We begin each project by developing an understanding of the physical and human context. We work hard to understand the requirements of the owner, the end users and the wider environment and we use this understanding to push the project forward in negotiation with the relevant statutory bodies in order to aim for results that exceed original expectations. We belong to a tradition of exploratory contemporary design that values innovation balanced with respect for history and spirit of place.

Five core principles underpin our approach to each challenge and the services we deliver: collaborative working, relationships between people and place, recognition of our ecological responsibilities, inclusiveness for all and provision of outstanding design quality.

Place provide customised teams appropriate to the requirements of each project. This approach allows us to deliver an efficient, project specific, service from concept to finished product - leading to creative and holistic solutions. We work with Engineers, Ecologists, Artists, Modelmakers, Visualisers and other specialists in order to provide the most comprehensive service.

We believe in the client and the end user as the most important collaborator and as a key member of the design team. We aim for creative consultation extending throughout the design process and continuing into the life of the completed place.

Successful places are nurtured by people who use, love and care for them. We believe that a deep understanding of the needs of the end user is the key to developing a successful project. Flexibility for the future and the ability of places to ‘learn’ in response to occupation and development are also vital aspects of a successful strategy for large scale land use.

Our design process aims to foster sustainable relationships between people and place. The quality of spaces and routes between functions are seen as crucial for the nurturing of the human spirit and the development of planned solutions into real and vital places.

Place apply the principles of environmental sustainability to the land, water and living ecosystems of any location from large scale rural landscapes to tight urban sites. We work to economically incorporate sustainable natural and technological solutions and resolve development project challenges. Study of site selection and orientation, site modelling, recycling and exploitation of site resources, transport planning and conceptual modelling of buildings are essential in the delivery of sustainable building stock. With the imminent introduction of the Code for Sustainable Buildings our conceptual thinking aims to make sure that detail design (for instance of individual buildings) follows from the best strategic decisions.

Physical, social, intellectual and cultural accessibility have rightly become essential prerequisites for development planning and place-making. At Place we have the expertise and passion for incorporating an inclusive perspective into all that we design.

We do not see the incorporation of access for all as a constraint but as inspiration for the most special of places.

We are proud of our individual track records in disciplines such as Landscape Design, Architecture and Urban Design. Our overriding aim is to make beautiful, affordable, sustainable places and outstanding contemporary design is the way we want to achieve it. We have found that, even in the most conservative of locations, good contemporary design is accepted when it is based on logical analysis of functional requirements and context together with a deep understanding of the existing spirit of place.