Manea Kella
Areas of expertise: architecture, and interior architecture in residential, hospitality, and service sectors.
Manea Kella is a London based, award-winning RIBA chartered architecture and design studio founded by Adrian Manea and Elena Kella. Our projects are international and we operate across hospitality, residential and service industries.
They believe thoughtful architecture and design benefits society and is a force for social change. From the smallest intervention to large-scale developments – regardless of scale, architecture has the potential to shape and transform society for the better.
Manea Kella work closely with other clients to craft functional and beautiful spaces that enrich daily life. Their practice focuses on the human experience with a deep appreciation for simplicity, locality and sustainability.
They are guided by one overarching principle: to craft impeccable, elegant and thoughtful spaces.
Phone +44 208 9355 003
Address 39-41 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RA, United Kingdom
Website www.maneakella.com
Instagram @maneakella
LinkedIn Manea Kella
Tell us about your practice?
We strive to transform and create innovative buildings which last and can adapt, that are sensitive and bold. Considerations of local identity go hand in hand with our belief in creating truly sustainable projects.
We advocate drawing from local traditions in construction and vernacular architecture. We value high quality materials and our love for craft informs our approach. Art is a source of constant inspiration within our practice and a true driver of our existence. We are guided by one overarching principle: to craft impeccable, elegant and thoughtful spaces and objects.
What differentiates you from other architects?
We believe that being a good architect means considering people at the forefront of design – the architect’s key role is to design buildings and spaces in which people can lead a decent life, whether these are used for working, living or leisure.
The creative process is an ongoing conversation. None of our projects are approached with a predetermined agenda. We enjoy turning our client’s ideas and aspirations into built projects.
We are here to listen, learn and work together in order to achieve success.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are working on the retrofit of an historic building in the heart of Bucharest, originally built in 1914 as a private residence and later served as the Gestapo headquarters and German Embassy. We are transforming it into a high-performance workplace. Nearby, we have designed a masterplan for Eden Gardens, a coastal mixed-use project which aims to create more than 1,500 homes on 6.5 hectares of undeveloped land north of Constanța. Locally in London, we are working on several residential projects in Hampstead and Primrose Hill.
Why do clients come to you?
As a small practice, we can be quite nimble, problem solve and go the extra mile for our clients. Our team have diverse and international experience and we work across several sectors. We champion craftsmanship and sustainable materials that improve utility and longevity. Our focus on sustainable design goes hand in hand with a reduction in operating costs, carbon footprint and ongoing property maintenance.
We are privileged to work with boutique developers who value good design because they have a unique product and care about the quality of properties they offer. Likewise, our homeowner clients often share an appreciation for great design and value our dedication to our craft.
What have been the highlights for you in the past year?
We achieved B Corp certification, it was rewarding to take time to analyse and improve our social and environmental impact.
As well as working on a large scale 6.5-hectare masterplan, we are working with a local charity that supports people with a learning disability, to upgrade their learning workshop space at Mill Lane Garden Centre in London. The project allowed us to reflect on what is truly important in designing beautiful, functional and healthy spaces with the end users in mind.
What is your special focus for MIPIM 2025?
- diversification of our project sectors and continuing our work in new and exciting locations
- meeting likeminded collaborators, peers, consultants with a sustainability focus to explore and implement solutions to address the environmental crisis
- we have multiple projects simultaneously on site in London
- our self-initiated development projects
