Firm Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:Serie is an international practice specializing in architecture, urban design and research. The work of Serie is known for its spatial intelligence, formal elegance and contextual engagement. The design of Serie is led by Christopher Lee and our portfolio of work includes projects in the UK, Singapore, India, China, and the Middle East, and has been based on a series of high profile design competition successes. Founded in 2008 by Christopher Lee in London and Kapil Gupta in Mumbai, India, Serie maintains offices in London, Mumbai, Singapore and Beijing.
Serie has gained a reputation for designing distinctive buildings in the public realm, with a special focus on cultural, civic and educational building. In 2011 we won the international design competition for the 1,200sqm BMW London 2012 Olympic Pavilion. This building was in the centre of the Olympic Games Park and was open to the public throughout the Games period. In 2012 we won the international open design competition for the Singapore State Courts Complex. Currently under construction, this complex will comprise two 150m high towers with an area of 110,000sqm and construction budget of US$350m. In 2013 we won the open design competition to extend the National University of Singapore School of Architecture. Scheduled for completion in 2018, this building will be a model example of environmental design in tropical climates and will form a central role in the school’s pedagogy. In 2014 we won a design competition for the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, currently under construction.
The practice is known for its emphasis on the study of building typologies, their embedded intelligence and potential application. We base new architectural solutions on the careful study of historical building precedents and their potential in accommodating today’s demands and challenges. With a close relationship to the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and Harvard Graduate School of Design in the USA where Christopher Lee is a member of the academic faculty Serie has re-opened interest in this field as one of the key areas of architectural discourse.
Fundamental to our work is a highly refined approach to design with emphasis on rigorous geometry and the innovative use of materials. This design focus is complemented by a meticulous and inventive approach to construction. This combination of capabilities has allowed the firm to develop a reputation for exciting, contemporary design.
Serie Architects won the ‘Young Architect of the Year Award’ in 2010. This is the most prestigious award in the UK for architects under the age of 40. The award recognises innovative design, successfully completed projects and inventive theoretical work.
