Architects of design and development
Caswell&Dainow is a boutique property development company which believes innovative design can make even the trickiest of sites work. Eileen Leahy talks to the firm’s founders Adam Dainow and Charlie Caswell about the revolutionary work the pair have become known for since being established in 2017 – and why they are looking to expand their impressive portfolio here in Tunbridge Wells
Adam and Charlie, you met at Sheffield uni. Did you know you were always going to eventually work together?
We were close friends at uni, and I think we both knew we saw architecture a bit differently from our peers. We were as interested in the business side of architecture as we were in aesthetics or theory. We shared a few key milestones as well, like stepping onto the property ladder in Sheffield and then buying a house together when we moved to London a few years later. Those early experiences really shaped the idea and trajectory of what’s now Caswell&Dainow.
How would you describe your style of architectural practice and approach to design?
We see ourselves as developers who studied architecture rather than architects who do development. One of the most inspiring parts of our job is appointing external architects to each project. The choice is informed by the location, scale of the project, and surrounding context. Instead of a ‘house style,’ we aim for a ‘house quality’ that responds to each site’s unique opportunities.
Can you explain the difference of working client side as opposed to being a traditional architect?
Setting up Caswell&Dainow and going ‘client side’ lets us design buildings we’re passionate about. Although we both had great jobs running architectural practices, ultimately our output was defined by our clients, not us. We both love complex, smaller sites and enjoy collaborating directly with landowners to sensitively unlock their land’s potential. We didn’t want to sit in the office waiting for the phone to ring.
Tell us more about your pioneering work in the world of development and if this is becoming an industry trend…
Our mission is to use great architecture to unlock complex urban and suburban sites. This is what we call ‘urban acupuncture’, and we aim to create homes within established communities, avoiding green belt sprawl and identikit car-dependant developments. We’re not alone in this, but with our architectural background, we like to think few care as much as we do about the quality of the end result. Though we currently have a pro-building government, there are still considerable challenges in our work. We’d like to see more support for the planning system and more progressive policies at a national level to encourage others to join this cause.
Can you tell us about your connection to Tunbridge Wells?
We started in London, but Tunbridge Wells was our first step outside the capital because we have staff based there and know it’s a great area with lots of untapped potential. That local knowledge has been really important to landowners who we speak with in the area. We now have a beautiful house in planning in Langton Green and hope to sign more projects in the area in the coming months.
In what other ways do you ensure you stand out from the crowd?
Caswell&Dainow isn’t a big company, so each project is really important to us. We want to set a new standard with every site, hoping that our attention to detail and commitment to quality make us stand out.
Do you have a typical client and if so, who are they?
Meeting landowners is a really enjoyable part of the job. Our clients are as unique as their sites, though we do see common threads. Many are homeowners with large gardens they no longer use now the children have flown the nest; others are in their later years who love gardening but now want to scale down the upkeep. We help them unlock value in underutilised parts of their land, developing eco-friendly housing. An added bonus is that the cash we offer is usually tax-free if it’s their main residence.
What are the challenges involved with what you do?
Planning is the primary challenge, as there are many conflicting policies and councils are chronically underfunded, making engagement difficult. Recent legislation, particularly around biodiversity, is well intentioned, but ineffective and prohibitively expensive on small schemes. Rising costs of labour, materials, and borrowing post-pandemic also mean we have to tailor our search areas to where we can still afford to invest in good design.
What are the benefits of what you do?
We love what we do and feel very grateful there is a tangible result to our work. With the pressing need for more housing, we aim to show how small sites can deliver high-quality, architecturally led homes within existing communities. All our developments are environmentally conscious, and many are car-free. We’re also in planning for a cluster of six houses in Greenwich around a communal garden, with play spaces, and an allotment. We’re really proud of the scheme, which demonstrates our belief that good design creates healthy spaces that can bring families and communities together.
How many is in your team and what does everyone bring to the table?
Our team has five people, who each work in a different aspect of the business. Besides Adam and me, Sam is a qualified architect based in Tunbridge Wells who heads our out-of-London searches. Mel oversees operations, managing our letter-sending process. Finally, Hugh is our resident wordsmith—a qualified architect who heads our press and PR.
What are your plans for 2025?
2024 has been a great year, so we’re looking to keep the momentum and sign more projects in Tunbridge Wells, across the South East, and beyond. Thankfully the market seems to be in a good position, so we feel it’s a really good time for landowners to consider starting their development projects, hopefully with us. We always offer a no-obligation chat to landowners and are happy to pop by to discuss the potential of their land.
Web: www.caswellanddainow.com
Socials: @caswellanddainow
