Sustainable architecture for forward thinkers

We create joyful spaces that make life better for people, communities, and the planet. Places and spaces that are thoughtful, crafted, and made to last.

From our studio in West Dulwich, we work across London, the South East of England, and further afield. 

About Us

Established in 2013, we work with homeowners, developers, businesses and community organisations to create carefully crafted, sustainable buildings.

Our work celebrates the small, human moments that define daily life: the warmth of a hand on a timber handrail, the play of light through a window, the calm of a home that simply feels right.

We listen deeply and design without ego, collaborating closely with clients, consultants, and communities to create spaces that are as individual as the people who use them. Every project is personal. We make it yours – a lasting reflection of who you are and what you value.

Sustainability isn’t an add-on: we make it the obvious, intelligent choice – guiding everything from materials and detailing to how our buildings perform over time. By combining inventive thinking with meticulous craft, we design architecture that performs beautifully for people and planet alike.

More than 80% of our work comes from returning clients and referrals – proof that design built on trust, care, and collaboration stands the test of time.

THE TEAM

Darren Oldfield
Director
RIBA Chartered Architect & ARB 076537F

  • Darren is the practice Director, which he established in 2013. His vision for architecture is to create high quality sustainable, design-led buildings which substantially improve quality of life through enhanced access to natural light, air and space. Darren believes that good architecture is collaborative, shaped by positive relationships between clients, consultants and contractors – and of course, the staff of the practice. This makes DO+CO a practice that puts people before profit, and ethical business principles first and foremost.

    Prior to qualifying as an architect in 2009, Darren received his Diploma (Distinction) in Architecture and Masters in Professional Practice from the University of Nottingham. Darren has worked in a number of award-winning practices across the country, including marsh:grochowski in Nottingham, and bere:architects in London, working on the UK’s first non-residential certified Passivhaus retrofit project. Immediately prior to setting up the practice, he was a project architect for Cowper Griffith Architects in Cambridge, working on a number of education, cultural and social projects for private and third sector clients.

    When not in the office, Darren is likely to be tending the allotment with his partner Jenny, baking or listening to TMS with a pint alongside Alf the dog and Kalli the cat.

Rita Farrell
Associate Director
ARB 090135K

  • Rita is Associate Director at DO+CO, contributing to the strategic vision of the practice as well as its day to day management. She joined the practice in 2015, and has overseen several of the practice’s high end residential projects.

    Her vision for architecture is to provide sustainable, energy efficient and good quality homes for all, which are true to their materials and fit for purpose.

    Rita studied at Queen’s University Belfast for her BSc Architecture (RIBA Part 1) & MArch (RIBA Part II) before completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice (RIBA Part III) at the University of Westminster and qualifying as an Architect in 2017.

    Outside the practice, Rita is one of the world’s leading Uilleann pipe musicians (that’s Irish Bagpipes to the uninitiated). She has performed all over the world and continues to play regularly across London. In 2019 Rita recorded with Robbie Williams, and appeared on The Graham Norton Show. In 2021 she was elected to the board of the Society of Irish Pipers, and is featured on a compilation CD of women in Uilleann piping, released in 2022.

Dr Jenny Chamarette
Head of Culture & Operations

  • Jen (pronouns they/them) is the Practice’s Head of Culture and Operations, dealing with business strategy and development, marketing, HR and communications. Jen has been involved in DO+CO since it first started – though in a more informal capacity, as they are also Darren’s partner in life as well as in business!

    Outside the practice, Jen is a writer, mentor and coach, and an academic researcher on film and visual culture. In their spare time, Jen swims and practices yoga, as well as tending the allotment and garden.

Matt Brundell
Architect
ARB 113918D

  • Matt joined the practice in March 2024 having previously worked at local practices including Feix and Merlin. He moved to London in 2021, having achieved a first class degree at the University of Liverpool, studying there for both his Part I and Part II. Matt qualified in Oct 2025

    In Matt’s free time he is an avid runner, hoping to complete his third marathon in Prague this year. Matt also holds a lifelong passion for animal welfare continuing to spend time volunteering at an animal santuary for rescued livestock. Alongside this his long standing joy for music and DJing has grown from a hobby to a supplementary income source - hosting music events and playing throughout South East London - and hosting a month radio show on a community based radio station in Liverpool for the past 6 years. Through this community he has conducted multiple projects ranging from installations and stages for festivals to designing radio stations.

Dominic Saliendra
Part II Assistant

  • Dominic joined us in October 2021 after graduating from Newcastle University. He returned to his studies in 2023 while continuing to work for the practice, and graduated with Distinction before rejoining the London office in October 2025.

    Outside of architecture, Dominic has played basketball since he was 15. He also trains in boxing, enjoys surfing whenever he can escape to the coast, and goes scuba diving whenever he gets the chance. When not sketching or training, he’s a talented barman and cocktail maker extraordinaire.

Kalli
Office Mascot (working from home)

Connor Tweedie
Part I Assistant

  • Connor joined the practice in September 2023, after graduating with a BA in Architecture (RIBA Part I) from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow. Prior to studying architecture, he spent two years studying interior design, a background he enjoys relating to his ongoing projects. His favourite university project, “A Dance Hall for Equality,” envisioned a new community space that promoted a more equal, fair, and diverse culture compared with the traditional Glaswegian dance hall typology.

    Outside of architecture, Connor has a passion for aviation and when given the opportunity, has even been known to fly planes himself.

Alf
Chief Pupper

  • Alf the whippet joined the practice in November 2023 with a pedigree in puppery. He is mostly found snoozing in a warm spot, with occasional opportunities for cuddles and zooming. Everybody is Alf’s friend and he is glad to offer distractions at will.

  • Kalli took over as office mascot in September 2020 after we lost our wonderful Juno. You will mainly find her disrupting any attempt for Darren to work efficiently from home!

Do+Co-creation
Do+Collaboration
Do+Communication
Do+Community
Do+Co

Co-creation

We’re co-creators of beautiful and interesting buildings and spaces. We work with clients to design places full of personality that tell a story, induce joy and lift spirits. Regardless of scale, our starting point is always light, volume and space – a trinity of principles that leads to original responses that centre wellbeing and quality of life.

Collaboration

With us, there’s no ego. We’re unpretentious, natural collaborators who understand the best ideas are the ones that make life better for everyone. That’s why we work in collaboration with each other, with clients, consultants and communities, coming up with the right solutions while building long-lasting relationships (and friendships). 

Communication

Undertaking a project is a significant life experience for you, and we take our responsibilities seriously. You can trust us to be open, upfront and honest. We’ll listen carefully to understand your needs and desires and respect your investment, working hard to make the most of your money. Our process is tried and tested, delivering robust solutions every time. How it works

Community

Our designs connect people with place, appreciating over time, adding value not just for our clients but the community that surrounds them. Sustainability is never an add-on with us – it informs every move we make, from how we run our studio to the thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient spaces we help to create.