About Us

In 1957 SPACE Architects was established in Newcastle upon Tyne, and today works with clients in the North East of England, the UK and Internationally. We are a team of architects, designers and technologists who specialise in the creative re-use of buildings, design optimisation and circular decarbonisation.

Responding to the climate emergency and acknowledging buildings' impact on global warming, we have set ourselves challenging targets to be a carbon-neutral business by 2023 and Net Zero carbon by 2030. We are proud of our culture, supporting and valuing our people so they can use their creativity and commitment to innovation to help our clients lead within their sectors.

Our philosophy

We care about the impact our architecture has on the people who live, visit, learn, work and play in the spaces we create. Whatever the project, it’s never just the building that we have in mind. It’s the community that will use it, the experiences they will enjoy and the memories they will make there.

Every project is unique. With each fresh commission, we design with care, consideration and a commitment to creating places that make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives. This is what drives us.

Whether that’s enhancing wellbeing through reimagined living spaces for dementia sufferers, enriching learning experiences for students through vibrant schools and universities, heritage and cultural restoration projects that renew communities. It’s not about what we design. It’s about who we design for.

Our philosophy is simple; to improve people's lives through their surroundings, creating spaces that have a positive impact on people, places and the planet.

We have identified three areas which we prioritise on all projects.

Creative re-use

Towns and cities have a wealth of existing buildings that are no longer fit for purpose or have fallen into a state of disrepair.

With increasing compliance requirements, typically, these buildings are demolished and replaced.

However, existing buildings are full of history and often at the heart of their community and can be brought back to life and be a catalyst for regeneration.

Not only can existing features be enhanced with new interventions, but we can reduce the building's embodied carbon by retaining elements of the existing structure.

Design Optimisation

Buildings are expensive to design, construct and operate with inefficient and wasteful processes.

We have developed new approaches and technologies, using creativity and ingenuity whilst investing in research and development to be a global leader in innovative delivery.

Our team constantly strives to design and construct better buildings, quicker and cheaper, generating less waste and reducing carbon emissions. As well as architects and designers, our team of technologists, coders and data scientists enable our innovative approach.

Circular Decarbonisation

Climate change is a global challenge with increasing temperatures and catastrophic flooding.

With buildings contributing 40% to carbon emissions, decarbonising the industry is critical to maintaining global warming below 1.5°c.

Operational and embodied carbon is considered at the outset of all projects, providing the best opportunity to incorporate passive design measures in the completed design.

Our people

Our people are a passionate and creative team, with a common purpose and a shared philosophy. We’re smart thinkers and curious souls. We care about the impact our work has on the world.

Research and development play key roles in our forward-thinking approach, using creativity and new techniques and innovations that improve quality, support the environment, reduce costs and save time on each project.

Investment in digital technologies, sustainability and offsite fabrication, all play a vital role in the design and construction industry. We remain outward-facing and relevant, responding to changing times, both as an employer and as a partner to the ambitious organisations we work alongside. We listen and respond to an ever-changing world.

Discover more about why SPACE Architects is a great place to develop your career.

Our history

With a shared passion for community architecture, Arnold Waring and Len Netts came together in 1957 to establish Waring and Netts Partnership.

They set up their first office in Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and as District Council Architect designed local libraries, a swimming pool, the Civic Hall and much needed social housing.

These buildings remain part of the local community and include city landmarks such as Montagu Court overlooking the town moor.

Award-winning housing helped Waring and Netts build a reputation and by the 1970s the practice was also specialising in education and healthcare. Commercial developments such as Trinity Gardens and Baltic Place followed in the 1990s.

Public sector spending increased at the beginning of the millennium and, with investment in schools and hospitals, the practice continued to grow across the UK.

In 2007 Waring and Netts became SPACE Architects in response to increasing diversity and a national presence. In the private sector multi-million-pound commercial projects such as Stephenson Quarter expanded the portfolio further.

At the beginning of a new decade, SPACE maintain the values established by Arnold and Len over 60 years ago while continuing to invest in the people and communities in which we work.

Our community

As part of being a B Corporation organisation, we are committed to business as a force for good.

Whilst we strive to impact the planet and society positively, there is much we can do within our local community.

For 20 years, we have worked with Children Northeast, particularly Cherry Tree View, which provides temporary accommodation for families. We also support the breakfast club at Sir Charles Parsons School in the East End of Newcastle via the Greggs Foundation.

We fund two architectural scholarships at Northumbria University and the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship at Newcastle University.

As corporate sponsors of Beamish Museum and Darlington Hippodrome Theatre, we continue to support our clients beyond project completion.

Not only do we provide financial support, but all Spacers have three days per year to support a local project.