Ullmayer Sylvester Architects

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

14/05/2026

THE 'GHOST IN THE ROOM': NEW SERVICES

We are slowly entering a new era of fossil free services design.

As we pivot from fossil fuels to electricity and local energy production, our homes require a new kind of internal 'nervous system'.

How do we modernise a Victorian home without stripping away its space and soul?
Here is a design strategy which gives a nod to Rachel Whiteread, and her fascination with turning the negative space of domesticity into solid form.

Instead of chasing cables into historic masonry, we are "thickening" the skirting, lining and joinery. We’ve designed a well-proportioned lining, drawing from the way Georgian fireplaces were once integrated into wall lining, to act as a continuous, elegant and pleasant to touch service duct for this new infrastructure.

• The new joinery ducts & panels take inspiration from the rhythm of existing panelled doors and cornicing, but remain unashamedly contemporary.
• Wrap Around: They wrap around each space and can adapt to each space and use
• A space-saving and future proofing strategy that accommodates the shift to local energy production and heat pump technology, while enhancing traditional proportions.

By treating the lining and 'void' behind as a functional cast, we reinvent the craftsmanship of the past while powering the life of the future.

14/05/2026

THE 'GHOST IN THE ROOM': NEW SERVICES

We are slowly entering a new era of fossil free services design.

As we pivot from fossil fuels to electricity and local energy production, our homes require a new kind of internal 'nervous system'.

How do we modernise a Victorian home without stripping away its space and soul?
Here is a design strategy which gives a nod to Rachel Whiteread, and her fascination with turning the negative space of domesticity into solid form.

Instead of chasing cables into historic masonry, we are "thickening" the skirting, lining and joinery. We’ve designed a well-proportioned lining, drawing from the way Georgian fireplaces were once integrated into wall lining, to act as a continuous, elegant and pleasant to touch service duct for this new infrastructure.

• The new joinery ducts & panels take inspiration from the rhythm of existing panelled doors and cornicing, but remain unashamedly contemporary.
• Wrap Around: They wrap around each space and can adapt to each space and use
• A space-saving and future proofing strategy that accommodates the shift to local energy production and heat pump technology, while enhancing traditional proportions.

By treating the lining and 'void' behind as a functional cast, we reinvent the craftsmanship of the past while powering the life of the future.

04/05/2026

MAY BANK HOLIDAYS: HURVIN ANDERSON, TATE BRITAIN

Looking for the perfect way to spend your May Bank Holiday? Make sure a visit to Tate Britain for the Hurvin Anderson exhibition is at the top of your list. 🇬🇧🇯🇲
His work is a masterclass in texture.

Fabulously layered paintings that manage to be bold and clear, yet simultaneously flat and expansive. It’s the kind of art that demands you to zoom in for abstract painterly mastery and step back his command of composition.

Beyond the technique, there is a profound, subtle reflection British and Caribbean identities—a theme that sits incredibly close to our hearts and our practice.

It’s a brilliant way to immerse yourself for a few hours, especially when the British weather makes the 'real' outdoors a bit of a gamble.

Find out more: tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/hurvin-anderson

24/04/2026

BERLIN MITTE REALIGNMENT: A STUDY OF PROPORTIONS

In Berlin Mitte, we’re exploring how surgical interventions can transform a "modern" facade without a total overhaul. To break up the monotonous verticality of the current design, we are proposing a strategic aesthetic upgrade integrated with local repairs.
The Concept: Drawing inspiration from the balanced proportions of historic Gründerzeit (Wilhelminian-era) architecture, we are redefining the building’s "base."
The Strategy:
• Tonal Contrast: The ground floor is visually separated from the upper storeys through a distinct colour palette.
• Proportional Alignment: A portion of the first floor—extending to the upper edge of the balconies—is tonally integrated into the ground floor.
By creating this unified plinth, we ground the structure and improve its relationship to the streetscape. It’s about local repairs meeting high-impact design: elevating the existing fabric while respecting its history.

Details:
📍 Berlin Mitte
Surgical Facade Aufwertung
Proportional Realignment

24/04/2026

BERLIN MITTE REALIGNMENT: A STUDY OF PROPORTIONS

In Berlin Mitte, we’re exploring how surgical interventions can transform a "modern" facade without a total overhaul. To break up the monotonous verticality of the current design, we are proposing a strategic aesthetic upgrade integrated with local repairs.
The Concept: Drawing inspiration from the balanced proportions of historic Gründerzeit (Wilhelminian-era) architecture, we are redefining the building’s "base."
The Strategy:
• Tonal Contrast: The ground floor is visually separated from the upper storeys through a distinct colour palette.
• Proportional Alignment: A portion of the first floor—extending to the upper edge of the balconies—is tonally integrated into the ground floor.
By creating this unified plinth, we ground the structure and improve its relationship to the streetscape. It’s about local repairs meeting high-impact design: elevating the existing fabric while respecting its history.

Details:
📍 Berlin Mitte
Surgical Facade Aufwertung
Proportional Realignment
Stucco Colour Inspiration