The world of kitchens has become an extraordinarily busy place. With so many brands, materials and styles vying for attention, we want to be clear about why you might want to choose us.
Over the past fifteen years, our approach has been shaped by thousands of design decisions, hundreds of completed projects and years of collaboration with brilliant clients and architects. These ten reasons underpin every project we take on, and the standards we hold ourselves to.
If they represent a company that you’d like to work with. Please get in touch. We look forward to talking about your project.
Founded in 2010, we pioneered the modern plywood kitchen, combining architectural clarity with precision joinery to redefine how furniture is built into the home.
Today, we continue to integrate design and manufacturing to create kitchens, furniture and homewares of uncommon character and quality.
→ What we stand for: the story behind Uncommon Projects
Every project presents a spatial and functional challenge, from working with irregular layouts to finding opportunities for storage and improving circulation.
Over the years, we’ve developed an approach rooted in architectural thinking and spatial planning. Through close collaboration, we shape spaces that respond to the architecture and enhance the way they’re used.
This way of thinking continues to guide everything we do, refined through years of experience and design feedback.
→ View a Core kitchen planned around a challenging layout
We take time to understand more than your project. We get to know you.
Beyond layouts, materials and specifications, we talk about how you want to live, both now and in the future. That understanding shapes every decision, from colour to cabinetry to how your kitchen should flow.
It’s the same approach we bring to every project, whether you’re commissioning a Bespoke kitchen or going with our Core system.
→ Bespoke vs Core: which kitchen is right for you
Plywood is our defining material. We chose it back in 2011 for its strength, stability and clarity. Since then, every Uncommon cabinet has been full-ply — made entirely from engineered birch plywood, never MDF or particle board — ensuring structural integrity that lasts for decades.
From exposed edges to carefully rebated joints, we take pleasure in every detail. Plywood isn’t just our material of choice, it’s become our design language.
→ Why all our kitchens are made from plywood
Our kitchens are made for all kinds of homes, from period terraces and rural retreats to compact apartments and modern new-builds.
Each one is designed to suit its setting, whether that means taking centre stage or quietly complementing the architecture. Whatever the context, we adapt our approach to create something that fits your home, your style and the way you live.
→ View kitchens designed for every type of home
CNC machining gives us millimetre accuracy, while hand-finishing ensures every piece meets our high standards. Bespoke projects are built and installed by us from start to finish, with care and attention at every stage. Core projects are delivered ready to install, made with the same precision for a perfect fit on site.
However it arrives, every kitchen reflects our commitment to the best tools, processes and craftsmanship to achieve lasting quality.
→ Learn more about our Bespoke kitchens
We work exclusively with European birch plywood for its mechanical strength, stability and ability to hold fixings securely. These are the qualities that make our kitchens exceptionally durable. Plywood resists warping and water ingress, and its layered structure allows joints and connections to stay true over time.
Unlike most kitchens that hide inferior materials beneath the finish, ours are made entirely from ply, not just faced with it. Every panel is planned to minimise waste and make the most of each sheet. Offcuts are reimagined in collaboration with artists and designers, or gifted to local colleges and universities, extending the life of the material in new and unexpected ways.
→ Modern plywood joinery in dialogue with a Victorian coach house in Brockley
Because we design and manufacture everything under one roof, we control every detail...from the engineered plywood chassis to the fixings and finishes. Nothing is left to chance. Gaps stay aligned. Drawers run true. Materials hold their shape.
We set high standards for every component we use, and we invite you to inspect every part of what we make. These are things you shouldn’t have to think about, and with us, you won’t.
Edges, reveals, joints, grain direction...nothing is overlooked. But detail doesn’t stop at the surface. We think about how a kitchen flows, how it feels to use and how its layout supports daily life.
From the position of a drawer to the weight of a door, everything is carefully considered. You might not notice it all at first, but over the lifetime of your kitchen, you’ll come to appreciate every part of it.
We’ve always done things differently. For us, modesty, honesty and efficiency aren’t just words. They guide how we work, how we communicate and how we advise our clients.
We give direct, experienced advice. We design for longevity, not trends. We keep pricing and timelines clear and realistic. If something won’t work, we’ll say so.
Keep reading our design guides, product advice and stories from our Uncommon friends.
