We are based between London and Nicosia, the two edges of Europe. Our location between these edges sharpens our view, allowing us to work critically with Western models, question dominant narratives, research, learn and draw from design intelligence often left out of the conversation.

 

 

 

The word radical comes from radix, Latin for root. We are interested in where things are rooted, the origins of ideas, and the originals who shape them. For us, design originates from everyday life, the functional and the informal. We approach it as a cultural offering, shaped by and for people living together in cities. We are fascinated by cities and the urban: streets, counter-narratives, local wisdoms, forms and forces. We believe _{form follows force,} and that design is ultimately the expression and articulation of form and the forces which make it: materials, people, places, histories, and circumstances. We seek to identify, strengthen and give form to these forces.

 

 

 

Our projects range from domestic to public infrastructures, including objects, furniture, room and exhibition design, performance events, temporary pavilions, adaptable and newbuild architectures, social housing, civic buildings, public realm, urban strategy and landscape architecture. Our work aims to instil a sense of belonging and togetherness.

 

 

 

We were selected to curate and design the _{Cyprus Pavilion} National Participation at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, and were recognised as one of the Best New Architecture Practices in 2021 by _ArchDaily. During our residency at the _{Architecture Foundation} for the Young Architects programme and, as part of our continued research into circular material systems, we received a grant to develop a low-carbon _{Brick for Venice} exhibited at the European Cultural Centre and during the 18th Architecture Biennale in Venice and London’s Design Museum _{How to Build a Low-Carbon Home.} The project has been long-listed for _{Dezeen Sustainability AwardS.} In 2024, we won the London Festival of Architecture’s 20th anniversary competition with _{AN ALTERNATIVE PARLIAMENT FOR LONDON,} which was sited across the Square Mile in the City of London and showcases our design ethos for public realm and urban strategy. Recently, two of our projects have been awarded honourable mentions for the _{DOMa 2025 GREEK ARCHITECTURE AWARDS.}

 

 

 

We have worked with a diverse range of clients and organisations which include the Cyprus Architects Association, Cyprus Ministry of Culture, the Business Improvement Districts within the City of London, the European Cultural Centre, Exhibition Road Culture Group – Discover South Kensington Festival, Goethe-Institut London, La Biennale di Venezia, London Festival of Architecture, New London Architecture, London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Royal Docks, London Borough of Newham, Poliform, University of the Arts London, the Victoria and Albert Museum.

 

 

 

Our work has been featured across international media and press – ‘A’A’, Archdaily, Archello, Archive Books, Architects Journal, Design Museum London, Detail Magazine, Dezeen, Domus, DOMa, Divisare, e-flux, FRAME, ICON, La Biennale di Venezia bookshop, Post Poetics bookshop, London Architecture Diary, London Design Week, London Festival of Architecture, London Post, Monocle, New London Architecture, STIRworld, TimeOut, V&A blog and Wallpaper*.

 

 

 

Parallel to practice and research, we teach architectural design on the MArch Architecture (RIBA II) at the Bartlett, UCL, on the BA Architecture (RIBA I) at Westminster, as well as professional practice on the MArch Architecture (RIBA II) programme at Central Saint Martins.

 

 

 

_{Urban Radicals} was founded by Era Savvides and Nasios Varnavas. We are a registered partnership at The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales, no. OC440119. Our professional affiliations are with the Architects Registration Board (ARB), Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), and the Cyprus Architects Association (CAA).

 

 

 

We are located at the White Collar Factory at 1 Old Street Yard, London EC1Y 8AF, UK, and can be reached by phone at +44 (0) 7519 563011. For requests on design services, collaborations or general enquiries please email us at _{STUDIO@URBANRADICALS}.com. Follow us on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK.

_{© URBAN RADICALS} 2025