Ayca Vural-Cutts, Director of Studio AVC, talks to Sarah Dale about her latest design projects, her passion for architecture and interior design, and why she will always take a hands-on approach.

Asking Ayca Vural-Cutts to choose a favourite design project is like asking a mother to choose her favourite child. Every single project evokes a proud smile and a twinkle in her eye as she explains why she chose particular materials, how the design was realised and the relationships she builds with clients to ensure their story is told through the design.  Originally from Turkey, Ayca moved to London 20 years ago to take her “dream job” of working at Foster+Partners and later at Zaha Hadid Architects. In 2013, she decided to set up on her own with Studio AVC, based at Merton Abbey Mills. As well as providing design consultancy on large scale projects, she is also a member of Merton Council and Wandsworth Council’s Design Review Panels for Wandsworth and Richmond. She also loves to pass on her expertise and passion for architecture and design by writing monthly articles for international architectural magazines and teaches design at South Thames College.

“I’m really proud of what we do,” says Ayca.  “I’m passionate about architecture and interior design and I love learning and teaching. With architecture and design, it is like you are telling a story. Every building has a story behind it. I believe we bring better designs to clients because of that.”

The studio has a team of three with freelancers brought in on a project basis.

“The beauty about being small, which is our strength, is our relationship with clients,” she says.
“Directors in large businesses don’t tend to get involved with the details of a project; I like to be involved. Small is beautiful!”
Studio AVC’s portfolio is a mix of residential and commercial and one of the latest projects is Frame House, located within an urban conservation area in Wandsworth. So-called because it “acts
as a frame to the landscape”, Frame House was specifically designed to maximise on the beautiful views of the rear garden, using large windows and skylights to “bring nature indoors”.

The materials used on the residential property include handmade moulded bricks – Ayca is committed to using specialist craftspeople where possible on projects – and an extensive use of timber.
“Frame House is very contemporary and sustainable and is located in a conservation area,” says Ayca.

“It is an incredible property. It is a very narrow house with a long plot. It was a very dark building, so we used lots of skylights to bring nature into the house and maximise on the beautiful views
of the garden.

“We didn’t want to compete with nature, we wanted to respect the surroundings and keep it modest and contemporary. We used a handcrafted brick pattern because we wanted to use a Victorian
craft and show it in a contemporary way.”

Studio AVC’s ethos is sustainability and this project is no exception. The wood used for the property is sustainable and the house’s fabric is highly insulated and mechanical ventilation with
heat recovery (MVHR) is installed. Solar glazing and rooflights incorporate shading to avoid the risk of overheating and there is also a biodiverse green roof. The studio has worked on a wide range of projects around the UK and the world, from co-working offices to a children’s theatre, music venues to restaurants. Registered in Wandsworth, the studio moved to Merton six years ago into the same building world-renowned designer William Morris was based in the late 19th century.
“I had been waiting for a space to become available for years and I love that we are based in the same place as William Morris,” she says.
“It is hard to choose my favourite project as I love them all.“The hardest project was the Birmingham Hippodrome which we worked on to make it more accessible. One of my favourites was creating a bathroom for a teenage wheelchair user. We knew we had got it right when he said he looked forward to brushing his teeth! Buildings need to be good for your wellbeing. The best reaction from a client was a woman who ran a dog boarding service with rescue support, accommodating up to 22 dogs, including 10 permanent rescue dogs. Seeing the dogs much happier because of the redesign was great. The dogs all had their individual spaces, room to play and we made the floors non-slippery.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the variety. Every single project has its own story.”