Introducing Programm Works
Architecture, objects and wares.
How we live is in part dictated by ourselves and in part dictated by our surroundings, and as Programm Works we explore methods for helping evolve both. See this as an intro to who we are, how we think and what you can expect from our Substack entries. If anything sparks a thought or if you’d like to get in touch, feel free to drop us a note at contact@programm.works. We hope you enjoy the read.
Living is something everyone does, sometimes without thinking too much about it and other times being very intentional. It’s a pursuit; a constant forward motion. We have chosen to take a macro and micro approach to the theme of living, simultaneously working on a city scale to leverage the spatial, commercial and socio-cultural opportunities available – while also working at the scale of a single piece of architecture, furniture or clothing, considering how we can lessen the environmental impact and maximise the lifespan through materials and aesthetic functionality. In doing both, we can fully utilise the learnings of each.
Experiences and interactions, food and music, work and relaxation, dawn and dusk, Autumn and Spring, inside and outside, something and nothing; symbiotic relationships all form part of the landscape and tapestry of what living is and means; what’s more, it differs person to person. Sculpted by wants and needs in any given moment over a prolonged period of time. There is a joy in considering what you wear, what you use and where you spend your time. There’s also an interesting question to be asked of where businesses sit in and amongst this theme of living and how the relationship between business and consumer will, or should, shift in the coming years. The uniqueness of it all is what makes it interesting. Understanding how you want to feel when you wake up, when you go to work, when you sit down for dinner with friends and family, when you go about your evening routine of reading a book you’ve been recommended or watching a film you’ve been meaning to see.
Considering the art and act of living well means we can start to question what makes our days unique, nuanced, enjoyable, restorative, nourishing and sustainable. It’s got as much to do with dwelling as it does exploring. It’s as much about being at home and as it is about being out in the city or up in the mountains. This approach starts to open up a view of the world where you are aware of all of the interconnectivity within societies; systems, networks, infrastructures and collaborations. There’s a lot to go at and we’re just at the beginning of our exploration.
As architects, designers and fabricators it’s our belief that this depth of consideration is key to creating value and fulfilment within our everyday lives; Programm Works is our working commentary and through the lens of architecture, objects and wares we create bespoke spaces and low-run pieces that are as functional as they are timeless and poetic. Spaces and pieces to be enjoyed, worn, used and maintained over decades if not centuries with as little impact on the earth as possible.
Our Substack entries will focus on sharing our processes of learning and using principles of circular economies and systems thinking to pursue solutions to the challenges of present and future living. You can also follow more visual expressions via our Instagram.
Warmest wishes,
Bethan & Elizabeth