At WOLF Architects, our passion for design extends far beyond architecture. Over the years, this passion has driven us to create a unique platform: WOLF Design Review (www.review.wolfarchitects.design). It’s not a business venture or a profit-driven side project, it’s a labour of love and an extension of our core practice. WOLF Design Review allows us to stay sharp as designers by examining great design across different industries and eras, deepening our understanding of what makes something truly timeless.
What is WOLF Design Review?
WOLF Design Review is a platform where we review and score a wide range of objects with everything from sunglasses to houses through the lens of design. The majority of the items we review are over 10 years old and that’s intentional. True design excellence stands the test of time and focusing on older objects allows us to explore pieces that have already proven their longevity and relevance.
We’ve reviewed over 100 items so far, adding new reviews monthly. The range is diverse with classic Mercedes cars, vintage electronics and retro toys being particular favourites of the WOLF pack. In some cases we have even reviewed food together with their outlets, but we don’t just review anything, we carefully curate the selection.
Our Standards – Why We’re So Strict
We maintain exceptionally high standards. To date, nothing has ever scored over 9/10, a score above 8 is rare and considered exceptional. Even a 5 or 6 from us signals a well-designed object, as our criteria are more demanding than typical review platforms.
Because this is a passion project, we retain complete control over what we choose to review. If someone wants us to review a product to promote it, we’ll likely say no unless we genuinely believe in its design value. This is why we focus on objects over a decade old because it eliminates the noise of passing trends and helps us stay true to our design values.
A Serious and Time-Consuming Process
Each review is a detailed and time-consuming exercise. Organising an object to be professionally photographed alone takes significant effort. We’re not satisfied with quick snapshots; the photos need to meet the highest standards.
Even reviewing something as small as a pen can take days to capture every angle and detail. Larger objects, like cars or houses, are even more demanding. Location shoots require careful planning around lighting conditions, a house at sunrise can feel completely different than at sunset. Capturing that essence is critical to our process.
Attention to Detail – Beyond the Photos
Our reviews aren’t just about the photography; the written analysis is equally important. We’ve noticed that our insights and images are often sourced and referenced by others, proof that people value our perspective. In fact, many of the items we review have little to no information available online. In some cases, the information we provide becomes the primary source of reference, especially from a design perspective.
Of course, this visibility comes with challenges. Our photos have been used without permission and our insights have been copied without credit. While frustrating, we see it as a form of flattery when others are following our lead, it confirms that we’re setting the standard.
Why We Do It
WOLF Design Review is more than just reviewing objects, it’s about refining our own design instincts. By studying great design across different fields, we become better architects. Our principal architects and artistic directors are frequently invited to speak on design and creativity and this platform reinforces our reputation as leaders in the field.
Got Something Special?
If you have an object you believe is truly exceptional, we’d love to hear from you! But remember, we maintain strict criteria. We don’t review items for promotional purposes and we only select objects that genuinely align with our passion for great design. If it makes the cut, it will receive the full WOLF treatment: professional photography, detailed analysis and a spot among the design icons on our site.
Visit WOLF Design Review and explore the collection today!