Case studies
These case studies show how Eagle & Oak works with cultural, heritage and landscape organisations at moments of change.
Each one reflects a real decision point — before major investment, during strategic uncertainty, or when an organisation needed clarity, confidence or renewed momentum.
The work spans different scales, contexts and geographies, but is united by a shared approach: understanding what makes a place distinctive, grounding ambition in reality, and helping people make thoughtful, well-judged decisions about what comes next.
Selected work
-
![A grassy field divided by a narrow path, with frost on one side and low winter sunlight on the horizon.]()
The Auckland Project — Binchester Earth
Place-led decision-making before investment. This case study shows how experience design, audience modelling and commercial realism can be used to shape a complex destination—bringing archaeology and regenerative farming into a single story that also works alongside established and emerging offers within the wider Auckland Project ecosystem.
-
![Two people seated in armchairs, talking across a low table in a stone-walled room with bookshelves behind them.]()
Embedding a Confident Commercial Culture
Commercial confidence is often cultural, not technical. This case study shows how mentoring and practical measurement can make money “make sense” across a whole organisation—improving capability, reducing anxiety, and strengthening pride and collaboration without compromising values or morale.
-
![Three people walking along a leaf-covered path toward a historic building, carrying bags and documents.]()
Building Robust Audience Insight for a Capital Project
Good audience work builds funder confidence and design clarity—but it also leaves a legacy of thinking. This case study shows how to move from fragmented data to tested insight, using proportionate tools and staged methods so a team can keep learning long after a capital project is delivered.
-
![Two people walking along a path toward extensive stone ruins in a green, rural landscape.]()
Re-energising a Small Outdoor Heritage Site
Sometimes the fastest route to improvement is clarity about what is special. This case study shows how an advisory visit and light-touch mentoring helped a newly appointed site supervisor reverse drift—by sharpening distinctiveness, focusing on priority audiences, and diversifying engagement in ways that volunteers could enjoy owning.
-
![A person speaking into a microphone during a workshop, with a presentation screen visible behind them and seated attendees in the room.]()
Museum Development Training at National Scale — Saudi Arabia
Capability-building at scale still needs to feel human. This case study shows how a national training programme can remain culturally aware, practical and confidence-building—combining clear structure with personal mentoring so participants develop judgement, not just knowledge.
What these case studies show
Each case study captures a particular moment in an organisation’s journey — often before decisions were locked in or resources committed.
Some focus on strategy and business planning. Others explore audience insight, commercial confidence, training, or the future use of space. In many cases, several of these threads come together.
Rather than presenting fixed solutions, the work centres on:
• creating clarity before change or investment
• supporting confident decision-making at board and leadership level
• balancing ambition with operational, financial and organisational reality
Business planning & future strategy
Several of the case studies focus on helping organisations develop clear, robust plans for the future — whether that involves long-term business planning, options appraisal, or preparing for significant change.
This work often supports boards and leadership teams to move forward with confidence, shared understanding and a realistic sense of what is achievable.
People, place and capability
Other projects centre on understanding audiences, strengthening organisational confidence, developing commercial thinking, or building skills through training and mentoring.
Across these case studies, the emphasis is on working with people — helping teams understand their place more deeply and feel equipped to shape its future.
No fixed model. No off-the-shelf answers.
Eagle & Oak does not apply a standard formula or predefined solution.
Each project begins by understanding the place, the people involved, and the realities they are working within — financial, organisational, cultural and environmental.
The work is designed to create space for thinking, testing ideas, and making decisions that feel grounded, appropriate and sustainable over time.
Considering what comes next?
If you’re working with a place that feels full of potential — but complex, uncertain or at a turning point — a conversation can help bring clarity.
Eagle & Oak works with organisations at moments like these to explore options, test ideas and build confidence before decisions are made.