K i L N  architects is founded on the creative and joyful process of making and building. We’ve always had a love of making and restoring things; from antique tools, pieces of furniture and friggebods in arctic Sweden, to more recently garden sheds turned studios in Bow, barn conversions in Cornwall and an array of 1960s houses in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the South West.

 

Through  K i L N  this passion for making has been channelled into designing buildings that enhance the lives of the people that inhabit them; crafting quality places that allow life to unfold with moments of surprise and joy.

 

At  K i L N  we combine an understanding of vernacular building techniques, natural materials and new technologies. With each project we overlay this practical knowledge with a playful curiosity towards the place’s history, the local context and the client’s way of life. Balancing this inventive approach with meticulous rigour defines our philosophy of craftsmanship - one which has quality, care and sustainability at its core.

 

We believe places should be full of life and amplify the rich characters of the people that use them. Our friendly & human focussed methodology is tailored to work with each clients' individual project in an open, democratic and collaborative way. 

 

Just like the kiln creates alchemy within its walls, it is our hope that with this core philosophy focussed on carefully crafted space, even humble everyday materials can be elevated to something far greater than the sum of their parts.

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 Founding  K i L N

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Chris is a chartered architect, having studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, Sheffield School of Architecture and the University of Cambridge. In the profession for over a decade, Chris has worked for award-winning practices in London and Bath, including IBLA and Mitchell Eley Gould Architects and has taken on a diverse range of projects, from bespoke domestic houses, boutique hotels, cultural and educational buildings, and more recently as project architect on a prestigious 43 unit residential development in Wiltshire. 

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Chris is at his happiest when working collaboratively with his clients and craftspeople so he founded K i L N architects in 2020 to focus on carefully crafted design led projects across the UK.




Chris has always been a passionate maker and spent his early career sharing a workshop with other designers and makers, working in London and Sweden as a builder. This practical experience means he is just as comfortable managing a project on site as during the design stages. He has a profound respect for craftspeople, who make things to last for generations to come, and hopes to instil a similar ethos into his own practice.




When Chris isn’t thinking about architecture, he’s probably tinkering in his workshop, cycling, or exploring  trails in the Wye Valley with his dog Trevor.

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