Q1. How has project Orange adapted to these new working conditions?

A. The interesting thing is that prior to COVID we were sceptical that home working was possible, mainly because we are a small studio who work very collaboratively. We don't have formal pin ups and ‘crits’ but we ae always peering over each others screens and desks – listening in to conversations. However because we had set up a robust IT strategy in the past everyone could take their computer home and log in on day 1 and carry on....we have many check-ins throughout the day and share sketches, ideas and drawings.

Q2. What systems or value beliefs do you think will be taken forward?

A.  That we will continue to operate in a more dispersed way. In fact we have some very high level changes. As myself and Christopher are partners – and have a house we built in Suffolk – we are planning to re-locate the studio here. We have sold our flat in London and are in the process of buying a small studio near to where we live. Pre-Covid this would be seen as disruptive – but now we believe we can create a new model for the practice.

Q3. If so, what are your thoughts on what it could be and our responsibility to inform, emphasise and encourage this shift?

A.  In terms of values – our studio produced the 4th publication in our series of ‘thinking architecture’ in our PO BOX zine series. You can find it here. click here

We completed it during the height of lockdown – and sent it out digitally – and received a lot of comments (positive!) reinforcing the need for architects to discuss high level climate change and practice.

Q4. Do you think we as architects should encourage policy change to assist the shifting paradigm of what the office is for?

A. Yes. Be careful when you use the word ‘we’ as there are many ‘we’s’ around the table. Who has the power to make change, and who has the energy to suggest change? Clearly the issue of real estate and office culture is very live and uncertain. The question is whether as architects the profession can be nimble and adapt in a positive and radical way to meet the challenges ahead/

Q5. Do you think a focus of mixed use programs to connect offices more cohesively to the city will be an appropriate reaction to today and whole swathes of the city being empty?

A. The problem of mono-programmes is evident as it creates distinct sectors or business districts which rely on people commuting in. The pandemic has shown us how important the idea of ‘local’ is and in particular the role of London as a city that is a magnet for talent and wealth creation. So having a healthier urban ecology has to be a good thing.

Q6. I am very interested in the way you described Project Orange's office physical ethos, that is “challenge the sterility of the standard office”. Could you expand on this further?

A. The problem of the ‘office’ is the problem of real estate and the dumbing down of design and the environment to the basics. Why do all offices looks the same? Because the industry that sells and rents these spaces demand what they call flexibility ... which in reality means banality. Same in the housing sector. Difference is ironed out. Off course there are offices that are ‘radical’ and the rise of ‘play spaces’ in offices is a strange infantilising trend. Underneath it all is the idea that making the office more attractive you stay longer and work harder. Again there is a bigger societal issue that work and labour are essential in defining our purpose – rather than, say, being rewarded for the value you bring to society...

Q7. What thoughts do you have, if any on hybrid working systems. Mixing working from home with working in an office? What do you imagine these spaces would become for employees but also the wider community?

A. Well of course the term home office is no longer a luxury or even a concept – it is our collective lived experience. It has shone a light on how small and miserable so many houses/flats are, and how inflexible they are...as well as the lucky few (I am one of them) that has a room designated as a home office which is joyful and generous. The really tricky thing here is that while home working will be the future for many, it could also cause even more isolation and disconnection – with people becoming abstract units of production – so we need to find new ways of creating hubs, places to come together in whether it is for work or play...and to allow people to be creative and to share.

Q8. Do you think the language of flexibility will better describe future offices? If so, what do you think flexibility in an office will mean tomorrow?

A. See above. I reject the F word.

Q9. What do you imagine will become foundational pillars for offices in a post pandemic world?

A. I would hope that there is a much more diverse (scale, design, location) model that emerges that encourages better practices, positive interaction and good work. But at the heart of this question is who owns the city, who owns the tower blocks – how can a different financial model emerge that does not seek to capitalise the market?

Q10. Do you think a shift in what the office is for is on the horizon?

A. For sure – 100%. However those who are stakeholders in the financial / real-estate model (which is an ideological and neoliberal construct) will not easily surrender....