FROMTHEGROUNDUP           
FROMTHEGROUNDUP (FTGU) is an interdisciplinary art and architectural design studio based at Primary in Nottingham. Made up of a core team of William Harvey, Elin Keyser and Jacob Kelly who bring in a range of collaborators for specific projects bringing together a range of experience in architecture, sustainability, art, research and making.

Our projects are carefully considered to be as low impact as possible by using Passivhaus design principles together with low embodied carbon materials, helping to reduce the environmental impacts of construction on the planet. We use participatory design methodologies to co-produce work, which doesn’t always end-up as a building. Agency throughout design stages is shared, a process which fosters a sense of ownership with those who inhabit and use the resulting space. We believe this creates richer and more sustainable projects.

We work at multiple scales from furniture to domestic up to the organisational and institutional. This includes private clients, arts organisations and community groups with whom we seek to create joyful places and spaces for human and more-than-human cultures to thrive in.

FTGU is a not-for-profit worker’s co-op, with shared responsibility and ownership among its members, creating a more ethical working culture. Any profits are reinvested into community projects,  research, art and writing. This allows for explorations into the ethics, philosophies, and the practicalities behind climate change mitigation, material (re)use, and participatory design.



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FROMTHEGROUNDUP STUDIO LIMITED
Registration number: 15478884

CORNER CAFE

Interior redesign and project management of the New Art Exchange’s (NAE) Corner Cafe. The design was developed from a series of participatory workshops held with multiple stakeholder groups who visit the café. They were all invited to share their responses to the past, present and future vision for this space.

We spoke with all staff, including front of house and back of house, member of NAE’s VOICE assembly, regulars who use the café, artists and passers by who had never ventured into NAE before. This wealth of input was then synthesised into common themes which we used as guiding principles to generate a design which reflected the desires and diversity of the NAE’s community both inside and outside the building.

FTGU then worked closely with local makers to realise design.

Project Team: Elin Keyser, Jacob Kelly, William Harvey
Joinery: FENN Woodwork & Jack Narewski
Textiles: Line Nielsen
Artworks: Farwa Moledina
Services: Chris Coulston & Andy Strudwick
Client: New Art Exchange
Location: Nottingham


2025