About us

We are Design Assembly — an international architecture and design studio specialising in hospitality and residential projects in tropical climates.

Founded in 2015, our work has grown primarily across Southeast Asia, with collaborations and projects now extending internationally.

We are interested in how a place is lived over time, rather than architecture as a singular gesture.

Our projects are defined by a series of experiences — how you arrive, move through, gather and retreat. How light shifts, how materials age, and how the building settles into its landscape.

Concept

Our practice is concept-led. Each project begins with a clear, considered idea — shaped by climate, culture, landscape and the way people will live within it.

From early feasibility and spatial strategy through to design development, we focus on creating architecture that is grounded, intelligent and enduring.

Context

Much of our work is shaped by tropical environments, where climate, landscape and outdoor living define how architecture performs.

We design for heat, light, ventilation and material longevity — creating spaces that are comfortable, responsive and built to last.

Material & Craft

Material and craft are central to our work.

We collaborate closely with local makers, artisans and suppliers to develop spaces that are tactile, detailed and specific to their context. This approach allows each project to feel connected to its place — not through applied style, but through the way it is made.

Spatial Experience

We place strong emphasis on how spaces are experienced — balancing openness and privacy, energy and calm, and creating environments that feel intuitive to move through.

This understanding also informs our approach to wellness — not as a separate category, but as something embedded within how spaces function and support daily life.

Longevity

For us, good design is about longevity — culturally, environmentally and in the way a place continues to feel relevant over time.

We work closely with our clients to shape projects that are clear, considered and built to last — defined not by excess, but by depth, restraint and a strong sense of place.

Foundations

Our work has been shaped by years of experience in Indonesia — a place where craft, climate and material knowledge are deeply intertwined, and where hospitality and wellness are embedded within everyday life.

Working closely with local makers, artisans and suppliers has informed how we approach construction, detail and longevity. It has reinforced the value of building with intelligence — understanding how materials perform over time, and designing in ways that support rather than replace craft traditions.

This grounding continues to inform our projects internationally, bringing a considered approach to climate, materiality and spatial experience across different contexts.

Alongside our Southeast Asian base, we maintain a presence in the UK, allowing us to operate across regions and time zones.

The Team

Design Assembly is a focused team of architects, designers and creatives, supported by dedicated studio management and administration.

We operate deliberately at a scale that allows us to stay closely involved in every project — conceptually and technically — from the earliest conversations through to delivery. This ensures clarity of vision, direct communication and a high level of detail across all stages of work.

While compact in structure, we collaborate with an extended network of specialist consultants, makers and contractors across regions, allowing us to scale intelligently depending on the needs and location of each project.