A year ago, we took on our most challenging design brief yet: re-designing ourselves. As architects, we’ve always been clear about the principles that guide our work. We listen carefully. We design with context. We shape spaces with clarity and care. These ideas have informed every project we’ve delivered across living, working, leisure and community environments. But for a long time, that approach wasn’t fully reflected in how we presented our practice.

Purpose and collaboration

“Our work has always been rooted in purpose and collaboration,” says Patrick Taft, co-director at Group/d. “But our outward identity wasn’t showing the thoughtfulness and intent that clients experience when they work with us. It felt like the right time to express who we are with more accuracy, depth and confidence.”

It wasn’t about reinvention. It was about articulation. Putting language, imagery and structure to a way of working that already defined us.

Finding the language for what already existed

To help guide this process, we collaborated with brand consultants Chris Blackhurst and Jon Egan, who spent time listening and working with our team members to help us understand who we are and how we could express Group/d’s offer and personality authentically. Their aim wasn’t to overlay a new narrative, but to uncover the one that already existed.

“Group/d had a clear ethos from day one,” says Chris, who led the brand design process. “Our role wasn’t to change who they are, but to listen, distill and express it in a way that feels honest. Their architecture has a calm confidence to it – our job was to bring that same clarity into the brand.”

Through workshops, conversations and a deep exploration of our projects, Chris and Jon uncovered a consistent thread: architecture shaped by dialogue; architecture that is thoughtful, contextual and rooted in purpose.

“We realised our strength is collaboration,” adds James Tartt, co-director at Group/d. “Whether it’s clients, communities or consultants, we work best when we’re openly sharing ideas. The brand needed to show that openness – visually and verbally.”

Designing the brand as we design architecture

Once the foundations were clear, we approached the brand the same way we approach any building: with attention to detail, respect for context and a commitment to purposeful design.

From typography to layout decisions, every element was shaped to carry the personality of the studio: understated, refined, human, confident. Nothing showy, nothing loud, just thoughtful design that lets our work breathe.

Photography, film and a modern digital home

To bring the brand fully to life, we collaborated with several creative partners who helped capture the character of the practice.

Photography and short-form video were created by Adam Murray Brown of Amba Creative. His imagery reflects the honesty and grounded nature of our architecture, focusing on materiality, people and the quiet details that define our spaces.

“We wanted the visuals to feel natural, not staged,” adds Chris. “Group/d’s work has a softness and a sensitivity to it. The photography needed to echo that.”

To complement the stills, Paul Furlong of Opus Media conducted a series of video interviews with our team, capturing the conversations and perspectives that form the heart of our process. His approach focused on authenticity over performance and a chance for our designers to speak in their own voice.

Finally, the new website was brought to life by Chris working alongside web developer CodeMason, who together built a platform that balances simplicity with flexibility. 

The result is a digital space that grows with us: spacious, intuitive and crafted to showcase both our work and the thinking behind it.

“They understood the clarity we were aiming for,” says co-director John Cunningham. “The website feels like an extension of our studio: calm, structured, welcoming and easy to navigate.”

A clearer expression of who we are

The new brand and website aren’t a new direction, they’re a clearer reflection of the one we’ve always followed.

“We create places that people value and love,” adds James. “Now we have a brand and digital home that we value and love too. One that finally feels aligned with the way we work.”

We’re proud to share this next chapter of Group/d, shaped with the same care we bring to our architecture.

Download our new brand book

To download the new Group/d Architecture + Developments brandbook click here.