SUPRBLK comes from our interest in both materiality and locality (the two meanings of the word ‘BLOCK’), and in pursuing an architectural response in a manner that strives to be of higher quality / above or beyond the status quo (the meaning of ‘SUPER’). Our aim is always to take inspiration from the context, history, and locality of our projects and we aspire to elevate our work within this context, to create something special and playful.
super adjective / prefix
1) of higher grade or quality;
2) over and above
block noun / attributive
1) a solid piece of material, altered to serve a purpose;
2) a space in a city enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for buildings.
SELECTED PROJECTS
/ BACK TO PROJECTS THE GREEN MACHINE The design was born out of the client’s need to rethink how to live in a compact studio flat in East-London by providing adaptable spaces to suit many different uses such as sleeping, eating, working, entertaining, lounging, etc. The design strategy focused the tight budget on a grouping […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS CARPENTER’S LOFTA reconfiguration to a cellular loft that strikes a balance between the architectural characteristics of the remaining 1900’s woodwork factory and the brute 1980’s residential conversion, providing the clients with a bright open plan living space to celebrate their love for cooking. Inspired by the historical carpentry program, as well […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS THE CHAPEL This project playfully reinterprets religious elements into programmatic features to transform this small space within a grade 2 listed church in London, England, into a heavenly retreat. Materials and colours are introduced to enhance spatial characteristics, such as the brass inlay pattern set within the porcelain floor tiles […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS THE BARN-DOOR STUDIO A new studio and living space is carefully nestled amongst a cluster of surrounding buildings to replace and celebrate an original garage that previously sat on the site. The beautiful old barn doors were salvaged, re-used and integrated into the new design. New meaningful relationships are constructed […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS DRIFTWOOD HOUSE A beach house that responds to the client’s brief of providing flexible living spaces, bedrooms and amenity spaces such as a sauna with views to the ocean and heightened connection to the landscape. Inspired by the client’s strong connection to a large piece of driftwood on the site, a […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS BUS SHELTERInspired by the surrounding landscape and the wind in the valleys, Bus Shelter seeks to encompass users into an intimate, fluid space where they may pause, contemplate, or simply glimpse through the stacked wood slits at the scenery beyond as they wait for the bus. The vernacular sheds stocked with […]
![BUSH THEATRE [SLIVER]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/suprblk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SUPRBLK_bush-theatre-icon_Haworth-Tompkins.jpg){kind=icon}
/ BACK TO PROJECTS BUSH THEATRE The surrounding urban context was analysed and conceptually embedded within the design proposal that lightly pierces the existing opaque brick facade to introduce a new publicly accessible entrance, stream of natural light, and engaging community and operational programmes such as a new cafe terrace, bar extension, studio and (hireable) […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS LIBERATES HOUSE The striking masonry facade of Libertas House was carved by the noted Scottish sculptor William Mossman II between 1870 and 1873. Mossman seems to have drawn on the well-known Latin motto ‘Libertas Justitia Veritas’ – meaning ‘Freedom, Justice, Truth’ – in his designs for the building as he included […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS THE BISCUIT FACTORYA refurbishment that sought to revive the architectural characteristics of the original baking rooms in an old biscuit factory in East London, which had been masked in a 1980’s conversion. By using inhabitable ‘pods’ constructed from Birch plywood to divide the rooms and take advantage of the high ceiling […]
/ BACK TO PROJECTS TREE HOUSE ‘MEMORIAL’ A collaborative 3 day design and build workshop with Studio In The Woods to create a shelter that both celebrates and protects a decaying tree on a woodland property by delicately framing the tree – as well as views to the surrounding landscape – constructed without the use […]
STUDIO
SUPRBLK is an award winning architecture practice that creates innovative designs that are highly responsive to the client’s needs and to the context.
Central to the practice’s identity is the use of distinct conceptual narratives to guide the design of each project. The studio advocates for a sustainable practice which is fundamentally rooted in a strong belief of reusing, reworking and rethinking existing conditions where possible.
Our work is frequently recognized and widely featured in architecture and design publications as seen in projects like The Biscuit Factory, which was shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards in 2019, The Chapel, which is featured in the Jan/Feb 2022 edition of Detail magazine, The Barn Door Studio, which was the cover story in the May 2022 Maine Home+Design magazine, and The Green Machine, winner of the 2024 New London Architecture Compact Design Award.
We work at all scales, delivering anything from rural or urban new builds to creative alterations to existing buildings. We believe that every project, big or small, is an opportunity for something special and transformative.
SARA L’ESPÉRANCE (Director)
Sara is an ARB registered Architect and the co-director of SUPRBLK studio. After completing her undergraduate degree at Carleton University, Sara moved to London to study at the Bartlett School of Architecture for her Masters and Post-Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice & Management. After working for several years in the UK for award-winning practices (Fletcher Priest Architects & Ian Ritchie Architects). Sara has a particular interest in the in-between, playful leftover spaces found in urban environments and is also passionate about housing and the way that people live.
As a compliment to her studio, Sara is also a sessional instructor at Dalhousie University School of Architecture where she currently teaches first year design studio.
MICHAEL PUTMAN (Director)
Michael is an ARB registered Architect and the co-director of SUPRBLK studio. Prior to setting up SUPRBLK, Michael worked as a Project Architect for the Stirling Prize-winning practice Haworth Tompkins for many years where he delivered projects such as the Bristol Old Vic, Battersea Arts Centre and the Bush Theatre. He completed his Post-Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice & Management in 2015 at The Bartlett School of Architecture.
Alongside his practice, Michael is also a Professor at Dalhousie University’s School of Architecture where his research and area of interest focuses on Adaptive Reuse. He is passionate about a sustainable and thoughtful approach to existing urban fabric and has a particular interest in how materials come together.
