Pup Architects on designs that enrich culture and community

2012 was a key year for Chloë Leen, Theo Molloy and Steve Wilkinson. The Olympics not only turned the global spotlight to London but also marked the trio's first collaboration, a series of pavilions commissioned by the Greater London Authority for the Games. The architects, who have previously worked at practices such as Sam Jacob, Ash Sakula and Grimshaw, eventually formally joined forces in 2017 forming Pup Architects, an energetic, community-orientated studio based in East London. 

The interaction of people and architecture, a sense of community that this brings, coupled with ideas of playfulness are key to the team's approach. ‘Our projects are usually both pragmatic and playful,' they explain. ‘Fundamentally we are concerned with how people interpret and use a space. We approach every project differently and treat it as an opportunity to create something unique. The use and combinations of materials is fundamental to this at many levels: from playing with architectural language, to how they make a space feel. Sustainability is another key consideration for us, which often helps to define material choices – thinking about how to be resourceful, efficient and purposeful. It’s a good constraint to drive innovative solutions.' 

Their very first work as Pup was HVAC, the winner of the inaugural Antepavilion competition in 2017– an open call by the namesake charity for an experimental temporary structure. From there, they engaged with a number of smaller and medium scale works, culminating to the most recent completion, Surrey Docks Farm, an elegant, crisp refurbishment of a then-derelict, now-black-wood-clad tower into an animal-rearing facility with community and education spaces. ‘[It] is our largest completed project to date, and it demonstrates a lot of our values of working with communities in a public setting,' they say. ‘It will be great to see the development’s impact over the coming years.'

The next big thing for them is the ongoing Cody Dock Community Centre project, a new community centre constructed from hempcrete and timber for Cody Dock in Newham. Pup, here again, are developing ways for architecture to create a dialogue and support the local community, while remaining respectful to the natural environment as well as the multi-layered existing context. A common thread in their socially and environmentally friendly approach slowly and steadily becomes apparent. 

Achieving their goals, of course, also takes the right client. ‘In the UK there is still quite a lot of conservatism around architecture and ideas about what it should be,' they say. ‘If you look to other countries, architecture often has a much greater plurality. Clients can be very risk-averse and this diminishes the lack of opportunities for young practices. There is a real breadth of young talented architects with a diversity of approaches who are often overlooked in favour of established practices. And there is still a real disparity when it comes to representation of minorities and women in the field.'

The next big thing for them is the ongoing Cody Dock Community Centre project, a new community centre constructed from hempcrete and timber for Cody Dock in Newham. Pup, here again, are developing ways for architecture to create a dialogue and support the local community, while remaining respectful to the natural environment as well as the multi-layered existing context. A common thread in their socially and environmentally friendly approach slowly and steadily becomes apparent. 

Achieving their goals, of course, also takes the right client. ‘In the UK there is still quite a lot of conservatism around architecture and ideas about what it should be,' they say. ‘If you look to other countries, architecture often has a much greater plurality. Clients can be very risk-averse and this diminishes the lack of opportunities for young practices. There is a real breadth of young talented architects with a diversity of approaches who are often overlooked in favour of established practices. And there is still a real disparity when it comes to representation of minorities and women in the field.'

Their hope is that in the not-too-distant future, architects will be able to input more on societal issues and have a positive and useful contribution to solving problems, from housing to the climate crisis and inequality. 

The dynamic trio has been busy through the pandemic and has plenty of plans and ambitions for the future. They have been redesigning their website, pitching and designing on all scales, while trying to remain true to their vision. ‘In general we are interested in architecture’s role in enriching social and cultural life,' they add. ‘So far, this is embodied in our projects with charities and community-led organisations such as Surrey Docks Farm and Cody Dock. However we do have a much broader ambition to work on positively impactful public-facing projects, which might include work with museums, fashion, housing, workspaces.'

INFORMATION

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