Library of Resources: Manalo & White
Manalo & White: A London-based Architecture Practice Embracing Inclusivity and Sustainability
Manalo & White, an award-winning architecture practice based in London, is renowned for its cohesive, diverse, and talented design team. The practice demonstrates an unwavering commitment to creating purposeful and inclusive architecture, as evidenced by its broad portfolio of cultural, leisure, education, and industrial projects.
The heart of Manalo & White's design philosophy lies in the meticulous curation and utilization of their extensive materials library. The practice carefully selects materials with precise knowledge of their sizes, characteristics, and recyclability to ensure detailed, accurate, and practical application in their work. This respect for materials helps avoid on-site modifications and allows them to integrate materials seamlessly into their designs, combining practicality with creative, playful use.
Manalo & White consciously incorporates inclusivity into their material choices by exceeding basic accessibility requirements. They aim to create engaging and enjoyable experiences through texture, color contrast, and sensory elements like aural wayfinding. Collaborations with organizations such as the DisOrdinary Architecture Project further enhance this approach by involving artists with disabilities to provide authentic, inclusive design input rather than token gestures.
The practice balances the competing desires for practicality and playfulness by finding materials that are not particularly sexy and making them sing from a design point of view. They particularly like to celebrate and elevate relatively humble materials, and avoid overly complicated detailing.
One of the materials the practice is hoping to use in the near future is Spolia by Solus Ceramics, an innovative UK-made terrazzo that can incorporate project-specific waste into a bespoke tile, making it a cost-effective and sustainable material. Another attractive option for interior screens are extruded terracotta blocks by Solus Ceramics, which provide good levels of privacy while allowing plenty of daylight through.
Manalo & White often looks for something contextual that serves as a hook for the design concept. For instance, they have used fluted aluminium sheets combined with acoustic cork panels to create a cohesive design language that is both practical and visually interesting, while also being environmentally conscious. This approach is evident in projects like the Frân Wen performing arts centre, where an aural wayfinding strategy inspired by a church organ was developed, blending practical wayfinding with a playful sensory experience.
The practice's materials library occupies around half the office and was designed by the associates for the space. Planed softwood timber is one of the practice's preferred interior materials, appearing on many projects and being particularly drawn to its multifunctional nature and honest aesthetic. The materials library is organized into specific sections including masonry, timber, ceramics, internal finishes, and a project-specific section.
The practice often visits furniture suppliers to look at new pieces, specifying only comfortable and durable items that photograph well. They also frequently develop bespoke design elements using both humble and higher-end materials, such as the iQ student specification's ceramic tiles with rounded corners.
In the student accommodation projects, the practice has led to factory visits with bathroom pod manufacturers, investigating the pod in a factory environment with the client and other consultants to progress the design and make efficiencies. The practice's current retrofit project in Clerkenwell involves re-skinning the building in brick and pigmented concrete with fair-faced blockwork and exposed timber used internally.
Aoibhín McGinley and Lauren Li Porter worked on the East End Women's Museum refurbishment, aiming to make the space welcoming to a broader audience by using materials that felt less institutional and more welcoming. Through-coloured materials, such as loose fabrics in the materials library, are arranged by color, and the practice often begins projects by doing a 'material pull'.
By embracing inclusivity, sustainability, and a playful approach to design, Manalo & White continues to create unique and engaging architecture that resonates with users and pushes the boundaries of traditional architectural practices.
- Manalo & White's diversity in projects spans from cultural to educational, demonstrating a dedication to purposeful and inclusive architecture.
- The practice strategically selects materials for their environmentally friendly characteristics and practicality, ensuring seamless integration into their designs.
- Manalo & White's approach to materials extends beyond practicality, focusing on creative, playful uses that elevate humble materials.
- Incorporating Spolia by Solus Ceramics could provide a sustainable and cost-effective option for the practice's future projects.
- Embracing a playful approach to design, Manalo & White continues to create unique and engaging architecture, merging sustainability with inclusivity, and pushing traditional boundaries.
