Citizens Design Bureau was established as a co-operative company of architects. We enjoy working with interesting people to make unusual things happen, developing rigorously practical solutions that are woven with ingenuity and make people smile.
Our aim is to make good design accessible, humane and sensitively sustainable so in addition to a traditional architectural design service, we offer one-off 'back of the envelope' idea surgeries, collaborative design sessions, organisational and brief development workshops.
Our work covers a range of scales from public buildings to products and digital interfaces. Current and recent work includes: Refurbishment and extension of the Manchester Jewish Museum (completed May 2021); The Talent House for East London Dance and Urban Development Music in Stratford - including new dance and music recording studios (currently on site); Refurbishment and remodelling of Jacksons Lane Arts Centre (currently on site); Affordable housing for E16 Community Land Trust (in design stages); Remodelling and straw bale extension to Studio 3 Arts Centre in Barking (currently on site); Renovation and remodelling of St. Peter’s in the Forest Church (completed Spring 2021); Concept, business plan and feasibility modelling for new Library and housing CLT in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the LLDC and Village Design Statements for Cambridgeshire villages and numerous private dwellings.
Collaborations include : furniture, finishes, signage for the Stirling Prize winning Everyman theatre in Liverpool (with Haworth Tompkins Architects), Royal Court Theatre bar and Kitchen (with Lyndon Goode Architects), Hertford Theatre interiors - in planning (with Bennetts Associates) Rich Mix arts centre remodelling - in planning (with Adam Khan Architects)
Citizens Design Bureau director, Katy Marks, was previously Project Architect of the National Theatre Studio refurbishment, Young Vic Theatre, Everyman Theatre whilst at Haworth Tompkins Architects. As a team, we also have a multi-disciplinary range of experience in teaching, low carbon design, business modelling for new enterprise, conservation, engagement and facilitation, graphic design, illustration, architectural ceramics, lighting and furniture design. We are always looking to expand our network of collaborators. Please get in touch to discuss ideas.
