The practice is co-directed by Luke McLaren and Robert Excell working primarily on private residential and commercial projects.
We love what we do and invest great energy in delivering projects which are beautifully conceived and finely crafted. We respond to our clients’ needs by designing projects in a very intimate and hands-on way, collaborating with people that we know and trust.
Luke McLaren
Director
Luke studied at Cambridge University, the Royal College of Art and London Metropolitan University. In 2005 he joined the award winning practice Jamie Fobert Architects, where he worked on the new Tate Gallery in St Ives in addition to several private residential commissions both in the UK and abroad.
In 2007, he subsequently established his own practice working on residential projects ranging from town house refurbishments and extensions to rural conversions and adaptations.
Luke’s particular expertise is in construction detailing and understanding how a design can be built and fully resolved – borne out of a long standing interest in how things are made and honed over time by constructing objects, joinery and buildings himself to develop a profound understanding of how to build.
Rob Excell
Director
Robert studied at Kingston University and specialises in the re-modelling and re-use of existing buildings and spaces. After leaving Kingston he joined Powell-Tuck Associates, working on a number of highly bespoke residential projects in South West London, dealing with both new build and refurbishment schemes.
In 2007 Rob moved to D_Raw Associates, experiencing a more specialist approach to commercial work in the retail and entertainment sectors. He delivered various retail projects for the Reiss clothing franchise in addition to restaurant schemes for Fenwick (Bond & Brook) and The Gondola Group.
During this time he also worked on several private residential projects in Marylebone, St John’s Wood and Hampstead. Rob has an instinctive ability to see potential in an existing structure and, through his typically lateral approach, often produces innovative and unexpected designs that challenge preconceptions.
Chris Savva
Managing Director
Chris thrives on bringing clarity, order, and high-quality design to the most complex and challenging architectural briefs. With over 15 years of experience across a wide range of building types including railway termini, education, private residential, commercial offices, and bespoke workplace design, Chris has developed a reputation for navigating intricate sites and sensitive historic contexts with confidence and creativity.
His strong interest in existing buildings and sustainable design underpins much of his work. He has successfully led the delivery of projects achieving some of the most demanding industry benchmarks in environmental performance, including BREEAM, LEED, WELL, NABERS, and EPC A.
Prior to joining McLaren Excell, Chris worked at award-winning practices BuckleyGrayYeoman and Grimshaw, where he played a key role in the prestigious redevelopment of London Bridge Station, which was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2019.
As Managing Director, Chris brings strategic leadership, design excellence, and a passion for innovation, ensuring that every project not only meets but exceeds client expectations.
Laura Gutierrez de Carlos
Associate
Laura brings a distinctive design sensibility and meticulous approach to her work at McLaren Excell. With a background spanning both contemporary architecture and the careful adaptation of historic buildings, she is experienced in delivering projects of all scales and complexities.
Alongside her architectural expertise, Laura has a particular passion for interiors. She brings rich knowledge of furniture, finishes, and detailing, sourcing from a network of trusted suppliers, craftspeople, and artisans. This adds a further layer of depth and individuality to the projects she leads, ensuring that spaces are not only architecturally resolved but also beautifully lived in.
As an Associate, Laura is a trusted point of leadership within the practice, working closely with clients and consultants to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the design process. Her thoughtful, collaborative approach makes her an integral part of the studio’s culture and output.
George Kneale
Associate
George brings over a decade of experience to McLaren Excell, with a strong focus on commercial retrofit, large-scale refurbishment, and the conservation of historic buildings. As Associate, he plays a key role in steering projects from early design through to delivery, ensuring that ambitious ideas are realised with clarity and precision.
Since qualifying in 2019, George has led a number of high-profile projects, most notably the restoration of Brettenham House, an iconic Art Deco landmark. His work reflects a careful balance between modern design interventions and the preservation of historic character, underpinned by technical rigour and attention to detail.
With expertise across both commercial and residential sectors, George is particularly valued for his ability to resolve complex design challenges within the constraints of retrofit. His experience in commercial delivery allows him to align diverse project teams and maintain momentum throughout each stage of the process.
Alex Streatfield
Associate
Alex has been a core member of McLaren Excell for more than a decade, bringing deep technical expertise and design sensitivity to the studio. As Associate, he plays a central role in leading projects from concept through to delivery, ensuring our work maintains the highest standards of craft and detail.
With extensive experience across bespoke residential projects, Alex combines rigorous technical knowledge with an ability to translate design ambition into built reality. He has contributed to projects at every scale, from sensitive refurbishments of listed buildings to large-scale contemporary homes, always with an eye for precision and integrity.
Respected as a leader within the practice, Alex is often the bridge between design vision and construction, guiding clients, consultants, and contractors alike. His longstanding commitment to the studio has helped shape many of our most recognisable projects.
Established in 2010, the practice has taken on a diverse range of work in a short time, steadily building a reputation for producing buildings which have a calm authority and finely nuanced sense of place. Our studio has become a place of continual investigation into how we can develop our original ideas into a built reality and this process is driven by our genuine passion for good design.