about

  • Stolon Studio was set up by Jessica and Prof. Robert Barker who together have delivered a portfolio of ambitious and ground-breaking projects and who have individually featured in Grand Designs.

  • Stolon Studio is an ethical, ambitious and inventive architectural practice. We offer a powerful combination of idealism and pragmatism.

     

    Stolon Studio is an ethical, ambitious and inventive architectural practice.  

    We offer a powerful combination of  idealism and pragmatism. 

  • We work closely with our clients to understand what matters most to them, drawing out the subtleties of a brief and the real human needs that sit at a project’s heart. Our work is unashamedly optimistic, with projects that speak to the hidden aspirations and ambitions of our clients, and which support the way that people want to live and work, both now and in the future.

     

    We never lose sight of the role design has to play in addressing the bigger societal challenges we face, such as climate change, flood-risk, public health or an aging population. We look to maximise social, environmental and economic value in all our work, with built projects that demonstrate our commitment to problem-solving, and which are genuinely innovative in terms of concepts, materials and technology.  We have designed and delivered a number of award-winning projects notably Kaolin Court, in which we work, and Forest Mews in which we live, both of which exemplify our approach to ‘sociable architecture’: projects which support and enable community cohesion.

  • Our Approach

    Our Approach

    Our work integrates an entrepreneurial spirit with sound commercial understanding. As architects we are also involved in realising schemes in conjunction with a development partner, as a result of which we have sound experience in assessing site suitability and producing rapid feasibility options. We have worked on a wide range of complex sites at various scales and have a high success rate in achieving planning with schemes that add value for clients and for the wider community.

  • Sociable architecture

    Sociable architecture

    Our work looks to maximise the opportunities inherent in a project to create place as well as homes, and to facilitate the strengthening of supportive communities, an approach we have termed ‘sociable architecture’. Whether you live in a dense city or in a rural location, new notions of community health are looking to the potential of good design to help combat loneliness or isolation, facilitate multi-generational living, and help mediate the distinction between our private and public domains. In recent times, these issues have become even more central to our well-being, and our projects increasingly focus on the opportunities to create positive social interaction.

  • Whether we are working on a cultural project, or large development, our approach is bespoke yet contextual. It has never been more important to be able to make the maximum impact with the minimum of resources, and we work to create simple yet transformational projects whatever the budget. We believe that consultation is central to success and are skilled at guiding individuals, developers and local authorities through the design process with well-honed consultation skills which ensure long term success and lasting value to a variety of stakeholders.

  • Design for Resilience

    Design for Resilience

    Our projects aim to provide solutions to the societal challenges we face, and to deliver social as well as environmental resilience.  Stolon Studio is working at the forefront of sustainable architectural design delivering climate adaptive buildings and landscapes that reduce the demand on the environment and can cope with the impacts of climate change. We have a lean approach to resources, addressing critical issues including energy, materials and water management, and work closely with our clients to help them achieve their environmental targets and ambitions.  Our designs are practical, functional, adaptable and achievable.