Nex—

Flexible Space Design - Victorian Puzzle Box

Within a 1970s mansard roof extension, the third floor received internal layout modifications to provide a flexible space division for guests. This includes the installation of a new staircase, the addition of fold-down beds, and a relocation of the bathroom to accommodate a full front bedroom.

Photographer: Luke Hayes Photography
Structural Engineers: Webb Yates Engineers
Arboriculturalist: Arbtech Consulting Ltd

Conceptualization - Victorian Puzzle Box

As with every project, it started with a sketch. These preliminary drawings served as the backbone of our design process, helping us visualize our ideas, identify potential challenges, and create effective solutions. They enabled us to strike the delicate balance between modern functionality and historical preservation.

Join Our Architectural Team!

We're seeking a Part 3 Architect and a Part 2 Architectural Assistant to be part of our firm. If you're passionate about innovative design and ready to shape the future of architecture with Nex, we want to hear from you. Apply today and let's create something extraordinary together!

https://bit.ly/46iR4v9

Enhanced for Comfort - Victorian Puzzle Box

The first and second floors underwent careful renovations to enhance functionality without damaging the building's historic fabric. En-suite bathrooms and floating wardrobes were added, designed to be reversible to maintain the character of the building.

Photographer: Luke Hayes Photography
Structural Engineers: Webb Yates Engineers
Arboriculturalist: Arbtech Consulting Ltd

Refined Living - Victorian Puzzle Box

The ground floor, known for its high ceilings, now has a brand-new study space by the rear window. Perfect for those thoughtful moments with a view of the garden and canal.

Photographer: Luke Hayes Photography
Structural Engineers: Webb Yates Engineers
Arboriculturalist: Arbtech Consulting Ltd

Old Charm, New Layout - Victorian Puzzle Box

Nestled in the Duncan Terrace/Colebrooke Row conservation area, this historic residence weaves together the richness of its past with a fresh, modern design approach.

Community Stage - Regent’s Place

The largest pavilion is designed as a performance space for the local community theatre. It serves as a cultural hub, encouraging community engagement and the sharing of creative arts. What would you perform?

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3pSY7Lw

Photography: Luke Hayes Photography
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Timber Fabrication: Xylotek
Contractor: Maylim

Nex— Regent's Place Pavilions - Pavilion Architect British Land Regent’s Place Pavilions Inspired by the bundles of stick kindling, the design for these lattice timber pavilions at London's Regent’s Place achieve a delicate balance between randomness and precision. Awards 2020 First Prize in Invited Competition A New Way In Conceptualised as org...

Working with Wood - Regent’s Place

The pavilions were developed through extensive sketching, model studies, VR simulations, and collaboration with timber specialists, Xylotek. Made from over 400 sustainability sourced oak lamella laths, the structures were partly pre-assembled off-site for efficiency and waste reduction. The pavilions are designed for flexibility, deconstruction, and reuse.

Learn more about the construction here: https://bit.ly/3pSY7Lw

Client: British Land PLC
Timber Specialists: Xylotek

Engaging Spaces - Regent’s Place

The medium-sized pavilion contains an interactive, playful element - a revolving circular bench. It’s the heart of the gathering space, inviting play, new encounters and conversations.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3pSY7Lw

Photography: Luke Hayes Photography
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Timber Fabrication: Xylotek
Contractor: Maylim

Thrilled to share that Nex will lead the design for new pontoons and pier in Burnham-on-Crouch, honouring its rich sailing legacy!

Drawing on our experience with public realm piers, we will work with Maldon District Council and the residents to create a new landmark that enhances the estuary and offers access for all.

Stay tuned for updates!

The Regent’s Place Pavilions have been shortlisted for Structural Timber Awards’ 2023 Project of the Year! 🎉

Congratulations to all the finalists! We're honoured to be among the innovative projects that showcase the possibilities of sustainable building practices.

Client: British Land PLC
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Timber Fabrication: Xylotek
Contractor: Maylim
Photography: Luke Hayes Photography

A Quiet Retreat - Regent’s Place

The smallest of the three pavilions, this structure features a curved bench, providing a sheltered space for visitors to unwind and take in the surroundings.

Read more here: https://www.nex-architecture.com/projects/regents-place-pavilions/

Client: British Land PLC
Photography: Luke Hayes Photography
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Timber Fabrication: Xylotek
Contractor: Maylim

Introducing Our Newest Endeavour at Regent’s Place.

Commissioned by British Land PLC, we designed three organically shaped structures to rejuvenate their Regent’s Place office campus and create a welcome public space.

Read more here: https://www.nex-architecture.com/projects/regents-place-pavilions/

Photography: Luke Hayes Photography
Landscape: Townshend Landscape Architects
Timber Fabrication: Xylotek
Contractor: Maylim

Diagrams illustrating our bespoke joinery, designed and created for our Architectural Association Bookshop project.

Re-use and Re-manufacture.

Another recently completely project of ours is a Grade 'A' office refurbishment that uses the principles of the circular economy for . The workspaces extensively re-use recycled materials and mechanical and electrical equipment to reduce waste and the project’s carbon impact. Old fit-out of douglas fir was remade into new fitted kitchens and social spaces, fitted work desks, joinery and furniture.

Furniture Recycling: Rype & The Furniture Practice
Photography: Thierry Cardineau

THEME WEEK: Pavilion construction (2/3)

DRL10 Pavilion taking shape at the AA in Spring 2008. Designed in collaboration with Alvin Huang, and realised with the amazing support of AKTII, AADRL and Reider.

It's now easier to send Nex— a message.

Nex— updated their address.

THEME WEEK: Pavilion construction(1/3)

Times Eureka Pavilion on site at the Chelsea Flower Show in spring 2012. Designed with Marcus Barnett and made with Blumer Lehman.

Competition: 'River Mirror' (London Bridge Pier)

The Thames Mirror will be a literal and figurative reflection of the river— a rooftop landscape with the thinest layer of water that appears to flow between two banks, mirroring the iconic surroundings on its surface, and inviting play and wonder. We designed the roof to be a new floating waterside public space that would enhance local amenity and below a cafe or bar with enviable waterside views over the City and Tower Bridge.

Our proposed pier aimed to set new standards for sustainability, sustainable material use
and low energy use for Thames marine structures. We proposed to manufacture the roof
canopy and landscape structure from fireproofed layered laminated timber in order to significantly reduce the pier’s carbon impact. The use of wood also would enhance visitor comfort, improve acoustics, and reduce long term maintenance.

As part of our design process at Nex we always consider how spaces might be used and scenarious for activity and event. Here are a few event diagrams we created for a recent public realm project for British Land in Sheldon Square in Paddington.

One from the Archive: Times Eureka Pavilion.

Undertaken in collaboration with Landscape Designer Marcus Barnett, the project was commissioned by the Times Newspaper in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Inspired by the cellular structure of plants and their processes of growth, this pavilion encompassed the unique patterns they embody.

The walls and roof are clad with recycled plastic ‘cells’ that frame views out to the garden. Rain water literally runs down the capillaries in the walls of the cube from the roof into the ground. The pavilion sits on a timber raft constructed from spruce beams. Sand ballast fills the voids between the raft timbers to give the pavilion a temporary foundation.

(5/5) Completed: Mirco.

Over the couple of weeks we will be sharing the process of one of our most recent projects; a private house fronting Regents Canal.

Photography:

(4/5) Completed: Macro

Over the couple of weeks we will be sharing the process of one of our most recent projects; a private house fronting Regents Canal.

Photography:

(3/5) On-site.

Over the couple of weeks we will be sharing the process of one of our most recent projects; a private house fronting Regents Canal. Once the developed scheme achieved planning consent, detailed drawings were completed and the project commenced on site.

(2/5) Developed Scheme.

Over the couple of weeks we will be sharing the process of one of our most recent projects; a private house fronting Regents Canal. From the initial sketch and diagrams, the design naturally progresses into studies that show a more realistic scheme. The concept aimed to create bespoke pieces of joinery that can be manipulated in order to change the atmosphere and flexibility of a room.

(1/5) Concept Sketches and Diagrams.

Over the next few posts we will be sharing the process of one of our most recent projects; a private house fronting Regents Canal. As with every project, it starts with a sketch...

A Unique glazing system, Vardo Restaurant.

As the season changes into a warm climate we are reminded of the beauty of visiting our vardo restaurant 😍

The glazing system uses a bespoke steel frame that allows the glass panels within the openings to be retractable (sliding down gracefully into a basement trench), completely opening up the ground floor space during fine weather and allowing the restaurant to spill onto the surrounding Duke of York Square, while the roof continues to provide shade. The restaurant the first example of a retractable curved glass system in the world!

Sunshine, views and good architecture - what more could you want?

Client: ⠀
Photography: