What Studio McLeod does

Studio McLeod is a London-based architectural practice operating as Studio McLeod Architecture Ltd, a private limited company registered in England. The firm designs and remodels residential buildings — including home extensions, renovations, remodelling, mews house conversions, basements, loft conversions, and new-build homes — for private homeowners, primarily in London and South East England. Founded and led by Duncan McLeod, the practice is distinguished by its 'Architectural Therapy' client discovery methodology and a design philosophy emphasizing natural light optimization, sculpted spatial forms, sustainable materials, and innovative solutions to spatial constraints (such as a sliding staircase concealing a motorcycle and a four-storey naturally lit canyon via reoriented stairs). The firm has received RIBA London Awards (2017 Winner), Don't Move Improve! Most Innovative (2017), and second place in the Dezeen x MINI Living Future Urban Home Competition (2019).

The firm operates on a project-based professional services model with fixed fees agreed for early-stage design work, presenting layouts, models, and computer images as framed images and books before clients commit to larger projects. Go-to-market is direct engagement with private residential clients, supported by a portfolio website, industry awards, press coverage (The World of Interiors, Architects Journal, Domus Nova), and client referrals. Notable collaborations include a partnership with Ekkist to design the Kent Wildlife Trust Nature and Wellbeing Centre at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, and a design collaboration with interior designer Beata Heuman on the Oaklands Grove project. The firm claims a 100% planning approval record for clients and operates with 1-10 employees from its headquarters at 320 Kilburn Lane, London W9 3EF.

Name

Studio McLeod

Legal name

Studio McLeod Architecture Ltd

Website

https://studiomcleod.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studio McLeod is a London-based architectural practice that designs and remodels private residential buildings, including extensions, renovations, and new builds, for individual homeowners in London and South East England, differentiated by an 'Architectural Therapy' methodology and award-winning natural-light design.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC)

Keywords

• Residential architecture services
• Home extension design
• House renovation design
• Sustainable residential architecture
• Planning permission consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Architecture Services - Fixed Fee Design Work: The firm agrees fixed fees to develop early stage designs and produce layouts, models and computer images presented as framed images and books. The approach allows clients to have clarity on costs before proceeding with larger projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Studio McLeod is a London-based architectural practice that designs and remodels residential buildings, including home extensions, renovations, remodellings, mews house conversions, basement creation, loft conversions, and new-build homes. The firm applies a proprietary 'Architectural Therapy' client discovery methodology and emphasizes natural light optimization, sculptural spatial design, and sustainable materials. Services are delivered on a project basis, often via fixed fees for early-stage design work presented as layouts, models, and computer images.

Product overview

Studio McLeod is an architecture firm offering residential architecture services through a portfolio of completed projects and design methodologies. Their core offering consists of innovative residential architecture including house extensions, remodellings, and new-build homes. Key projects include award-winning designs like Kilburn Lane (RIBA London Awards winner) and the Sevenoaks Nature & Wellbeing Centre (competition winner with Ekkist). The firm distinguishes itself through its 'Architectural Therapy' approach, a client-focused methodology focused on understanding client needs through deep listening. They also produce publications featuring their work in outlets like The World of Interiors and Wild Kent Magazine. The portfolio includes projects ranging from small bespoke solutions like the Sliding Staircase to large-scale residential developments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Design Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% planning approval rate for clients

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kent Wildlife TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Studio McLeod and Ekkist were announced as competition winners to design the Nature and Wellbeing Centre for Kent Wildlife Trust at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. The project aims to create an outstanding building supporting wildlife, encouraging curiosity, and engaging people in looking after nature while contributing to the wellbeing of people and nature.
• EkkistcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Ekkist collaborated with Studio McLeod as joint winners of the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Nature and Wellbeing Centre competition. Ekkist focuses on buildings that support health and wellbeing, complementing Studio McLeod's innovative residential architecture.
• Beata HeumanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio McLeod collaborated with interior designer Beata Heuman on the Oaklands Grove project. The collaboration used a variety of forms, materials, textures and colours to create distinct spaces throughout the house.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Proctor & Shaw: London architecture practice working on residential extensions, contemporary homes, and small cultural projects. Closely aligned in scale, residential focus, and design-led approach serving private clients in the London market.
• FORM Architects: London architectural practice with strong residential portfolio including contemporary extensions and renovations. Comparable scale, customer type (private London homeowners), and design-driven approach.
• Coffey Architects: London-based practice focused on high-quality residential architecture including extensions, refurbishments, and new homes. Comparable in boutique size, residential specialization, and emphasis on innovative design solutions for private clients.
• Oliver Leech Architects: Boutique London practice specializing in residential extensions and remodels, with a similar award-winning profile and direct engagement model targeting private homeowners in the same geographic catchment as Studio McLeod.
• DSDHA: London design and architecture practice with a notable residential and cultural portfolio, including award-recognized housing projects. Comparable in boutique size and London focus, with broader project types than Studio McLeod.
• Nimtim Architects: London-based architecture practice of comparable size with a strong residential focus on extensions, renovations, and family homes. Highly comparable niche, customer base (London homeowners), and boutique practice model to Studio McLeod.

Broad incumbents

• Allies and Morrison: Major UK architecture practice with extensive residential, masterplanning, and cultural portfolios. Operates as a broader incumbent in the same London architecture market, with significantly greater scale and resources than Studio McLeod.
• Haworth Tompkins: Established UK architecture practice with award-winning work in residential, theatre, and heritage sectors. Comparable London base and architectural ethos, but operates at significantly larger scale than Studio McLeod.
• David Chipperfield Architects: Internationally renowned UK architecture firm with residential, cultural, and public commissions. Operates as a broad incumbent with much larger scale, though sharing London base and award-winning reputation in the same architectural category.
• Foster + Partners: Global architecture firm headquartered in London with extensive portfolio across residential, commercial, and cultural sectors. Serves as a broad incumbent in the same UK architecture market, though operating at vastly larger scale than the boutique Studio McLeod practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/studiomcleod
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studio-mcleod

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studio McLeod