McLaren.Excell is a London-based architectural practice founded in 2010. It is co-directed by Luke McLaren and Robert Excell. The practice focuses primarily on private residential and commercial projects.
Since 2010, the practice has undertaken a wide range of projects in a short time, building a reputation for producing buildings with a serene authority and a subtle sense of place. The practice has become a space for ongoing research into how to translate original ideas into built reality, a process driven by a genuine passion for good design.
Luke studied at Cambridge University, the Royal College of Art, and London Metropolitan University. In 2005, he joined the award-winning 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 founded his own practice, where he focuses on residential projects ranging from terraced house renovations and extensions to rural conversions and adaptations. Luke's specialization lies in the detail of construction and understanding how a design can be constructed and fully resolved. This stems from a deep interest in making and perfecting things through the construction of objects, carpentry, and buildings, which has allowed him to develop a profound understanding of construction.
Robert studied at Kingston University and specializes in the remodeling and repurposing of existing buildings and spaces. After leaving Kingston, he joined Powell-Tuck Associates, where he worked on several bespoke residential projects in southwest London, both new builds and refurbishments. In 2007, Rob joined D_Raw Associates, where he gained a more specialized focus on commercial work in the retail and leisure sectors. He completed several retail projects for the clothing franchise Reiss, as well as restoration projects 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 possesses an instinctive ability to see the potential in an existing structure and, thanks to his typically lateral approach, often produces innovative and unexpected designs that challenge preconceived ideas.
The studio has garnered several awards from Hunts Green Barn in recent years, including Architect of the Year and Residential Transformation of the Year at the British Home Awards 2022 and Best Contemporary House and Best Interior Design at The Daily Telegraph Homebuilding Awards 2022.
