STUDIO HLEO
Richard
Richard Andrews is the Owner and Director of Studio Hleo Ltd.
Prior to founding Studio Hleo, he successfully ran his own eponymous architecture and design practice from 2017 to 2024 — a studio born organically from a deeply personal journey.
This began with the self-build of his own home, The Cork House, and was further shaped by a formative design collaboration with internationally renowned artist Conrad Shawcross RA. These early experiences laid the foundation for Richard’s distinctive approach: one rooted in curiosity, craft, and a commitment to creating meaningful architecture that connects people to place and purpose.
Richard studied architecture at the respected Canterbury School of Architecture, where he completed both RIBA Part I and Part II qualifications. His postgraduate work was awarded First Class Honours and earned him a nomination for the prestigious RIBA Silver President’s Medal. His thesis, which explored forward-thinking urban typologies, was later published in the internationally acclaimed eVolo Skyscrapers 2 portfolio — a testament to his early commitment to visionary and socially responsive design.
Before founding his own studios, Richard honed his skills at several award-winning architectural practices, including
Foster + Partners, Michaelis Boyd Associates, and DOS Architects. During this time, he contributed to a wide range of projects, from landmark commercial developments to finely crafted residential homes. This breadth of experience has shaped a design philosophy that balances the rigour of large-scale architecture with the sensitivity and intimacy of bespoke design — a balance that continues to define the ethos of Studio Hleo. Beyond his extensive experience in architecture, design, and construction, Richard has long championed health and wellbeing as fundamental pillars of practice.
Since founding his first studio in 2017, he has embedded innovative structures that prioritise a more balanced and human-centric approach to working in the built environment — including the early adoption of a four-day working week. These forward-thinking frameworks have continued to evolve, shaping Studio Hleo into a place where wellbeing is not just a value, but a lived practice.
As Richard steps into this new chapter as Director of Studio Hleo, his commitment to cultivating healthier ways of designing, building, and collaborating only deepens — benefiting clients, collaborators, and the wider architectural community alike.
Pete
Pete Davies is an Architect who joined the Studio Hleo team in 2023.
He studied at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, where he completed both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees, before qualifying as an Architect through the University of Westminster's Part 3 Course.
His Master’s projects explored how disused quarried landscapes could be reactivated and repurposed for ecological and social benefit, with a strong focus on circular design principles and the whole-life potential of stone as a construction material.
Pete has a particular interest in physical model making as a tool for testing ideas and capturing the tactile and spatial qualities of proposals. His Master's design work was featured in the V&A and Building Centre’s Shaping Space exhibition.
Beyond architecture, Pete designs and makes furniture and lighting pieces, using digital fabrication methods such as 3D printing to create formwork for cast pieces. His work is informed by primitive forms and the natural landscape processes - his work has been exhibited in a range of galleries and exhibitions.
Pete also teaches on the Landscape Architecture (MLA) course at UCL, where he co-leads a design studio. The studio focuses on sensitive contextualisation, deep-rooted material understanding, experience-driven inhabitation, and circular approaches.
Luisa
Luisa Felicia Clauss is the executive PA and Studio Assistant at Studio Hleo, where she is also responsible for marketing and social media management. In addition, she contributes to the studio’s creative output by producing photography and non-architectural designs and content.
A London-based multidisciplinary artist, 3D designer, and photographer, Luisa graduated with an Honours Degree in Graphic and Media Design from UAL, London College of Communication, in 2024. With a strong foundation in painting and hands-on creation, combined with a passion for analogue photography, she seamlessly blends physical and digital media to develop unique conceptual designs. Her digital 3D work integrates art, sculpture, spatial design, motion design, storytelling, exploration, and music, resulting in visually compelling and impactful pieces.
Beyond her creative expertise, Luisa has a diverse and unique professional background, having worked as a trained paralegal assistant, personal assistant, project coordinator in an art installation company, and studio assistant. She brings a valuable blend of creativity and administrative expertise, having honed strong project management and multitasking abilities, a professional approach, and out-of-the-box thinking, all while ensuring that deadlines are met in fast-paced environments.