The Art of Making Space

Our architecture is driven by place and people. We create bespoke spaces of quality, flair, and imagination, designed around our clients, which sit comfortably within their context.

All clients are unique, and as a result so are the buildings we create, which are always thoughtful, innovative, and finely detailed. We use light, materials, and attention to detail, to create spaces which are a joy to inhabit.

Our work has been recognised with numerous awards, as well as being widely published both in the UK and internationally.

Our Practice

Our studio was founded in 2010 by Andrew and Kate Brown, in the midst of a worldwide economic recession.
Despite these challenging circumstances we have evolved steadily into an award-winning and successful practice, amassing a distinct portfolio of award-winning projects.

We offer a breadth of design and technical experience, which allows us to craft and deliver high-quality buildings across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Over recent years the profile of Brown + Brown has risen, with articles featuring regularly in architecture and design magazines, lifestyle publications, the wider press, and numerous coffee table books.

Every project we create is founded on an ethos of quality design and materiality and is designed with our clients at the very core of the process.

Our Approach

We approach every project without a pre-conceived solution in mind, which allows us to explore ideas with our clients which respond to both their needs and the particular qualities of their site. We never impose a solution on our clients, and instead, work with them to create spaces finely crafted around them.

Our architecture is strongly driven by place, and as such specific context is vitally important to the design and siting of our buildings. Every location is different, and as a result so is every building, with all of our architecture bespoke, and driven by context.

At the core of our work is the qualities of space we create, which explores notions of light, shadow, form, scale, and materiality. From initial concept stages, we produce sketches and visuals that communicate these qualities from a human perspective, allowing our clients to visualise and imagine their space.

Strong detailing and technical skills allow us to translate our ideas into built form, whilst still retaining all key elements of the initial concept. This requires skill, flair, and expertise, and is achieved by ensuring a collaborative approach with other consultants and the select group of contractors with which we work.

Averil Stewart, Director

Rhynie Charitable Trust

"We were immediately impressed by the professional approach of Brown + Brown, and their ability to interpret our thoughts and turn them into something special.  They were prompt, effective, pleasant to deal with and really understood what it was that we were looking to achieve.  We would enthusiastically recommend Brown + Brown to any client or professional who has the opportunity to work with them"

James McFarlane

Hamilton Place, Aberdeen

"During the initial brief and design stage they really helped us to figure out what we would like and presented us with some really interesting options, while being very patient as we came to make our choices.  They achieved planning permission on our project with apparent ease, for what could have been a contentious project.  We are delighted so far and can’t wait to see the project completed. Brown + Brown have been excellent."

James Crombie, Vice-Chair

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival

"Brown + Brown took a very difficult derelict site and have transformed it into our boat building and sailing education centre.  The site has considerable constraints, and as a result meeting our requirements was always going to be difficult.  Through imaginative design we have a building that fits with the historic context of the harbour, and combines modern design elements to an extremely high standard, while suiting our needs perfectly."

Alistair McVean

Valtos, Isle of Lewis

"Brown & Brown designed our house in Valtos with the utmost care.  We found their practice responsive and willing to engage with us as their clients.  Now the house has been built it is even more handsome than the drawings suggested, and sits comfortably in the stunning landscape around it."

John & Shona Forbes

Aberdeenshire Live / Work

"We were unaware of the complexities of the Planning system when Brown + Brown designed a modern and progressive scheme for 24 dwellings and Business units on land next to our business and home.  They achieved the support of the Local Councillors, which is something we alone could not.  The presentation of our idea by Brown + Brown played a big part in getting a 7-3 supporting vote by the Councillors despite the concept being against Policy.  Don’t hesitate to give them the opportunity to help you create your dream.  They are very professional and genuine souls, and we like that."

Andrew Curthoys

Client - Ferryhill

"Brown + Brown designed the renovation for our house in Aberdeen. He presented several different options with planning regulations for the listed property in mind. He listened to our ideas and input, and created something that worked for us. He worked diligently to get planning approval and stayed connected throughout the project. We are very happy with the result. Highly recommended."

Key Staff

Get to know us - tap our images

Andrew Brown 

graduated from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and has worked for several celebrated Scottish practices prior to co-founding Brown + Brown in 2010.

Andrew coordinates the design output of the office, and brings obsessive levels of technical detail to all of our projects, ensuring that design intent is preserved from conception to completion.

Andrew has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, in addition to being an invited critic and guest lecturer at several UK schools of Architecture. He is a member of the ARB, RIBA, RIAS and SEDA, and is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts.

Kate Brown 

graduated from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art. Along with Andrew, she co-founded Brown + Brown Architects in 2010.

Kate focuses on the planning and interiors output of the office, using her urban and regional planning experience to ensure that our work is always site-specific, with a design process that uses context and appropriateness as a generator.

Kate is actively involved in design tutoring and is a visiting critic at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

Blair Macintyre 

graduated from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Robert Gordon University, and became an Associate in 2016.

Blair brings great energy to the practice, contributing across a variety projects of different type and scale, and has a keen eye for detail and materials. He is also responsible for marketing and business development for the practice.

Blair is heavy influenced by Scandinavian design, and following his studies spent a year working for the celebrated Swedish practice Sandell Sandberg, in Malmo.