If their name sounds familiar, that’s because co-founder Johan Hybschmann’s own home, Elemental House, featured in our Homing In series last year. Johan’s Hackney abode went on to win the overall Don’t Move, Improve! Award in 2025. Recent projects include the refurbishment of no less than four mid-century homes on the Dulwich Estate, a Grade II-listed maisonette in the Trellick Tower and the renovation of several Victorian houses in east London. The practice is currently working on a new-build coastal house in Broadstairs, Kent.

Words Johan Hybschmann and Margaret Bursa

Alpes-Inox stainless steel kitchens

We discovered Alpes-Inox's beautifully crafted stainless steel kitchens in the Conran shop and have since used them in three projects. The quality is great, and the patina of scratches and scuffs from use only improves the surface. They should continue to look good for over 50 years. While sizing, layout, and appliance choice are all bespoke, there’s only one design line, which is a great sign of product confidence.

D line door furniture and fittings

We love D line's commitment to quality and longevity and we’ve used the Arne Jacobsen door handles in most of our projects because they’re always relevant in their design and use. They have a sculptural quality but are equally designed with functional rigour – the shape feels like the imprint of a thumb and palm. This balance is quite rare, and though they’re small and costly items, they add a lot to our projects. We also enjoy many other D line products, including the range by Knud Holscher – one of our design heroes.

Ultra-Fin underfloor heating system

This Ultra-Fin underfloor heating system can be installed directly under the floor, preserving the original surface. It’s particularly useful in refurbishments, heritage and conservation projects. The system utilises water pipes and radiant heat to minimise pipe runs, optimising installation and efficiency. It works with air source heat pumps and is easy to install, even when opening up ceilings. We discovered this product in a project that needed a new heating system after replacing the air-heating system. It’s a great way to achieve even underfloor heating in spaces where floors are kept in place.

Linolie & Pigment satin wood oil

Linolie & Pigment satin wood oil, when finished with linseed oil, exposes the grain and reveals amazing colours. Linseed oil is a natural product that is easy to apply, adding colour while maintaining the timber’s natural beauty. We’ve used their product in various projects, from vibrant shops and commercial spaces to more muted and neutral tones in domestic environments. We prefer to use fewer and consistent materials in our projects, and the coloured oils can create multiple tones from a single wood type. This allows us to showcase the materiality of the wood while deeply protecting it.

Mike Wye building supplier

Mike Wye, a Devonshire supplier of sustainable building materials, is incredibly helpful with technical questions and specifications. They offer a wide range of interesting, sustainable and natural materials. We understand that sustainability can be costly, but we encourage the use of breathable materials with a low carbon footprint, even if this means slightly thicker walls and ceilings. When working with older buildings, we always suggest natural insulations and paint, as the risk of moisture retention is lower. Ultimately, the more sustainable future of building is simpler and relies on more local and natural materials.

Vola taps by Arne Jacobsen

These taps are still incredibly relevant and of great quality. Their simplicity and beauty are hard to beat. The design is incredibly clear and functional, and their kitchen and bathroom systems are timeless and endlessly repairable. They can even be sent back to Vola for refurbishment if needed. This is a product range that we can’t see ever changing, especially considering their design relevance after 55 years. This very much follows our design principles of sustainability through longevity. Like many other high-quality design objects, they are a significant investment, but the argument is that they are taps and fittings for life.

Libbey Everest glasses

Libbey Everest glasses are utilitarian and unbreakable. They are generally stocked by catering suppliers, so we ended up buying about 40 each! We discovered these glasses working in Venice one summer. While dining in a restaurant, we both turned the glass upside down to check the manufacturer, and now they have become an everyday glass in both our households for the last decade.

BC03 Braun classic analogue alarm clock

The beautiful, simple design of the BC03 Braun classic analogue alarm clock is perfect for sitting on a bedside table. It’s one of those products that can fit into any context. Dieter Rams’ Ten Principles for Good Design have been in our minds since the beginning of our practice. The combination of utility, elegance and undeniable design clarity is a hard thing to achieve, and we’ve never tired of the items that Rams and his team have given the world. We use Vitsoe shelving all the time for the same reasons, but the clock is a great example of Rams’ brilliant design ethos.

Hahnemühle paper

Hahnemühle paper was our go-to luxury printing treat as architecture students. We remember the careful use of this expensive paper, but also the results, which made our work look much better-presented. Physical drawing and printing are vital parts of our design process, and the excitement of this type of paper is still a treat in the office.

Fiskars Classic Universal Kitchen Scissors

Fiskars Classic Universal Kitchen Scissors are an everyday essential that have been a part of our lives since childhood. We take them for granted, never considering buying other types of scissors or questioning their design. In a way, this is the biggest compliment. What a great product!

Archmongers is a London architectural studio founded by Margaret Bursa and Johan Hybschmann in 2013, after training at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Their numerous award-winning projects have been widely published and exhibited in the UK and internationally. Archmongers specialise in residential retrofit, mid-century houses, tailored commercial spaces and new-build homes. Projects range in scale, but each one solves its clients’ needs by focusing on the context of each space and the people who occupy it. The studio is material-driven, designing with a commitment to material truth and integrity. The durability of concept and materials demonstrates Archmongers’ approach to sustainability and placemaking. These values have underpinned their work on many of London’s landmark modernist buildings, sensitive sites and listed properties.

archmongers.com; @archmongers

Picture credits: D-line/Archmongers/Hali Mason; French & Tye; Zeon Ltd