A small practice, deliberately. Twelve people who would rather do three buildings well than thirty at speed.
Umbra was founded in 2011 on a shared belief that architecture had become too fast, too disposable, and too detached from the sensory realities of human experience.
We are a studio of architects, makers, and interior specialists working across scales, from bespoke furniture to expansive cultural masterplans. What unites our work is an uncompromising dedication to craft and context.
By remaining intentionally small, we ensure that every project receives the unbroken attention of the founding partners. We do not hand off designs; we interrogate them continuously from the first sketch to the final site inspection.
Material honesty
We believe materials should express their true nature. Concrete should feel heavy, timber should show its grain, steel should carry tension visibly. We do not disguise.
Light as structure
Before we draw walls, we map the sun. Light is treated as a primary building material, used to define volumes, indicate time, and texture surfaces.
The long view
Architecture must outlive its creators. We design for the patina of time, selecting materials that age gracefully and geometries that resist fleeting trends.
The partners
Ingrid Søholm
Founding Partner
Tomás Rivera
Founding Partner
Naomi Okafor
Partner, Interiors
Henrik Vold
Partner, Technical