Joyful Buildings · Shaping Meaningful Change · Bringing People Together
Incremental was founded in 2020 by Charlie Palmer, driven by a desire to challenge conventional approaches and explore new ways of making a difference.
We believe in creating the world we want to live in—focusing on projects that meet real needs, support sustainable growth, and enhance public spaces for everyone.
From the start, we've been committed to using fewer resources and rethinking how we build to address both the climate crisis and social inequalities.
As a cooperative studio, collaboration is at our core. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are building a reputation for thoughtful, well-crafted work.
How we work
Every project we take on—big or small—is a step toward meaningful change, uncovering new opportunities and inspiring others to do the same.
As architects, we blend action-led research, urban design strategy, and placemaking to create thoughtful, impactful spaces. Our collaborative approach combines fresh thinking with a deep understanding of how to improve the physical fabric of buildings.
We are a cooperative studio driven by creativity, inclusivity, and care. Here, everyone has a voice, responsibility is shared, and collaboration shapes stronger communities and better buildings. Mutual warmth, respect, and curiosity define the way we work.
Where we work
We were founded on the principle of supporting change in the place where we are, and are connected to. Our team are based in the West of England and South Wales. These are the places we know, and the areas we can sustainably work in. While we don’t always achieve it, our goal is a transition to use only sustainable transport modes and we want to work with clients that support this goal.
Services
Project Support & Development
We help organisations shape projects from the ground up—facilitating workshops, brief-writing, and co-design with users and communities. We also conduct early-stage studies to support funding applications and set projects on the right path. Community groups may find our research on Risk, the RIBA Activist Stage, and Approvals helpful—get in touch to learn more.
Feasibility & Early-Stage Studies
Successful projects start with holistic thinking—combining business planning, spatial analysis, and creative insight to uncover new possibilities. We offer full feasibility studies, quick capacity assessments, condition appraisals, and planning guidance for site purchases.
Architecture & Urban Design
From feasibility to construction and handover, we provide full architectural services. Our urban design work, developed in collaboration with specialists, creates sustainable, accessible, and engaging public spaces. (Note: We do not take on small residential projects unless they involve retrofit fabric improvements.)
Engagement & User Research
We specialise in community and stakeholder engagement, blending digital and in-person methods to gain meaningful insights into what communities truly need.
Passivhaus & Retrofit
As certified Passivhaus and PAS 2035 retrofit designers, we provide expert guidance on sustainable retrofit, from site assessments to PHPP analysis. We take a holistic approach to material reuse, with a particular focus on adapting existing buildings for community benefit.
Building & prototyping
We design and self-build small-scale projects in collaboration with local fabricators, working closely with community partners to bring ideas to life.
Community Builders Network
We're building locally, sustainably, and together—creating jobs for local people, using local materials, and cutting down on transport. That’s why we collaborate with a strong network of community builders and local fabricators, ensuring every project supports the place it’s built in.
Who we are
Charlie Palmer
Founder + Senior Architect
Charlie founded Incremental in 2020 and leads the architectural vision for all our projects. With a talent for distilling complex briefs and sites into imaginative, joyful, and practical spaces, he approaches every challenge with care, optimism, and ambition.
Before establishing Incremental, Charlie was a project architect at the Norman Foster Foundation, where he contributed to the Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission—an award-winning participatory urban development program recognized with a UN Habitat Award. His experience also includes working with some of London’s most respected architecture firms, including Hawkins\Brown and S333 Architecture and Urbanism, where he focused on housing and urbanism projects.
In 2022, Charlie was honored with the RIBA Rising Star award, a prestigious recognition given to architects making a meaningful impact on the built environment.
Beyond his practice, Charlie is committed to architectural education. He teaches at Oxford Brookes University and actively contributes to the RIBA Educational Development Group, shaping the future of the profession.
Sam Carew
Architectural Designer + Passivhaus Designer
Sam joined Incremental in 2023 and has since contributed to a diverse range of projects, from post-care housing to developing our Community-Led Retrofit Guide. As a certified Passive House Designer, he applies his expertise with meticulous attention to detail, overseeing projects from technical design and coordination through to on-site delivery.
With seven years of experience in designing low-carbon homes and retrofit projects—combined with hands-on work with natural building materials and timber-framed structures—Sam takes a holistic approach to sustainable architecture.
He holds a Master’s in Sustainable Architecture from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) and has first-hand experience in self-building.
Having grown up in Carmarthenshire, Sam has a deep connection to Wales and its communities. He is passionate about fostering community resilience through collaboration and low-impact design.
Our Teaching
We run an undergraduate teaching unit at Oxford Brookes University. The unit works with live clients to engage students of architecture with real world challenges. Our aim is to train the next generation of architects to be able to better address the big challenges of their generation and become Change Makers.
Check out the student work on instagram: @unit_a_obu
Special Thanks
At Incremental we recognise that creating great buildings and places is a collaborative endeavour. Successes are born out of teamwork not individuals. We therefore want to say a very large but humble thank you to past employees, clients, stakeholders, collaborators and end users that have contributed to the Incremental journey over years. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without their passion, experience and support.
Thank you.
Luka Honobe
Jason Skelton
Barbara Poczatek
Lucy Medhurst
Hannah Sloggett
Wendy Hart
Niki Sole
Ruth Cuenca
Work with us
Unfortunately we are not currently looking for new staff. Follow us on Instagram for future opportunities.
Please note that we do not offer unpaid internship positions.