Our projects are…
Playfully creative
A selection of joyous community-focused and socially engaged projects where people are at the heart of our work.
Featured
We created an illuminated artwork to brighten up our neighbourhood especially for the inaugural Birmingham Light Festival.
We collaborate with the people of Nelson and Blackburn to design a Welcome Arch for the Pendle Festival of Culture, Nelson, and The National Festival of Making, Blackburn,
Connect More is shared stitching device which aims to aid an interaction between two people, as a mechanism to initiate conversation whilst undertaking a crafting activity.
A community-focused collaborative play installation created for Balsall Heath Library and Moseley Road Baths
We formed a design team with learners from the Heart of Birmingham Vocational College to imagine ideas for the public realm around the Washwood Heath Depot, HS2’s national maintenance facility.
A collaborative approach was central to building a relationship with the team at Sense Charity. We created sensory and inclusive furniture guided by their knowledge and expertise, which celebrates their community.
A collaborative process of knowledge exchange, curiosity and dialogue with the team at Sense Charity enabled the creation of a design concept driven by an inclusive approach which actively supports learning in multiple ways.
An inclusive approach led to a unique design concept for Sense Arts. Created to celebrate their community and raise awareness of inclusive design in communal spaces.
A collaborative process was central to the design of an interactive stage set for Spectra Arts, a performance company that draws on the diverse creativity of its mixed professional and learning-disabled community cast to devise multi-sensory theatre.
We collaborated with Quartermasters, a Birmingham-based maker collective, to create a pop-up community space and mobile display for a vintage Pashley picador trike.
Testimonials
“It was a real pleasure to work with Dual Works on the design of furniture for the Waste Age exhibition at MAC.
They developed a unique design for the display plinths that perfectly aligned with the exhibition's ethos. The main structural components of the plinths are wooden Doka H20 eco P beams, sourced from construction sites where they are typically used as temporary supports for poured concrete. Additionally, wood from previous exhibitions and studio offcuts were repurposed for the new plinths.
Dual Works introduced a distinctive concept incorporating yellow ratchet straps, which allow the components to be temporarily fixed, highlighting the importance of reusability. True to the exhibition's values, all wood and straps will be reused or recycled after the exhibition ends.
Their friendly and professional approach made the collaboration seamless and enjoyable, and I was particularly impressed with how thoughtfully they approached the project. It was truly a pleasure working with them.”
Roma Piotrowska Curator Midlands Art Centre
"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."
Dauvit Alexander
"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."
Elena Jackson | Director of National Festival of Making
"For us, our communities here in Pendle have to be at the heart of everything we do, and from the very first time we met the Dual Works team, we knew that they understood this. In addition to crafting the vibrant and fun Welcome Arch, Dual Works also developed workshops which meant that the contribution from our community members on the design of the Arch was truly meaningful. A joy to work with!"
Holly Noonan | Community Development Officer at Building Bridges Pendle
"One of the really important aspects of This is Nelson is for communities to feel engaged. The development of the Welcome Arch with Dual Works enabled this to be fully realised, giving depth to a structure which then provided the entrance to the Pendle Festival of Culture in a vivid, fun and exciting way. Dual Works have been a great team to collaborate with, and this project had the added bonus of creating something that united the two towns of Nelson & Blackburn at the National Festival of Making."
Paul Hartley | Co-founder of In-Situ
"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."
Dom Holt, Tommy Cunliffe, Callum McDonald | Co - founders of Time. Shoreditch
"From our first meeting with Dual Works we have thoroughly enjoyed developing this project with them. Our job as Architects is always so much easier when working with nice people who share our creative passion. From concept to completion the Dual Works team were both engaging and proactive in assisting the design process. Through their expertise, we were able to deliver a bespoke joinery scheme that excelled the clients expectations."
Chris Robinson | Director at TIDY Architects
“ 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.”
David Woodbine and Bruce Badrock | Co-founders Five Acre Barn
“Teaming up with Dual Works was an absolute delight. Their friendly, collaborative approach made the whole relationship feel like a breeze. From concept to creation, their professionalism and creativity shone through. The bespoke portable units they crafted for our digital innovation centre were beautifully crafted with an eye for detail that brings a sense of joy to interacting with their creations.
But what truly stood out was their collaborative spirit – it felt like a partnership, not just a transaction. Dual Works is the go-to for top-notch custom furniture and expertly crafted objects. A five-star experience, hands down, I can’t wait to work with them again.”
Harry Conway | Innovation Manager, STEAMhouse
“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”
Tina Francis | Tapestry Artist
“Working with Dual Works to expand our exhibition space with vertical screens / display boards has been simple, straight forward and an absolute pleasure.
Their creative solutions to design and budget has ensured our exhibition area functions seamlessly with our existing showcases. The display solution makes installation quick and effective and allows for a variety of configurations depending on the display required which has really enhanced the space.
A great team to work with and a high-quality result”
Claire Price | Birmingham College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles
“Dual Works has completed three design and build projects for us so far, including a home gym, a wine cellar and a home office. Dual Works were brilliant from start to finish each time, carefully translating our broad ideas and themes into high-quality, functional solutions which look amazing and make great use of our space.
As well as being fantastic craftspeople they're great fun to work with, finishing on time and in line with budgets, and we're already planning our next project with them!!”
Anka & Jon Addis
“We have known Dual Works for several years now they are some of the warmest and most friendly people you could wish to meet. So when it came time to add some new furniture to our Store in the Great Western Arcade, we didn't have to think about who would do this project it was always going to be Dual Works.
They took our brief and made sense of it! They spent time making sure what would work in our space, and be practical for our needs. Also, we really like that they sourced great material from UK suppliers, this was all delivered on time and on the budget.
We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dual Works and use them for future projects.”
Matt Rose | Director at Glimpse Opticians'
“Dual Works were commissioned to design and create the exhibition build for our national touring exhibition We are Commoners.
Dual Works responded to our brief and the themes and ethos of the exhibition with creativity and practicality. They devised a visual identity in collaboration with the exhibition’s graphic designer that referenced ideas of play, DIY and reuse. The build they have created is a clean aesthetic but striking which is important to mark out Craftspace’s work in the various tour venues. It is also practical and robust for touring; easily packed down, stored or transported and assembled. The best thing is it is all reusable or recyclable!
Dual Works were a pleasure and fun to work with too, making the whole process enjoyable.”
Emma Daker | Exhibitions and Project Development Manager Craftspace
“For Sense, working with DualWorks has been an absolute dream. Our work supports people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities to communicate, experience the world and fulfil their potential.
It’s wonderful to work with a partner who shares our vision of a world where everyone can take part in life, no matter their disability. This partnership has helped us to translate our sensory practice into the environments we have created for children who are deafblind or have complex disabilities. This ranges from tactile carriers, braille pegboards and sensory play stations right through to the gorgeous home pods we can turn into tents, story spaces or fill with sensory lights, music, scent and fabrics.
Feedback from parents who bring their children to Sense sessions has been so positive. Spaces are safe, welcoming and far removed from clinical spaces they may have experienced. You get a sense of calm joy when you walk into our new children’s studios. That is down to Dual Works partnership delivering on our shared vision for these spaces.
We are so delighted with the way this partnership has developed to create furniture for Sense Hub Loughborough, with more to come!”
Rachel Perrin | Associate Director: Operational Programmes at Sense
“When we initially approached the Dual Works to undertake work for us at the Coffin Works, our brief was basic and safe, but Dual Works vision brought it to life. They got us thinking and enabled us to be more creative, developing our brief so that it was more than just functional. This came from a true passion for what they do but also an appreciation of who we are.
Their approach is the perfect blend of personal and professional, but more than anything else, they care about getting the right results for their clients. They are our ‘go to’ design team and their quality and consistency has secured them multiple projects with us. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
Sarah Hayes | Museum Manager at Coffin Works
“We have really enjoyed working again with Dual Works for the design and installation of our office furniture, they are such a talented team, and they really listened to us to understand how we work and operate to be able to make bespoke for this.
They show brilliant attention to detail, precision, innovative ideas, and flexibility to accommodate work hours and patterns. Dual Works really go above and beyond to achieve a fantastic finish and feel, as well as a joyful personable service. We always look forward to working with them, and hope to collaborate again together soon”
Anna Parker | Founding director of Intervention Architecture Ltd
“A pleasure to work with the Dual Works they really took the time to listen to our needs and understand our space, aesthetic and audience. We commissioned a front of house retail unit, and they presented new solutions that we hadn't considered, ensuring longevity and multifunctionality. Excellent communication through the process of commissioning and installation.”
Naomi Clarke | Community Outreach & Learning Manager at The Hive, Ruskin Mill Land Trust
"Dual Works are truly dedicated and talented creators. Functionality and productivity is at the centre of their design process which was invaluable to me whilst setting up my small studio. They took time to understand what I required of my workspace and created customised pieces that are versatile and multifunctional.
From the design process all the way to the installation they were a joy to work with and I’m looking forward to working with them again in future. The Ultimate Dream Team"
Jennifer Bates | Founding director of In Bloom
"We are delighted with the outcome of the project and feel incredibly proud of the legacy this will create. These spaces will enable us to create innovative spaces for disabled artists’ audiences and communities, where people with complex disabilities are creative leaders, now and in the future."
Stephanie Tyrrell | Head of Arts at Sense Arts Charity
