Biography

Coates was born in Malvern in 1949 and trained at the University of Nottingham and at London’s Architectural Association. One of Britain’s most original thinkers in architecture, interior, exhibition and product design, Coates’ architectural projects include the Centre for Popular Music in Sheffield and the Powerhouse in London. While much of his career has been devoted to teaching, Coates has also designed furniture, lighting and glassware for a number of European companies.

Hitch Mylius’ collaboration with Coates began in 1994 with the Tongue chair designed for the Hotel Maritimo in Japan, followed by the Slipper collection, hm60. In 1998 Coates designed the immensely successful hm61 for his prize-winning Oyster House at the Ideal Home exhibition. 2011 saw the launch of the hm63 collection.