Scott Brownrigg, New York: Creative, Engaging, Relaxed.

Scott Brownrigg’s purpose is to make and help create timeless, sustainable and beautiful environments whilst maintaining a rigour that keeps design excellence as its essence. The practice’s strategy for overseas expansion is driven from its UK heart. Scott Brownrigg’s New York office opened on Fifth Avenue in April 2014. 

The practice has a design studio ethos that enables collaboration and participation with clients, staff and consultants that promotes analytical and critical thinking as well as the advancement of talent. 

The layout is visually open, with spaces to focus, take a call and have a meeting. “I’ve always loved visibility of the whole team,” says Director Christopher Blackadder, who believes there should never be an office in an architect’s space. At Scott Brownrigg there is a saying that “if someone has a problem or a challenge, it becomes everyone’s within the practice.” This attitude permeates the practice’s culture in every location and at every level and allows anyone the confidence and freedom to raise a hand for help. 

The neighbourhood has changed dramatically in the time they’ve been there, with new hotels, restaurants and retail openings. “We took the space as a sub-lease originally and as the area has evolved we agreed to take over the lease directly which confirms our commitment to the place we call home,” says Blackadder. 

The practice often takes part in design competitions with different organisations. This brings the team together and allows a purpose for team creativity. The FUC (Fun Undertaking Club) in its Covent Garden office leads the social events calendar, and they have adopted the same attitude in New York to make sure they are all out of the office at times doing something as a team, at a vendor event or engaging with the broader industry. 

As the practice grows from being predominately interiors-focused, the aim is to expand the architectural team, which will add depth and breadth to the culture. That said, the core Scott Brownrigg way of doing things remains immutable: to build a complementary team by challenging your strengths and supporting your weaknesses.