This is a rare chance to take a senior design lead position at a small but fast-growing London practice with national reach. You’ll be joining a team working at the intersection of architecture, urban design, and planning—leading projects from early research and concepts through to planning, delivery, and completion.

The studio’s portfolio is purpose-driven and varied. Current work ranges from transformative 700-home masterplans and new garden communities to sensitive suburban infill housing and award-winning modular developments. You’ll help shape the design direction, mentor and support a multidisciplinary team, and lead meaningful conversations with clients and communities.

This isn’t a siloed technical role. It’s for someone who enjoys being hands-on in design, thrives in collaboration, and wants to make a measurable difference in tackling housing affordability and climate challenges.

You’ll join a small but ambitious London studio working at the crossroads of architecture, urban design and planning. Together, they’re reimagining how homes and neighbourhoods can meet the twin challenges of climate resilience and housing affordability.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery on a range of housing and masterplanning projects, from early research to successful planning and completion.

• Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and local communities.

• Mentor and support junior team members—helping them develop confidence and take ownership of their work.

• Contribute directly to drawing packages and technical outputs, working closely with a strong technical team.

• Engage with research-led initiatives and policy work to keep projects grounded in real-world social and environmental needs.

• Help shape the studio’s evolution as it grows its impact nationally.

Requirements

• 5+ years post-Part 3 with experience delivering at least three housing projects of varying scales through all stages.

• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with a collaborative and inclusive approach to team coordination.

• Excellent working knowledge of UK building regulations and housing standards.

• Hands-on experience preparing drawings, packages and reports.

• Confidence in client-facing roles and navigating complex stakeholder environments.

• Revit proficiency is desirable.

• A passion for sustainable, socially responsive design—and a belief in architecture’s potential to create positive change.

Company Overview 

This is a practice with a clear sense of purpose. Founded in 2018, they’ve built a national reputation for housing innovation and urban masterplanning that addresses today’s biggest challenges. Their hybrid expertise in Passivhaus-standard architecture and urban planning enables them to unlock complex sites and deliver solutions that are both socially and environmentally impactful.

Studio Culture

The studio is small (9 people), highly collaborative and genuinely supportive. Architects, planners and urbanists work shoulder-to-shoulder across all stages, sharing ideas freely in design charrettes and community workshops.

There’s a focused , purpose-driven energy during work hours, but no culture of overtime.  It’s a team that cares about people as much as projects:
- Ethnically and gender-balanced, with diversity embedded in recruitment and design ethos.
- Flat structure—everyone has a voice and can make an impact.
- Early responsibility for junior staff and plenty of space for professional growth.
- A warm, inclusive environment where creativity and kindness go hand in hand.

Benefits + Perks

• 9-day fortnight – every other Friday off

• 36-hour working week 

• Hybrid working – 2 days WFH

• TOIL (time off in lieu) if for any reason you work 10% over regular hours.

• Leadership role with clear progression in a growing studio

• The chance to work on projects with real social and environmental impact

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click the apply button below or send a copy of your CV and portfolio to fjolla@fatrecruitment.co.uk including the job reference number.

To find out more or for a confidential chat to discuss any other roles, please call us directly on 0208 282 8814, we would be delighted to speak with you.