The raum brand came into existence in 2001 with the standalone design studio establishing in 2010.
Co-directed by husband and wife team Dan and Helen Belton raum prides itself on a complete design service; architecture to interiors. ‘raum’ is historically a Nordic word with no literal translation into the English language. In essence, it talks about how the experience of crafted space is defined through scale, light, scale, texture, acoustics. And further, how it interacts with the setting beyond through physical and visual connections, seating it directly with the essence of place.
We’re a forward-thinking studio, small enough to treat each unique project with the rigour and passion that it deserves. We have the skills and expertise to manage and deliver your project from conception to completion.
Our design approach is deeply rooted in sense of place. We pride ourselves on creating a distinctive contemporary aesthetic, while drawing on a language of craftsmanship and understanding of materials. Our buildings respond to their environment with sensitivity but remain unquestionably of their time.
“Very pleased to have chosen raum to design our new house. Dan and Helen have worked with us to turn our very simple brief into an amazing home.”
raum undertake a broad range of services within our role as standard. We look to apply these as an integral part of our design process with the sole focus of achieving the best solution for each individual proposal. From the initial concept, through to project completion (with the multiplicity of necessary actions and decisions in between), our primary objective is to deliver our client’s aspirations for the project cost effectively and allow them to enjoy the process.
Whether you are looking for simplicity or innovation, boldness or understatement, an architect can lift your project out of the ordinary.
Without clients, there would be no raum. Collaboration and a shared aesthetic between client and design team is fundamental to delivering successful projects. Successful buildings are not solely the result of good architects; a good client relationship is central to both the philosophy and success of our practice. We respond to our clients needs and the requirements of the project with consideration, respectfully challenging and encouraging where an opportunity risks being overlooked. We approach every project on its own terms and treat every commission as an on-going conversation with our client – to which we bring our experience, not our preconceptions. We are realistic from the outset and make sure that the brief and project budget are continually managed in tandem.
Of course, buildings have to be lived in too and a central concern through all our work is to create environments that are enjoyable to inhabit, that continue to delight and stimulate. People spend most of their lives in the buildings where they live and work, and we are continually aware throughout the design process of the impact of the environment on well-being.
“raum brought a fresh perspective and creative ideas to our existing plans. They brought in an excellent contractor and managed the project to ensure our amazing extension was delivered to spec and on budget. It was a pleasure to work with raum and they will be our first port of call if we consider another project in the future.”
We aspire to inspire, realising full potential from spaces to enrich our client’s lives and those around them. To achieve this unquestionably takes teamwork, our role is to lead that team in pursuing the best possible result in all instances. A design team is made up of professionals in their field, tried and tested by us, with our own design ethic. Central to this team however is the client, they are the pivotal component in every project, and as lead consultant the relationship between raum and a client is critical in the success in every project. Projects are most successful when there is mutual understanding of each party’s roles and objectives and they are met and not deviated from.
We pride ourselves on creating a distinctive aesthetic that is contemporary in its proportions and detail while drawing on a language of craftsmanship, and understanding of materials. These preoccupations are central to how we understand design and the way we develop our ideas.
