Legacy in Print
Nadine Richards
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We’ve been digging through the archives recently and found so many old clippings that tell the story of how we got here.
It’s amazing to see how much has changed since 1986, from our first office in Westminster Street to now having offices in both the South West and London. This video is a little trip down memory lane, looking back at some of the key milestones and projects that have shaped the last 40 years of BoonBrown.
We’re so proud of our history and everything the team has achieved. Take a look!
Archive Gallery
Explore some of our favourite clippings from over the years, marking the milestones that built the practice since 1986.
BoonBrown is turning 40
Nadine Richards
Created by
This year is a big one for us as BoonBrown officially turns 40. We’ve spent four decades designing, drawing, and delivering, and 2026 is going to be our biggest year yet. We’re moving full steam ahead and we want you along for the ride.
Over the coming months, we’re pulling back the curtain to share the real pulse of our studios; projects, the evolution of our practice, and the incredible people who make the magic happen. It’s been an incredible four decades, but we’re even more excited about where we’re heading from here. Stay tuned.
The Artist's Map
Nadine Richards
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After countless hours of meticulous sketching, ‘The Artists’ Map,’ a centrepiece of our LFA exhibition, is finally complete! Measuring approximately 2m x 2m with 289 individual squares, this monumental project has surpassed our expectations, beautifully capturing the essence of our original vision.
Each square has been thoughtfully placed, showcasing various aspects of London, including buildings, landscapes, memorials, roads, and, of course, the river. This arrangement invites viewers to guess the locations depicted, adding an element of discovery. Embracing the theme ‘Reimagine,’ we encouraged our team and collaborators to experiment with their artistic interpretations, posing questions such as: How would this detail look if altered? Can it be drawn from a different perspective? Or simply, how would it appear in your unique style? This collaborative approach has resulted in a diverse and captivating piece of art, reflecting our distinct perceptions of the world.
The experience of nurturing everyone’s drawing skills and playing a game of identifying individual styles has been immensely rewarding. The vast number of drawings ensures that even after multiple viewings, new details continue to emerge. Personally, this journey has bolstered my confidence and taught me the value of embracing my unique abilities without comparison.
Here are a few reflections from those who participated in the process:
I’ve always found free-hand sketching to be an incredibly powerful tool for analysis. It requires breaking down scenes into shapes, proportions, tones, and textures. Sketching various places and buildings has allowed me to discover new areas of London and see familiar ones in a fresh light.
Returning to sketching was not only fun but also an educational experience, revealing many parts of London I hadn’t seen. This office project united us, fostering teamwork and skill-sharing. It was a fantastic collective effort!
Collaborating on the collective drawing map with the team was a dynamic and enjoyable experience. It blended our diverse perspectives on London into a vibrant visual that both we and our visitors can appreciate.
Our exhibition will remain on display in the coming weeks, and ‘The Artists’ Map’ will have a permanent place on our wall. We warmly invite you to visit and explore our work. Please drop by and see us!
Location
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Time
10am – 4pm
Tickets are available here:
RE-IMAGINING BRIXTON EXHIBITION
Appreciating Architecture through the London Festival of Architecture
Nadine Richards
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The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) turning 20 is an incredible milestone, marking two decades of transformative impact on the architectural landscape of London. My journey with the LFA began in 2022, a mere nine months into my career at an architecture firm. Discovering that this festival had been fostering architectural discussions and pushing the boundaries of creativity across London for 18 years prior left me in awe.
In 2022, the LFA’s theme, ‘ACT,’ prompted reflection on navigating a post-pandemic world. During this period, I participated in a workshop hosted by EPR Architects at the RSBC Life Without Limits Centre. Titled ‘Build an Animated City – Sensory Clay Workshop,’ it was an eye-opening experience. Imagining the tactile sensation of clay in my hands with closed eyes allowed me to appreciate the importance of inclusive design and sensory perception profoundly.
Fast forward to 2023, when Brixton was selected as one of the festival’s destinations. With one of our offices newly established in Brixton, our involvement was inevitable. The theme, ‘IN COMMON,’ provided fertile ground for our imaginations to run wild. Delving into Brixton’s common land, we discovered its significant reduction over time, prompting us to imagine what it might have looked like had those commons remained intact.
While some of us, along with students from a local school, focused on illustrating Brixton’s common land history and envisaging a new Brixton designed for people in harmony with nature, others explored what makes Brixton unique today.
Inspired by its music, culture, and diverse community, we sought to capture Brixton’s vibrancy by incorporating its bold colours onto our building.
Using Tunstall Hall as a canvas to re-imagine and extend Brixton’s colourful identity to our road, we employed perspex to represent our findings, attaching it to the bars of our studio’s façade.
Additionally, we made use of Brixton’s amazing mural network by organising a self-guided mural tour. We put together a map our guests could take away, highlighting some of the most poignant murals which capture moments in time spanning at least 40 years, commemorate important heroes and reflect rich culture.
The opening night of our exhibition was on the 20th of June 2023, and it was nerve-wracking yet exhilarating. Countless man-hours were poured into preparations, from crafting kiosks to attaching perspex to our studio’s facade until the very morning of the event! As industry professionals, local residents, and community leaders gathered to explore our installations and engage in discussions, it became evident that our exhibition had succeeded in bridging diverse perspectives and igniting conversations about the future of our city.
Now, in 2024, as the LFA embarks on its 20th-anniversary celebrations, the theme of ‘REIMAGINE’ beckoning us, we’re focusing on a recent opportunity that arose from last year’s event. The Tunstall Road residents’ group enlisted our help to redesign their street, which, much like ours, has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Through surveys and community collaboration, we aim to address their concerns and envision a more vibrant and inclusive streetscape.
In addition to the Tunstall Road project, our exhibition for 2024 features a collaborative map of artwork reflecting London through our eyes. It’s been a rewarding experience, showcasing everyone’s creative abilities even though as architects sometimes we go weeks without hand drawing!
Furthermore, we’re collaborating with the charity New Initiatives to commemorate heroes who have made a difference through accurate portrayals by young people.
As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming exhibition, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities the LFA has provided me to engage with my community, push the boundaries of architectural practice, and contribute to positive change.
Join us once again as we celebrate two decades of creativity, collaboration, and community at the London Festival of Architecture—a testament to the enduring power of architecture to shape lives and inspire generations.
The exhibition will be up for viewing at our London studio in Brixton between the 17th and 28th of June, so make sure to book your free ticket!
Location:
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Time:
10am – 4pm
Tickets are available here:
RE-IMAGING BRIXTON EXHIBITION
Penny for your thoughts – Views on the loos
Nadine Richards
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So what is the public’s response? When the newly formed Crystal Palace Park Trust took on ownership of the park, they asked the public what their first priority should be… and they overwhelmingly replied; “the toilets!”
After years in poor condition, the visitors to Crystal Palace Park now have well-designed, easy to maintain facilities. This is captured in our short vox pop, where we had the opportunity to speak with the local community, to find out what they think of the newly refurbished toilets…
Small project, big impact.
Brixton Reimagined: A Glimpse Behind the Exhibition
Nadine Richards
As we bring 2023 to a close, we reflect on our participation in the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) earlier this year, where a spotlight was on Brixton and had the theme ‘In Common’. With this video, we take a moment to reflect on the achievements that shaped our journey, and as we set our sights on 2024, it feels fitting to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of our Re-Imagining Brixton Exhibition.
The exhibition blended a series of different crafts —from woodwork and perspex cutting to visualizations and model making, each element contributing to a haven of creative ideas. The artistic endeavours and explorations gave us to a deeper understanding of Brixton’s history, whilst offering an opportunity to explore alternative futures.
Embracing the freedom to think outside the box, we interpreted the theme using physical 3D models, drawings, and installations to convey our ideas. One of the most gratifying aspects of this process was the opportunity to connect with the local community—forging new ties with individuals, charities, businesses, and schools while reinforcing existing relationships.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the invaluable contributors who played a pivotal role in bringing our exhibition to life. Special thanks for the support and collaborative efforts of South Bank UTC, whose model vision greatly enriched our project. We are deeply appreciative of Lawrence Barraclough at You See Media for skillfully capturing the essence of our exhibition through video. Plus the unwavering support and promotion from the LDN Collective.
This year was our first year participating in the festival. Our team are already excited about what 2024 will bring, with a new opportunity for ideas and fresh thinking for our second LFA exhibition! See you there!