Will Atkins

As a child Will was no stranger to an over-ambitious Lego or K’NEX build. Growing up in rural Norfolk near the Broads, he and his brother would construct many dens and makeshift boats from barrels and scrap timber. It was in Will’s architecture job that allowed him to delve deeper and research the side of the profession that focuses on the smaller details, specifically how different materials interact and are assembled together for a certain purpose. His business Make Relief is the culmination of his freelance work and architectural training, where he takes on creative fabrication briefs in tandem with his own design work.

Will’s inspiration for his pieces is drawn from his architectural training and he finds himself drawn to rational structures, textures inspired by facades and combining materials in unusual ways. His favourite part of the making process is at the early experimental stages of a project, where techniques and materials are tested for their suitability, gradually narrowing down the options to form a more definitive design direction. The majority of materials are sourced from local timber merchants for sustainably sourced timber and various other UK based manufactures of eco-composites.

When we asked Will about British design and what he loves about working in the UK, he said that there is so much variety to be explored and celebrated and gives thriving designer and maker communities opportunities to learn more about the work of other practitioners and skills that can be combined in the form of collaboration.

Will is currently working on large custom designs constructed entirely from recycled plastics and new furniture made from 100% cork.