........ .. .. . . . . . . . .. . . .. .... .. . . ... . . . ... .. . . . . ... . . . .. . .. .. . . .... . . . . .. .. . .. .. ... . . . .
.. . ... ....... . . . .. ............. ............... .. . .. .. .. . . .. . . . . ... . . ... . . .. . . . .. . . .. .. . . . .
About
Established in 2005, Studio Sam Causer is a design-led, RIBA chartered architecture practice specialising in adapting complex and sensitive situations.
We relish working in multi-layered historic environments, bringing a philosophical rigour to our interventions backed up with astute understanding of the way materials and humans behave in changing circumstances. We enjoy that each generation through time leaves an architectural legacy which speaks of available technologies, experiences and other cultural influences, and love how buildings and the environment grow and adapt accordingly. What comes now may not look or behave like what has gone before, but everything needs to work well together.
Alongside our small but experienced team we collaborate closely with structural engineers, cost consultants, contractors and clients, as well as with artists, choreographers, film-makers and academics, together producing a rich and broad practice centered on the act of making spaces to support life.
We’re committed to understanding the environmental and social impact of our buildings, and whilst everybody has a responsibility to form good relations with our environment, the architect is well placed to balance the physical and temporal elements that together create spaces worthy of our collective capability.
Our current portfolio includes several conservation projects at a range of scales, from tiny cottages to a five mile long public park in Margate, the conservation and extension of the Grade II* Listed Modernist masterpiece Kensal House for the SPID Theatre Company in London, and proposals for growth and change at the Grade I listed Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire.
Many of our projects are funded by public bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. We've recently completed four conservation projects in collaboration with Thanet District Council as part of the Dalby Square Townscape Heritage Initiative in Margate. On another tangent altogether, we’ve completed two interior projects for fashion designers - a Worlds End shop in Berlin for Vivienne Westwood and a design HQ in London for the highly successful label Self-Portrait.
The copyright of all content is owned by Studio Sam Causer Ltd, unless credited otherwise. Publishing and distribution without written consent is prohibited.
We are delighted to have been recognised by the Architecture Foundation as one of the best practices in the UK and proud to be included in their book 'New Architects', the 'definitive survey of the best British Architects to have set up practice in the past ten years'.
The Observer architecture critic Rowan Moore says of our work:
"Sam Causer can do neat, modern details - flush veneered panels, skinny steel window frames, large glass panels - and then throw in something from the realm of art installation such as a rough wall of silver birch trunks, with bark still in place... Extreme ingenuity with non-existent budgets".
This short film below, produced in 2015 by Crane TV serves as an introduction to our practice, and you can see our full portfolio of works under 'Selected Projects' tab above.
SAM CAUSER
MA Cantab Dip Arch RIBA CA
Director & Conservation Architect
Sam Causer founded the practice in 2005, initially based between London and Berlin, keen to explore the possibilities offered by European integration and online communication, with a multi-disciplinary practice encompassing the fields of architecture, visual art, performance and social research. In 2010 he settled in Margate, Kent, from where the practice has become an established voice in promoting and managing intelligent change in complex, historic environments.
Sam graduated from the University of Cambridge with Distinction in 2000, and was nominated for the RIBA President's Medal for top international postgraduate student. He qualified as an architect while working at Meadowcroft Griffin, followed by two years at ORMS in London, before he founded Studio Sam Causer.
Sam is an RIBA-accredited Conservation Architect, so we're able to take on publicly-funded works to historic buildings.
Sam has a number of voluntary positions, including a Board member of the Margate Town Deal, a mentor for the Sixteen Trust, a former chair of the Margate Conservation Area Advisory Group, and was on the steering group of the Margate Neighbourhood Plan Forum. He is also a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Academy of Urbanism, and was a CABE Enabler and Design Review Panel Member for the East Midlands region while teaching nearby in 2014-16. He has been a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 2003.
Alongside practice Sam also teaches regularly at various schools of Architecture across the UK, and has held long-term positions at Cambridge, Kent and De Montfort Universities. Most recently, in 2017/18 he co-ran a post-graduate degree unit with Diana Cochrane at the University of Kent, focussed on Margate Coastal Park.
Alongside the permanent staff on this page, Sam also regularly collaborates with artist Carlos Maria and architect Geraldine Dening, on a project-by-project basis.
Supported by:
LIAM NABB
BA
Architectural Designer
Liam started working with the practice in 2013 as an architectural designer, primarily responsible for the design and day-to-day running of the domestic and landscape projects in the Dalby Square Townscape Heritage Initiative. He is interested in understanding the language, methods and materials of historic architecture in combination with contemporary design.
Liam studied fine art at Liceo Artistico Florence and architecture at the University of Florence and London Met. He started his career as an 1980/90s DJ, music producer and events organiser based in Italy before moving to london in 1999 setting up a design and communications agency in music related projects for corporate clients. European, left, liberal. Liam is an independent business owner, is involved in local community groups and started boxing at retirement age. ‘I rarely win a fight, but as in everything, I do try!’ In addition to work with Sam, Liam is the owner of the renowned Margate B&B The Reading Rooms.
LIENE STEINBERGA CESAR
BA(Hons)
Office Co-Ordinator
Liene joined the practice as an administrator in 2016. She graduated with a BA(Hons) in Photography from Camberwell College of Arts, where photography is part of the fine arts cluster at University of the Arts London (UAL). Liene was once an aspiring architect but now filters modern politics and social issues in her own photographic, 3D and performative artists practice.
As the Office Co-Ordinator, Liene balances her administrative, research and accounting responsibilities with her time as a Gallery Assistant at Turner Contemporary. In addition to giving tours of the gallery, Liene has worked and volunteered for many art and performance festivals, taking part as well as organising the events.
AGATA DIXON-SMITH
RIBA ARB
Project Architect
Agata has joined the practice in July 2020 as a project architect.
She has started her carrier about 15 years ago working in London for one of AJ100 practices. A few years ago she decided to swap London life for coastal living and never looked back.
She has experience in a range of projects and client requirements, from high end residential interiors to a homeless hostel, and across all stages of design process.
She enjoys working within constraints of existing buildings and has an interest in design that responds to historical context.
She is also a yoga teacher and enjoys drawing.
JARRED HENDERSON
Practice Manager
Jarred is our Practice Manager, responsible for resourcing and managing multiple projects, as well as Construction Lead, Contract Admin and Health & Safety CDM overview.
Jarred has a unique understanding of Capital, Cultural and Domestic projects. He has managed the Construction, Client and Architectural side of many pioneering builds. This experience brings a deep understanding of stakeholders’ requirements from conceptual infancy to successful completion. He is able to work on projects of varying scales and complexity in a calm and focused manner.
Jarred began his career with Wayward London Ltd, where he was responsible for project, construction and studio management of a small creative team. Wayward delivered innovative, sustainable urban landscape projects themed around food, farming, arts and culture. Notable projects include: the Borough Market Hall, the Spice Exchange at Kew, the Queens Walk Window Gardens at Royal Festival Hall along with multiple award-winning meanwhile spaces and playgrounds. He then moved on to the Science Museum where he was a Client Project Manager for their Masterplan Dept. Named ‘Museum of the Year 2020’ this strong team delivered world class projects that fused prestigious design with incredibly strong curation and storytelling. He successfully delivered RIBA Stages 2 to 6 of the Patron’s Smith Centre which was opened by Her Majestey The Queen. In addition, he worked on the National Collection Centre (Stages 1 to 3), Wonderlab (Stage 7), the Group’s Entrance and smaller projects throughout the Museum.
In addition to his work with Sam, Jarred helped to set up and now directs the operation of Ouma’s café on Northdown Road, Margate with his mother. He also helps manage Margate Pride when he is able.