The way we live continues to evolve – so why are the structures designed for living so often left unchanged?
OYO is an architectural collaborative that challenges convention to reveal the true potential of space. We seek opportunities to improve the way we learn, relax, work and interact with others, and to create public places that stimulate new levels of commerce, engagement, productivity and biodiversity.
We believe Originality Yields Opportunity. This is the OYO way.
We collectively envision what the experience of a structure or area could be, aiming to create a space with a positive impact where people can thrive.


Our 6 Key Principles
There are 6 principles that are integral to what we do. No matter the size of your project, these principles guide the way we work, the designs we produce and the vision brought to life.
1. Creative Curiosity
2. Ecosystem Thinking
3. Atmosphere Design
4. Inspiring Collectivity
5. Intense Collaboration
6. Positive Attitude
CREATIVE CURIOSITY
Every time we receive a project or opportunity, we employ critical thinking and open mindedness in equal measure. This approach means questioning convention and ensuring original thinking is present in our designs. We’re proud to say that our “house style” is an anti-house style.


ECOSYSTEM THINKING
Designing a space means designing an ecosystem – one that balances spatial, behavioural, economic and environmental impact. When these factors operate in harmony, they create a space capable of sustaining a variety of functions. We feel accountable and believe it is our job as planners and architects to direct and curate this balance, whilst still leaving room for spontaneity and serendipity.
We consider liveability, material life-cycle, carbon footprint, biodiversity and building performance in every step we take, ensuring a long-lasting positive outcome. We believe in sustainability by design.


ATMOSPHERE DESIGN
Every space should have an atmosphere; a quality that leaves an impression on those who enter it. Atmosphere Design involves thinking about the layers of design details that build towards a feeling. We believe that using honest or natural materials will make a space feel comfortable.
By restoring an original design feature, we will give a building authenticity and character. Or by blurring the lines between inside and outside, we can make a structure feel at one with nature. With a deep respect for the craft, we simply want to make people happy, encouraging them to feel at ease and to enjoy a genuine experience.
Atmosphere Design ensures every space bears its soul.


INSPIRING COLLECTIVITY
We design spaces to inspire communities. We take this approach regardless of the scale or type of project. Whether we’re designing a house, a workplace, an education facility or a whole neighbourhood, the desire to bring people together is at the heart of every environment.
This means truly understanding the lives of those who will inhabit the space and finding ways for those lives to meaningfully coexist and coalesce. We don’t just want to create aesthetic designs, but build lasting structures that foster community and provide a sense of belonging.


INTENSE COLLABORATION
Collaboration is the only way to realise a bold vision. We work on ambitious projects, which means there are always challenges to overcome and opportunities waiting to be found.
This is why, before we engage with a client or partner, we are clear that our approach will be one that involves moments of collaboration. We use hyper-focused working sessions at key points to efficiently and effectively involve the right expertise from all parties. This approach keeps us all aligned and ensures an incredible idea comes to life.


POSITIVE ATTITUDE
General good vibes ensure that there’s a spontaneity to our creativity and that our thinking is never formulaic. It’s important to us that the studio creates a positive environment where people feel comfortable to propose bold ideas. It’s why we invest so much in our culture and activities that bring us together as a team.
Ultimately, OYO provides a place where it feels good to create, and this can be seen in the novel ideas and positive impact all of our projects achieve.


Q&A
OYO doesn’t mean anything, but it sounds friendly, confident and different, which is exactly what we want to be as a studio.
Yes, we are always looking for new collaborators. You can find all the information about submitting your application here.
There's no specific size or type of project. Our clients are individuals, organisations and municipalities. They choose us because they share a desire to understand what their project can achieve beyond what is expected. They value original thinking and positive environmental outcomes. They collaborate with us to ensure a bold vision comes to life.
Our studio is a 40-person strong multidisciplinary team of designers, architects and planners. We believe in the value of operating an open framework of ideas, exploring each project collectively before putting together the best team for it.
OYO is an architectural studio that strives with each of its projects to reveal the true potential of space. This means rejecting what the past says the experience of a space should be, and instead, designing for what could be. In pursuit of this, we have (re)designed schools, homes, parks, offices, museums, galleries, etc. improving the ways people can learn, relax, work, interact and think.
There are 6 key concepts that are integral to what we do. Every client, no matter the size of their project, will encounter these in the way we work, the designs we produce and the vision that is brought to life.
We focus on human outcomes in order to create human spaces and by doing so refuse to be restricted by predefined notions of what a building “should be” because this subjects people to the same limitations of the past.
We believe in the importance of ecosystem thinking and atmosphere design.
We believe that lasting sustainability requires a structure to be adaptable.
We believe in breaking convention to reveal the true potential of space.
We believe originality yields opportunity.
We believe sustainable design is design that can adapt to life’s future needs. Certain materials and structural thinking may seem more sustainable in the short term but often don’t last or create inflexibility. Real waste is created when a space cannot meet new purposes and is destroyed rather than reshaped. You can read more about our forward thinking here.
From the way we work, learn, shop, socialise… We can see human life continues to evolve. The spaces we design must as well. This is why a huge part of our thinking focuses on how we can help people better achieve what they are truly in the space to do – we call this "Spatial purpose".