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Who Are We?

We’re a small design-led practice. We started in 2018 with a wild idea that the people designing buildings and cities should be as diverse as the people who live in them. It meant we had to question “traditional” architectural practice, because “traditional” architects simply aren’t diverse, and the impacts of this on every-day design, such as housing and public realm, are becoming increasingly apparent.

BiBO = Better in, Better out. They say you’re only as good as your weakest link… so we focus on our staff. We keep them happy, and work on projects that make them jump out of bed on Monday morning because that’s the type of enthusiasm our clients deserve.

We avoid talking too much about our “sectors” of work because we like working with interesting people, on interesting projects – whatever form that takes.

Our promise to ourselves, our clients, and the people who will one day occupy our places is to practice with curiosity, integrity and joy. We’ll question whether there is a better solution, we won’t design things we wouldn’t live/work/play in ourselves, and we’ll have a bit of fun along the way.

BiBO Website Design

Commercial + Enterprise

Language School
Buggy Shelter
Trowbridge Town Branding
Facilities Management Masterplan
Boutique Glamping Development
Creative Startup & SMME Co-Working

We like working with companies who recognise that the environment in which they deliver their services and products says as much about their brand as the products and services themselves. We’re brand conscious and commercial, and take the time to understand our client’s business so that the buildings and spaces we design help attract our client’s clients!

Public Realm + Urban Design

The Caterpillar Visitor Attraction
Town Gateways Design

Next to housing, cities and streets are the second-most commonly encountered spaces. But how much of a role do individuals have in the design of their local public realm? We are working on ways of engaging a more diverse community voice that goes beyond traditional public consultation methods. We want to work with end-users to understand the types of proposals that will be welcomed, cherished and – if possible – delivered by the local community.

Heritage + Refurbishment

Grade II Listed Pub and Boutique Hotel
Abbey House Grade II* Alterations
Wolseley House Grade II Refurbishment and Extension

Working with a heritage property comes with its challenges, but what good is a heritage property if it doesn’t work for your lifestyle or business? And why work within those constraints if your lifestyle or business can’t make the most of the character of your building? We’re practical and sympathetic to the characteristics of heritage buildings that are most highly valued.

Housing

Two New Homes

Volume housing is for the many, and the “many” of today are eco-conscious, with one eye on Grand Designs and the other on Instagram. We think everyone deserves to live in a house that supports 21st century living; good daylighting, energy efficient, sensible storage, practical social and private spaces, personalised and photogenic. These things don’t have to be expensive to build or buy- they just have to be smart. Our test? We only draw houses we’d want to live in ourselves.

Library + Gallery

Here’s a bit about how we see the world, and what some of the things we are putting into it look like. This is an exhibition of BiBO’s development, what we observe, what we think, and how we respond. Enjoy!

Knowledge sharing in Swindon today learning all ab Knowledge sharing in Swindon today learning all about their HAZ. 

Top 3 rules in successful placemaking...consult broadly, consult early and consult often.

#heritage #conservation #place #urbanism #community #investment
We also do interiors for motor engineering practit We also do interiors for motor engineering practitioners. 😊

#flexibleworking #workplace #workplacedesign #motorcycle
Tonight's lesson from Trowbridge is that an Urban Tonight's lesson from Trowbridge is that an Urban Room is also a place where local artists can meet the mayor! 

Lively kick-off to @clothroadarts with a cocktail at @cassiacollectiveuk and a buzzy bash in @thecourtstreetgallery with @samuellindup! 

Working in this town, with these people is just so much fun!

#urbandesign #urbanroom #architecture #placemaking #art #community
The thickness of stuff... Mocking up wall buildup The thickness of stuff...

Mocking up wall buildups!

#construction #sustainability #education #womeninarchitecture
The man himself! Exhibition going up! Make sure e The man himself! Exhibition going up!

Make sure everyone you know is planning to hit the Cloth Roads Arts Trail which kicks off at 18.30 Friday 29th April @trowbridgetownhall

And of course come see Sam's work in our studio, it's an amazing collection! 

@clothroadarts
#wiltshire #events #artwork #trowbridge
Part of the @clothroadarts trail, we're delighted Part of the @clothroadarts trail, we're delighted to be hosting an exhibition of paintings by @samuellindup.

See "What's On" in Linktree/Bio for more details!

#art #wiltshire #painting #artexhibition
Our new teammate Selina presenting some of her cur Our new teammate Selina presenting some of her current designwork! 

Selina joined us at the beginning of March as part of her undergrad architecture degree at the University of Bath! Its taken this long to welcome her properly since she has been so busy doing all the stuff BiBO stands for like...
- Representing young people/students
- Representing women in architecture
- Representing different cultural communities (she shouts about @bathabacus ) 
- Gearing up to be a #girlboss
- Making sure people like her have a place in #placemaking

Basically, we're pretty proud of her accomplishments already and honoured to be part of her early career. She's one to watch!

@uniofbath
#futurearchitect
#architecture
#womeninarchitecture #womensupportingwomen
This is definitely the first time "no badgers" has This is definitely the first time "no badgers" has come up as a Dream Building Wishlist item.

They want windows too (the current ones are shuttered closed)... is there no end to this sense of entitlement?!

Needless to say, it was a brilliant briefing session with a local community group to start developing a vision and business case for their new facility. We were in our element, and can't wait to see how the project progresses!

#codesign #peoplefirst #humancentereddesign #community #architecture
What do cupcakes have to do with placemaking? Tod What do cupcakes have to do with placemaking?

Today, for us... everything.
A year ago (3rd March 2021) Sarah Everard was killed prompting women around the world to call loudly for what women in architecture have been shouting about for decades. We want cities that are designed for everyone. 

These cupcakes were for Pepper's birthday, which will forever act as a reminder of Sarah's death. Sarah was the same age as Pepper and should still be in the world today - one cupcake is for her. 

Sarah's death, alongside the subsequent murder of Sabina Nessa, represent two of many final straws. We work to honor these women and all the women killed before them, by showing their surviving families, and any woman who walks down the street in fear that some of us in the world care so much, we will spend the rest of our lives making physical change. Not through lobbying or fundraising, but with AutoCAD, urban design, architecture and construction. 

BiBO is not at all alone, and this day was made infinitely more special by sharing these cupcakes with @make_space_for_girls who want, can, and will help us make public realm equitable for all ages.

We are once again grateful to be working with @wiltshirecouncil to give Trowbridge an opportunity for leading-edge urban design. 

And of course to @henleyscakes who exceeded our design brief to prepare the most beautiful box of cupcakes to share with Sarah. Thank you for understanding how meaningful a dozen cupcakes can be.

#saraheverard #sabinanessa #nevergiveup #citiesforpeople
Library + Gallery Page

Education

Education is a large part of our working practice. All of our staff are encouraged to get involved with schools and universities, to give a bit back to our own humble beginnings. What’s in it for us? Students have great ideas, and the freedom to explore them in a way that is often not replicated outside of academia. By spending time with these new thinkers- talking and drawing through the challenges of balancing reality with aspiration- we are able to bring innovation into our own work.

We were in their shoes once, and one day they’ll be in ours …

Education + Resources Page

Masterplanning

Community-Led Masterplan
Strategic Land Masterplanning

Our guiding principle in masterplanning is to “enhance the existing” – we work with ecology, topography, demography and more to arrive at a masterplan that is truly derived from its own unique place.

We think 2 things are essential to the success and deliverability of a masterplan: 1) It needs to be commercially viable to the landowner and 2) It needs to be as relevant in 10, 20, 50, 100 years as it is now. We place great value on working with the existing community to generate masterplans that are welcomed by neighbours. And as with all of our work, we think it is essential to observe and listen to the wants of target end-users to design communities that will support their lifestyle.

We would love to hear from you so please get in touch using any of the methods below:

Email: better@bibostudio.com

Tel: 0333 577 2420

Find Us: Studio 19, 2nd Floor, Brick Mill, Meadow Works, Court Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8BR

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