Innovate
Surprise
Delight
+44 (0)20 3302 7550
+44 (0)7900 167666
BBLUR architecture is an award-winning RIBA Chartered architectural practice designing buildings, urban design and master planning. We transform our client’s briefs into valuable, beautiful and compelling architecture.
Our practice, led by Matthew Bedward, has a skilled core team of collaborative and passionate people. We are proud of our reputation for creating striking, thoughtful architecture.
Since we formed BBLUR architecture in 2008, we have successfully designed and delivered different project types at vastly different scales, from the tiny town square insertion in Manzanares to our completed Gibraltar International Airport. Our long-standing involvement in the regeneration of Slough town centre continues with our Cultural Centre providing a community focus for the town and our Future Vision providing a guide for the continuing regeneration.
Our 950m2 house in Madrid (Casa D-133) is complete. Partner, Matthew Bedward, became registered as an architect at the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid C.O.A.M. to facilitate BBLUR delivering every stage of the project. We completed the building despite the complication of COVID-19 restrictions between Spain and the UK. The success of this project has led to us setting up a dedicated Spanish office.
Each selected project illustrates our commitment to celebrating the public aspect of architecture as a method of providing our clients with cost-effective tailored solutions. Each scheme contributes to solving the evolving pressures on communities and the public realm.
The making of architecture inevitably involves change. Our strength is devising persuasive and compelling schemes that help make change positive and welcomed.
People
Our belief that architecture should help improve environments for people drives everything we design. Grounded in the client brief requirements, we understand how individuals and groups interact at work, rest or play. Our design work focuses on creating meaningful, efficient and enjoyable buildings.
Strong Relevant Ideas
Not all ideas are equal, and no project occurs in a vacuum. We create buildings that delight by understanding the unique forces and context shaping each project. Each client organisation, brief, budget, function, site and community is different. Whatever the scale of the project, we question all aspects of technique, materials and functionality. We distil ideas to their essence to create the strongest possible statement for our clients.
Collaboration
We believe teamwork is essential to convert complex briefs into successful high-performance buildings. Our team has a proactive attitude and develops productive and long-lasting relationships with our clients and collaborating consultants, facilitating the unfettered exploration of possible design solutions. Our method enables us to deliver innovative solutions relevant to our client’s identities and requirements.
The Urban Environment
We believe the quality of our urban environments helps define our society. Our cities, neighbourhoods and homes provide the physical apparatus for economic, social and cultural development. In a world, with increasing numbers of people and diminishing resources, a well-designed city is a vital model for creating distinctive, diverse and high-quality places to live.
Place Making
Public architecture plays a significant role in creating legible towns and cities. Urban landmarks provide points of orientation within the urban fabric and help define the character of a place with a distinct visual identity. Our work creates memorable, and distinctive built environments.
Public Realm
The Public Realm is the collective space between buildings, defining the generosity and utility of a place. From the details of managing vehicles and providing ample pavements with safe step-free crossings; to planning new parks, tree-lined streets and public squares, a well-designed public realm turns functional necessity into a rich, varied and inclusive environment.
People
Matthew Bedward
BA(Hons), Dip Arch, ARB, RIBA, AoU, C.O.A.M
Partner
Before founding BBLUR, Matthew gained experience in a number of design led practices working at Foster Associates (now Foster and Partners), Chris Wilkinson, Architekturburo Konrad Frey in Graz and Brookes Stacey Randall Fursdon before becoming Design Director at Reid Architecture.
Matthew’s design experience covers a wide range of different project types including one off housing, public transport, aviation, cultural buildings, offices, retail, residential and master planning. His work is driven by the search for relevant difference in each brief and site. Matthew is a member of the Academy of Urbanism. He is a registered architect in both the UK and Spain.
Cristina Rodriguez
Partner
Cristina heads the human resources and the financial control of the practice.
Clients & Collaborators
We have had the pleasure of working with some exceptional clients including:
The Government of Gibraltar, Slough Borough Council, AEG Europe, TAG Farnborough Airport, Adiryiah Development Authority, LLDC, Development Securities, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Minerva, British Airways, Shanly Group, Morgan Sindall Investments, ISG, Buckinghamshire County Council, Ayuntamiento de Manzanares de Rioja, Capital & Provincial, University College London, Tower Transit, YOO, Ascendal Group, Bracknell Forest Council
Our projects are realised through a rigorous process of discussion, exploration and workshops with our collaborators including:
BuroHappold Engineering, Fitton Associates, Gardiner and Theobald, Spacehub, Deerns, WYG, NACO, Alan Baxter Associates, Ramboll, Seven, CZWG, Terence O’Rourke, Peter Brett Associates, Base Structures, Cyril Sweett, Turley Associates, Deloitte Drivas Jonas, Speirs + Major, Design Fire, Happold Consulting, 3DReid, Mach Acoustics, Team Macarie, JI Studio, Hitch + Mylius, Rogers Stirk Harbour Partnership, Lobb+Partners, CDC
Our photographic collaborators are:
Hufton + Crow, Richard Seymour, Javier Orive and Matt Clayton
News
Press & Awards
Slough Bus Station
Technology Magazine - 11/2011
Civil Engineering Magazine - 01/2012
ARKETIPO Magazine - 06/2012
EXE Magazine no.13 - 07/2013
CONCEPT Magazine - 2013
Brand Magazine - 03/2014
Exhibited in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Gibraltar Airport
Dezeen emagazine - 06/2013
Progettare Magazine - 01/2011
Airports of the World - 2011
Finalist in - WORLD INFRASTRUCTURE AWARDS 2013
Up at the O2
RIBA Magazine - 07/2012
Architecture Today Magazine -10/2012
New London Magazine - 2012
Commended in - NEW LONDON AWARDS 2012
Slough Cultural Centre & Library
Architecture Today - 2015