Business Details
Innovative Architecture and Design Solutions in London
Heatherwick Studio is a multidisciplinary team of over 250 architects, designers, engineers, and makers dedicated to creating transformative physical environments. Established with a philosophy of prioritising human experience, we operate from integrated workshop-studio spaces in London and Shanghai. Our practice spans buildings, public spaces, transport infrastructure, and objects, driven by a belief that design should celebrate the complexities of the real world. We approach each project as a unique challenge, discarding preconceptions to uncover innovative solutions through rigorous questioning and material experimentation. Our collaborative process involves craftspeople and specialists, ensuring tangible, buildable outcomes that balance creativity with practicality.Recognised internationally with over 100 awards, including RIBA National Awards and the Prix Versailles, our work reflects a commitment to soulful, impactful design. Projects range from cultural landmarks like Zeitz MOCAA to functional innovations such as the Airo electric car. We maintain a global perspective while grounding each solution in its specific context, aiming to create spaces that inspire joy and engagement. Our leadership, including founder Thomas Heatherwick, fosters a culture where every team member contributes ideas, ensuring diverse perspectives shape our work. Sustainability and accessibility remain core considerations across our portfolio, from urban masterplans to everyday objects.
Services
Architectural Design
Urban Spaces
Product Design
Sustainable Solutions
Infrastructure Projects
Highlights and features
- We lead with human experience, not fixed design dogma
- Award-winning portfolio spanning 25+ countries
- Integrated workshop enables material experimentation
- Sustainability embedded in all project phases
- Multidisciplinary team combines architectural and making expertise
Associations and certifications
- RIBA National Awards
- Prix Versailles
What people say
Award-winning designs
Innovative material use
Human-centred approach
Global expertise
Sustainable focus
Services
Architectural Design
We craft innovative architectural solutions that prioritise human experience. Our process combines material experimentation with functional requirements to create buildings that inspire engagement. From concept to construction, we deliver context-specific designs that balance creativity with buildability, ensuring each structure becomes a meaningful part of its environment through award-winning approaches.
Urban Spaces
Our urban design practice creates vibrant public spaces that foster community interaction. We transform cityscapes through thoughtful interventions like Little Island and Coal Drops Yard, blending functionality with artistic expression. Each project addresses local context while delivering sustainable, accessible environments that enhance urban life through innovative spatial storytelling and material innovation.
Product Design
We design objects that merge aesthetics with practicality, from furniture like the Friction table to lighting solutions like Wake. Our workshop-based approach enables hands-on development of three-dimensional forms, ensuring each product embodies our commitment to material integrity and user experience through iterative prototyping and craft collaboration.
People
Thomas Heatherwick
Founder & Design Director
Renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick established the studio in 2004. With a background in 3D design and materials, he pioneered an approach prioritising human experience over formalism. His leadership fosters collaborative innovation across architecture, design, and engineering disciplines.
Questions
What makes Heatherwick Studio's approach unique?
We start each project without preconceptions, focusing on human experience rather than fixed design principles. Our integrated workshop enables material experimentation, and our multidisciplinary team combines architectural, engineering, and making expertise.
Which notable projects has the studio completed?
Key projects include Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, Coal Drops Yard in London, Little Island in New York, and the Airo electric car. We've completed over 100 projects across 25+ countries spanning architecture, infrastructure, and product design.
How does the studio incorporate sustainability?
Sustainability is embedded throughout our process, from material selection to energy efficiency. Projects like the carbon-neutral Bay View campus and repurposed structures such as Zeitz MOCAA demonstrate our commitment to environmentally responsible design solutions.
What services does Heatherwick Studio offer?
We provide architectural design, urban planning, product development, and design consultancy. Our integrated approach covers concept development, material prototyping, and construction oversight across buildings, public spaces, transport infrastructure, and functional objects.
Reviews (2)
Tim Baros
Jul 19, 2018
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Please can someone revoke your CBE? The buses you designed are saunas! Extremely hot, uncomfortable and should be deemed uninhabitable!
Lit Up
Apr 28, 2017
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What a shame, the Garden Bridge will not be. Joanna Lumley must be so depressed today. I wonder what she is going to do to console herself, maybe drink some expensive wine. Fuck Garden Bridge Trust, Heatherwick Studio, Boris Johnson and all that horrible, nepotistic, uninspiring design. The new routemasters were shit too.
