Feilden Fowles is an award-winning architecture studio based in London. Founded in 2009 by Edmund Fowles and Fergus Feilden, the studio is dedicated to a vision of architecture that is well-crafted, environmentally responsive, and ecologically responsible. We have a strong record of work which has enabled clients to become leaders in sustainable development, across many different scales and types of project, through a model of architecture we have developed that is ‘low-tech’, materially intelligent and joyful in its expression.

Our relationship with clients is fundamental, and we enjoy establishing mutual understanding, respect and a true spirit of collaboration right from the start of a project. Our role is to successfully translate our clients’ ideas and aspirations into built form. We pride ourselves in the clear articulation of ideas and concepts in presentation, which we do through a broad range of mediums – hand sketches, perspective images, physical models, tactile material samples, drawings and diagrams – to best communicate the quality and subtleties of space. This is combined with a rigorous approach to Building Information Systems (BIM), which we use to design and provide a thorough level of co-ordination during a project.

We prioritise natural materials, using them in contemporary ways with refined detailing and expressive character to create warm, materially rich architecture. When specifying materials, we consider how they will change over time, embracing patina so a building’s beauty grows after completion. We draw from vernacular precedents, learning why their forms and materials have endured, often through careful craftsmanship. This attention to how things are made supports a radically sustainable approach, as demonstrated by the barn at Oasis Farm in Waterloo, designed to be dismantled and rebuilt when relocated.

Feilden Fowles is known for its ‘low-tech’ approach: a methodology that coordinates building physics, material, form, and orientation to harness the natural attributes of a site, reducing reliance on mechanical systems and carbon-intensive materials. Drawing on vernacular architecture, it reflects centuries of intelligence about building in different climates, creating rational, efficient, and well-performing buildings rooted in their landscapes. Low-tech is not anti-technology; advanced digital tools such as IES modelling and embodied carbon analysis are integral to minimising waste and emissions. Our buildings are defined by confident, well-executed ideas that provide timeless solutions to programmatic and spatial needs.

Read our director, Edmund Fowles, discuss our low-tech approach in the RIBA Journal

After decades of architecture contributing to rising carbon emissions and environmental damage, we believe a rigorous reset is needed. As architects, we embrace the responsibility to meet society’s needs without breaching ecological boundaries, working with clients to surpass ambitious sustainability goals. This includes considering a building’s long-term future: how it may be used in 5, 10, or 100 years, and how adaptable spaces and materials can prevent obsolescence. These values are embedded in our practice. Our studio operations are certified Net Zero and fully demountable, setting a benchmark for our work. As signatories of Architects Declare and the RIBA Climate Challenge 2030, we advocate for responsible practice at every opportunity.

Read our Net-Zero Carbon Report

Our work is guided by a long-term commitment to social value. We prioritise early consultations with communities and stakeholders, ensuring their voices inform meaningful buildings. We assess the responsible sourcing and fabrication of materials, support local craftsmanship, and integrate green space accessible to diverse users. We commit to the communities who live, work, and engage with our projects, while considering the broader environmental impact. This social focus extends beyond individual projects, shaping our company policies, team culture, client relationships, outreach, research, and teaching. By embedding social responsibility into all aspects of practice, we aim to create architecture that is inclusive, ethical, and enduring.