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.
Chiang Mai is the heart of Thai coffee cultivation. The history of Thai coffee began around 50 years ago, when the Thai royal family and government-supported programs encouraged farmers to start growing coffee.
With ideal conditions for cultivation and strong government backing, Thailand’s coffee industry has flourished, producing two main varieties: Thai Robusta and Thai Arabica, contributing to the ongoing growth of the coffee economy.
Our site, located west of Chiang Mai near the jungle, was selected to explore how we could celebrate the Thai coffee industry by creating a space where locals and tourists could enjoy local produce and learn more about the industry. We decided to immerse visitors in the post-harvest process, offering insight into coffee production. Working with a modest budget, we proposed a ‘social warehouse’ that blends both industrial and tourism functions in a single space.
The design centres around the roasting process, with the program divided into two areas: Processing and Public. On the processing side, we incorporated clerestory warehouse roofs for the coffee roasting, cafe and market areas, while the storage and loading bay were designed with a more simplified warehouse architecture.
Situated on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, the roastery aims to become a destination for people to learn about and enjoy Thailand’s coffee culture.
We used simple materials like steel sections, timber cladding, standing seam metal roofing, and celebrated the natural pond with minimal landscaping to create an idyllic and picturesque setting, for a new typology that is a ‘destination coffee roastery’.
"This project was particularly engaging as it allowed us to explore the relationship between industry and public space, creating a place that supports both local enjoyment and the economy of Northern Thailand. We found it fascinating to bring industry to the forefront and celebrate the craftsmanship behind coffee production.
The modest, functional architectural approach serves its industrial purpose while also providing a visually interesting, iconic backdrop that draws people in to experience Thai coffee culture."
Charlie Kentish, Lead Architect
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.