DF_DC

London, UK / Lugano, Switzerland

DF_DC is an architecture and urban design practice founded in 2016 by Dario Franchini and Diego Calderon, with studios in London and Lugano. The practice consolidates Franchini's previous Lugano studio, established in 2009, with Calderon's independent work in London following a long collaboration with Duggan Morris Architects. The studio works across scales from private houses to urban masterplans, with ongoing projects in the UK, Switzerland, France, Mexico, and Mozambique. DF_DC is particularly interested in the relationship between structure and material execution, and in how scales from urban pattern to craft detail interconnect. The practice leads a design studio at Kingston School of Art since 2016 and was workshop leader at the Porto Academy in 2022 and 2023. Awards include Best Architects 2022, 2023, and 2026, a Mention of Honour at the 2020 Architecture Biennale in Mexico, and competition finalists for the Swiss Embassy in London 2022 and the Cantonal Natural History Museum 2023. DF_DC has been featured in Wallpaper* Architects Directory, New Architects 4, and Newgens.