Manea Kella
Areas of expertise: architecture, and interior architecture in residential, hospitality and service sectors.
Manea Kella is a RIBA chartered architecture and design studio founded by Adrian Manea and Elena Kella. Their 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 otheir 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 22-24 Prince of Wales Road, London, NW5 3LG
Website www.maneakella.com
Instagram @maneakella
LinkedIn Manea Kella
Tell us about your practice?
We work closely with our clients to craft functional and beautiful spaces that enrich daily life. Our practice focuses on the human experience with a deep appreciation for simplicity, locality and sustainability.
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 sustainable projects. We believe in sustainability in a cultural, social and economic sense also.
We advocate drawing from local traditions in construction and vernacular architecture. In addition to the selection of low embodied carbon materials and the integration of renewable strategies, we harness the natural attributes of a project’s surroundings. Whenever possible, we always think foremost about reusing, be it reusing material to reusing structure. We value high quality materials and our love for craft informs our approach.
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.
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.
The atmosphere and intricacy of each design are shaped by our clients’ practical needs and their cultural and aesthetic interests, in response to nature and context of each project. We work from the inside out to revalue overlooked aspects and enhance the essence, comfort and beauty of remade spaces.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on the retrofit of a historic building in the heart of Bucharest, Romania, which was originally built in 1914 as a private residence and later served as the Gestapo headquarters and German Embassy. This project will be transformed into a high-performance workplace that will provide choice and balance between work modes.
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 to the north of Constanța, Romania. More locally in London, we are working on several private 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 a diverse and international range of experience and we can work across different project sectors. We champion craftsmanship and sustainable materials that improve utility and longevity.
Our focus on sustainable design generally goes hand in hand with a reduction in operating costs, carbon footprint and ongoing property maintenance – communicate the value of our approach and process to our audience.
We are keen to collaborate with developers looking for project partners. Recently we have been interested in self-initiated projects– an architect / developer powerhouse in one and would be open to seeking out joint venture opportunities.
We have the privilege of working with boutique residential 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 the appreciation for great design and value our dedication to our craft.
What have been the highlights for you in the past year?
As well as working on a large scale 6.5-hectare masterplan, we spent some time this year working on a much smaller scale with a local charity. The charity supports people with a learning disability and we completed a feasibility study for the upgrades to their learning workshop and retail space at Mill Lane Garden Centre in London. This opportunity allowed us to reflect on what is truly important in designing beautiful yet functional spaces with the end users in mind.
We also spent time reflecting upon our practice and how we might be able to improve our social and environmental impact, as part of the B Corp certification process. This process was particularly insightful in what businesses can do to be ‘good’ and think about the impact beyond generating profit.
What is your special focus for MIPIM 2024?
- 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
Find out more about the RIBA Chartered Practices attending MIPIM 2024.
