MOST Architecture / Elements of Living

MOST ARCHITECTURE

MOST Architecture is a young practice based in Lambeth, with a wide range of expertise and experience; from civic and public buildings, to intricate residential projects, commercial space and highly technical research and development fit-outs. Founded in 2017 by Olga McMurdo, the practice has expanded to include six designers working from a studio in Brixton, with a growing and diverse project portfolio.

Their current work includes a recently acquired commission to reimagine a church in central London as a new theatre space. A distinctive housing refurbishment and extension proposal at Dolben Street in Southwark adapts an historic building that was once the home of the social activist Mary Wollsoncraft.

Olga was recently announced winner of the World Architecture News Female Frontier Award in the Emerging Architect Category, and the studio has already been shortlisted for the BD Architect of the Year Award.

ELEMENTS OF LIVING 10 IDEAS

A VERTICAL EXTRUSION THAT CREATES A LANDMARK CORNER BUILDING, ADDING ACTIVITY TO THE BLOCK

URBAN FORM MAKING

OFFERING CREATIVE AND USEFUL WAYS OF INCREASING THE PROVISION OF GOOD QUALITY HOUSING IN OUR CITIES REQUIRES

BOLD AND INTELLIGENT APPROACHES TO THE FORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT. AS OUR CITIES DENSIFY, THEY BECOME MORE ACTIVE, AND ECONOMICLY VIABLE. OUR DESIGNS SEEK WAYS OF MAKING COLLECTIVE URBAN LIVING CONTEXTUAL, PRACTICAL AND DESIREABLE.

A mixed use proposal in central London reimagines what was once the home of the writer and social activist Mary Wollstoncraft. The design approach has been to retain and retrofit the building, preserving the embedded carbon of the original structure whilst retaining some of its form as a building of historical

significance. Active space is provided at ground floor, animating the streetscape and providing amenities for local residents. The additional floors angle back towards the neighbouring building, creating a dynamic new formal element to the street, transforming the structure into a corner marker building of distinction.

COMMUNAL ROOF GARDEN, A VALUABLE NATURAL AMENITY

Another example of creating opportunities for urban densification, this project creates much needed new housing accommodation above a one storey retail block in East London. Between the east and west elements of the development, a private garden has been created offering amenity in the spatial lightwell between the blocks. A space for gathering, relaxing, and active gardening.

SHARED OPEN SPACE

WITH THE NECESSARY DENSIFICATION OF OUR CITIES COMES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARVE POCKETS OF OUTDOOR AMENITY, BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC. THIS TAKES THE FORM OF SHARED GARDENS OR POCKET PARKS. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FINDS WAYS OF ADDING TO THE BIODIVERSITY AND TRANQUILITY OF THE CITY, TO CREATE SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS.

A HYBRID SPACE FOR LIVING AND LABOUR, EVEN IN THE GLOOMTH OF THE EVENING WHEN WORK CONTINUES OR RELAXATION BEGINS

A an historic 19th Century furniture depository warehouse is being converted into a headquarters building. The project includes many elements across the live-work divide that might easily find themselves within contemporay urban large multi-unit housing - hot desking, restaurants, roof terrace bar, gym, yoga rooms, dance studios, and even a music recording studio. An active rooftop includes spaces for sport, recreation and a bar.

LIVE-WORK OPTIONS

TO LIVE AND TO WORK IN THE SAME SPACE IS NO LONGER SOMETHING REGARDED AS OUT OF THE NORM. A NEW GENERATION OF CREATIVE DIGITAL HOMEWORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR APARTMENTS AND HOMES THAT AFFORD THEM THIS OPPORTUNITY. THE LINES ARE BLURRING BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF HOUSING PROJECTS AND OFFICES, AS MARKETS ARE ADAPTING TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF A NEW GENERATION OF RESIDENT AND WORKER.

A WELL DESIGNED CONTEMPORARY EXTENSION TO A TRADITIONAL SUBURBAN HOUSE ADDS VALUE, FUNCTION AND USER WELLBEING

A house extension project for a 1930’s semidetached family home in South London utilises a curved glulam timber roof structure to create dynamic interior spaces for living. A new end of garden garage with acess from the adjacent mews has a green planted roof and timber facade that accentuates the upright rhythm of the boundary fencing.

IMAGINATIVE ADDITIONS

THE TRADITIONAL BRITISH TOWN OR SUBURBAN HOUSE IS BEING RE-IMAGINED THROUGH CREATIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT. FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS, THIS OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALISE AND ADAPT A HOME TO THEIR LIVING PATTERNS, WHILE FOR DEVELOPERS IT CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDED VALUE AND DISTINCTION IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET.

THE KITCHEN IS THE MOST ACTIVE AREA IN THE HOUSE, A PLACE FOR CREATIVITY, DISCUSSION AND NURTURING

THE HEART(H) OF THE HOME

THE PREPARATION, CONSUMPTION AND SHARING OF FOOD IS AN ESSENTIAL MARKER OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, AND THE DESIGN OF THE KITCHEN AND DINING AREAS OFTEN REQUIRE THE MOST PERSONAL INVESTMENT FROM PRIVATE CLIENTS. MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENTS CAN ADOPT A UNIVERSAL, BUT ADAPTABLE APPROACH TO THE DESIGN OF KITCHENS.

A rear extension of a Victorian terraced house in South-East London creates extra living space for a young family. The addition creates a through lounge, dining area and kitchen, the central social and active hub of the house. Clerestory windows bring additional light into the space, and a circular skylight strategically placed over a bespoke kitchen island unit with built in planter contains a houseplant that will grow towards the light.

FURNITURE IS NOT JUST THE DRESSING OF A HOME, BUT ESSENTIAL TO ITS FUNCTION AND SUCCESS

FURNITURE AND STORAGE

THE ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE AND STORAGE IS A VITAL PART OF THE DESIGNER’S ROLE. INTERNAL SPACES ARE IMAGINED AND DRAWN WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCALE AND STYLE OF A ROOM’S FUNCTIONAL CONTENTS. THE ARCHITECT IS OFTEN CALLED ON TO SPECIFY DETAILED FURNITURE SPECIFICATIONS, AND DESIGN BESPOKE STORAGE SOLUTIONS THAT ENHANCE THE PROGRAMME OF THE LIVING SPACE.

The internal renovation of this family home in West London required the specification of furniture sets that complemented the design of the rooms. Custome storage units was designed and built for the children’s rooms. And (above), a detailed bespoke furniture solution crams a lot of programmatic uses for living and working into a small space. Like a ship’s cabin.

INTEGRATING OUTDOOR AND INDOOR LIVING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PRE-OCCUPATION OF BRITISH DESIGNERS

LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES

THE BUILDINGS THAT APPEAR IN OUR PRIVATE AND SHARED GARDENS ARE OFTEN THE COMBINATION OF THE PRACTICAL AND THE WHIMSICAL. FROM THE GARDEN SHED OR GARAGE, TO THE TREE-HOUSE OR COMPLICATED ARBOR. ARCHITECTS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CREATE THESE OFTEN OVERLOOKED BUILDINGS INTO PRACTICAL, BEAUTIFUL, AND COST-EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTIONS.

A proposal which celebrates the joys and natural charm of British gardens, featuring mazes, arcades, loveseats and reading nooks. A planted, meandering garden wall naturally changes with the seasons. The walls create pockets of quiet to sit, relax, and wonder; and spaces for community gardening and education. A pavilion integrates subtly, providing a secure and productive work space.

A DESIGN FOR A TROPICAL CLIMATE WHICH REQUIRED RESEARCH INTO LOCAL BUILDING TECHNIQUES

The conversion of two existing commercial buildings in Mauritius has created a new space suitable for living and working. The existing steel trusses of the roof structure have been retained, and covered with locally sourced bamboo. Internal walls have been demolished to create a new open plan environment with mezzanine levels at one end.

DESIGNING FOR CLIMATE

A BUILDING PROVIDES A PROTECTIVE SKIN AGAINST THE ELEMENTS. WHEN DESIGNING NEW BUILDINGS, OR ADAPTING EXISTING STRUCTURES FOR OVERSEAS CLIENTS, IT IS USEFUL TO TAKE NOTE OF VERNACULAR APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE OF THE REGION, AND FUSE WITH CONTEMPORARY PASSIVHAUS APPROACHES TO HEALTHY CONSTRUCTION.

A SENSITIVITY TO THE REFLECTIVE AND LUMINESCENT QUALITIES OF ADJACENT MATERIALS AND TEXTURES

The fitout of a ground floor space to create a traditional Banya Spa in West London deliberately uses a range of contrasting materials that complement each other in surprising ways. Natural and industrial elements, with rough and textured surfaces reflect and absorb light in ways that combine to create a full sensory experience.

LIGHT AND SURFACE

THE DESIGN OF INTERIOR SPACES REQUIRES CAREFUL INVESTIGATION INTO THE QUALITIES AND CONNECTIVITY OF MATERIALS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH LIGHT - AS WELL AS TOUCH, AND ACOUSTICS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIAL MOODBOARDS IS A TECHNICAL EXERCISE AS MUCH AS A DESIGN PREFERENCE.

ADVENTUROUS ADAPTATIONS AND COMPLEX NEW BUILDINGS

REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSTRUCTION

PLANNING AND SUPERVISION

A terraced house construction required a muscular new structural approach to increase living accomodation in the roof of the building, replacing the London pitched roof with a new mansard. For projects such as this, a close and direct relationship between the architect and the contractor is important, to keep the project to programme and cost, and minimise the incovenience of the client and their neighbours.

MANAGED CONSTRUCTION

THE ONSITE MANAGEMENT OF RESIDENTUAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS WITH SIGNIFICANT PARTY WALLS, BENEFITS FROM THE SUPERVISION OF AN ARCHITECT, WHO UNDERSTANDS THE METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION, AND HAS PRODUCED DETAILED DRAWINGS THAT BENEFIT BOTH THE CONTRACTOR AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT.

OLGA McMURDO MARCH DIPARCH (HONS) BARCH RIBA, ARB

Olga McMurdo was recently announced as the winner of the World Architecture News

Female Frontier Award for Architect of the Year in the Emerging Architect Category, and was shortlisted for the BD Architect of the Year Award. Olga set up MOST Architecture in 2017, having previously worked for OMA in London on the Commonwealth Institute, and then Grimshaw Architects where she designed public projects including the Oman Botanic Gardens and the TRX Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur.

She enjoyed a successful academic career, including six years at the Moscow Architectural Institute where her research was rewarded with a national science medal, and her graduation thesis a Grand Prix, and a RIBA Silver Medal as an international student. Her post-graduate studies in Urban Design were achieved at the Bartlett in London as an FCO Chevening Scholar. She graduated as a qualified architect from the University of Westminster in 2012, after working at Zaha Hadid Architects, SPeeCH and Mecanoo in Delft.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Founding Director 2017- MOST Architecture, London

Architect 2014-17 Grimshaw, London

Architect 2011-14 OMA, London

Assistant 2011 Zaha Hadid Architects, London

Assistant 2008-09 Speech, Reserve, Moscow

Intern 2007 Mecanoo, Delft

EDUCATION

Pg.Dip.Arch 2012 University of Westminster

MArch (Distinction) 2010 Bartlett, UCL

D_Lab 2010 Architectural Association

DipArch (Hons) 2008 Moscow Architectural Institute

-exchange- 2006 Shibaura Institute of Technology

BArch (hons) 2006 Moscow Architectural Institute

PROJECTS CHRONOLOGICAL

Kingsland High Street, Hackney (2021-23)

Housing development with shared gardens

590 sqm, 7 units, Planning Proposal

Tenby Street Bath House, Birmingham (2022)

Adaptation of lower ground floor retail unit

75 sqm, Concept Design

Multigenerational Home, Herne Hill (2022)

Conversion of house for diverse family use

95 sqm, Planning Proposal

Robotic Research, Arrival, Tbilisi (2022-23)

Office and technical research fit-out

2,165 sqm, Under Construction

Beuval Road, Dulwich (2022)

House refurbishment & furniture specification

130 sqm, Concept Proposal

WIlcox Gateway, Nine Elms (2022)

Public realm strategy and street furniture

Competition Finalist

Stone Nest Theatre, Westminster (2022-23)

Conversion of church to performance venue

270 sqm, Concept Design

Treehouses at Kew Gardens (2022)

Competition proposals for public treehouses

Concept Design

Belmont Road, Broadstairs (2021-23)

Interior design and bespoke furniture fit-out

30 sqm, Under Construction

Satelite Office, Arrival, Mauritius (2021-22)

Interior design and fit-out of existing buildings

460 sqm, Built

The Pelican Nursery, Kennington (2021)

Proposals for new outdoor play area

Concept Design

Arrival US HQ, Charlotte NC (2021-22)

Interior office fit-out in North Carolina

1,400 sqm, Built

Festival Boats, London (2021)

Innovative boatlike seating for festivals

Concept Design

Garden Museum, Lambeth (2021)

Competition for pavilion and landscape design

35 sqm, Concept Design

Hoxton Street, Shoreditch (2021)

Fit-out of terrace to create micro-apartments

80 sqm, Planning Proposal

Arrival Headquarters, Kensington (2020-23)

Major workplace fit-out of historic building

8,275 sqm, Under Construction

Vilnius Concert Hall, Lithuania (2019)

Competition proposals for major arts venue

10,000 sqm, Concept Design

Abbingdon Road, Kennington (2019-21)

Four storey town house refurbishment

150 sqm, Built

Thornton Avenue, Brixton (2019-20)

House refurbisment, extension and garage

230 sqm, Planning Proposal

Maidenhead Hub, Berkshire (2019)

Feasibility proposal for mixed use development

1,800 sqm, Concept Design

Modular Office, Arrival, Edison NJ (2019-22)

Internal office unit for production factory

500 sqm, Built

Elvaston Place, Kensington (2019-21)

Renovation of family maisonette

200 sqm, Built

Testing Facility, Arrival, Banbury (2018-22)

Technical fitout of research facility

2,540 sqm, Built

Dolben Street, Southwark (2018-21)

Mixed-use housing development

550 sqm, 6 units, Planning Proposal

Training Suite, Bicester, Arrival (2018-21)

Fit-out of administrative areas of factory

980 sqm, Built

Charge Cars, Stockley (2018-21)

Major fit-out of R&D HQ and factory

2,800 sqm, Built

Happy Electron, North Acton (2018-21)

Interior fit-out of office and R&D facility

500 sqm, Built

Banya Spa, Chiswick (2018-20)

Fit-out of spa, sauna and cafe

300 sqm, Built

Manor Lane, Brixton (2018-20)

House extension and renovation

136 sqm, Built

Red Lion Street, Camden (2018-19)

Creation of new roof terrace for house

38 sqm, Built

Bellillo, Upper Street, Islington (2018-19)

Complete restaurant fit out and terrace

220 sqm, Concept Design

Gravel Lane Gym, Barbican (2017-18)

Renovation of basement within brutalist icon

190 sqm, Built

Claylands Road, Kennington (2017-18)

Renovation of family house and artists studio

240 sqm, Built

Peaks House, Ruislip (2017-18)

Bungalow converted to two storey house

106 sqm, Built

Myatts Fields Park (2017-18)

Proposals for community cafe and event space

170 sqm, Concept Design

Metro 2020, Moscow (2017)

Competition proposals for platform interventions

200 sqm, Concept Design