Lucas Facer is an architect and designer, with his practice based between London and Devon, UK. The research-led practice focuses on regenerative design principles, low-carbon construction, the repair of the old over purchasing new, celebrating the act of care and the varied outcome of a process drawn from what is found. His practice covers a range of disciplines and scales, from architectural design and historic building restoration, to art installation and industrial design. 

 

Always in search of alternatives models for designing and building, his design process begins with an understanding of context, with a particular interest in community centred place making. This naturally leads to a fascination with local materials, skills and environments. The result is characterful places and installations, carefully made from low carbon materials, based on regenerative design principles. 

 

Lucas has an ongoing body of research in the circular economy, with a particular focus on the repair and reuse of end of life materials and buildings. This appreciation of working with found objects and spaces naturally leads to an interest in self-building and DIY culture, questioning mainstream approaches to building and design, recentering community and affordability. 

 

Before establishing his studio, Lucas worked with Haworth Tompkins Architects on several cultural design and residential projects in London. During this time, he helped lead the design and delivery of a new lightweight rooftop pavilion at The National Theatre from concept design through to completion. He also worked on the design of The Lighthouse for Holy Trinity Church and a mixed-use development for Pembroke College in Cambridge.

 

Lucas has worked as set designer and builder on a range of exhibitions and events with various organisations, including The Serpentine Gallery, The Wellcome Trust, Block 9 and Glastonbury Festival. He has an interest in making and building as a social act, assisting with collective building workshops in Latvia, Hungary and the UK. Working with Médecins Sans Frontières and Help Refugees in Calais, Lucas helped to develop a flat pack, self-build shelter, requiring minimal materials and only hand tools to assemble.

 

Lucas studied architecture at the University of the West of England, the University of Bath and the University of Westminster,  achieving first-class honours at each stage. During his undergraduate he was awarded the 2011 Roger Guck Bursary to work in Sri Lanka and research relief housing after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. His master's thesis focused on the areas around Taksim Square, Istanbul, attempting to repair the public realm and neglected neighbourhoods following years of neglect and recent turmoil in the wake of the Arab spring, which was awarded the Nick Terry Urban Design Prize 2015.