Unveiling the Vision of Bartlett | Mettham: Redefining British Architecture
In the vibrant landscape of British architecture, Bartlett | Mettham emerges as a beacon of innovation and personal accountability. Founded by Eleanor Mettham and Dean Bartlett in 2025, this practice embodies a bold approach to authorship and quality. The decision to use their surnames as the practice name is a deliberate choice, rooted in a long-standing tradition within British architecture. They aim to challenge the notion of hiding behind clever brands or abstract identities, instead emphasizing the importance of clear authorship.
The practice's philosophy revolves around personal accountability and a deep-rooted care for their craft. By putting their names above the door, they signal a commitment to quality and a promise of excellence. This commitment extends beyond their own work, as they strive to create a lasting bridge between practice and academia. Dean Bartlett will be tutoring at the University of York's new school of architecture, fostering a connection between the studio and the experimental side of architectural thinking.
Bartlett | Mettham's journey began at the Manser Practice, where they collaborated on notable projects like the Hull South Blockhouse intervention and the Bradford Royal Infirmary 'Home from Home'. Their shared appreciation for scale and proportion, coupled with a mutual admiration for the works of renowned architects such as Guimard, Horta, Aalto, and Scarpa, laid the foundation for their partnership. As their projects gained traction, the idea of establishing their own practice became inevitable.
Their marketing strategy revolves around the belief that the most effective form of marketing is delivering exceptional work. Bartlett | Mettham specializes in the creative reinvention of existing buildings, employing thoughtful, context-driven design to revitalize inadequate and underused spaces. This approach prioritizes a careful assessment of the existing structure, allowing them to sensitively select which tangible and intangible qualities to retain. By doing so, they can reduce environmental impact, lower construction costs, and streamline project delivery, often resulting in cost-neutral services for clients.
The practice's portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects, including a family home on the site of an old brick and tile works, a farm project on green belt land, and the transformation of an old Barclays bank into a children's day nursery. They seek to collaborate with open-minded and ambitious clients who appreciate the potential in existing structures. These clients value thoughtful reinvention and understand the intrinsic value of character, history, and material memory in architectural projects.
However, the architecture industry faces significant challenges, particularly for startups like Bartlett | Mettham. The market is saturated with competitors, including redundancies from larger firms, architects seeking independence, and unqualified individuals setting up studios. This crowded landscape has led to a race to the bottom in terms of fees, with micro businesses vastly outnumbering available opportunities. The situation is further exacerbated in York, where large institutions often hire London-based architects for high-profile projects, pushing fees down and limiting opportunities for local talent.
Despite these challenges, Bartlett | Mettham remains committed to their vision. They aspire to produce architecture that enriches the lives of occupants and to build a collective body of work that retains and reinventing underappreciated buildings. By developing and testing their understanding of good architecture, they aim to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
In terms of design techniques, Bartlett | Mettham relies on drawing as their primary method of designing. They believe it is the most effective way to express their thinking and capture emotion with a vividness that pixels on a screen cannot replicate. As a result, they only use Revit after the concept design phase. Additionally, they are actively exploring the potential of AI to enhance their workflow without reshaping their design process. They see AI as a tool to simplify project management, invoicing, and office administration, ensuring that the essence of designing meaningful architecture remains in human hands.
The practice's website, www.bartlettmettham.com, Instagram handle (@bartlettmettham), email (studio@bartlettmettham.com), and phone number (01904 231 181) provide easy access to their work and contact information. Bartlett | Mettham invites collaboration and engagement with the architectural community, offering a unique perspective on the craft.
