Tuckey Design Studio Rooted in Reuse

By Rachel Turner 16/07/2026 4 min read 3 views

London-based Tuckey Design Studio has built a reputation for a circular, materially sensitive approach to architecture, often focusing on adaptive reuse. This philosophy faced a distinct test when the firm was asked to design a new house on a disused Victorian brickworks site in Wiltshire. The client’s primary desire was a fresh build, but the existing structures at the location lacked the necessary light and views toward the valley. Jonathan Tuckey, the studio’s founder, explained that the team was initially conflicted since they typically work with existing buildings. However, the absence of a viable structure meant they needed to find a way to reuse the site’s resources.

Reusing the Site’s Resources

The team turned to rammed earth as the solution. This construction method relies on water, clay, and gravel, which the site had in abundance. The excavation revealed clay “literally underneath our feet,” and the demolition of the old buildings provided crushed brick and concrete aggregate. This approach allowed the studio to create a local supply chain rather than importing heavy materials from elsewhere. The resulting Rammed Earth House features a textured, somewhat quiet aesthetic that improves with age, utilizing materials like cedar shingles, copper drainpipes, and reclaimed greenheart timber for the colonnades.

The construction process was rigorous. The team determined an optimal mix ratio of 25/25/25/25, combining clay, demolition aggregate, locally sourced limestone gravel, and water. They first excavated the site and sorted the waste effectively turning the area into a quarry. Local contractors had to be trained in the basics of building with this material and spent months testing small wall sections. If a test failed, builders would knock it down and start over. The definitive walls were then constructed layer by layer, with the rammed earth manually compressed by hand.

Shifting materials from discarded brickworks to load-bearing walls requires a fundamental change in how we view waste. For a design practice focused on history, this process forces a deeper understanding of local geology and the economy of the site. The result is a building that embodies the history of its place rather than simply sitting on top of it. This approach creates a unique aesthetic that standard concrete cannot match, though it demands patience from everyone involved in the project.

Following the completion of the Wiltshire project in mid-2024, the team and their contractor, Stonewood Builders, saw the potential for scalability. They are setting up a rammed earth factory to produce prefabricated panels. Tuckey notes that this could reduce construction time and costs. Standardized panels dropped into position would make the process less weather-dependent. Additionally, since contractors are often paid to remove waste, using on-site materials can generate income rather than incurring disposal fees. The studio is currently developing plans for six terraced houses in Wiltshire or Gloucestershire, aiming for a cost close to affordable housing.

Expanding the Practice

The studio continues to balance new builds with renovation work. They are currently developing a homestead with four residences and communal facilities, such as a spa and a family dining room. Another project involves a new home in Surrey constructed with timber, hempcrete, and lime concrete. They recently finished an interiors project in Yorkshire that involved reconfiguring the home’s layout and creating bespoke joinery.

Tuckey Design Studio has also developed a significant portfolio of hospitality projects that require reconciling buildings for tourism. One notable example is Trevarefabrikken in Henningsvær, Northern Norway. A group of friends bought a former cod liver oil factory in 2014 and transformed it into a 20-plus room hotel and arts destination. The firm is currently renovating a former tannery in southern Belgium into an eco-retreat and cultural hub. They are also leading the conversion of a grand Georgian farmhouse in northern Scotland into a hotel and restaurant. A remodeling of an existing ruin in Piedmont, Northern Italy, into a cork-clad wellness retreat is also nearing completion.

Tuckey emphasizes that the studio avoids chasing specific styles or trends. The firm remains focused on how people use buildings and the reasons behind their current forms. The layered and detailed results appear to be a natural outcome of this focus rather than a calculated design move.