Skene Catling de la Peña (SCDLP) has completed over seventy projects around the world, in cities including London, New York, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Beijing and Doha. They are currently engaged with projects that range in scale from the ‘extra large’, city master-planning in the Middle East; and the ‘medium’, such as the renovation of an entire Georgian terraced block in London; to the ‘small’ and ‘very small’, boat building, furniture and graphic design. The partnership has a particular interest in sustainability and innovation in this field.

The results of scientific investigation, when handled intuitively, suggest design solutions from which an aesthetic naturally emerges. Skene Catling de la Peña are interested in an architecture that bridges the intellect and the senses, and believe that sight is too often privileged over the other senses when all are important in spatial experience.

Current projects include:

Houses (Ongoing)
SCDLP takes on a small number of houses and apartments, provided there is opportunity to develop and test new ideas. The Dairy House, using an innovative construction system, won five awards (Architectural Record ‘Record Houses’ Award, 2008; Timber in Construction ‘Outstanding Design’ Award, 2008; British Homes Awards ‘Best One-Off House’, 2008; RIBA Award, 2007; Wood Awards ‘Private House’ category, 2007)and was shortlisted for a further three (The Bombay Sapphire Award; The World Architecture Festival Awards; RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize).

Agent Provocateur (2001 – ongoing)
SCDLP is responsible for the architecture and design element of the Agent Provocateur brand and has created a complete modular and adaptable system for both the interiors (display, storage, wallpaper, carpets, textiles, lighting and packaging) and the architectural spaces that contain them.

Shepherds Market (Current)
The renovation of a block of ten Grade-II-listed Georgian terraces in Shepherd Market, Mayfair. Of the building’s five floors; basement, ground and first will be restaurant and retail space; second and third will be serviced apartments.

Lovers Lane, Zurich (Completion February 2009)
The design of a shop fit, furniture, identity and logo for a new brand (shoes and accessories) to be launched in Zurich in 2009. This is the first of five international sites.

Zero Carbon Boat, London (Completion March 2009)
Design of a sustainable ‘wide-beam narrowboat’, for a filmmaker.

Design Zone – Qatar (Current)
SCDLP has been invited, in collaboration with four other practices, to take part in producing a concept and masterplan for a sustainable community on a site north of Doha, Qatar.

Frontline CLUB (Ongoing)
SCDLP designed the Paddington site and developed the scheme to tender. They have an ongoing relationship with Frontline, are currently redesigning their graphic identity, and will design further sites as they develop. A sister club exists in Afghanistan, and there are plans for sites in Russia, North America and the Far East.

Selfridges Shoe City, London (2008)
One of three practices asked to submit proposals for a new luxury shoe department of 2,500 sqm. The scheme consisted of a ‘city masterplan’, with distinct zones and ‘building typologies’ to create a varied and intriguing experience.

Recent projects include:

Wedgwood (2007)
Prepared a feasibility study for Wedgwood, looking at various aspects of the brand from the design of their two key London sites, in Regent Street and the Piccadilly Arcade, to the development of a ‘roll out’ Wedgwood Museum concept.

11 Kings Bench Walk (2006)
Prepared a study of 11 KBW, a group of 45 barristers, with quantitative and qualitative analysis and space planning options for two alternate sites. Based on the study, SCDLP developed a detailed 4,000 sqm scheme for Staple Court, a Grade II star listed building that was successfully taken through Planning and Listed Building Consent, to the second stage of tendering.

Old Church Street (2005)
SCDLP was one of six practices invited to design a scheme very restricted by planning, light and sightlines for public exhibition, Old Church Street, London.