About

We are a versatile architectural studio, designing imaginative and lasting solutions for complex situations. We use the physical continuity of buildings to support the social transformation of cities and institutions. The pioneering nature and high quality of our work have been recognised by two RIBA Stirling Prizes, in 2013 and 2025.

We started off our collaboration, nearly thirty years ago, with a series of walks through the edges of London. The spirit of exploration remains embedded in our practice, with every project approached as an open-ended enquiry. Equally, we remain alert to the strategic dimensions of each project, enabling us to intervene minimally but holistically. Our work ranges from the city scale, to historic sites, institutions and urban housing.

The urban and social character of our early work led to a series of commissions to reshape our city, including contributing to the Olympic Legacy Masterplan and helping deliver a major multi-functional open space, the 200 hectare Walthamstow Wetlands nature reserve.

Our understanding of complex systems and historically layered sites has led us to an extensive engagement with heritage buildings. In these projects, we work with what we find. By understanding the structure and capacity of what is already there, by removing as little as possible and adding judiciously, we turn the constraints of inherited situations into surprising opportunities. We have transformed a furniture factory into a human rights centre, a library into an art gallery, a pumping station into a nature reserve visitor centre, a stable courtyard into a theatre, and a service passage into a cafe. At Astley Castle, for the Landmark Trust, we bound and buttressed the fragile medieval remains with a bold but minimal new structure. This pioneering transformation was awarded the 2013 RIBA Stirling Prize for its distinctive entwining of past and present, and its carefully-judged combination of craft and invention.

WWM IN BRIEF
A 9-point introduction to the studio

We are highly attentive to social dynamics and future opportunities. We have worked closely with a series of higher education and cultural institutions to reflect their enduring values within their buildings, intervening and adding in support of new operational necessities and cultural opportunities. We engage extensively with our clients and wider communities. At Clare College, Cambridge, The Courtauld Institute of Art, The Royal College of Art and the Albany, Deptford, we have observed and listened carefully, and collaborated closely, in order to understand the shared values and ambitions, and to translate these into clear and robust strategies, and crafted, durable spaces.

Our designs for urban housing carry the same communitarian thinking: the common parts, shared courtyards and gardens, and social facilities all reinforce collective identity, and contribute to the life of the street and wider city. Our Appleby Blue Almshouse, for United St. Saviour’s Charity, has won numerous awards for our bold reimagining of this ancient social housing typology – including the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize.

Directors Stephen, Chris and William are closely involved in all projects, supported by experienced associates, a talented team and robust infrastructure.

“Witherford Watson Mann practice a very inventive architecture. It’s never about being ‘good enough’ – they push hard. They provided us with continuity and a deep understanding about what we are and what we want to be. It’s very easy to talk about a vision, but if you can really bring all that together – that’s powerful.”

Stephanie Buck, former Curator of Drawings,
The Courtauld Institute of Art

“It’s been tremendous fun to work with them. They have been clear and decisive and visionary and have come up with a fantastic solution. This project has been about holding your nerve, when all about you are getting anxious, and they helped us do that.”

Flora Craig, Project Director
for the House of Illustration

“Everyone you encounter at the practice is of the same calibre – they have relative strengths but all of them are really strong players.”

Caroline Stanford,
the Landmark Trust