Den Architecture

Den Architecture Established in 1989, Den Architecture is an architecture practice based in Leeds and London.

It is not often that a new residential project gives you the chance to design through an art deco lens.Val d’Or offered ...
30/07/2026

It is not often that a new residential project gives you the chance to design through an art deco lens.

Val d’Or offered exactly that, translating the character of the existing art deco building on site into a new collection of 9 extremely high-end apartments near Shadwell, Leeds.

Inside, the apartments are generous in scale, with large, well-proportioned living spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring natural light deep into the homes.

These bright, open interiors are a key part of the residential experience, helping the apartments feel spacious, refined and connected to their setting.

Strong lines, a layered façade, and steps in massing allowed us to design something feels both art deco and contemporary, with a focus on creating internal spaces full of natural light.

Val d’Or was a rare opportunity to bring together architectural character, high-end residential design and carefully considered internal spaces.

Val d’Or is a rare project in more ways than one.Firstly the scheme comprises 9 extremely high-end two and three-bedroom...
28/07/2026

Val d’Or is a rare project in more ways than one.

Firstly the scheme comprises 9 extremely high-end two and three-bedroom apartments. Space standards were not a consideration in this project – instead, the project was designed with a strong focus on space, lifestyle, quality and interior detail.

It was also a rare architectural opportunity to design a new art deco building, taking reference from the existing Val d’Or building on site and reinterpreting those influences for contemporary apartment living.

For high-end residential schemes, every decision carries weight. The building needs to feel individual and refined, while still working commercially, practically and technically.

Val d’Or reflects Den’s experience in creating residential architecture that feels specific to its place, with a clear focus on character, quality and design detail.

Modern residential projects often need to bring together much more than apartments.At Middle Yard Apartments, the scheme...
23/07/2026

Modern residential projects often need to bring together much more than apartments.
At Middle Yard Apartments, the scheme includes residential accommodation alongside a gym, swimming pool and commercial units, creating a more varied and active living environment.

Projects like this rely on a clear understanding of how different uses sit together within one building. Residential quality, shared amenity, servicing, commercial space and technical coordination all need to be carefully balanced.

Amenity has become a key part of residential design, but it only works when it is properly integrated into the wider building.

Middle Yard is a good example of Den’s experience in the delivery of mixed-use residential schemes, where design, coordination and practicality all have to work together.

Middle Yard Apartments is a residential development on Dudden Hill Lane in London, bringing together residential units, ...
21/07/2026

Middle Yard Apartments is a residential development on Dudden Hill Lane in London, bringing together residential units, amenity space and commercial uses.

Den Architecture was appointed post Stage 4 to support the delivery of the scheme with the Design and Build contractor, taking responsibility for technical development and design coordination.

Not every project begins at concept stage, and large residential schemes often need strong technical support to help bring the design through to completion.

For projects of this scale, delivery is about more than producing drawings. It requires coordination, problem-solving, buildability, technical understanding and a clear grip on the design intent.

Middle Yard reflects our ability to work across different stages of the residential process, supporting complex schemes through the detail needed to get them built.

Over the years, the expectations of residential design have changed significantly.Today, successful residential developm...
16/07/2026

Over the years, the expectations of residential design have changed significantly.
Today, successful residential developments need to offer more than well-planned living space. They need to support the way people work, relax, socialise and spend their time day to day.

At Phoenix on Saxton Lane, residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including a 24-hour concierge, communal workspaces, bookable meeting spaces, a games area and a gym.

Amenity, flexibility and resident experience are now central parts of the design conversation, particularly in BTR and city centre living.

Phoenix was recently named Best Rental Development in the North East at the 2026 HomeViews Resident Choice Awards, a recognition that highlights how important these elements have become.

Phoenix is a landmark residential development on Saxton Lane, made up of two residential blocks rising to 21 and 17 stor...
14/07/2026

Phoenix is a landmark residential development on Saxton Lane, made up of two residential blocks rising to 21 and 17 storeys.

For us, the project reflects the balance required in large-scale city centre residential design, where density, amenity, context and architectural character all need to work together.

The site’s location meant that wind conditions were a key consideration from the outset, with the building’s massing carefully developed to respond to its surrounding environment.

The layered facade of brickwork and textured render helps bring depth and rhythm to the building, breaking down the scale of the scheme while giving it a clear identity within its urban setting.

With 367 apartments and a range of shared spaces, Phoenix is also a good example of how residential design has evolved. Modern city living now extends beyond the apartment itself, with greater emphasis on the spaces and services that support everyday life.

A project that demonstrates Den’s experience in shaping large residential schemes through planning to delivery on site.

Inside Vida Court, the architecture continues to play an important role in shaping the experience of the building.The in...
02/07/2026

Inside Vida Court, the architecture continues to play an important role in shaping the experience of the building.

The internal spaces are filled with natural light, with generous communal areas and clear visual connections helping to create a calm, open and welcoming environment for residents, staff and visitors.

These spaces are designed to feel comfortable and familiar, while still supporting the practical requirements of specialist dementia care.

The interiors, beautifully designed by Nanu Group, bring warmth, character and detail to the building, complementing the wider architectural approach and helping each space feel less clinical and more like home.

For care environments, this relationship between architecture and interior design is especially important. Light, layout, materiality and atmosphere all work together to support wellbeing, dignity and day-to-day life.

Vida Court is the second purpose-built specialist dementia care home we designed for Vida Healthcare in Harrogate, desig...
30/06/2026

Vida Court is the second purpose-built specialist dementia care home we designed for Vida Healthcare in Harrogate, designed to support residents through different stages of their care journey.

The 100-bed care home is arranged as eight independently operated houses, creating a more personal and manageable environment for residents, staff and visiting families.

Externally, the building uses a traditional palette of brick and stone, helping it sit comfortably within its Harrogate setting while still delivering a highly specialist, modern care facility.

The architecture has been carefully considered to support the day-to-day needs of dementia care, from the overall arrangement of the building to the relationship between internal spaces, gardens and communal areas.

A project that reflects the important role architecture can play in creating calm, supportive and dignified environments for later life care.

Inside Vida Grange, communal open-plan space sits at the core of the scheme.Rather than relying on traditional corridor-...
25/06/2026

Inside Vida Grange, communal open-plan space sits at the core of the scheme.
Rather than relying on traditional corridor-led layouts, resident bedrooms are arranged around open communal spaces, linked through visual connection and centred around naturally lit double-height internal lightwells.

These lightwells bring daylight deep into the building, helping to create bright, open and welcoming shared spaces for residents, staff and visitors.

Artificial green walls and grass floors were used within these internal spaces to help create the feeling of an outside environment within the building, supporting a calmer and more engaging setting for dementia care.

Officially opened in December 2016 by the Chief Executive of Care England, Vida Grange was described as “outstanding”, reflecting the ambition behind both the architecture and the care environment it helps support.

Over the past decade, we have developed extensive experience in healthcare design. Vida Grange was the first specialist ...
23/06/2026

Over the past decade, we have developed extensive experience in healthcare design. Vida Grange was the first specialist dementia care home we designed for Vida Healthcare, a Harrogate-based provider dedicated to delivering exceptional dementia care.

Completed in 2016, the 124-bed home was developed with a design-led approach from the outset, with the client’s brief centred around creating a state-of-the-art building that could be seen as an exemplar in the field of dementia care.

Externally, the stepped form of the building helps break down the overall scale while creating generous roof terraces for residents, offering safe access to outdoor space, fresh air and views.

The building combines a strong architectural presence with a carefully considered care environment, balancing the practical requirements of a specialist dementia care home with spaces that feel open, connected and supportive.

For Den Architecture, Vida Grange remains a strong example of how architecture can support wellbeing through form, layout and access to outdoor space.

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