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Rigby & Rigby CEO Iain Johnson has been a pivotal part the growth of the firm since its inception, dynamically executing the vision of a truly integrated design and delivery studio with full-service capabilities. A champion of the studio’s expansion, he has helped it to become a leading multi-award-winning name in ultra-prime delivery. Accredited in every division, the firm’s extensive expertise extends across development management, architecture, interior design, construction delivery and private client services, to create the most exceptional properties in the world.
Rigby & Rigby is a founding member of the luxury design group Allect, alongside Helen Green Design and Lawson Robb. Johnson’s vision was to bring together some of the finest names in architecture, interior and product design with the mission to foster an unrivalled level of creativity, innovation and excellence. Rigby & Rigby’s research and development-influenced architecture and interior design strikes a fine and complimentary balance with Helen Green’s elegantly British sensibility and Lawson Robb’s unique and vibrant interiors and yacht design. Johnson leads and oversees the group’s operational strategy and creative division – ensuring the brands individual identity, heritage and expertise is maintained and delivered as a complimentary offering, he is also creating collaborations with some of the world’s best architects and interior design studios providing clients a unique opportunity of choice within the full-service delivery model.
At the heart of Rigby & Rigby’s approach is Johnson’s profound commitment to the client experience. Architecturally trained with 20 years of industry leadership and experience, Iain’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to support clients throughout their development journey. This includes Rigby & Rigby’s award-winning Special Projects division, where Iain leads a dedicated development and delivery team undertaking the most complex signature new build and heritage restoration projects, requiring an additional level of attention and care.
Creatively Iain’s passion lays in driving innovation through research-based methodology, influencing the architectural and interior design studios to be more experimental and to maximise the client experience and enrich the user journey. The product being perfectly resolved residences, with a style defined as understated refined luxury, delivered with a service that is second to none.
Charlie has over 10 years’ experience in practice. He studied at Birmingham School of Architecture,
Manchester University and the Bartlett UCL, graduating with a First Class hons and Distinction then
registering with the ARB in 2015. Charlie’s student work was award winning and recognised within
the universities and externally by the Manchester society of architects for his final thesis project.
Whilst working in his year in industry Charlie and a colleague competed in a RIBA international
competition beating 400 entries for a redesign of the prestigious Pushkin cinema in Moscow.
Charlie spent over 7 years with Heatherwick Studio, holding key roles on several prestigious projects
including Bombay Saphire Gin Distillery(£25 Million), Eden residential tower(£40 Million) in Singapore
and Changi Airport Terminal 5. Roles included design guardian and resident site architect for Eden,
delivering the architecture and interiors on site for the high end residential tower, and workstream
lead for Changi T5 that involved coordinating complex design with specialist consultants for a
transportation hub along with acting as design guardian of interiors and look and feel for Heatherwick
Studio. Charlie worked closely with the client team,consultants and contractors travelling extensively
to factories, quarries and showrooms in Europe and Asia to ensure quality for these projects.
Following working in Singapore Charlie joined Snøhetta Hong Kong and worked on a luxury private
island residence in Greece before moving to Snøhetta Oslo. During his time in Oslo as senior architect
he held key lead roles in architecture and interiors for a Palace renovation in the UAE and the tallest
timber office tower in Finland for a Norwegian Developer. Charlie worked closely with the clients and
consultants to develop the design and ensure quality proposals.
Now at Rigby and Rigby, Charlie’s focus is on developing and supporting great design and growing
the international architecture side of the business.
Edouard de Caussin studied architecture at the AA Architectural Association in London before
completing his Master degree at the University of Cambridge.
He joined Rigby & Rigby in 2021 at their London office, where he is currently involved in international
projects in Thailand and Japan. Edouard has gained extensive international experience, beginning
with David Chipperfield Architects in Milan, and later joining BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group BIG in London.
While, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including high-end retail spaces, private residences,
and listed buildings.
He has experience across all stages and scales of cultural and residential projects, with a strong
attention to detail and a creative approach that blends art, landscape, and architecture.
The Chao Phraya River, known as the “River of Kings,” has been a pivotal force in shaping Thailand’s history, culture, and economy for centuries. Originating from the confluence of the Ping and Nan rivers, it flows through central Thailand, draining into the Gulf of Thailand. Its fertile basin has long supported the development of Thai civilization.
In the 19th century, the Chao Phraya played a crucial role in fostering trade and diplomatic relations with Western nations, contributing to Bangkok’s rapid growth. As Thailand modernized, the river remained essential for commerce and transportation, with industrialization and urbanization expanding along its banks, especially in Bangkok. Today, it continues to be a lifeline for millions, supporting agriculture, transportation, and tourism, though it faces challenges from pollution and urban sprawl.
Historically, the river served as a vital route for transporting goods like rice and teak and other timbers, with its network of canals facilitating trade and irrigation. The surrounding areas have seen a range of typologies, from warehouses, riverside temples to stilted fishing villages, all influencing the region’s architectural character.
Our project on the riverbank allowed us to study these local typologies and incorporate them into our design, drawing inspiration from the beauty of traditional structures and the simplicity of natural materials used and once transported along the river.
The boathouse we designed, intended for family gatherings and events, accommodates a variety of boats, from speedboats to traditional flat river boats.
The geometric form of the main boathouse is divided into three key segment: an entrance foyer with utility spaces, an outdoor cooking and lounge area, and an indoor gathering space with simple stairs leading to the river’s edge.
Accompanying this building is the covered dock and the open dock.
The client’s vision was for a versatile space that serves both practical transit needs and leisure activities on the river, for pre- and post-cruise enjoyment.
"We embraced the challenge of designing an economically efficient yet beautiful structure, drawing inspiration from the simple forms and humble materials characteristic of the traditional fishing stilt houses that once lined the riverbanks.
Our concept reimagines a typical architectural form by opening it up to evoke the spirit house of the traditional Thai roof, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor space that celebrates and connects with the Chao Phraya River."
Charlie Kentish, Lead Architect
Project team
Rigby & Rigby CEO Iain Johnson has been a pivotal part the growth of the firm since its inception, dynamically executing the vision of a truly integrated design and delivery studio with full-service capabilities. A champion of the studio’s expansion, he has helped it to become a leading multi-award-winning name in ultra-prime delivery. Accredited in every division, the firm’s extensive expertise extends across development management, architecture, interior design, construction delivery and private client services, to create the most exceptional properties in the world.
Rigby & Rigby is a founding member of the luxury design group Allect, alongside Helen Green Design and Lawson Robb. Johnson’s vision was to bring together some of the finest names in architecture, interior and product design with the mission to foster an unrivalled level of creativity, innovation and excellence. Rigby & Rigby’s research and development-influenced architecture and interior design strikes a fine and complimentary balance with Helen Green’s elegantly British sensibility and Lawson Robb’s unique and vibrant interiors and yacht design. Johnson leads and oversees the group’s operational strategy and creative division – ensuring the brands individual identity, heritage and expertise is maintained and delivered as a complimentary offering, he is also creating collaborations with some of the world’s best architects and interior design studios providing clients a unique opportunity of choice within the full-service delivery model.
At the heart of Rigby & Rigby’s approach is Johnson’s profound commitment to the client experience. Architecturally trained with 20 years of industry leadership and experience, Iain’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to support clients throughout their development journey. This includes Rigby & Rigby’s award-winning Special Projects division, where Iain leads a dedicated development and delivery team undertaking the most complex signature new build and heritage restoration projects, requiring an additional level of attention and care.
Creatively Iain’s passion lays in driving innovation through research-based methodology, influencing the architectural and interior design studios to be more experimental and to maximise the client experience and enrich the user journey. The product being perfectly resolved residences, with a style defined as understated refined luxury, delivered with a service that is second to none.
Charlie has over 10 years’ experience in practice. He studied at Birmingham School of Architecture,
Manchester University and the Bartlett UCL, graduating with a First Class hons and Distinction then
registering with the ARB in 2015. Charlie’s student work was award winning and recognised within
the universities and externally by the Manchester society of architects for his final thesis project.
Whilst working in his year in industry Charlie and a colleague competed in a RIBA international
competition beating 400 entries for a redesign of the prestigious Pushkin cinema in Moscow.
Charlie spent over 7 years with Heatherwick Studio, holding key roles on several prestigious projects
including Bombay Saphire Gin Distillery(£25 Million), Eden residential tower(£40 Million) in Singapore
and Changi Airport Terminal 5. Roles included design guardian and resident site architect for Eden,
delivering the architecture and interiors on site for the high end residential tower, and workstream
lead for Changi T5 that involved coordinating complex design with specialist consultants for a
transportation hub along with acting as design guardian of interiors and look and feel for Heatherwick
Studio. Charlie worked closely with the client team,consultants and contractors travelling extensively
to factories, quarries and showrooms in Europe and Asia to ensure quality for these projects.
Following working in Singapore Charlie joined Snøhetta Hong Kong and worked on a luxury private
island residence in Greece before moving to Snøhetta Oslo. During his time in Oslo as senior architect
he held key lead roles in architecture and interiors for a Palace renovation in the UAE and the tallest
timber office tower in Finland for a Norwegian Developer. Charlie worked closely with the clients and
consultants to develop the design and ensure quality proposals.
Now at Rigby and Rigby, Charlie’s focus is on developing and supporting great design and growing
the international architecture side of the business.
Edouard de Caussin studied architecture at the AA Architectural Association in London before
completing his Master degree at the University of Cambridge.
He joined Rigby & Rigby in 2021 at their London office, where he is currently involved in international
projects in Thailand and Japan. Edouard has gained extensive international experience, beginning
with David Chipperfield Architects in Milan, and later joining BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group BIG in London.
While, he worked on a wide variety of projects, including high-end retail spaces, private residences,
and listed buildings.
He has experience across all stages and scales of cultural and residential projects, with a strong
attention to detail and a creative approach that blends art, landscape, and architecture.
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