Greenwood Barton Architects is a small design office, located in Amman, Jordan. It was established in 2014 and is managed by Matthew Barton and Somayya Abu Hayyeh. Being small allows us to work with intensity and focus. We enjoy the work and allow time for things other than architecture to be a source of inspiration and energy. The atmosphere is relaxed and open, encouraging original thought, sensitive observation and exploration. Our work is varied in scale and type. It includes masterplanning, new buildings, conservation of historic buildings, interior design and bespoke furniture.
We make buildings and spaces which feel good and are distinct from one another. They don’t look the same, but they have these qualities in common:
Comfort Physical and psychological comfort – spaces which indulge the senses, allow for reflection, stimulate etc
Well-being Naturally conditioned environments feel good. We work with the latest energy-saving technologies, and utilise ways in which buildings of the past moderated the climate passively. Similarly we focus on using natural materials which are available locally and which have a positive impact on our physical well-being.
Timelessness We are inspired by architecture which is timeless, and accommodates life rather than controlling it; like the homes of Lina Bo Bardi in Brazil and Geoffrey Bawa in Sri Lanka, which speak to the passions of their owners or the work of Sigurd Lewerentz and Alvaro Siza whose immense tactility and expansiveness is deeply pleasurable.
Presence (and absence) While we are not reticent to make work that is striking, we also take pleasure in things which provide a background for life, things which have a kind of obviousness about them. Careful observation allows us to design things which appeal to a shared visual consciousness.
Construction Quality Our buildings are made well, both what is seen, and what lies below the surface: all emit reliability and reassurance.
Economy We work with intent according to the allocated budget and always seek to make expenditure meaningful.
Sustainability Sustainable, ecological design underpins our core values. We propose buildings which anticipate change, which can be repurposed, extending their useful life, and minimising the impact they have on the environment. As well as the energy saving strategies described above, our proposals conserve water, avoid using fossil fuels and maximise green space (with a focus on reintroducing indigenous species).
What can you expect when you work with us?
Listening We listen carefully to the needs of our clients. Client briefs are developed collaboratively, ensuring that our projects are not only fit for purpose, but also a source of inspiration and pleasure.
Looking We observe and record the physical characteristics of the site. Whether it be the essential qualities of an existing interior, or the materials, forms, textures and colours of a natural landscape, or the grain and character of an urban setting, looking is an essential part of our practice.
Dreaming We make time to dream, for our proposals to take shape first in our imagination as loose approximations of the particular atmosphere, image, shape, presence etc
Conceptualising Whether we are thinking about the form of something, what it is made of, or about how things feel and are connected; ideas are crucial for coherent decision making. The same overall idea might inform the design of a kitchen cabinet or a city block.
Making Projects are developed through drawings, models and prototypes. From approximate representations which retain a dream-like quality, and which are open to interpretation, we progress to those which are precise and unambiguous. All the time, we remain conscious of the basic principles of construction, and establish clearly defined relationships between the elements (load bearing, decorative, insulating, waterproofing etc); these aspects are considered both practically and poetically.
Evaluating We evaluate our own work, and at every stage of the project make room for our clients and colleagues to review and critique our proposals.
Collaborating We have established enduring relationships with other professionals (engineers, surveyors, specialist designers, and project managers). This enables us to operate at scale and provide clients access to a wealth of experience. Our collaborations are based on shared goals and a mutual understanding of our respective disciplines. Similarly, our collaboration with makers draws on their specialist know-how. Through dialogue with them and prototyping, the form, materiality and construction of the objects we produce coalesce.
Building When the project goes to site, our experience and knowledge of construction allows us to think ahead, identify potential problems early and provide solutions which do not compromise the architecture. We do this as part of a team, working collaboratively and with understanding.
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