The Studio
Studio Seilern Architects is an international creative practice established in 2006 by Christina Seilern with the intent of producing exceptional architecture that lasts, working across geographies, building sizes and typologies. With offices in London and New York, our diverse portfolio of built work spans the UK, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
We tackle a diversity of projects; it is our conscious decision to keep working on the smaller and larger scales both simultaneously and continuously: from new build to restoration works. Irrespective of size or context, each project they undertake informs another.
We believe that architecture does not just rely on innovation and design, but on the ability to deliver a project from conception through to completion. Our expertise lies within commercial, high-end residential, mixed-use, cultural, masterplanning and educational projects.
SSA was established with the intent of continuing the strong design ethos developed during Christina Seilern’s years as Founding and Design Director of Rafael Viñoly Architects London.
In 2021, we proudly celebrated 15 years of Studio Seilern in practice. We also published our Green Manifesto – Think! – outlining our commitment and approach to sustainability.
Our Philosophy
We are more interested in the architectural idea, rather than a semantic approach to architecture. We believe that every project generates its own set of rules and requires a dialogue between the author (the architect) and the reader (the client), rather than an imposition of a pre-conceived idea on a given site.
Every project is unique and is not burdened by a pre-conceived notion of aesthetic. While experiential history is immensely influential on the generation of an architectural idea, we approach every project like a new adventure and a new investigation.
This is essentially an anti-specialisation approach, as we believe that a fresh eye on any architectural approach is essential to the project. We do not mass-produce or rehash ideas. We embark the client on an investigatory voyage, where a strong dialogue between all parties involved will generate a unique solution.
While many practices have gone down the specialisation route, we feel that through none-specialisation, but rather an informed investigatory approach, we are able to think beyond the accepted formulas of any given building type.
Our work revolves around the idea that architecture constitutes public art at a larger urban scale. Therefore, every building responds and shapes its context. The character of the place is affected and shaped by our intervention, and consequentially we feel that our work must act as a reaction to a specific site and consciously address the impact that our intervention will have on it. Public space is therefore at the core of every project, however large or small.
Diversity & Inclusion
“We have a responsibility as architects to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds are represented in shaping and using our built environment. As a female principal architect, I understand this only too well. Diversity in design leads to better solutions.”
– Christina Seilern
Introduction and Acknowledgement of Injustices
Studio Seilern Architects aims to provide a welcoming, supportive, and considerate community for individuals from all backgrounds. Our office is made up of people from a wide range of nationalities, ethnicities, religions, genders and sexualities. With our principal architect being a woman, we feel the practice provides a safe space for architectural expression and production away from the typical male-dominated realm of architecture. We are proud of our ‘otherness’ in relation to an industry which can still unfortunately feel at times like an old boy’s club.
It’s often noted that female architects enable a different sort of built environment to men – one that is more considerate, pragmatic and inclusive. We feel our difference expresses itself in our designs – we are contextualists that integrate the cultural, social and natural characteristics of a site; we create safe, contemplative spaces that benefit the occupants’ health and wellbeing; and we produce exceptional architecture that lasts, thinking beyond the accepted formulas of any given building type.
As a practice, we acknowledge the harmful impact of inequality as expressed through structural racism, misogyny, classism, and heteronormativity. We acknowledge the hurtful effects of xenophobia, ableism, ageism, and discrimination based on any protected characteristic. We also acknowledge the need to move beyond our notions of gender and consider the too-often exclusionary nature of cis-gendered, binary thinking. We strive to be better and to always listen to those from marginalised groups. And we strive to make our designs work for those very groups.
Studio Seilern Architects Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Studio Seilern Architects is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce both within its practice and throughout the wider built environment. We strive to create a safe environment which allows individuals from under-represented backgrounds and identities to contribute towards producing exceptional architecture that lasts.
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age. Our diversity and inclusion policy ensures that selection for employment is made based on aptitude and ability alone. We have a plan to demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a practice we are committed to:
- Signing the RIBA Inclusion Charter, which commits us to embedding inclusive design in our project work and formalises our commitment to developing a workplace that supports diversity and inclusion
- Providing sponsorship and work experience for students and young people from under-represented backgrounds as part of our involvement in the Mayors Fund for London’s Access Aspiration Programme
- Signing the Mayor’s Fund for London’s Diversity Pledge as part of its Firm Foundations programme, committing to help improve Diversity and Inclusion in London’s built environment sector
- Using the diverse talents of our staff to provide the best possible solutions for our clients
- Supporting diversity and inclusion both within our practice and through initiatives across the industry
- Providing opportunities for individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to produce exceptional architecture
- Giving access to training on diversity and inclusion for all staff
- Continuing to listen, learn and equip individuals with inclusive behaviours
- Monitor and evaluate the success of our D&I policy with staff at the practice
- Collecting data from our interview candidates to ensure there is no un-conscious bias in our recruiting procedures
In our office, approximately:
-57% are female, 43% are male
-15% of staff identify as LBGTQ+
-78% of staff don’t speak English as their first language
-23 languages are spoken, including Africans, Azerbaijani, Czech, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Urdu.
-37% of staff are first generation university graduates
When asked if, as part of SSA, our staff feel they can achieve success as their authentic self: the average answer on a scale of 1-5 (one being not at all and five being completely) was 3.95.
When asked if, as part of SSA, our staff feel comfortable discussing their background, beliefs and cultural experiences with colleagues: the average answer on a scale of 1-5 (one being not at all and five being completely) was 4.45.
17 different nationalities are represented in our offices including Azerbaijan, British, American, Cypriot, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Italian, Israeli, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish, Taiwanese. We work on international projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the USA.
