We are Dual Works

Dual Works, is a design studio and workshop located in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, formed by Zoe Robertson, Steve Snell and Olivia Ricketts,

We work collaboratively to design, fabricate and install custom furniture, expertly crafted objects and structures to transform spaces. We are experienced in creating bespoke projects tailored to the needs of diverse communities and our work has a positive impact on how people live, work and play.  People are at the heart of our work and our collaborative approach ensures we build strong relationships which results in collective achievements we are proud of.

As designer makers with broad creative, fabrication and materials knowledge, we bring practical skills and experience in project management, artistic endeavour and creative facilitation to all our projects. We combine our expertise and specialist skillsets to craft projects spanning residential, commercial and socially engaged projects.

We thrive on curiosity, resulting in diverse commissions, and our playful approach has attracted a wide range of clients, from private individuals to well-known organisations. Such as the National Festival of Making, Sense Charity, Webb Yates, Five Acre Barn, Midlands Art Centre, Design Museum, The New Art Gallery Walsall, Craftspace, Coffin Works, SteamHouse, School Of Jewellery, Birmingham City University.

Dauvit Alexander “Working with Dual Works is always a pleasure. They have the rare ability to talk through a vague idea and make it concrete by spotting unique (often oblique) angles and running with those in dialogue with me. They have completed a number of projects in my house, from a jeweller's bench, wardrobes made from old house doors, an office-library based on 1960s municipal libraries and, most recently, a music workstation using an old school cabinet which I've had for years. In every case, the resultant work has exceeded my expectations in terms of the quality of the craft, the materials and the function of the units."

David Woodbine and Bruce Badrock | Co-founders Five Acre Barn We were really pleased when Dual Works agreed to design and build a kitchen for an extension to our home. We have always admired Dual Works creativity, use of colour and playfulness and were confident that they would deliver something unique to enhance the new space.  Which they did in spades!  Not only is the end product everything that we had hoped for, but the process was inclusive, comprehensive and of course fun.  They delivered to the agreed schedule but were also flexible when our build timetable overran.  One thing that you can’t so easily tell from photos and computer-generated images is the production quality – everything is beautifully made and exceptionally well-finished.”

Tina Francis “Being listened to is a privilege and so I really enjoyed our initial conversations about what I was trying to create as a feeling as much as a finished object. Dual Works really heard what I was trying to do and didn't try to create a solution on the spot.  Working iteratively with them meant that I could see progress and that the design could be finessed just for me. The care and attention to detail meant that I now have a stitching tool called Connect More, there are so many applications for it which I will be researching in my MA and in my practice this year. But of course it is about much more than that.  I feel that Dual Works have set me on the right road of believing in myself so that every stitch has the ability to make a difference”

Elena Jackson, Director of National Festival of Making “The Welcome Arch provided a place of gathering at the National Festival of Making - a place to sit with others, have a moment of reflection in the busy festival environment, and enjoy the changing colour reflections as the sun came out. Accompanied by workshops using offcuts from the making process, participants were able to take a piece of the Festival home with them. Working with Dual Works, This is Nelson and members of the community on this commission resulted in a collaborative, high quality and unifying piece of work - one that embodies the qualities of making we continuously aim to celebrate. For us, it was a joy to work with the whole Dual Works team whose passion for considered, contemporary design and engagement runs through their work. We were so pleased they played such a significant part of this year’s Festival of Making programme and look forward to working collaboratively again in the future.”

Dom Holt, Tommy Cunliffe, Callum McDondald. Co - founders of time. “Firstly, Dual Works are lovely, dedicated people and you can tell they really care. This year we had the privilege and pleasure of meeting the team after being recommended to them by our architect Chris. We gave them a challenge, our time frame was very tight but despite that they absolutely nailed it. Their work is of the highest quality and finish, we were all blown away with how stunning our bespoke cabinets are. Dual Works has our ongoing support, we honestly cannot recommend them highly enough.”