{"id":731778,"date":"2024-03-14T09:56:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T09:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=731778"},"modified":"2024-03-14T10:45:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T10:45:09","slug":"new-practice-grafted-we-offer-something-different-to-a-studio-led-by-architects-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/new-practice-grafted-we-offer-something-different-to-a-studio-led-by-architects-alone","title":{"rendered":"New practice Grafted: \u2018We offer something different to a studio led by architects alone\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Practice name <\/strong>Grafted
\nWhere are you based<\/strong> Between Walthamstow and Norwich
\nFounded\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>May 2022
\nM<\/strong>ain people <\/strong>Lemma Redda, director, architect; Nicole Fassihi, director, project management<\/p>\n

Where have you come from?
\n<\/strong>Lemma has worked at design-led practices including DSDHA, MICA and Piercy & Co, where he gained experience working and leading on a number of high-profile new-build and refurbishment projects.<\/p>\n

Nicole\u2019s background is project management in the charity sector, delivering policy change campaigns for national children\u2019s charities.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve always wanted to work together, talking constantly about running our own projects and being involved practically in their construction. This started with a small extension and fa\u00e7ade renovation on our own house before we decided to take the plunge and set up our own practice when our daughter was born.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve very different skills and focuses when it comes to our approach and felt that, combined, we\u2019d be able to offer something different to a practice led by architects alone. Our combined skill set lends itself well to design and build.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019ve always wanted to run our own projects and be involved in their construction\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With Lemma clearly leading on design, there isn\u2019t duplication of work or tension about the creative direction of a project. Instead, Nicole can consider the practicalities, programme, budget and client\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>What work do you have and what kind of projects are you looking for?
\n<\/strong>We are working on the early stages of a penthouse remodel in central London and an extension to a beautiful, locally listed end-of-terrace house in Norwich, designed by local architect George Skipper.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2018We steer clients away from unnecessarily large extensions\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We\u2019ve undertaken a number of fabrication jobs, both as part of our design-and-build offer and as standalone projects. Bringing joinery and other practical skills in-house means we can offer something truly bespoke to our clients, which might not otherwise be cost-effective. As our projects vary in size and budget, we use these skills to help clients punch above their weight in terms of ambition.<\/p>\n

We steer clients away from unnecessarily large extensions and instead favour a more considered approach, encouraging retrofit and imaginative and subtle interventions that can transform their use of the existing space.<\/p>\n

We have been approached by other architecture practices keen to make use of our fabrication skills, and would love to foster a more collaborative approach to residential projects through exploring different materials and techniques.<\/p>\n

What are your ambitions?
\n<\/strong>Craft is central to our practice. Whether we deliver craft-led design through our own design-and-build projects or through design only, we want to dedicate space to continual learning and innovation.<\/p>\n

We prefer to limit the number of design-and-build projects we take on so we can maintain quality, choosing carefully which would benefit from our added value of bespoke fabrication. These key skills inform our traditional architectural offer, which is now a prominent part of our workload. We aim to grow both sides of the business sustainably.<\/p>\n

We love the unique opportunities and differing characters of London and Norfolk and are looking to grow our presence in both areas.<\/p>\n

\"\"

A proposed extension project by Grafted<\/p>\n\t

<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n

What are the biggest challenges facing yourself as a start-up and the profession generally?
\n<\/strong>Taking on design-and-build projects involves a lot of up-front investment, costly insurance and additional responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Being driven by quality rather than profits means we have to take a long-term view, balancing the areas of our business that are more or less profitable so we can focus on building the skills and experience the practice needs for the future.<\/p>\n

Which scheme, completed in the last five years, has inspired you most?
\n<\/strong>Khan Bonshek\u2019s Two-Up Two-Down House (pictured below<\/em>) has been a huge inspiration to us, both in terms of approach and execution. By taking on the role of self-builders, they delivered a level of craft and detailing that would have been otherwise unachievable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Are you using any new design techniques, such as AI?
\n<\/strong>Our practice is built around digital fabrication techniques. Bringing CNC skills in-house allows us the additional opportunity to create details that are unique to the projects we work on. Being so hands-on with the fabrication side of the business has been an unexpected highlight.<\/p>\n

How are you marketing yourselves?
\n<\/strong>Marketing took a back seat while we were running our first design-and-build project, Cast Corbel House, as it was all-consuming. We have since learned to be more proactive.<\/p>\n

Since wrapping up, we have done some targeted local advertising and have made the most of time off site to catch up with our networks with some success.<\/p>\n

Website address:<\/strong>\u00a0www.grafted.ltd<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Practice name Grafted Where are you based Between Walthamstow and Norwich Founded\u00a0May 2022 Main people Lemma Redda, director, architect; Nicole Fassihi, director, project management Where have you come from? Lemma has worked at design-led practices including DSDHA, MICA and Piercy & Co, where he gained experience working and leading on a number of high-profile new-build …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":915,"featured_media":734245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[681],"tags":[2316,100893,1861,1833,1803],"yoast_head":"\nNew practice Grafted: \u2018We offer something different to a studio led by architects alone\u2019<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bringing joinery and other practical skills in-house means Norwich and Walthamstow-based Grafted can offer something truly bespoke\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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