Founded in 2017 by principals Mark Smyth, Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir Studio Bua is an architectural practice in London. The studio has to date realised a number of ambitious and concept-driven projects, including the renovation of an Icelandic farmhouse and cultural centre.

Derived from the Icelandic word for ‘inhabit’, Studio Bua combines both a deep appreciation for quality craftsmanship and mastery of technology with a collaborative, hands-on approach, working to refine and elevate everyday spaces in the belief that it is our immediate surroundings that inform not just who we are, but how best we can live.

Mark Smyth is an architect and interior designer with extensive residential experience born in Ireland. He graduated from the Technical University in Delft in 2010. While working at award-winning London studio The Manser Practice, he has led demanding projects ranging in scale from one-off private residences nestled in the English countryside to high-rise mixed-use developments in the heart of London. Raised a stone’s throw from his parents’ plant nursery, Mark is an avid horticulturalist whose prowess extends beyond buildings to garden design.

Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir is an architect and interior designer born in Iceland. She has a background in visual arts from the masters programme at IUAV Venice and graduated with a MSC in Architecture from TU Delft in 2010. She is especially practiced in the design, procurement and construction of public buildings in Norway, and has in her role as project architect at Oslo studio LMR Arkitektur overseen a number of public projects such as schools in Kautokeino and Bærum. In recent years, Sigrún has also led a number of residential refurbishments and urban design projects. Our resident polyglot, she speaks fluent English, Icelandic, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch and Italian.

Giambattista Zaccariotto is an Italian architect-urbanist and educator. He graduated from IUAV University in Venice in 1999. He is a long-time collaborator and consultant for Studio Bua. He is an associate professor at Oslo School of Architecture and a visiting professor at IUAV Venezia. Key to his work is the integration of architecture, urbanism and landscape.