We are AST*
Architecture +
Design
Strategy
Narrative
Communication
We pride ourselves on being open minded, non-specific, full of energy + sound of judgement.
We think in space + light, but we talk in values/appraisals + measurable outcomes.
We listen first, then listen again.
We are social anthropologists, story tellers + urban explorers.
We will fulfil your expectations + challenge you.
We have no sector specialism, instead we are bespoke problem solvers, contextual responders + digital innovators.
The case studies + projects showcased here demonstrate our collective experience over 60+ combined years across many typologies. We have worked as a practice for almost 15 years so the work here reflects our output over that period.
We will tell your story, communicate your vision + will deliver your project, with an eye on the numbers + a skill for creating clear, commercially viable design solutions.
We are makers of great places + buildings; always design led, we try to keep it simple.
What can we do for you?
Why the f*** work with us?
Meet the Team
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Duncan Hammond
DESIGN DIRECTOR
With over 22 years in small bespoke, medium and large commercial practices, Duncan is an award-winning RIBA chartered Architect.
Duncan studied via the part-time route at Leeds Beckett University, whilst working full time. This gave him a unique view of the profession, with transferable skills around both conceptual design and “real-world” project running.
He has worked on all scales of project, from the small beautifully crafted domestic to large complex developments.
Duncan is hands-on with design and production and has an excellent understanding of our digital design workflows. His knowledge of using digital tools have allowed AST new ways of working, and drives efficiency in projects and their execution.
Duncan is a gifted freehand artist, and is equally capable of large project output coordination championing our Revit/BIM/VR technology on all projects.
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Chris Boyce
FOUNDER + DIRECTOR
After over 20 years working in large practices, including two AJ100 top 10 studios as Design Director, Chris set up AST* in the summer of 2017 to work alongside a talented team made up of former colleagues and friends.
A vocal member of the architecture community, Chris has written, spoken and often sworn out loud about the industry he loves.
As a visiting critic at UCL The Bartlett, Manchester and The Royal College of Art, as well as a contributor to books, journals and a judge for the RIBA and AJ Awards, he is seldom afraid to voice an opinion.
Chris is a hands on design lead, obsessive and creative in equal measure.
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Claire Lewis-Smith
MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
B.Arch DiplArch ARB
Responsible for delivering bid, marketing and communications collateral and tools for the practice.
Claire has been a part of AST* from day one, as a Director and initially as part time Marketing / Communications lead. Claire is a qualified architect graduating from the Mackintosh, The Bartlett and Westminster universities respectively and has over 15 years of professional experience mostly across the office and workplace sectors.
She started her career in Germany where her first project was a whopping €470 million retail and office development in Hamburg. In 2006 she joined ESA where she cut her construction teeth on a number of corporate HQ buildings in the southeast and London, including BCO winner Stryker in Newbury, Subsea 7 in Sutton, and the Bower at Stockley Park.
Claire has a particular interest in the occupier stages of projects with a key skill set in space planning, workplace strategy and interior design, as well as being experienced across the planning stages of commercial developments from £5– 50 million.
As well as being part of the architecture team, Claire heads up AST*s communications and graphics, developing our online presence and maintaining overall brand integrity.
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Danny Crossland
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
Daniel Crossland is AST*s technical lead BIM modeller and technical associate with extensive experience as an architectural technologist and Masterplanner. Having worked with Chris and Duncan on many projects over the years, he brings his coordination, 3D skills and extensive technical knowledge to the practice in abundance. He is our go-to guru for all things BIM and Autodesk Revit related and champions the importance of employing BIM effectively. Danny acted as the Technical Lead on the highly bespoke Blackburn Bus Station, delivering the final award-winning building with exceptional detail quality and innovative design solutions.
Danny’s experience covers all stages, from concept to completion, and he revels in different typologies: education, commercial, transport, leisure, health and even ecclesiastical.
Danny is a devout vegan and trusted daddy to blind rescue dog Toulouse and is a core member of the AST family!
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Saint Olaf
SHEEPADOODLE
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Jan Küttner
ARCHITECT
Jan is a master of his skill with extensive experience in a wide range of sectors in the UK Germany and New Zealand. He has worked on large commercial as well as and small scale domestic but regardless of size, Jan is meticulous in his execution.
Jan completed his studies and spent the first 5 year of his working life in Germany before moving to the other side of the world where he worked on projects such as Chaffers Dock, luxury apartments on the Wellington harbour front. He returned to this side of the hemisphere in 2006 at which point he joined commercial London firm ESA. It was on this very day that he met Claire, ASTs other partner, who also started at ESA and the two went on to work together directly and indirectly for nearly a decade.
Jan is a phenomenal cook – just as well as he is married to an Italian! His passion for food and cars nearly matches his passion for architecture and design.
We love working with Jan and look forward to building Eton Road, Chiswick boathouse and hopefully many other projects together in due course.