top of page

Search this site

44 results found with an empty search

  • Clients | RUFFARCHITECTS

    Clients About RUFF Services The Team Awards Clients Vacancies

  • Studio | RUFFARCHITECTS

    About RUFF Services The Team Awards Clients Vacancies Contact Us 28-30 Hanway Street, London, W1T 1UL +44 (0) 203 814 8992 info@ruffarchitects.co.uk Instagram Linkedin

  • EAST HOATHLY

    Overview: This 55 home masterplan for an edge of village development in East Sussex brings sustainability and social value to the forefront of a successful scheme on the 5.6HA former agricultural site. When delivered, our prescribed, ‘within 15-mile sourcing of materials’, sees local clays used to ensure the contemporary brickwork designs bed the highly energy efficient homes into the existing local vernacular. Community Impact & Value: By knitting into the local green infrastructure and existing footpath network our ‘green finger parks’ ensure a series of distinct characters to our ‘place first’ approach. We ensure each home looks over uplifted and new habitat, increasing biodiversity by a 57% net gain. Open green space and public accessible shared amenity also covers 20% of the site. The thriving village extension builds on the rich local history, 22 listed buildings, cottages and farm typologies, all within the Conservation Area. Natural play and SUDS are wide swales and attenuation depressions that become natural amphitheatres and boardwalks. Technical Insights & Challenges: Focused and open public consultation events, supported by the local developer’s understanding, ensured collaborative engagement with sustainability driving the co-created brief. A mixture of passive and active measures are introduced, with an efficient fabric and airtight envelope achieving 100% A-rated SAP (2023) certification for the new homes. The fabric first approach is supported by air-source heat pumps paired with grey water recycling and low operational energy use with comprehensive electrical charging with full adaptability. Key Achievements: The delivery stages will be supported with a parallel project that sees the potential for 100% onsite energy generation and a green electrical tariff, showing cutting edge design and sustainability can sitting harmoniously in this mature woodland village setting. EAST HOATHLY Client: Oakford Developments Value: Confidential Status: Planning Overview: This 55 home masterplan for an edge of village development in East Sussex brings sustainability and social value to the forefront of a successful scheme on the 5.6HA former agricultural site. When delivered, our prescribed, ‘within 15-mile sourcing of materials’, sees local clays used to ensure the contemporary brickwork designs bed the highly energy efficient homes into the existing local vernacular. Community Impact & Value: By knitting into the local green infrastructure and existing footpath network our ‘green finger parks’ ensure a series of distinct characters to our ‘place first’ approach. We ensure each home looks over uplifted and new habitat, increasing biodiversity by a 57% net gain. Open green space and public accessible shared amenity also covers 20% of the site. The thriving village extension builds on the rich local history, 22 listed buildings, cottages and farm typologies, all within the Conservation Area. Natural play and SUDS are wide swales and attenuation depressions that become natural amphitheatres and boardwalks. Technical Insights & Challenges: Focused and open public consultation events, supported by the local developer’s understanding, ensured collaborative engagement with sustainability driving the co-created brief. A mixture of passive and active measures are introduced, with an efficient fabric and airtight envelope achieving 100% A-rated SAP (2023) certification for the new homes. The fabric first approach is supported by air-source heat pumps paired with grey water recycling and low operational energy use with comprehensive electrical charging with full adaptability. Key Achievements: The delivery stages will be supported with a parallel project that sees the potential for 100% onsite energy generation and a green electrical tariff, showing cutting edge design and sustainability can sitting harmoniously in this mature woodland village setting.

  • BRIDGE HOUSE

    Overview: A 1,660 sqm mixed-use refurbishment and extension within a tight backland site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Utilising Modern Methods of Construction to create much needed commercial units and thirteen new homes for the community. Community Impact & Value: The surroundings are a rich tapestry of functions, typologies and eras: from Victorian terraces, to the historical Notting Hill Methodist Church, and the disused concrete frame workshop adjacent to the M4 underpass that forms the focal point of the scheme. Collaboratively with RBKC, the retained building has a series of two storey pavilions and a six-storey ‘tail’, stitching together new and existing volumes and uses. Activated by the craft workshops on ground floor, the project links into the wider community initiatives along the Westway. Technical Insights & Challenges: Retaining the original frame structure requires lightweight technical solutions above, hybrid exposed timber flitch beam designs driving reuse and reduced carbon footprints, whilst maintaining the alure of the triangular site. The infills feature dramatic incisions and openings referencing the scale, composition and weight of the original building. The sizable cuts provide private outdoor amenity and urban greening. The opportunity for increased mini courtyard frontages and therefore glazing, flood the new homes with natural light. The profiled form of the pavilions varied roofscape maximises the sunpath for adjacent dwellings. A Cross Laminated Tiber (CLT) kit of parts forms the taller element, generating the structural form as well as the finished engineered internal aesthetic. Stabilised by a cast concrete core, these triple aspect flats are then faced in local red-brick palettes echoing the prevailing context. Key Achievements: This scheme forms a light touch series of additions and refurbishments to the existing building and a creative new craft and residential quarter for the area. BRIDGE HOUSE Client: Bryanston Developments Value: Confidential Status: Planning Overview: A 1,660 sqm mixed-use refurbishment and extension within a tight backland site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Utilising Modern Methods of Construction to create much needed commercial units and thirteen new homes for the community. Community Impact & Value: The surroundings are a rich tapestry of functions, typologies and eras: from Victorian terraces, to the historical Notting Hill Methodist Church, and the disused concrete frame workshop adjacent to the M4 underpass that forms the focal point of the scheme. Collaboratively with RBKC, the retained building has a series of two storey pavilions and a six-storey ‘tail’, stitching together new and existing volumes and uses. Activated by the craft workshops on ground floor, the project links into the wider community initiatives along the Westway. Technical Insights & Challenges: Retaining the original frame structure requires lightweight technical solutions above, hybrid exposed timber flitch beam designs driving reuse and reduced carbon footprints, whilst maintaining the alure of the triangular site. The infills feature dramatic incisions and openings referencing the scale, composition and weight of the original building. The sizable cuts provide private outdoor amenity and urban greening. The opportunity for increased mini courtyard frontages and therefore glazing, flood the new homes with natural light. The profiled form of the pavilions varied roofscape maximises the sunpath for adjacent dwellings. A Cross Laminated Tiber (CLT) kit of parts forms the taller element, generating the structural form as well as the finished engineered internal aesthetic. Stabilised by a cast concrete core, these triple aspect flats are then faced in local red-brick palettes echoing the prevailing context. Key Achievements: This scheme forms a light touch series of additions and refurbishments to the existing building and a creative new craft and residential quarter for the area.

  • BARBICAN CINEMA 1

    Overview: Our second major project for the City of London’s Barbican Centre followed the same principles as the Art Gallery refurbishment: to prioritise retention, repair and reuse as the basis of a contemporary renewal within the Grade-II listed cultural complex. Alongside the intricate design involved in reactivating the shared Pit Theatre and Cinema 1 as a Barbican Centre destination, our approach ensured that the spaces and routes to them were upgraded to be entirely accessible by modern standards. Community Impact & Value: Every design decision sought to respect and reinforce the original architects’ vision of creating an exciting interplay of light, scale and perspective, tied together with a select material palette. The open layout and flexible arrangement of furniture were inspired by original materials, graphics and motifs present across the site. Technical Insights & Challenges: Bespoke and original refurbished furniture concepts were designed in-house and sensitively sat within the wider composition and centre strategy. We designed light fittings that emphasised the foyer’s unique volume, and offered distinctive markers that combined with the new signage for a layered, natural wayfinding approach. Durability and sustainability were key factors in new material selection. Fabrics that line the cinema and foyers utilised natural and recycled yarns that also met the demanding hygiene and maintenance standards required for the public setting. Valchromat, a toxin-free, natural, wood-fibre panel dyed with organic pigments, was used for the refined routed table bases. Above this, deep brass tops shall age gracefully, developing unique patinas further contributing to the rich history of this iconic setting. Key Achievements: A relevant new interior that references the quality and original concepts of the Barbican Centre helps this previously underutilised area into an invigorating and flexible space eagerly used by all. BARBICAN CINEMA 1 Client: Barbican Centre Value: Confidential Status: Completed - Awards: AJ Retrofit Award 2022 Cultural and Religious – Shortlist Hotel, Retail and Leisure – Shortlist Overview: Our second major project for the City of London’s Barbican Centre followed the same principles as the Art Gallery refurbishment: to prioritise retention, repair and reuse as the basis of a contemporary renewal within the Grade-II listed cultural complex. Alongside the intricate design involved in reactivating the shared Pit Theatre and Cinema 1 as a Barbican Centre destination, our approach ensured that the spaces and routes to them were upgraded to be entirely accessible by modern standards. Community Impact & Value: Every design decision sought to respect and reinforce the original architects’ vision of creating an exciting interplay of light, scale and perspective, tied together with a select material palette. The open layout and flexible arrangement of furniture were inspired by original materials, graphics and motifs present across the site. Technical Insights & Challenges: Bespoke and original refurbished furniture concepts were designed in-house and sensitively sat within the wider composition and centre strategy. We designed light fittings that emphasised the foyer’s unique volume, and offered distinctive markers that combined with the new signage for a layered, natural wayfinding approach. Durability and sustainability were key factors in new material selection. Fabrics that line the cinema and foyers utilised natural and recycled yarns that also met the demanding hygiene and maintenance standards required for the public setting. Valchromat, a toxin-free, natural, wood-fibre panel dyed with organic pigments, was used for the refined routed table bases. Above this, deep brass tops shall age gracefully, developing unique patinas further contributing to the rich history of this iconic setting. Key Achievements: A relevant new interior that references the quality and original concepts of the Barbican Centre helps this previously underutilised area into an invigorating and flexible space eagerly used by all.

  • CHURCH ROAD

    Overview: Originally constructed in 2009 and set amongst some of the only remaining ancient oaks in London’s Highgate Conservation Area, this single-storey family home was touted as a forward-thinking timber framed building. Our sensitively contemporary refurbishment and extension of the property centred around a shared ethos of low-carbon construction whilst echoing the qualities of the ecologically-innovative original. Community Impact & Value: Asymmetrically nestled into a semi-sunken back garden plot, the fragmented nature of the internal arrangement posed a number of challenges requiring a unified response. Obstacles included bedrooms opening onto main entrances, and principal rooms suffering from a lack of connection to the garden. The proposed concept methodically addressed these constraints, creating a simpler flow and separation between communal and private spaces. Technical Insights & Challenges: We repaired the disconnection between the landscape and the existing house through the provision of full height sliding doors and refurbished clerestory windows. Introducing sliding windows for all adjacent rooms also established a powerful visual and physical connection, combined with a new landscape strategy and the flourishing green roof. Both new and existing external timber are finished in black, helping the building sit effortlessly amongst the landscape. A number of sustainability strategies were implemented inside and out, including the inclusion of temperature-controlled stack and cross ventilation, permeable paving, green roofs and flood protection. Prioritising the retention and upgrading of existing fabric where possible minimised embodied carbon. The primary timber structure and cladding of the original building were extended to create an architecturally and conceptually-sensitive addition that blurred the lines between old and new. Key Achievements: The formed directional vistas from each space provide concealed yet subtly interconnected spaces that exude privacy while helping to foster togetherness for the family. CHURCH ROAD Client: Private Residential Value: Confidential Status: Completed - Awards: Dezeen Awards 2022 Urban House category - Longlist NLA Don't Move, Improve 2022 Urban Oasis category - Winner AJ Retrofit Award 2022 House £500,000 and over - Highly commended Overview: Originally constructed in 2009 and set amongst some of the only remaining ancient oaks in London’s Highgate Conservation Area, this single-storey family home was touted as a forward-thinking timber framed building. Our sensitively contemporary refurbishment and extension of the property centred around a shared ethos of low-carbon construction whilst echoing the qualities of the ecologically-innovative original. Community Impact & Value: Asymmetrically nestled into a semi-sunken back garden plot, the fragmented nature of the internal arrangement posed a number of challenges requiring a unified response. Obstacles included bedrooms opening onto main entrances, and principal rooms suffering from a lack of connection to the garden. The proposed concept methodically addressed these constraints, creating a simpler flow and separation between communal and private spaces. Technical Insights & Challenges: We repaired the disconnection between the landscape and the existing house through the provision of full height sliding doors and refurbished clerestory windows. Introducing sliding windows for all adjacent rooms also established a powerful visual and physical connection, combined with a new landscape strategy and the flourishing green roof. Both new and existing external timber are finished in black, helping the building sit effortlessly amongst the landscape. A number of sustainability strategies were implemented inside and out, including the inclusion of temperature-controlled stack and cross ventilation, permeable paving, green roofs and flood protection. Prioritising the retention and upgrading of existing fabric where possible minimised embodied carbon. The primary timber structure and cladding of the original building were extended to create an architecturally and conceptually-sensitive addition that blurred the lines between old and new. Key Achievements: The formed directional vistas from each space provide concealed yet subtly interconnected spaces that exude privacy while helping to foster togetherness for the family.

  • HEARST INSTITUTE

    Overview: Concept design and delivery of the refurbishment of the existing lower-ground level office space at St Anne’s Court, Soho provides a new dedicated 250sqm skin and haircare product testing facilities for the iconic Good Housekeeping brand. GHK is one of the oldest continuous magazine publications in the UK, for the largest international publishing house, Hearst. Community Impact & Value: As a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to product testing, the bespoke laboratories within the Hearst Institute are based on significantly remodelled spaces within the existing retained building. Designed to provide a publicly accessible live studio, absorption within the testing process can be experienced. The working lab space, as well as flexible staff working areas support the studio provision. Here early phases of market research and product development through to quality testing and marketing is undertaken for a number of the nations most recognised brands. Technical Insights & Challenges: Full internal reconfiguration and building services where curated within this highly impactful design. The aim being to provide a functional and elegant visitor experience, drawing on a contemporary interpretation of the origins of the GHK brand within the Art Deco period and interior style. Colour use, bespoke designed furniture and equipment requirements were all seamlessly integrated. Our working wall for product trialing encapsulates both advance testing equipment with splashes of nostalgic references from the Hearst archive, individually selected and curated. The bespoke floor to ceiling metalwork is also adaptable to the changing needs of the venue and allows for future relocation if necessary. Key Achievements: The Hearst Institute will support the Good Housekeeping Cookery School also at St Anne’s Court, whilst continuing to test and review products and services for the public and wider beauty industry. HEARST INSTITUTE Client: Hearst Value: Confidential Status: Completed Overview: Concept design and delivery of the refurbishment of the existing lower-ground level office space at St Anne’s Court, Soho provides a new dedicated 250sqm skin and haircare product testing facilities for the iconic Good Housekeeping brand. GHK is one of the oldest continuous magazine publications in the UK, for the largest international publishing house, Hearst. Community Impact & Value: As a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to product testing, the bespoke laboratories within the Hearst Institute are based on significantly remodelled spaces within the existing retained building. Designed to provide a publicly accessible live studio, absorption within the testing process can be experienced. The working lab space, as well as flexible staff working areas support the studio provision. Here early phases of market research and product development through to quality testing and marketing is undertaken for a number of the nations most recognised brands. Technical Insights & Challenges: Full internal reconfiguration and building services where curated within this highly impactful design. The aim being to provide a functional and elegant visitor experience, drawing on a contemporary interpretation of the origins of the GHK brand within the Art Deco period and interior style. Colour use, bespoke designed furniture and equipment requirements were all seamlessly integrated. Our working wall for product trialing encapsulates both advance testing equipment with splashes of nostalgic references from the Hearst archive, individually selected and curated. The bespoke floor to ceiling metalwork is also adaptable to the changing needs of the venue and allows for future relocation if necessary. Key Achievements: The Hearst Institute will support the Good Housekeeping Cookery School also at St Anne’s Court, whilst continuing to test and review products and services for the public and wider beauty industry.

  • OLD STATION WAY

    Overview: This station marker building provides a mix of single and duplex residential accommodation over a newly proposed childcare facility at the entrance of a key London Overground Station. Community Impact & Value: Within a conservation area and adjacent to the Grade II former station building, this rare opportunity looks to provide 24 new high-quality homes. The enhancements to the public square and termination of the station approach will underpin the vibrant retail parade that occupies the railway arches. With the Overground orbital extension in December 2012, this sustainable form of transport in the PTAL 6a rated area provides clear wayfinding to the town centre station and a much-needed community and social purpose in the form of an early years nursery. Other adjacent marker buildings help orientation, including a Library and Leisure Centre, on the adjacent High Street. Technical Insights & Challenges: Sitting neighbouring the railway provides design and construction constraints, from noise for new residents and piling strategies, to ensuring continuity of the passing train services. The significance of the building as a marker within the conservation area also drives the high quality design. The high risk building (HRB) under the Building Safety Act also requires an innovative unit mix to best address housing numbers within the slender floorplate. With the main building elevation orientated south, the triple aspect units are designed to maximise natural light while using the chamfered balcony design to provide solar shading, reducing potential summertime overheating. Key Achievements: The experience developer at this early stage of the project , provides an outstanding design led approach to tight urban site regeneration, whilst respecting the historic value of the area. OLD STATION WAY Client: Confidential Value: Confidential Status: Pre-Planning Overview: This station marker building provides a mix of single and duplex residential accommodation over a newly proposed childcare facility at the entrance of a key London Overground Station. Community Impact & Value: Within a conservation area and adjacent to the Grade II former station building, this rare opportunity looks to provide 24 new high-quality homes. The enhancements to the public square and termination of the station approach will underpin the vibrant retail parade that occupies the railway arches. With the Overground orbital extension in December 2012, this sustainable form of transport in the PTAL 6a rated area provides clear wayfinding to the town centre station and a much-needed community and social purpose in the form of an early years nursery. Other adjacent marker buildings help orientation, including a Library and Leisure Centre, on the adjacent High Street. Technical Insights & Challenges: Sitting neighbouring the railway provides design and construction constraints, from noise for new residents and piling strategies, to ensuring continuity of the passing train services. The significance of the building as a marker within the conservation area also drives the high quality design. The high risk building (HRB) under the Building Safety Act also requires an innovative unit mix to best address housing numbers within the slender floorplate. With the main building elevation orientated south, the triple aspect units are designed to maximise natural light while using the chamfered balcony design to provide solar shading, reducing potential summertime overheating. Key Achievements: The experience developer at this early stage of the project , provides an outstanding design led approach to tight urban site regeneration, whilst respecting the historic value of the area.

  • BARBICAN CINEMAS 2&3

    Overview: The refurbishment of The Barbican Centre’s Cinema 2 & 3 continued the concept established by our completed Cinema 1 remodel: reusing and repurposing what existed, before carefully inserting new, sustainably sourced elements. Community Impact & Value: Located on Beech Street, a short walk from the main Barbican complex, a project priority was creating a consistent, legible, visual language that unified the separated sites. Two 152-seat auditoriums share a foyer, cafe and welcome area with a holistic approach to the visitor experience. Creating a visual language which reconnects this separated site with the rest of the Centre ensuring the space is welcoming to all was a key element of the project. Lighting, graphic signage and furniture design took cues from both the original Barbican Centre design, and concepts that we previously created as part of two separate refurbishments to the Art Gallery and Cinema 1 & Pit Theatre. Technical Insights & Challenges: In 2012, Practice Director Paul Ruff developed the facades of the Beech Street building whilst working at the award-winning Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. The design process began by looking backwards, inspiring a modern interpretation of the original exhibition hall facade. In 2021, this approach was repeated in the re-imagining of the interiors and entrance sequence to playfully reference the Barbican’s existing architecture. The iconic coffered ceiling of the main building is reinterpreted as a bright and uplifting entrance lantern at Beech Street. Key Achievements: Cinemas 2 & 3 employed enhanced technology, including digital wayfinding and refinements to paperless ticketing alongside diligent architectural changes that improved accessibility, sales and usability. Bespoke new fixtures soften the feel of the building’s retained concrete structure. The outcome of our comprehensive refurbishment is a contemporary interior that is now clearly identifiable as part of the Barbican. BARBICAN CINEMAS 2&3 Client: Barbican Centre Value: Confidential Status: Completed - Awards: AJ Retrofit Award 2022 Cultural and Religious – Shortlist Hotel, Retail and Leisure – Shortlist Overview: The refurbishment of The Barbican Centre’s Cinema 2 & 3 continued the concept established by our completed Cinema 1 remodel: reusing and repurposing what existed, before carefully inserting new, sustainably sourced elements. Community Impact & Value: Located on Beech Street, a short walk from the main Barbican complex, a project priority was creating a consistent, legible, visual language that unified the separated sites. Two 152-seat auditoriums share a foyer, cafe and welcome area with a holistic approach to the visitor experience. Creating a visual language which reconnects this separated site with the rest of the Centre ensuring the space is welcoming to all was a key element of the project. Lighting, graphic signage and furniture design took cues from both the original Barbican Centre design, and concepts that we previously created as part of two separate refurbishments to the Art Gallery and Cinema 1 & Pit Theatre. Technical Insights & Challenges: In 2012, Practice Director Paul Ruff developed the facades of the Beech Street building whilst working at the award-winning Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. The design process began by looking backwards, inspiring a modern interpretation of the original exhibition hall facade. In 2021, this approach was repeated in the re-imagining of the interiors and entrance sequence to playfully reference the Barbican’s existing architecture. The iconic coffered ceiling of the main building is reinterpreted as a bright and uplifting entrance lantern at Beech Street. Key Achievements: Cinemas 2 & 3 employed enhanced technology, including digital wayfinding and refinements to paperless ticketing alongside diligent architectural changes that improved accessibility, sales and usability. Bespoke new fixtures soften the feel of the building’s retained concrete structure. The outcome of our comprehensive refurbishment is a contemporary interior that is now clearly identifiable as part of the Barbican.

  • HOUSE OF HEARST

    Overview: At the time, our third consecutive commission by the iconic Hearst publishing house was to deliver a complete spatial redesign and interior fit out across all five floors in their flagship 70,915sqft House of Hearst headquarters in Leicester Square, London. Community Impact & Value: Our creation of seven new individual and team working spaces focused on a restructured publishing house culture that moved Hearst away from the solo desk and outdated siloed configuration. Biophilic design principles underpinned the wider holistically sustainable approach, transforming the Workplace through natural materials and use of daylight. Over 200 large scale multi-species of plant life was playfully used throughout, ensuring each of the six repurposed entrance foyers better supported movement, wellbeing, collaborative working and a re-invigorated and exciting social congregation space. Technical Insights & Challenges: Designed and delivered during a national period of Covid-19 lockdown, our first principles approached to the CAT B sustainable retrofit approach reused over 95% of existing building materials, making up 76% of all used materials in the project. These bespoke designs met the clients exacting standards of finish and drove innovation. Key Achievements: The scheme delivered over 50% embodied carbon, saving during construction whilst maintaining operational continuity for all digital publishing. Our adopted Client informed post occupancy analysis models at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month intervals has mapped a similar percentage in operation carbon energy saving. User feedback and technical data has allowed informed decisions for additional layout adoption and budgeting to evolve the new setup and structure in this dynamic industry leading, future of work environment. HOUSE OF HEARST Client: Hearst Value: Confidential Status: Completed Overview: At the time, our third consecutive commission by the iconic Hearst publishing house was to deliver a complete spatial redesign and interior fit out across all five floors in their flagship 70,915sqft House of Hearst headquarters in Leicester Square, London. Community Impact & Value: Our creation of seven new individual and team working spaces focused on a restructured publishing house culture that moved Hearst away from the solo desk and outdated siloed configuration. Biophilic design principles underpinned the wider holistically sustainable approach, transforming the Workplace through natural materials and use of daylight. Over 200 large scale multi-species of plant life was playfully used throughout, ensuring each of the six repurposed entrance foyers better supported movement, wellbeing, collaborative working and a re-invigorated and exciting social congregation space. Technical Insights & Challenges: Designed and delivered during a national period of Covid-19 lockdown, our first principles approached to the CAT B sustainable retrofit approach reused over 95% of existing building materials, making up 76% of all used materials in the project. These bespoke designs met the clients exacting standards of finish and drove innovation. Key Achievements: The scheme delivered over 50% embodied carbon, saving during construction whilst maintaining operational continuity for all digital publishing. Our adopted Client informed post occupancy analysis models at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month intervals has mapped a similar percentage in operation carbon energy saving. User feedback and technical data has allowed informed decisions for additional layout adoption and budgeting to evolve the new setup and structure in this dynamic industry leading, future of work environment.

bottom of page