Our Ethos

We are a practice with a deep passion for design. Being small, (generally five or less) we offer a personal service to all our clients.

It’s our policy to constantly explore new technologies to add further speed, quality and service to our clients. In order to keep ourselves fresh as designers we work on all types of building. Doing so means that advances in either residential or commercial sectors can be shared between them.

Our mission concerns itself with light, space, beauty, efficiency, form and quality. By learning from yesterday we focus our efforts on tomorrow in the hope that we can provide the current and next generations with a better environment than the one we currently enjoy.

Above all, we are dedicated to designing treasures for everyday use and firmly believe that good design will always add value.

Our History

In 1988 David Underhill (now retired from the practice) set up business as a Chartered Architect in his garden chalet. His previous experience had included working for a local authority plus small and medium sized practices including that of Sir Denys Lasdun. Commissions rapidly followed and it wasn’t long before the chalet was abandoned for new accommodation which was added to the front of the house.

In 2000 William Lycett joined David as a business partner. William had previously gained experience in Africa, designing and overseeing construction of community buildings such as schools and hospitals for a non-profit organisation.

In 2002 they jointly formed one of the country’s first limited liability partnerships, DUA Architecture.

Martin Hammond joined the practice in 2007 as a Part I graduate and became a partner in 2012 after completing his Part II qualification.

Although our ethos hasn’t changed since those early days, the structure and working methods have evolved a great deal. Today, particularly with the benefits of IT and enhanced forms of communication, DUA has a high skill base with a largely automated administrative back-up. As a result, we believe the quality and service we provide surpasses that which was previously possible.

Our Team

  • Will Lycett - BSc Dip Arch RIBA - Partner

    Will is a chartered Architect with a degree from Bath University and post graduate diploma from Plymouth University. He spent three and a half years in East Africa, with two years as Country Directory for an American non profit organisation, designing hospitals and schools. Will has very broad experience and expertise and, always at home with technical matters, he is the practice IT impresario. A born diplomat with an indefatigable sense of humour, who is a very keen cyclist.

  • Martin Hammond - BA(hons) Dip Arch RIBA - Partner

    Martin joined DUA Architecture in 2007 after graduating from the University of Westminster with a first class honours degree in Architecture. He has subsequently gained the RIBA Part II Professional Diploma in Architecture at London Metropolitan University. Between these two, he also fitted in a round the World trip. Most recently, Martin undertook the final stage of his training and is now a qualified, chartered Architect.

  • Ben Rothnie - BA(Hons) MArch RIBA - Architect

    Now an RIBA chartered Architect, Ben first joined DUA Architecture in June 2009 as a year out student. He undertook his first degree at Plymouth University, his Masters degree at the at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and his RIBA Part III at the University of Bath. Outside of work Ben is a keen cyclist and photographer. Ben also built this website!

Our Highcliffe Studio

In 2014 we moved into our new studio in Brearley House on Highcliffe High Street, which we renovated ourselves. Our studio is typically open every weekday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Please feel free to pay us a visit.