Our Heritage
A legacy of landmark architecture spanning over 25 years.
28 Buildings
With over 25 years of practice, MWK Architects has delivered an extraordinary range of projects — from Honda flagship showrooms to Passivhaus housing, from heritage renovations to industrial innovation.
This timeline charts 28 defining buildings: a record of the relationships, ambitions, and ideas that have shaped who we are today.
1999
Johnsons Honda, Milton Keynes
One of the first projects completed by the newly formed Morton Wykes Associates, Johnsons Honda was the first Honda dealership designed by Jim Morton.
2000
IKEA, Birmingham
Many of our early commissions were for IKEA, designing restaurant extensions to existing stores. This hand-drawn perspective dates from a time before today's sophisticated computer-generated visualisations.
2001
Bells Volvo, Bedford Road, Northampton
Designed by Morton Wykes partner John Wykes, this adventurous planar glazing showroom for Bells Motor Group became an iconic feature of Bedford Road, Northampton.
2002
Maple Close Housing, Braunston
Possibly our first project for Northants Rural Housing Association, this scheme marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration delivering rural housing across the region.
2003
Honda Solihull
During the early 2000s, Honda Cars embarked on a major expansion programme in the UK, and the practice designed numerous dealerships and showrooms nationwide.
2004
Hilton Foods, Huntingdon
A long-established client, Hilton Foods has expanded significantly across this Huntingdon site. The practice continues to support the site's ongoing evolution through new buildings and extensions.
2005
Honda Enfield
The last of the smaller Honda dealership projects before the practice was invited to join Honda's prestigious Flagship programme. This showroom was located in Enfield, London.
2006
Jordan's Orchard, Little Compton
A charming housing development for Bromford Housing Association, designed as contextual architecture that sits naturally on the edge of a Cotswolds village.
2007
Oakley Offices, Oakley
A speculative office development for the now-defunct Deejak Group. An unusual commission for the young practice, more accustomed at the time to houses and car showrooms. Located on the A6 outskirts of Bedford.
2008
Honda Romford
The big one — the first of Honda's flagship dealerships positioned on the arterial routes out of London. This landmark scheme occupied a prime site on the Great East Road in Romford.
2009
Tattenhoe Pavilion, Milton Keynes
A fine building rescued through careful renovation. Originally designed by Milton Keynes Council, the building suffered from severe roof failures. We comprehensively refurbished and upgraded it, including its external transformation from white building to terracotta building.
2010
Baileys Reach, New Forest
A sumptuous private residence on the edge of the New Forest, designed to maximise views across the River Beaulieu and its woodland setting. Constructed using exceptional materials, the project also brought together a team of consultants who remain close collaborators and friends.
2011
Walton High Restaurant, Milton Keynes
An ambitious brief from Walton High School in Milton Keynes, which sought a dining experience comparable to the best venues in Central Milton Keynes. We transformed a large hall into a dynamic split-level dining environment — a challenging but highly rewarding project.
2012
Honda Bracknell
Following the closure of Honda's Formula 1 programme in 2008, MWK was commissioned to create a flagship showroom and dealership opposite the former engine facility in Bracknell — embodying Honda's 'Power of Dreams'.
2013
New Chapter School, Milton Keynes
What a transformation. The addition of a striking two-storey glazed entrance hall, together with refurbished offices behind, completely redefined this Milton Keynes primary school, creating a welcoming, accessible, and secure entrance.
2014
Bells KIA, Northampton
The practice has worked with Bells Motor Group for more than two decades. Originally designed for Mitsubishi, this showroom was later expanded in 2014 to double its size and accommodate the rapidly growing KIA brand.
2015
Honda Orpington
The last of Honda's London Flagship Stores, this impressive building in Orpington is the twin of the Romford dealership. Many design features first explored here informed the practice's later work.
2016
ESPA Whittlebury Hall Spa
These treatment rooms for long-standing client Whittlebury Hall were deceptively complex. Although simple in concept, the project had to be constructed entirely at night to preserve the tranquillity of the hotel spa during daytime hours.
2017
Collins Close, Napton
A rare commission for private developer Norelle Homes, this scheme on the edge of the Cotswolds village of Napton transformed a disused plant nursery into a varied and attractive residential development, demonstrating the value of diversity in speculative housing.
2018
Wootton Wawen Passivhauses
Our award-winning ultra-low-energy Passivhaus housing scheme for Warwickshire Rural Housing Association. The client challenged us to address both fuel poverty and climate change, resulting in a project that won the 24 Housing Best Green Scheme Award in 2019.
2019
South End Primary School, Rushden
A project that exceeded the client's expectations in every respect. Originally commissioned as a single additional classroom, careful remodelling and extension created an entirely new three-classroom hub — proof that thoughtful design delivers lasting value.
2020
Piano Mews, St James, Northampton
Perhaps the longest-running project undertaken by the practice, this affordable housing scheme took ten years to progress from derelict site to completed development. A modest but significant piece of urban regeneration of which we remain immensely proud.
2021
78 Derngate Visitors Centre, Northampton
Conceived during the COVID pandemic, this elegant scheme resolved many of the challenges faced by 78 Derngate as visitor numbers increased. Its skilful use of planar glazing, sweeping over the roof, creates a flexible venue for exhibitions and social events alike.
2022
Sulby One, Newnham Drive, Daventry
Not all industrial buildings are the same. Although outwardly similar to conventional warehouse developments, this building for water treatment specialists Xanadox achieved an A-rated energy assessment, reflecting our commitment to sustainable design.
2023
Apption Labs Two, Leicester
We often say our USP is "we do awkward". This was among our most challenging commissions: linking two buildings owned by different landlords, while transforming a former plant hire warehouse into state-of-the-art offices for a high-tech company. The client later won the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2021, and the building was shortlisted for the ProCon Awards.
2024
Sulby Two, Newnham Drive, Daventry
The sister building to Sulby One, completed in 2022 — and very much its bigger brother.
2025
Spilker's House, Graven Hill
A rare one-off private house for the practice, designed for a delightful Japanese client. The house is an exploration of light and flowing space, inspired by the Golden Mede housing at Waddesdon.
2026
CMZ Headquarters and Showroom, Coventry
Our latest project for international precision CNC machine manufacturer CMZ represents the culmination of more than 25 years of experience within the practice.
