Make, Hong Kong: Support, Working Together, Collaboration.

Make is an international, award-winning architecture practice with one purpose: to design the best buildings, places and spaces in the world. Founded by Ken Shuttleworth in 2004, the practice has grown to over 150 people across studios in London, Sydney and Hong Kong. 

Established in 2008, the Hong Kong team of eight works on projects in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the surrounding Asia region. The 10th floor office in central Hong Kong is defined by a non-hierarchical culture that hinges on employee ownership – everyone is a partner, and everyone takes part in the decision making. This means that everyone is listened to and encouraged to participate with ideas, opinions and thoughts. 

The flat hierarchy is replicated in the space. Make is a workshop environment that encourages the free flow of ideas. Everyone uses the same style of desk and chair in the open-plan studio, which has no cellular offices: all work together, with everyone available to discuss and ask questions. This has a ripple effect on the wider culture of not asking someone to do something unless you are prepared to do the same. 

Each Make project is the result of a meticulous, in-depth design process that involves listening to clients, understanding their needs and aspirations and producing bespoke, design-led solutions. The firm takes a similar approach to explore the potential of its staff members. 

Make also runs the Future Spaces Foundation – a think tank involving the whole studio as well as external experts to expand on ideas and thoughts including the future of cities and the future of the high street. That sharing of information feeds into the practice’s ethos of fostering an environment where all share the credit, which in turn leads to the delivery of world-class architecture to its clients.