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We came back to Essex to build something it did not have.
We met while working on some of London's most demanding residential projects, private estates, listed buildings of national significance, clients for whom quality was simply expected. Between us, we brought different things to that world. Kieron as architect, Hayley as architectural technologist. What we shared was a conviction that the standard of work we were part of in London did not have to stay in London.
Studio 40 was built on that conviction. Kieron, who grew up in Shenfield, had always planned to come back and build something Essex did not have. Hayley brought the technical rigour and delivery expertise to make it real. Together, creative direction and technical precision are not separate departments. They are the same conversation, every day, on every project.
We design from the inside out, shaping space through movement, light, material and texture. Our work begins with how a building is occupied and how it feels to move through it, arriving at an architecture of restraint and honesty. We believe the greatest architecture is created when proportions, materials and structure are legible, and nothing is hidden.
We deliver bold residential projects, combining architecture, interiors and project management, from the first conversation to the day you move in.
Kieron
Founder, Architect
I grew up in Shenfield, then trained and worked in London for years on some of the city's most demanding residential projects, for clients who simply expected the highest standard. That experience shaped how I think about buildings: not as objects to be looked at, but as places to be occupied. I have never accepted the idea that an architect's job ends once the concept is approved.
I founded Studio 40 to bring that standard back to Essex, working with clients who want a genuine design conversation rather than a set of drawings handed over and forgotten. The detail is the design to me, and getting it right on site matters as much as getting it right on paper.
I have a particular interest in interiors and specification, in materials, lighting and finishes, bringing it all together into a well-designed, fully resolved piece of architecture. No afterthoughts, no decisions dumped onto your builder. Transparency in process, clarity of concept, precision in detail, every junction considered. It is a conviction that runs through everything we do.
Hayley
Chartered Architectural Technologist
I really enjoy problem solving, so I’m in my element figuring out a tricky technical detail. I’ve always been practical and enjoyed building and making things, so being hands-on with projects is second nature to me and seeing a building come to life on site is the best bit of the job.
My varied experience from bespoke high-end residential to high-volume, high-rise projects means that I’m very comfortable coordinating project information, balancing aesthetics with budgets, and bringing people together on site.
Nothing is hidden
We design architecture from the inside out, shaping space through movement, light, material and texture. Our work begins with how a building is occupied and how it feels to move through it, arriving at an architecture of restraint and honesty.
We believe the greatest architecture is created when proportions, materials and structure are legible, and nothing is hidden.
FAQs
We’d rather not because we feel that Essex has enough of them, and we would prefer to do something different. In a world where most things are possible, we think homes can be so much more. So whether it be beautiful brick details, zinc, Corten steel, copper, timber or rammed earth, the opportunities are limitless, dependent upon your budget, taste, and . . . planning policy.
We take away the fear of the unknown by being as honest and transparent as possible. We have clever software that gives us accurate cost plans, so we know exactly what’s possible within your budget. And we don’t overdesign.
We design around your family. We take time to understand what you want, and we help you understand what will work best for you. This comes naturally to us because we’re life partners as well as work partners, so your project is very much a family affair. And we’re great at putting ourselves in your shoes.
Saving a few hundred quid on structural information can mean adding £££s to your build cost. Cheaper fees are often low because there is less time to talk and develop the design. In real terms, that can mean you are spending more money on unnecessary structural elements of your project
Our design solutions are not bog-standard, so we only work with a group of trusted Structural Engineers whose fees allow for discussion about the design principles and project objectives. That way, you get the beautiful, streamlined design you want.
You can change your mind and alter the design at any stage, but the more advanced we are with the project, the more it could cost you. We’ll help you get the design right at an early stage and make sure we have everything bottomed out before we get a builder on board and anything gets built. That will save you both money and stress.
The choice is entirely yours. We prefer to manage the projects on your behalf because we are control freaks (see Kieron’s bio…) who love making life easier for our clients. Being involved during the build also ensures that we can manage delivery of the finer details to elevate your project from being good to being great! We also don’t see why the contractor should have all the fun. We want to be part of that.
Recent work
Every project begins with a Design Discovery.
A focused conversation about your home, your priorities and what great architecture could mean for you. It is the right first step for both of us.