AOC is a practice of architects and designers led by Tom Coward, Gill Lambert and Geoff Shearcroft. Established in 2005 the practice is best known for its new public buildings, transformation of cultural institutions, educational projects and bespoke homes. AOC engages with culture and communities to create buildings, places and experiences, from furniture and fabrics to large public buildings on sensitive sites. Completed projects include Wellcome Reading Room (2015), The Green (2016), Crafts Council Gallery (2021), School Green Centre (2022) and Young V&A (2023).

Since its inception, the practice has always designed houses, collaborating with residents to develop homes that are both specific to their needs and flexible for evolving futures. They use resources inventively to optimise the use of energy and minimise carbon emissions. In 2006 they gained planning permission for Black House, a zero carbon house on a rural site, described by Mid-Suffolk District Council as “the most sustainable home this committee has ever seen”.

AOC have particularly experience working in politically and historically sensitive contexts, delivering contemporary designs in listed buildings and conservation areas. Studio House is a new build house, completed 2022, on a magical plot in a conservation area on the edge of Hampstead Heath that replaced a compact single storey studio with a generous two storey family home.

The practice’s designs have been widely published and won numerous awards, including Designs of the Year, RIBA and New London Awards. The Forest House won the Don’t Move, Improve! Unique Character Prize 2022 and was published in Wallpaper*, Evening Standard, The Telegraph and the ‘House London’ publication.