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Monday 9am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Architecture Unknown Ltd

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Architecture Unknown Ltd

We are a young, progressive, Manchester-based Architecture Practice and aspiring spatial facilitators. Architecture Practice

Creative, Community-focused Architecture
•Architecture, Public Engagement, Wiki house, Interiors
•Creating Collective Change

06/10/2026

We're getting a little more known!

It's been great to see some of our work in the press recently despite a bit of a set back one of our scheme's in Rochdale!

Very excited to see the community impact that is being realised and picked up positively. Planners will be planners (we're resubmitting a tweaked design for the wedding venue in the next few weeks!) but it's been really rewarding working on all these projects and seeing communities have/will benefit from the type of architecture we're so passionate about.

03/10/2026

WORLD ARCHITECTURE DAY TODAY >>> V.IMPORTANT

Or is it?

We've always been clear that make architecture work not the other way round. Our practice revolves around reflecting our client's values, aspirations, wants, needs, hopes, dreams and realities back at them. It's not about us, we're called Architecture Unknown for a reason.

We are Architecture (for those who would otherwise be) Unknown i.e. the communities and clients who's lived experience underpins great buildings. Architecture without human relationships is like the difference between a caste and folly. Both nice to look at but is that really the point?

Creativity is messy and human-centric make sure you hire an architect who will put your life centre stage.

01/10/2026

We're really trying to do more/be better/focus on social media. If you're wondering how that's going well... it would go quicker if we could stop being so hilarious (to ourselves) and if Dan could record one video where a bloopers reel wasn't the only outcome...

29/09/2026

We are a proud team of five designers. Which one of us is your favourite? Votes in the comments, winner gets a free coffee on Architecture Unknown!

(also look at our pretty brand-colours graphic!)

24/09/2026

What shaped Architecture Unknown?

To recap, if you hadn't noticed, we've turned 10 years old this year (where have you been if not?!), as part of that we've written a book, which you can now buy (link in comments!), and we've been doing some reflecting on our origins. We picked three projects that really drove our initial thought processes and charactised early-AU!

Mayfield Imaginarium: A self-funded and produced citizen-led exploration of the Mayfield Spatial Framework that was published in 2016. Driven by the complete lack of imagination and engagement, we felt it was important to open a wider discussion and ran a series of workshops, games and open lectures to discuss alternative proposals that embraced user engagement.

Home:Life: A research project into the use of WikiHouse to address homelessness in Manchester. Started around the time that Tim Heatly was beginning discussions on Embassy Village (we still think we could have done a better job) we were right on with the zietgeist but lacking on the ex*****on. Tim never did respond to our emails...

Woolpack: This exciting and innovative project grew out of our Home:Life research project and early WikiHouse musings. This scheme was looking to create a dedicated space for the incredible work of Coffee4Craig (to this day the only operating daily night shelter for the street homeless). As sad as this was that this project never made it off the ground, it was the catalyst for the Scout Hut and the Peel Park Pavilion among others so made a huge difference to AU.

Contrary to popular belief, we think that when you're starting it's more important to hold a strong position and develop your thoughts and your values than to chase the projects. We were working two jobs to make these project happen but they've had an outsized impact on our trajectory because they taught us who we wanted to be.

22/09/2026

Inclusive Practice Conference 2026 - Charlie Butterwick and Alice Allen attended last week at Manchester School of Architecture Network (notice Alice trying to hide off camera!) Some excellent talks especially from our Northwest Small Practice Forum friend Bonnie Jackson about the structural disadvantages that are baked into the industry boiling down to pressure on fees.

We're really proud of the strides we've made as a business of five people but we're conscious that the work culture we're surrounded by isn't always so rosy. Architecture is riven with endemic over work, under pay and burnout underpinned by a lack of value-driven fee quoting and desperation. At the same time taking on staff has been one of the biggest changes we've made in the last few years. It's been amazing and hard at the same time!

We've recently done some engagement work with our team and understand how we're doing. Staff feedback questionnaires get a bad rep but this has been really eye opening and gratifying to see that our staff enjoy coming to work and feel supported when they get there. That they're challenged and mentored to help them grow.

15/09/2026

BOOK LAUNCH!

As you will no doubt have now heard, we wrote a book to celebrate our 10 year anniversary in July. We're now able to offer you the chance to own a slice of history and say you got in at the ground floor with Architecture Unknown. You'll be able to tell everyone you know that you were there at the beginning of it all.

When we're bigger than Oasis don't say we didn't give you a chance to see us at our Canal Bar-moment. Link in the comments.

13/09/2026

Introducing the (completely-not-made-up) "SMORGASBORD" approach to values alignment! It's took us 10 years to come up with this... nailed it!

We are: Pragmatic, Compassionate, Authentic, Empowering, Playful

We work as: Disruptors, Collaborators, Leaders, Pathfinders, Makers

Pick a one from Column A and one from Column B and suddenly you've got a description of both how and what it means to work as Architecture Unknown. Everyone in the office engaged in the exercise to narrow down all the ways in which we see ourselves and the practice, now and into the future, to question how we felt we could best live by our ideals.

This is what we came up with, what's your favourite combination?

10/09/2026

We thought we would kick off the "back to school" season 2026 with a reintroduction to us and an round up of our summer!

It's an exciting time at AU, our team is growing in skill and confidence and things are changing but the core of who we are is still the same.

We are Architecture Unknown. But we aren't your typical suit-wearing, desk-bound designers. We are allergic to beige walls and boring corners. We are the ones obsessed with the tactile details, the "mucky" boots on the ground and making sure each space actually feels as good as it was designed to be. Whether it’s a self-build community project or a bespoke residential renovation, our ethos is simple: “design and construction should be an inclusive dialogue where everyone takes part”. Simple.

This summer has seen us win two prestigious Manchester Society of Architect's awards and turn 10 years old (we wrote a book to celebrate!).

To our relatively new followers, welcome aboard! To the usuals, thanks for sticking with us!

10/08/2026

Maybe the industry’a more ready for this conversation than we’ve been giving it credit for.

Emily Scullion Architect Royal Institute of British Architects RIBAJ
NORTHWEST SMALL PRACTICE FORUM

Address

The Courtyard, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill Street
Manchester
M45BA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Website

http://www.architectureunknown.co.uk/

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