TYPE is a London-based architecture practice founded in 2013 by directors Matt Cooper, Sam Nelson, Tom Powell and Ogi Ristic. The four founding directors met while studying, and have continued their collaboration ever since. The practice works throughout the UK and in Europe.
The name TYPE comes from ‘building typology’ – a way of categorising buildings by their function or form. Typology expresses the fundamental, universal characteristics of buildings, looking beneath the surface, beyond the superficial dressing of buildings, and alludes to the essence of building and construction.
One of the key drivers for TYPE is recognition of architecture’s responsibility to the environment and the public. In all its projects, TYPE seeks to minimise the consumption of energy and resources, enhance ecology, and strengthen the social value and inclusiveness of architecture.
TYPE aims to create an architecture which is expressive of its time and responsive to its environment, one which celebrates light, freedom and nature through simple and robust materials and a clarity of structure and form.
Redhill Barn was the practice’s first significant project to complete; it has won RIBA National and RIBA South West Awards, AJ Project under £500k, and has been shortlisted for the 2021 RIBA House of the Year and the 2021 Manser Medal. Projects in development include: An urban infill development of a pair of cross-laminated timber houses in Hackney; Hunter House in Somerset, a new-build, low-energy timber framed house; and Miraflores, a development of cross-laminated timber eco-tourism apartments in the mountains north of Madrid, bordering the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.
TYPE features in The Architecture Foundation’s New Architects 4 (2021) and is the emerging practice winner of the 2021 Excellence in Design Awards - AIA UK.
