Specialists in architecture and interior design for private homes and heritage buildings, delivering exceptional craftsmanship.

MWAI provide clients with a flexible, tailored service and advice. We regularly take projects from start to finish and are often asked to provide interior design as part of a full architecture and interiors appointment, or as part of our turnkey offer.

Profile

MWAI is a London-based architecture and interior design practice, centrally located in Marylebone, providing convenient access to all areas of the city.

We believe design holds the power to shape how people live and work, both today and in the future. Every project we undertake is carefully tailored, shaped by a deep understanding of the brief, the client's vision, and the historical and contextual nuances of the site. Our focus is on the elements that most impact human experience, enabling us to deliver thoughtful, imaginative, and transformative solutions.

Our practice is built on a reputation for exceptional client service, with the majority of our work stemming from referrals. We pride ourselves on being approachable yet discreet, direct yet thoughtful, rational yet creative.

Over the past decade, much of our work has involved buildings in historically sensitive settings and complex planning environments. Our portfolio spans high-end residential projects in Central London, hospitality work with Sofitel on the Grade II listed St James Hotel, and cultural developments as far afield as the island of St Helena.

Our depth of experience, combined with rigorous research, attention to detail, and a pragmatic yet imaginative approach, equips us to expertly handle new builds, basement and above-ground extensions, and refurbishment projects - especially within heritage landscapes, Conservation Areas, and listed buildings.

We undertake Heritage Appraisals, Listed Building Consent applications, and Demolition Approvals within Conservation Areas, working closely with local Conservation Officers. We embrace the challenges these projects present and strive to craft innovative solutions that balance the character of existing structures with the planning framework and client aspirations.

We are passionate about design and known for our professional, collaborative, and personable service. This reputation has led us to operate primarily in the upper tier of both the private and commercial markets.

At MWAI, we are committed to supporting clients on the journey toward a more sustainable future. We believe meaningful change can begin with small, practical steps. While we don't claim to have all the answers, we are proactive and realistic about the environmental challenges we all face.

We are proud subscribers to ACAN and Architects Declare, and we actively promote sustainable thinking across our projects. As a Chartered RIBA Practice, we are committed to helping the industry meet the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes 2030.

Approach

We adapt our services and design style to suit the client context and design collaborators, but always try to maintain the high standards and attention to detail for which we are known.

For our private clients

We make the process of assembling your project team simple and transparent. Our service is flexible and tailored to your needs, offering expert advice every step of the way. Many of our clients entrust us to manage their projects from concept to completion, and we are often asked to deliver additional services such as interior design and full project management alongside traditional architectural work.

Our approach follows the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) framework, which provides a structured, stage-by-stage process suitable for projects of all sizes—from small extensions to large-scale developments. For simpler projects, we adapt these stages to keep things efficient and straightforward.

If you have any questions, we'd be delighted to talk them through with you and provide a no-obligation quote for your project.

For our business clients

We work closely with businesses and brands to bring their projects to life, tailoring our design services to meet each client's unique requirements.

Our focus is on delivering exceptional results—on time and within budget. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we frequently work with other consultants to ensure the clients' expectations are met.

Our services are aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work 2020, providing a structured and trusted framework for every stage of your project.

You can find out more about our process in our services page.

Our Team

We are a team of architects and interior designers with a passion for design and heritage buildings.

Friendly and approachable, we're dedicated to making the design journey enjoyable, clear, and truly collaborative to create spaces that reflect your vision with care and expertise.

The team is guided by Matthew and Alessia, whose 20+ years of experience in architecture and interiors shape each design with insight, care, and attention to detail.

Matthew Woodthorpe

BA Dip MA Arch
Director

Award-winning architect Matthew founded mwai in 2009. He remains at the front of the practice, ensuring that mwai is future focused, and can field a talented, versatile and dedicated team. Spanning over three decades, his career has led him from the University of Sheffield to the Manser Practice, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and onto specialising in the sustainable development of historic property. Starting from an exploration of energy systems and the urban environment for his master’s degree, he has developed an expertise in low-energy housing, alongside a detailed understanding of architectural heritage in London, refurbishment and bespoke residential interiors.

Alessia Mosci

Director
MA Arch RIBA

Alessia is responsible for overseeing mwai’s design approach. She began her architecture career in her home city of Milan, where she ran her own practice working on residential and award winning cultural projects. Having relocated to London in 2007 she worked on large, more complex cultural and masterplan projects before joining Matthew in 2010 as Creative Director. Her design approach is informed by the connections that emerge between people and their cultural, physical contexts. She places craftmanship at the heart of the architectural and interior experience, advocating sustainable re-use through the imaginative transformation of existing buildings.

Ben Corrie

Director
MA Arch RIBA, RIAS

Ben has been part of the mwai team since 2009. His core responsibilities centre around taking the lead in technical and procedural areas such as building regulations, procurement and contract management. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh and a natural problem solver, Ben has acquired extensive experience in London’s private residential sector and is accustomed to coordinating and delivering complex projects involving underground extensions and historically sensitive redevelopments.

Dat Liu

Senior Architect
BSc(Hons) MArch ARB

Dat joined mwai as senior Architect in 2019 with many years’ experience in the production of concept-driven contemporary designs at all scales, from larger complex projects and masterplans to smaller private projects. He has extensive experience in residential developments and a specialism working with existing listed buildings. Here he strives to carefully integrate innovative building and service techniques to a high level, delivered without compromising strategic concepts. He is currently responsible for mwai’s extensive office CPD programme including the practices commitment to driving net zero carbon design.

Nathalie Hurlstone

Architect
BA(Hons) MArch ARB

Nathalie joined mwai after graduating from the University of Bath in 2022. During her masters’ studies, she thrived coordinating a student-led design and build project. Nathalie has explored a range of practices, working on alpine architecture in Switzerland and residential projects in London. Within the office, her work is informed by an understanding of context; she is involved in architectural design from conceptual development through to the thoughtful communication of proposals.

Edanur Koseli

Interior Designer
BSc(Hons) MA Interior Design

Edanur joined mwai as an Assistant Interior Designer in 2022. She has worked on various scales across disciplines from interior design to graphic design. Her works focus on how interior design can alter social construction and engage inhabitants.

Nina de Castro

Studio Manager

Nina joined mwai in 2022. Nina has experience in various industries from Legal to Hospitality, but the creative world of Architecture and Interior Design is where she thrives. At mwai she provides day-to-day business support within financial to architectural reclaim. She is committed to making the office environment a happy and organised place to be.

Zog

Eda's favourite staff member & office Dog

Zog joined mwai in 2022, and spends quality time between his home and the office with Ben

David Wiggett Canalda

Architect
MA Arch, ARB

David joined mwai after graduating from the Kent School of Architecture in 2016. Prior to his present role at mwai, he gained experience in Canterbury working on educational and residential projects. David has a passion for design, materiality and complex joinery, so enjoys working on highly detailed interiors projects.

We'd love to hear from you

Get in touch if you would like to discuss a project or find out more about our practice

+44 (0)20 7258 0332
enquiries@mwai.co.uk

MWAI Ltd
48 Broadley Terrace
London NW1 6JG
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