A tale of two cities: in conversation with Fettle

For most of us, especially those lucky enough to be familiar with the North of England, to be in fine fettle is to be in good health. A lesser-known meaning though, is to shape, craft and prepare. Fitting, then, for design studio Fettle, which has become well known for its layered and bespoke approach to projects, from hospitality to coworking. Founders Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin were friends and colleagues before business partners, reflected in a relationship that can withstand an eight-hour time difference across two studios: Parker based in Los Angeles and Goodwin in London.

With Goodwin hailing from Sheffield and Parker from Reading, the duo met at United Designers in London, both moving to Martin Brudnizki’s London studio (MBDS), with Parker eventually relocating to the US to help set up the MBDS New York outpost. They recall dreaming about their own studio from almost the moment they met – working together for another seven years before taking the leap and starting Fettle in 2013. Like most life-changing adventures, it happened more through coincidence and opportunity than by design.