As CEO, Jo is the strategic and commercial lead for Cowen + Partners, best known for her unique combination of design and commercial skills. Jo comes with a unique background as being both a qualified architect, yet trained in real estate investment management. This provides a broad understanding of the complexities involved in bringing schemes to fruition enabling the practice to work in partnership with clients and stakeholders. She is a leader in analysing and creatively assessing a site’s potential, as well as advising on value curation, the development brief and planning risk.

Jo is responsible for the strategic growth of the practice’s Living sector led regeneration schemes as well as overseeing the master planning projects. Currently working with several respected industry bodies, Jo is a thought leader recognised for her ongoing contribution to improving the quality of delivery within the sector.

Jo believes that sustainable design should deliver for the place, local community, investor, developer, operator and fundamentally, the end user. Jo is a founding shareholder for Action Funder, which provides valuable resource to community groups in need. Jo is also Vice President of Story of Christmas and fund raiser for Restore the Music.

As Managing Director, Chris is responsible for the overall design and delivery of all of Cowen + Partner’s most innovative work. He leads concept and technical development of all major practice projects, from master-planning to multi-unit for sale and build-to-rent schemes, as well as being at the forefront of best in class residential led regeneration. Chris is able to rationalise sites at the earliest stages, unlocking potential in a sympathetic yet ambitious way. He goes beyond being an architect, with a deep understanding of operational strategies and interlocking multiple scales and phases of development in tandem.

Working at the forefront of conceptual progression of modern housing design, Chris has a reputation for unlocking complex sites with planning authorities, bringing new and alternative perspectives to urban townscape, marrying high quality design that performs for all stakeholders. Chris works hard to push forward the practices ‘clean and climate’ tech innovation and has led on multiple award winning projects.

Central to Chris’s approach is a co-aligned relationships with clients, statutory authorities and consultants throughout the design process. He carefully considers the appearance, performance and viability of buildings, adopting cutting-edge sustainable design strategies and the latest low carbon technologies. Chris strives to ensure Cowen + Partners remains at the forefront of the profession, investing in best in class capabilities and delivery excellence.

For more than ten years, Carlota has been a key figure at Studio Jo Cowen, collaborating closely with founder Jo Cowen and helping to grow the studio into the established and respected name in architecture that it has become. A strong foundation in residential architecture allows Carlota to merge innovative design with commercial viability, leading to projects that are both inspiring and practical.

A passionate advocate for sustainable design, Carlota is particularly adept and experienced in working on listed buildings, bringing a thoughtful, eco-conscious approach to preserving their heritage while introducing modern, environmentally friendly solutions. She combines a natural design flare with a strong technical knowledge of how buildings are constructed and detailed in order to efficiently resolve complex spatial and construction issues across all stages of the design process. Her approach is holistic, ensuring that each project maintains a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic alongside functional excellence.

Carlota prides herself on fostering strong relationships with clients and consultants, understanding that it takes collaboration to continue to deliver beautifully executed projects that meet the needs of both clients and the environment.

As Practice Director Judith works with the senior leadership team on the strategy, organisational and operational management of the practice. This encompasses people, culture, finance, operations and aspects of QA, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Judith is a qualified architect and gained a distinction in her Part 3. She has worked in practice both in London and New York and it was during her time there that she broadened her experience within the construction team taking on roles with a main contractor and project manager. On returning to the UK, Judith returned to the profession in a role that would make the most of her strengths and interests, that of practice management.

Judith has a particular interest in people and culture and has completed CIPD Associate (Level 5) in People Management. She is passionate about broadening diversity within the profession and wider built environment sector, actively pursuing opportunities to enable this across all stages of a career from outreach to schools to career progression within practice, continually striving to create and maintain an inclusive workplace.

Laira has a wealth of experience in delivering high-end residential projects, from the restoration of traditional properties and listed buildings to the design of bespoke new homes. As a qualified Passivhaus Designer, she has successfully completed several net-zero projects, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

Detail-oriented and client-focused, Laira excels at crafting inspirational homes that not only reflect her clients' unique vision but also uphold the highest standards of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.

Harriet has comprehensive experience across the domestic sector, predominantly working with period properties within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which she executes at a very high level of design sophistication and detail. She has a structured and methodical working style which ensures a strong degree of management and collaboration with contractors and consultants.

Understanding and interpreting a client’s brief is paramount to a successful project; Harriet believes a nurtured approach responding to the sensibilities of each home and their owner establishes a synergy that is fundamental to achieving a distinguished architectural result. The home is a place of comfort, security and warmth, and through Harriet’s careful, detail-oriented approach and thorough understanding of the building fabric of period properties within central London, she can ensure this simple principle is maintained throughout every project.

Nada has been with Jo Cowen Studio since 2017 and has extensive experience in delivering several prestigious high-end residential projects. She has strong management capabilities, keen attention to detail and a collaborative mind-set that achieves high quality architectural outcomes.

With a robust understanding of working with existing period properties in London, Nada specialises in transforming spaces to meet the needs of contemporary living and ensuring that design integrity is maintained throughout all stages of a project’s development through to its execution on site.

Her approach is dynamic, practical, and attentive, with a commitment to working closely with Clients, consultants, and contractors, to ensure the vision and brief remains at the heart of every project.

Michael has extensive experience in all aspects of the design and construction of finely tuned and immaculately executed domestic spaces. He especially enjoys developing conversations and a client brief into well organised plans that celebrate clarity of axis, hierarchy and narrative, and optimal use of natural light.

These designs will always contain within them the desire to take shape on the building-site and to bear witness to his love of material and technique: he takes the greatest delight in their delivery in close collaboration with specialist sub-contractors to ensure a high quality of fit and finish.

His projects have increasingly involved a knowledge of traditional forms of building and their details, both to restore and recreate these and to introduce contemporary elements into historic buildings to gain Planning and Listed Building Consents in central London boroughs.

Katie joined Studio Jo Cowen in 2020 and has gained many years of experience in the private residential sector. Her approach is inspired by the belief that thoughtful design can transform everyday living, creating spaces that are both luxurious and functional.

She takes pride in collaborating closely with contractors and consultants to bring a client’s vision to life, ensuring that each project is nurtured and delivered to its full potential.

Whether designing new extensions or renovating existing properties, Katie places a strong emphasis on sustainability, creating spaces that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and built to last. She is particularly dedicated to preserving the character and history of period properties, integrating modern solutions while maintaining their unique charm and architectural integrity. Katie believes architecture is about more than just building—it’s about crafting environments that reflect the needs and aspirations of those who live in them, creating homes that truly feel like home.

Beth is a fully qualified Architect, having completed the Professional Practice in Architecture Postgraduate Diploma at the University of Westminster in 2021, an M.Arch Architecture at the Bartlett, UCL in 2018, and a BA (Hons) Architecture at the University of Brighton in 2014, where she received a First Class Degree with Honours.

Throughout her academic studies and career, it is the expression of materiality, craft of construction, and consideration for colour and tone which have sat at the heart of Beth’s design ethos and practice. She believes the culmination of these principles are what make both successful places and spaces.

This outlook has enabled Beth to work across a range of scales in the residential sector, from the complexity of a detailed tender package for a client’s home, to developing strategies to deliver a new town centre for future communities.

Jamie joined Studio Jo Cowen in 2023 having just graduated from the University of Bath. Throughout his time here he has worked across a multitude of projects at various stages, whether that be in early-stage concept and feasibility design, preparing planning applications or assisting in the detailed design stage.

Jamie’s interests lie in sustainability and across his research at university, he focused on designing low energy performing buildings using natural materials and how different methods of construction could be used as an alternative to traditional building.

Aside from this Jamie is interested in how 3D modelling to test different design options and materiality can be used throughout the design process to give a better understanding of space and scale.

Recently, Jamie has begun studying for his master’s degree in architecture at the London School of Architecture, where he balances part time studying whilst continuing his career at Studio Jo Cowen.

Philippe completed his Masters of Architecture, with distinction, at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. His thesis interrogated the complex urban fabric of a culturally and historically rich inner-city block in Johannesburg. The themes picked up in his thesis provide an insight into his architectural interests that have emerged in professional practice. He has a particular interest in restoration, historic preservation and research, placemaking, urbanism, as well as a passion for sustainability and environmental preservation.
After obtaining his architectural professional registration in South Africa, he elected to further his professional development in the UK. Philippe has been a core team member on a diverse range of commercial and residential projects, developing a varied skillset for designing spaces at a variety of scales. Most notably, Philippe offers a high proficiency in various computer modelling and visualisation software as well as varied coordination and teamwork experience.