Simple, good, undecorated things

November 2022
An excerpt from our practice Newsletter.

We have a philosophy in the studio, which feels particularly pertinent at this moment in time - that good design not only can be simple, but should be. Alvar Aalto said, “We should work for simple, good, undecorated things”. Things that are first and foremost, well-made and functional, but which are also elegant, refined and understated.

We’ve just applied for planning approval for a new house on the Isle of Skye, which feels like it expresses this principle clearly. To us, radical and inventive approaches to sustainability are compatible with simple and beautiful contemporary architecture. One way we’re beginning to explore this is through a heightened focus on the sourcing of materials, their supply chains, and their assembly on site. We’re designing with Scottish-grown timber, not just for cladding or finishing, but as an integral part of our buildings and their construction. This involves collaboration at multiple levels, and a broad understanding of what’s available and how it can be used. We’re pushing to eliminate petrochemical based products from our houses (unless they’re recycled), and aiming to replace them with natural, breathable alternatives. This is more difficult than it might sound, but it’s possible.