A decade of deep-rooted innovation

Origins and identity.

Our journey has been shaped by purpose from the outset, blending design sensitivity with technical rigour. Since the team’s founding in 2015, our philosophy has centred on collaboration, communication, and delivery. Our first project win at 30 Grosvenor Square (now The Chancery Rosewood) set the tone for a culture grounded in curiosity, precision, and the integration of engineering and architecture.

Craft, collaboration and contribution.

What began as a small specialist group has evolved into an interdisciplinary unit whose work features across many of AKT II’s most ambitious projects, including:

The Chancery Rosewood – A decade-long project centred on retaining and refurbishing the Grade II-listed Eero Saarinen façade. AKT II focused on structural stability, thermal performance and the integration of new systems behind the historic envelope to preserve its character while meeting contemporary standards.
1 Broadgate – A distinctive mixed-use scheme defined by vibrant terracotta façades in 19 shades of red. The envelope integrates optimised solar shading, daylight modelling and thermal performance to enhance comfort and reduce operational energy.
25 Baker Street – A major city-block redevelopment of three buildings comprising offices and residential spaces. Its envelope combines curtain walling with precast ‘doughnut’ panels designed for prefabrication and rapid assembly, improving programme certainty and façade quality.
Oxford North – The first building in Oxford’s new science and innovation district within the UK’s Golden Triangle. The terracotta façade employs a performance-led strategy to maximise daylight, thermal comfort and environmental resilience.
17 Charterhouse Street – A façade-led commercial project featuring a primarily glazed envelope with laminated stone fins and panels. The composition creates a translucent and materially expressive façade that balances privacy, daylight and contextual response.
Ismaili Centre Houston – A landmark project demonstrating AKT II’s interdisciplinary collaboration across structures, façades and bioclimatic design. Its white marble façade, crafted from precision-cut panels and repurposed marble banquettes, expresses cultural geometry and supports natural shading and comfort across glazed and terrace areas.

This milestone celebrates the technical and creative heart of the practice and the many hands that have shaped our façades as responsive, living systems.

The next chapter of envelope design.

Looking ahead, the team is focused on advancing climate-responsive design through digital tools, sustainability mandates and environmental intelligence. With new technologies, geographies and challenges on the horizon, we remain committed to experimentation, resilience and the thoughtful evolution of envelope design.

“Ten years of envelope engineering has shown us that innovation is a collective act. Over the past decade, our Envelopes team has transformed ideas into crafted systems that quietly shape the way people experience space. The next decade invites us to go even further, designing envelopes that are more adaptive, more sustainable and more deeply connected to human wellbeing.”

Simone Miriana, AKT II's Head of Façade Engineering

A decade of deep-rooted innovation.

10 years of AKT II Envelopes.