is a connection between the way a model is made and the architecture of the practice. The approach to a model as a carefully crafted object reflects the high degree of attention to detail and the value of craft in Chris Dyson Architects’ buildings. 
The practice often uses timber as a key material in models, combining craft with modern technology, in a similar way to the practice’s introduction of new technologies and innovative solutions to historic buildings. 
This connection can grow deeper, with models being made by local craftspeople who also work on the buildings. In that sense, the models can go beyond being a literal representation of a building. Beyond this, they represent an approach, values and the level of care that goes into design.

Chris Dyson Architects
Proposals for Contemporary Thatched Home, Wimbledon,1:100, Concept model.The simplified abstract form of the concept model showed the client their potential home as a sculptural form for them to envision living within an artwork. Plywood, veneer, electro plated 3D print Model by A Models
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Proposals for Contemporary Thatched Home, Wimbledon,1:100, Concept model.The simplified abstract form of the concept model showed the client their potential home as a sculptural form for them to envision living within an artwork. Plywood, veneer, electro plated 3D print Model by A Models
Proposals for Contemporary Thatched Home, Wimbledon,1:100, Concept model. Proposals have been submitted for a contemporary thatched house within the former rear garden of Fairlawns House, Wimbledon, originally designed by Joseph Paxton for, Sir Edwin Saunders. The design is rooted in the historic character of the site and responds to Paxton’s landscape legacy. The house is conceived as a romantic, single-storey garden structure set behind the rediscovered rill that once aerated the original garden pond. Although the pond survives, its character has diminished over time. The proposal includes restoration of the pump and rill system, delivering a public benefit by reinvigorating Paxton’s original water design. In the spirit of Paxton’s engineering innovation, the building takes the form of a contemporary thatched cottage with a timber frame and thatched walls. It follows a simple rectangular plan, positioned to preserve views and maintain the water cascade as the garden’s focal point. Living spaces are arranged discreetly over ground and lower-ground levels, opening directly to the garden. Sustainability is integral to the design, with natural materials, low embodied carbon, passive ventilation, and photovoltaic panels supporting energy use. Dense yew hedging ensures privacy. The proposal restores the relationship between house and garden, bringing care and long-term stewardship to a previously neglected part of the site. A physical model of the house proved invaluable in communicating these ideas, clearly demonstrating the building’s modest scale, low profile, and sensitive relationship to the historic garden, whilst sensitively including modern features. Plywood, veneer, cork, cherry, Perspex Maz Weineck- Modelmaker
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Proposals for Contemporary Thatched Home, Wimbledon,1:100, Concept model. Proposals have been submitted for a contemporary thatched house within the former rear garden of Fairlawns House, Wimbledon, originally designed by Joseph Paxton for, Sir Edwin Saunders. The design is rooted in the historic character of the site and responds to Paxton’s landscape legacy. The house is conceived as a romantic, single-storey garden structure set behind the rediscovered rill that once aerated the original garden pond. Although the pond survives, its character has diminished over time. The proposal includes restoration of the pump and rill system, delivering a public benefit by reinvigorating Paxton’s original water design. In the spirit of Paxton’s engineering innovation, the building takes the form of a contemporary thatched cottage with a timber frame and thatched walls. It follows a simple rectangular plan, positioned to preserve views and maintain the water cascade as the garden’s focal point. Living spaces are arranged discreetly over ground and lower-ground levels, opening directly to the garden. Sustainability is integral to the design, with natural materials, low embodied carbon, passive ventilation, and photovoltaic panels supporting energy use. Dense yew hedging ensures privacy. The proposal restores the relationship between house and garden, bringing care and long-term stewardship to a previously neglected part of the site. A physical model of the house proved invaluable in communicating these ideas, clearly demonstrating the building’s modest scale, low profile, and sensitive relationship to the historic garden, whilst sensitively including modern features. Plywood, veneer, cork, cherry, Perspex Maz Weineck- Modelmaker
Salford Tower, 1:200, presentation model The site forms a key link between the Huron Basin and Media City, and the physical model was instrumental in communicating this strategic relationship. The model illustrated how the proposal engages with the basin edge and responds to the lack of coherence within Media City through a clear, unifying architectural idea that strengthens identity, legibility, and commercial appeal. The model conveyed the tower’s slim, elegant campanile form and its role in marking the corner of the Media City open space overlooking The Lowry. The triangular plan and inset balconies were effectively communicated, demonstrating how the footprint is maximised while creating a distinctive silhouette when read against the water. Privacy is achieved by locating the circulation core to the north and using blinkered windows, allowing living spaces to open towards the Media City plaza and Huron Basin. Generous floor-to-ceiling heights of 3.75m and flexible glazing modules allow for residential or office use while minimising overheating. At ground level, the model illustrated the relationship between the building, the basin edge, and the public realm, including transparency and active uses. The building is articulated as base, middle, and top, using robust prefabricated brick construction. A concrete frame provides structural efficiency, fire safety and acoustic performance, resulting in an enduring addition to Media City. Plywood, veneer, Perspex Original model by A models Adapted by Maz Weineck
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Salford Tower, 1:200, presentation model The site forms a key link between the Huron Basin and Media City, and the physical model was instrumental in communicating this strategic relationship. The model illustrated how the proposal engages with the basin edge and responds to the lack of coherence within Media City through a clear, unifying architectural idea that strengthens identity, legibility, and commercial appeal. The model conveyed the tower’s slim, elegant campanile form and its role in marking the corner of the Media City open space overlooking The Lowry. The triangular plan and inset balconies were effectively communicated, demonstrating how the footprint is maximised while creating a distinctive silhouette when read against the water. Privacy is achieved by locating the circulation core to the north and using blinkered windows, allowing living spaces to open towards the Media City plaza and Huron Basin. Generous floor-to-ceiling heights of 3.75m and flexible glazing modules allow for residential or office use while minimising overheating. At ground level, the model illustrated the relationship between the building, the basin edge, and the public realm, including transparency and active uses. The building is articulated as base, middle, and top, using robust prefabricated brick construction. A concrete frame provides structural efficiency, fire safety and acoustic performance, resulting in an enduring addition to Media City. Plywood, veneer, Perspex Original model by A models Adapted by Maz Weineck
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