A Brief Guide to Yiangou Architects

With all great design studios and architects there is a distinct thread that defines them. This is the unmistakable quality that allows one to understand a project from first view and recognise the guiding hands and design eyes that have brought it to life.

For Yiangou Architects this thread is present in the delicate and precise understanding of how a building connects to the environment that holds it. Their projects speak to a comprehensive knowledge of the history, status and purpose of a building and how that can be demonstrated in the most effective and pleasing manner.

A Scholar’s Studio

Anthony Yiangou created this incredible studio in 1981 with a scholarly outlook that has become inseparable from their award-winning output. Across more than four decades from their home in Cirencester the team has positioned itself at the intersection of tradition and modern craftsmanship through the remarkable architecture they produce.

As the world around it looked to post-war modernism for its cues, Yiangou was more concerned with creating a conversation with the classical past for a foundation to build ideas upon. Tailoring his work towards country houses and classic estates in historic settings required much more than a brief nod to sympathetic design. Instead it required meticulous study and appreciation of the design masters who had come before him. This was to be a school of architecture within a commercial framework.

Working in this way would require strict attendance to the guidelines for preservation and heritage that were becoming more established at the turn of a new century. Issues such as planning policy, conservation legislation and how to align modern methods, materials and skills with traditional buildings became a vital part of the Yiangou armoury.

Building Reputations and Raising Standards

For the first two decades of the practice it was clear that an impeccable reputation was being built. Their work in historic buildings in sensitive settings was garnering lots of attention and recognition amongst conservation bodies and significant individuals. The long-term relationships that were created and cemented during this time led to Yiangou becoming more than simply established. It made them thought leaders of exquisite quality and creativity that could be trusted with some of the most significant and important architectural projects in the country.

Commissions for institutions such as the National Trust and The Duchy of Cornwall would define this status. Similarly, the work carried out for University of Oxford was a case study in the rigour of design standards when tempered by immovable conservation elements and guardrails.

A Philosophy to Follow

With standards as exacting as this there often has to be a collection of design principles for the studio to follow. Working in this way means that new talent that joins the ranks is instantly presented with guidelines to help them approach their contribution on initial projects. Although Yiangou is a deeply private operation it is possible to synthesise what this philosophy looks like using the past projects that we can see and understand.

• Stewardship as an Architectural Service

  There is an overriding goal to ensure that buildings contribute to the wider whole of the physical and cultural landscape. Encouraging them to age in a graceful way while maintaining their heritage is key to achieving this.
  

• Context Drives Creativity

  The location of a project will define its shape with the landscape shaping its form as much as the function. Local materials and regional traditions are respected and followed as much as possible.

• Craft is King

  Working with the finest skills and the most respected services is a fundamental element to success. It is here that authenticity is realised using methods that are appropriate for the desired results.

• Legacy is Vital

  So much of Yiangou’s work is concerned with conserving the past. This is architecture that also has to speak to future generations after completion and bring both worlds together.
  
  

Creating the Crescent

The recently completed project at The Crescent is an excellent calling card for the Yiangou methodology. This collection of 23 homes set within the historic market town of Thame is inspired by the majesty and grandeur of Georgian townhouses in an arresting example of regency revival.

Their location amongst the grounds of a Grade II-listed house are a triumph of sensitivity and scale. Ceilings that soar and apertures that confidently embrace light coalesce in a comfortable and revitalising foundation for modern living. The ongoing dialogue between exquisite interiors and the surrounding verdant landscapes is cleverly translated by the charming balconies that overlook Elms Park.

Open, inviting and mesmerising, The Crescent represents heritage living that demands attention and celebration in equal measure. This project was a fantastic calling card for Yiangou as it demonstrates how their aligned workflow works in practice as much as philosophy.

The garden community aspect of Elms Park demands an aesthetic that Yiangou is uniquely armed to respond to. Their knowledge, skills and experience in design curation as stewards of heritage architecture in England means they understand the importance of how a building interacts with the environment.

This is where the detailed design schematics have dovetailed with specialist expertise and conservation insights to elevate the views from the Crescent in particular. Cheltenham is now home to a new development that supports modern living in the most classical way possible for the built environment.

Timeless Success

Yiangou is a holistic and tightly embedded cast of experts that understand exactly what is required at every step of the programme for beautiful architecture and design. To remain a relevant, innovative and essential partner for the ongoing development of England’s most important heritage buildings for over 40 years is astounding.

By doing so they often provide a new chapter for the story of a building. One that is aware of the original tale but understands how best to preserve it for many generations to come.  And that is something that should always be celebrated.

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