Louise Mcleod

Louise has spent more than 18 years working in architecture, leading the design of complex and high-profile projects across the UK, Australia and internationally. Before establishing her own practice, Larch Studio, she spent 15 years at Grimshaw’s London and Sydney studios, where she worked as a Principal Design Director on major education, transport, mixed-use, commercial and cultural projects from concept through delivery.

Louise’s work is centred on strong early-stage design thinking — developing clear conceptual narratives, navigating stakeholder needs, and guiding multidisciplinary teams toward coherent, sustainable and technically robust outcomes. Her background includes several years working in façade design, and she has recently completed specialist training in eco retrofit, further strengthening her interest in building performance, circularity and adaptive reuse.

Now based in the South East, Louise focuses on more local, community-oriented and environmentally responsible projects. She also has experience tutoring in design and digital techniques in both the UK and Australia, and brings a collaborative, open and design-led approach to all her work.