Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Stephen Witherford, Christopher Watson and William Mann studied together in 1991 in the 5th year at Cambridge University. They started collaborating informally in 1997 and set up Witherford Watson Mann Architects in 2001 after winning Europan 6 for Peckham, South London. The practice now has a staff of eight. Its first building, designed in collaboration with Gregori Chiarotti Architects, was Amnesty International UK's new offices and outreach facilities, completed in March 2005.

Their work is characterised by an interest in the sometimes surprising relation of city and landscape and the mutual dependence of public buildings, collective space and everyday activities. These concerns are particularly evident in projects for social housing in Gistel, Belgium and the Area Development Framework for Creekmouth to Castle Green which is been carried out with Juurlink & Geluk urbanism and landscape. Current projects include a basement theatre and exhibition space for the Brighton Fringe, feasibility work for the London Borough of Brent’s new Civic Centre, and planning and developing the Local Movement Infrastructure for the Lower Lea Valley.