Mackenzie Wheeler delight in creating places where people feel comfortable, happy and inspired. This might be at work or play, studying alone in a library or propping up the bar with friends. Wherever it is, it is about people, and their enjoyment, comfort and safety.
So, it follows that our design starts at the “micro” scale of furniture and equipment, the quality of space, light, acoustics and materials, from which we create an interior. We then develop this to create a building envelope around that interior, at which point we address the “macro” scale of the public realm, reconciling our proposals with the surrounding environment, whether urban or rural, ancient or modern.
Such projects usually start with a story. A story that shapes them initially and guides their development, but also a story that entertains, informs, sometimes remembers (where we are working in a historic context) and, most importantly, offers a future. We like the idea that form follows fiction, not function, as this allows our buildings and interiors to create a strong emotional connection with the user, promoting a strong identity and, eventually, as strong sense of community.
Such story telling requires research, analysis, and a lot of listening. Indeed, we feel listening is our most valuable skill and, after all, listening is where all the great stories come from.
We have no preconception of what the story might be or where it might take us, but it offers a starting point and a route for us to explore, with our collaborators, to create the vision and sustain the project through to completion, and to give it life and meaning thereafter.
We guide the narrative of the story with our writing, designing and sketching while making sure that the operational requirements, programme and costs are all under control, as we are very aware of the commercial context within which we operate. Our approach has created many successful operations where the high footfall arising from our strong design approach has enriched both the users and their hosts.
This approach has also created a very diverse range of design solutions within our work. This is evidence of our listening and the depth of research and analysis that we give every brief, the result of which produces the best and, almost inevitably, most original solution to that brief.
You will also see no obsession with a particular style within our work. Indeed, we regret the modern obsession with the visual style as we feel it ignores the other 4 senses of touch, sound, taste and smell that are so important to engage if you are to create truly satisfying spaces, particularly in the hospitality sector.
Mackenzie Wheeler offers an imaginative group of architects and interior designers to lead you through the story, to solve problems, to spot opportunities, and to create something that really makes the endeavour worthwhile, both for now and the future.
Rupert Wheeler
Rupert founded Mackenzie Wheeler in 1986, just about as soon as he qualified, which was possibly too soon, but the practice has remained buoyant and creative ever since. Rupert leads the practice with a very distinctive visual style and an eclectic design ethic that reveals the unique characteristics of each project.
A local activist, property developer and long-term resident of Spitalfields, despite his west country roots, he is always drawing and sketching, whether it be furniture design, construction details, new buildings, or just what is in front of him at the time. His drawings have been the subject of several exhibitions. He also writes on design in the hospitality sector, currently working on an updated edition of his book “What is a nice old pub if it must be new.”
Sancho MacDonald Araujo
Sancho joined Mackenzie Wheeler as a project architect in 2007 and has been the leading project architect on schools, pubs, hotels, and mixed-use developments for many years. Sancho became a director of the company on its transition to a Limited company in 2022.
Born and raised in South Africa, Sancho is passionate about the natural environment and its conservation, and how this shapes architecture and the built environment. With a love or art, sculpture, natural materials, and a keen eye for detail, Sancho aims to bring fun, warmth and playfulness into an architectural world dominated by straight lines and man-made materials.
Annalaura Tolomio
Annalaura joined Mackenzie Wheeler in 2013 as a newly qualified architect and has since lead many of the practice’s restaurant and pub projects, capitalising on her Italian connections. Annalaura became a director of the company on its transition to a Limited company in 2022.
Following her training at the Venice school of architecture, Annalaura is passionate about enhancing the character and soul of buildings and their surroundings, bringing them to life through welcoming interiors and attractive details, whilst maintaining functionality and a sense of style.
Barney Bristow
Barney is a highly experienced project architect who originally joined Mackenzie Wheeler in 1999, left in 2007 to establish his own practice and subsequently returned in 2023.
He leads the practices IT services, is a consummate draughtsman, photographer, and fine artist, having spent some years as a painter of house portraits. He has also been a professional drummer, most recently touring Germany with Boney M, and other well-known acts.
Lucy Stone
Lucy is an architect and joined Mackenzie Wheeler in 2023 having worked in north London practices since completing her MA in 2020 and has recently qualified as a chartered architect.
Super organised and thorough she offers great support on a portfolio of work that, while very design orientated, is often fast track and full of drama. Lucy completed a scholarly dissertation on pub design as part of her Masters studies so has taken to the practice’s hospitality workload very well.
Joel Riley
Apprentice
Joel is an architectural assistant and joined Mackenzie Wheeler in 2023 having completed his architecture degree at Nottingham University. Joel is a creative and adventurous soul and is leading the practice’s use of AI in its work as we take the opportunity to enhance our creative endeavours with new technology.
Joel studied sustainability throughout his degree course and is passionate about designing in a way that seeks to minimise the negative environmental impact of buildings.
Azra Ibrisimbegovic
Manager
Azra joined the practice in 2015 as practice manager and has performed this role with thoroughness and dedication ever since. She is many people’s first point of contact with the practice and responds to every enquiry in the most appropriate manner with tact and good humour.
Away from the office Azra enjoys researching and exploring topics related to ancient art and history, Greek and Roman mythology and esoteric literature, and is a Board member of the Astrological Lodge of London.
11-13 Bateman’s Row
Shoreditch
London EC2A 3HH
