15th Anniversary Series – Part 1: Q&A with Magnus

To mark our 15th anniversary, we invited you through our socials to send in your questions – and we were thrilled by the response. Thank you to everyone who reached out. We’ve selected 7 questions to answer here.

1- What was your biggest learning outcome about setting up a business?

One of the biggest challenges when starting a business is the way we often delay taking the big, important decisions. They can feel heavy – full of unknowns and potential risk – so we hesitate. But what I’ve learnt is that once those decisions are made, things often shift for the better. The clarity and momentum that follow are almost always worth it.

I’ve come to realise that the difference between being successful and not isn’t really about who you are – no one’s that different. What really sets people apart is the willingness to take action: making decisions, moving forward, and experimenting to see what works.

I’ve also learnt that running your own business can feel incredibly isolating. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with you – the direction, the finances, the output – it’s all on your shoulders. And often, there aren’t many people you can really talk to about it.

That’s why it’s so important to build a network of people you trust – whether it’s friends who also run businesses, a supportive partner, or experienced mentors and coaches who can offer perspective. Over time, as your team grows, they become a vital sounding board – people you can depend on to help you navigate the ups and downs.

2- What was your proudest moment?

For me, the greatest privilege is the trust our clients place in us.

Being asked to design someone’s home is an incredible honour – it’s deeply personal. Our clients welcome us into their lives and into places that hold great meaning for them: the site of childhood memories, a dream retirement location, or land where they hope to create something enduring for future generations. Being part of that journey is truly special.

This work has taken me around the world, introduced me to different cultures, and allowed me to connect with people in extraordinary settings. Often, that means being invited into their homes, sharing meals with their families, or even staying overnight – gaining an intimate understanding of how they live and what “home” means to them.

To help create spaces where people will build their lives and memories – that’s something I’m genuinely proud of. It’s a rare and lasting gift to be part of something so meaningful.

3- Where do you see the future of the company? Do you also do interiors and product design? 

From the beginning, I had a clear vision: to build a niche studio focused on one-off houses. That specialism has defined everything we do. Over time, our work has naturally evolved to include larger-scale projects – from multi-unit housing schemes to, more recently, hospitality. We’ve just begun a development of 50 homes with accompanying buildings, which feels like a logical and exciting progression.

International work has always been central to our identity. We’ve worked on projects in over 10 countries across four continents, and now feels like the right moment to take that further. This year, we’re opening our first overseas studio – I can’t quite reveal the location yet, but it’s somewhere we already have a strong presence. The aim is to better support our existing clients and to unlock new opportunities. We’re also active in several other regions where we hope to establish a more permanent footprint in the near future.

Another key area of growth is interior architecture. We already design interiors for many of our homes, so it makes sense to strengthen that part of the practice. We’re also excited about product design – created bespoke pieces like built-in beds, dining tables, and detailed joinery. Looking ahead, I’d love for us to collaborate with furniture brands to create items – from sofas to everyday essentials – that not only reflect our aesthetic but could be used in our own projects and made available more widely.

Whether it’s expanding internationally, entering hospitality, or deepening our approach to interiors and product design, the vision remains: to evolve with purpose, while staying true to our identity.

4- Scandinavian architecture is all about seeking for light, but you also have a very modern approach to it. How do you blend this in more temperate locations in some of your projects?

While light is undeniably important, Scandinavian architecture is about much more than that.

What sets it apart is how wholeheartedly Scandinavians embraced modernism – not merely as an aesthetic, but as a means of improving everyday life. Architecture became a vehicle for social progress, rooted in the belief that good design should be accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few. It was, and still is, a democratic ideal – one where thoughtful design supports dignity and well-being.

At the heart of Scandinavian design is the principle of finding beauty in function. This isn’t about minimalism for its own sake, but about creating objects – and spaces – that are purposeful and elegant without unnecessary decoration. You see it not only in architecture, but in everything from kitchen utensils to clothing. That ethos endures today, especially in the work of contemporary Scandinavian brands that continue to elevate the everyday through design.

Our clients often connect deeply with those values – particularly the desire to bring in light through generous windows and open-plan spaces. But with that comes the responsibility of balancing aesthetics with performance. In colder climates, we design to retain warmth; in hotter regions, we prevent overheating. That means paying close attention to orientation, incorporating shading and overhangs, and ensuring high levels of insulation throughout.

We also integrate systems like heat recovery ventilation, passive solar gain, and thermal mass, along with renewable technologies – all of which help our buildings perform exceptionally well from an environmental standpoint.

In warmer regions, like the Caribbean, we see a different challenge. There’s a rich tradition of passive design – verandas for shade, and maximising opportunities for natural ventilation – yet much of today’s architecture there has shifted to white boxes with extensive glazing on all sides. While they might look striking, they often come with huge cooling demands. 

In one of our projects in Turks and Caicos, we took a different approach. We designed deep overhangs along the south-facing facade to keep direct sunlight off the glazing. That single move dramatically reduced solar gain, lowering the cooling load and making the home far more sustainable and comfortable.

Of course, light remains a guiding thread – not just how much enters a space, but how it moves and transforms throughout the day, shaping mood and atmosphere. Combined with a modern design sensibility, it allows us to craft homes that feel calm, warm, and timeless, no matter the climate.

Our influences extend beyond Scandinavia. Japanese architecture, with its clarity, restraint, and reverence for craftsmanship, has long informed our thinking. As have modernist ideals – simplicity, honesty, and functionality. Along with others, these influences help us create architecture that is both grounded in place and deeply personal for the people who inhabit it.

5- Have you ever felt that a project was improved as a result of constraints rather than having complete creative freedom?

Absolutely.

Every project we take on comes with its own set of constraints – whether related to budget, the site, or something entirely different. And in many ways, those limitations are integral to the design process. I’ve yet to work on a project without constraints, and honestly, I think they often lead to better outcomes. Constraints demand clarity, spark creativity, and drive decisive thinking – they sharpen the work rather than hinder it.

6- What made you decide to focus on international projects?

I’ve always aspired to be an architect working on an international stage – not just designing homes in the UK, but around the world. As a niche practice, the domestic market is naturally limited, so expanding internationally felt like a natural and necessary step early on. Beyond that, I’ve always believed that our design ethos translates beautifully to other regions, especially in warmer climates.

In the beginning, I had no idea how to enter those markets. We simply focused on producing strong work and sharing it. In 2014, we created a concept project called “Superhouse” – purely as a marketing piece. It was bold, ambitious, and it gained widespread publication, sparking inquiries from places as far afield as New Zealand and the US.

Social media, especially Instagram, has been instrumental too. One of our first overseas projects came from a follower who recommended us to a friend in Stockholm. That initial connection opened doors in Sweden, and from there, our international portfolio steadily grew.

Today, we work in over 10 countries across four continents, and international projects make up the majority of our income. We’ve just been instructed for a major commission in Oman – 50 houses with supporting buildings – which feels like a significant milestone and a real testament to how far the practice has come.

7- Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration comes from everywhere – from what I read, watch, listen to, the places I travel, the museums I visit, and the people I spend time with. All of it gets stored in this mental “brain box,” and what’s fascinating is how the mind quietly processes it all in the background.

When a new project begins – you meet the client, take in the brief, walk the site – somehow your brain starts connecting the dots, often without you even noticing. That subconscious process is incredibly powerful.

That’s why it’s so important for me to keep moving – to travel, to read, to observe and absorb. Staying open is essential. The best ideas rarely come while sitting at a desk; they tend to emerge when you step away. That’s also why I really value time off.

One of my greatest sources of clarity is the sea – whether I’m swimming, sailing, or just gazing out at the horizon. That sense of space and calm always helps reset my thinking.